NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
110 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 16, 2024
Unknown Or Other
Snow White Pearl Paint, there are several vehicles including mine that have peeling paint all over the vehicle, in both Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the paint peels when it rains or anything else! No one at the Corporate office or dealership will speak to this, and says that after 36 months it isn't their problem, I have been told …
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Snow White Pearl Paint, there are several vehicles including mine that have peeling paint all over the vehicle, in both Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the paint peels when it rains or anything else! No one at the Corporate office or dealership will speak to this, and says that after 36 months it isn't their problem, I have been told that this is a wide spread issue and that it is on most of all vehicles that are this color.
NHTSA ODI #11630983
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2024
Unknown Or Other
Paint just peeling off
NHTSA ODI #11629119
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2024
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other
This morning my 2019 Kia Sorento lost power all while driving on a busy highway going 70 miles per hour. When this occured the battery light flashed twice and then the instrument cluster had all warning lights. Then the cluster started flashing and the infotainment center lost power. I lost power steering and brakes. This is n…
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This morning my 2019 Kia Sorento lost power all while driving on a busy highway going 70 miles per hour. When this occured the battery light flashed twice and then the instrument cluster had all warning lights. Then the cluster started flashing and the infotainment center lost power. I lost power steering and brakes. This is not the first time this has happened and I am extremely upset. I drove to the nearest dealership because it was the next exit off of the highway. The engine was running but nothing else was working. The dealership could not get it out of park after I arrived and then it would not start. This same issue occured in 2023 and the dealer had it for over 90 days. They claimed everything was fixed and multiple things were not resolved. My cluster has sparatically flashed since 15k miles and this is ridiculous. Kia will not honor warranty or admit that this is a lemon.
NHTSA ODI #11623788
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
I have a 2019 Kia Sorento EX V6 with 65,000 miles. Recently started smelling fuel and had someone look at it. I was told there is a fuel leak above the left side of the tank in the evaporative line. No accidents. This should never happen on a vehicle for no reason. NO system Failure. No malfunction. Yes, it is avai…
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I have a 2019 Kia Sorento EX V6 with 65,000 miles. Recently started smelling fuel and had someone look at it. I was told there is a fuel leak above the left side of the tank in the evaporative line. No accidents. This should never happen on a vehicle for no reason. NO system Failure. No malfunction. Yes, it is available upon request. NO inspections by insurance or police. No warning lights. Safety could potentially be at risk since fuel is exposed!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #11621026
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2024
Unknown Or Other
While driving on the interstate my panoramic sunroof exploded glass flew out, and if the window had been open, it would’ve hurt the people inside. It sounded like a gunshot. My vehicle is currently at a dealership. We are trying to get Kia corporate to fix it because it was a window defect. Nothing hit my car it just explodes.
NHTSA ODI #11616977
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2024
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other
Possible components/systems with issues: Engine, Suspension, Electrical, Emergency Parking Brake and Auto Hold, Back-Up Camera, Parking Collison Warning, et al Been trying to get my vehicle issues resolved. I have not been able to enjoy nor use my vehicle. I've had numerous repeat service appointments. I feel unsafe using the v…
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Possible components/systems with issues: Engine, Suspension, Electrical, Emergency Parking Brake and Auto Hold, Back-Up Camera, Parking Collison Warning, et al Been trying to get my vehicle issues resolved. I have not been able to enjoy nor use my vehicle. I've had numerous repeat service appointments. I feel unsafe using the vehicle. Issues have almost caused accidents. It is now at the dealership and I've been in a loaner vehicle almost 3 months. 1. Suspension problems: I had to drive at reduced speeds and avoid highway usage. Poor driveability and rough handling. Felt like tires would pop off. 2. Oil consumption: Poor performance, reduced power and fuel economy. Check engine light came on. Dealership said I had no oil, history codes, and code for injector misfire. They cleared the codes, told me to come back if codes come back. Had me to do oil consumption tests every 1,000 miles which showed low oil levels. I had to restrict usage of my vehicle for the testing. They ultimately said someone did not properly do the testing and there was never an issue with oil consumption. I believe there was an issue. Check engine light keeps coming on. 3. Back-up camera was replaced for recall. New camera had issues causing inverted images, distorted views, and malfunctions with parking and blind spot sensors. Could not use camera. Took back to dealership multiple times, they checked and said they fixed it but it was not. 4. Emergency Parking Brake and Auto Hold Malfunction: Dashboard indicator for Auto hold malfunction and messages for activation/deactivation of emergency brake/Parking. Vehicle would stop abruptly while driving without notice. Almost caused several accidents. Auto hold would not function as designed so vehicle would keep moving when it was activated, however, the vehicle is not supposed to move when it is activated. Had to pull over, turn vehicle off and back on. Sometime it cleared, sometimes it didn't. Dealership could not replicate so had me record
NHTSA ODI #11615304
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2024
Unknown Or Other
My 2019 Kia Sorento review camera gets water in it and makes it difficult to see. I see NHTSA 23V639000 is a recall. With my vin number the Kia dealer does not see a recall for this, but there should be. I contacted Kia customer service (listed below) and I get a person who cannot do anything about this issue. They look up my v…
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My 2019 Kia Sorento review camera gets water in it and makes it difficult to see. I see NHTSA 23V639000 is a recall. With my vin number the Kia dealer does not see a recall for this, but there should be. I contacted Kia customer service (listed below) and I get a person who cannot do anything about this issue. They look up my vin number and see no recalls as the person said their system does not show recalls. The Kia dealers show recalls but do not have the review camera listed as a recall as it should be. Notification: Owners were notified by mail starting November 13, 2023. Owners can also contact Kia customer service at (800) 333-4542. Recall number: SC282 I was never notified and Kia does not recognize the recall above All contact information below when contacted has proved useless. Chief Safety Officer Kia America National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [XXX] Sep 22, 2023 — Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11615080
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2024
Unknown Or Other
Delamination of white pearl paint on my car hood and roof.
NHTSA ODI #11615069
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2024
StructureUnknown Or Other
My pearl white 2019 KIA Sorento LX is peeling terribly. It's very ugly and is causing my car to rust in spots
NHTSA ODI #11604920
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other
Oil light has come on intermittently, so we took the car into the Kia dealership in May before we hit 60k miles, the limit of our warranty. We were told they drained the oil, checked everything, and didn't find any issues. Oil light issue persisted so we took the car back to the dealership today (July 19) and the dealership ha…
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Oil light has come on intermittently, so we took the car into the Kia dealership in May before we hit 60k miles, the limit of our warranty. We were told they drained the oil, checked everything, and didn't find any issues. Oil light issue persisted so we took the car back to the dealership today (July 19) and the dealership has now acknowledged the crack in the engine where oil leaks into the oil pan. This is a widespread problem and should have been well known by the dealership. [XXX] ) However, dealer cannot do anything to fix the engine unless we pay - we were instructed to monitor the oil level and bring the car back regularly so they could read the computer codes to see if the engine starts to show any signs of rod bearing failure, since that code would justify Kia replacing the engine. In the meantime, they want us to keep driving it; the engine may seize, stall, fail, or simply catch fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11603462
Official recalls
2Sep 15, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282.
Sep 19, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.