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2019 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

114 reports with mileage · 312 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 155 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports19 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

426 reports
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2025
Structure

I am the original owner of my vehicle, which I purchased brand new from the dealership in December, 2017]. The car is now five years old and has been regularly maintained. However, I have observed significant issues with the paint, which is bubbling and peeling off in large amounts in several areas of the vehicle. This conditio…

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I am the original owner of my vehicle, which I purchased brand new from the dealership in December, 2017]. The car is now five years old and has been regularly maintained. However, I have observed significant issues with the paint, which is bubbling and peeling off in large amounts in several areas of the vehicle. This condition is concerning, as it not only affects the vehicle’s appearance but also has the potential to cause rust and other mechanical issues if left unaddressed. Given that the peeling is occurring despite proper care and no external factors such as accidents or environmental damage, I believe this may be a manufacturing defect. I am requesting an evaluation of this issue and any available remedies under the manufacturer’s warranty, especially considering the potential for long-term damage to the vehicle’s structure and mechanical components. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] 2019 Kia Sorento [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11662157

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2025
Unknown Or OtherFire

I’m contacting you regarding my 2019 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ), which was completely destroyed in a fire on [XXX]. I had gone for a run at the city park, and as I was walking back, I saw my vehicle in flames. Police were already on-site, and just as I approached, the back windshield exploded. The fire department arrived shortly …

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I’m contacting you regarding my 2019 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ), which was completely destroyed in a fire on [XXX]. I had gone for a run at the city park, and as I was walking back, I saw my vehicle in flames. Police were already on-site, and just as I approached, the back windshield exploded. The fire department arrived shortly after and extinguished the flames. The vehicle is a total loss. After reviewing the VIN, I found the vehicle is subject to Recall SC249F / NHTSA 22V703 for a fire risk related to trailer hitch wiring. I want to emphasize that this vehicle did not have a trailer hitch installed, which raises concerns that it may have been pre-wired at the factory or otherwise contained faulty components. Additionally, I had previously brought the vehicle to the dealership twice for electrical problems, including complete failure of all lights, the windshield wiper motor, and power outlets. These issues were never fully resolved and may have been early signs of the defect that led to the fire. I am requesting: 1.A factory build sheet or Monroney label to confirm if any recall-related components were installed. 2.Guidance on how to initiate an official claim or investigation with Kia. 3.Clarification on whether Recall SC249F applies to vehicles without a hitch but with related electrical systems. Photos of the fire damage are available INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11660585

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2025
Engine

Kia is well known for their engine problems. I had my engine light come on and was flashing so I pulled over and shut the car off. After a few minutes I turned it back on and the light was still on, but no longer flashing. I was able to get it to my local mechanic who told me it needed a new engine. I had it towed to the Kia dea…

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Kia is well known for their engine problems. I had my engine light come on and was flashing so I pulled over and shut the car off. After a few minutes I turned it back on and the light was still on, but no longer flashing. I was able to get it to my local mechanic who told me it needed a new engine. I had it towed to the Kia dealer where I purchased it. They were able to replace it was a refurbished motor, but Kia indicated it was not part of the current recall. I feel it should be part of the current engine recall, but if it truly is not then I felt you should be made aware of the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11656485

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2025
Engine

We have noticed a great amount of oil consumption in the engine. We first thought we needed an oil change. We keep up on maintenance of our vehicles. When we took it in to get the oil changed, they said we had almost no oil in the vehicle. So once we had an oil change, we took it to Kia of Alcoa and they said there was nothing w…

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We have noticed a great amount of oil consumption in the engine. We first thought we needed an oil change. We keep up on maintenance of our vehicles. When we took it in to get the oil changed, they said we had almost no oil in the vehicle. So once we had an oil change, we took it to Kia of Alcoa and they said there was nothing wrong with it. We drove it a while and again low on oil. We take it back to Kia of Alcoa and they do an oil consumption test. We drove it 1,000 miles like they said to do and we came back. They checked the oil level and they said the oil consumption was normal. So again we drive it and still having issues with oil consumption. We always have to put anywhere from 1 to 5 quarts of oil in the vehicle on a regular basis. We should not have to add oil in between oil changes. Now we have a rattling going on and we are taking it back to Kia Alcoa soon to get looked at. We believe that rattling is from the high oil consumption. Nobody seems to have a solution and everyone thinks there is nothing wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11655226

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2025
Engine

I own a 2019 Kia Sorento SX V6 that I purchase in January 2024 that now has 73k miles. I recently started encountering a problem where the oil light would come on and stay on while my car is an idle position. I went to City Kia of Greater Orlando to get an oil change because I assumed that was the problem. Sometime after the …

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I own a 2019 Kia Sorento SX V6 that I purchase in January 2024 that now has 73k miles. I recently started encountering a problem where the oil light would come on and stay on while my car is an idle position. I went to City Kia of Greater Orlando to get an oil change because I assumed that was the problem. Sometime after the oil change the light continued to go on when my car was in idle position and my engine oil that was just replaced had been severely depleted so I returned to Kia to have a diagnostic done and was advised that the oil filter housing gasket, oil pressure regulator valve needed to be replaced along with some other repairs for leaks so I approved the repairs but after the repairs were completed and I retrieved my vehicle the same problem of the oil light coming own when idle continued. I returned one again to Kia and had another diagnostic done and they found that now the oil pressure switch with harness needed to be replaced which I questioned because why wasn’t this issue found with the first diagnostic. Why so many issues with parts related to my engine and is not covered under warranty or as part of a recall. I’ve done some research and found numerous complaints of the 2019 kia sorento having the same engine issues and having the same parts replaced. I strongly believe that this is a defect on this car and should be addressed immediately and these issues scrutinized.

NHTSA ODI #11654871

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Paint is peeling. Only have 100,000 miles. Paint is peeling off badly.

NHTSA ODI #11652081

69,000 miles · Mar 31, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a local AutoZone, where a representative inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the engine oil was extremely low. The contact added engine …

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The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a local AutoZone, where a representative inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the engine oil was extremely low. The contact added engine oil, and within two weeks, the engine oil was extremely low again. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that several local dealers were contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced a settlement under Kia Engine Litigation: Case [XXX] as possibly related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11651750

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2025
Engine

Oil consumption

NHTSA ODI #11650279

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2025
Unknown Or Other

My oil level in my car keeps going low. Service department at Kia states they cannot find another problem. I’ve had regular oil changes. I met someone at the dealership experiencing the same problem.

NHTSA ODI #11649301

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2025
SteeringUnknown Or Other

We have received the security update for the ignition system over a year ago for the recall. Even with this recall fix our vehicle was still stolen, so this solution clearly didn't work.

NHTSA ODI #11649128

Official recalls

2

23V639000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 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.

22V703000 · Trailer Hitches

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

1

DP22003 · 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.

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