← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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
7,000 miles · Nov 23, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

[XXX] I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A M…

Read full complaint

[XXX] I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A MESS WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT A (SERIOUS ELECTRIC PROBLEM THAT THE MANAGER WARREN RIOS AT LEV KIA TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS) CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWN SHIFT, I WILL SEND THOSE PAPERS SOON. ALSO IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHY DID THEY REPLACE THE FIRST ONE. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE OF A MOISTURE PROBLEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL SHIFTING MODULATOR VALVE TO ACT UP, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE IT THEY HAD TO DO A PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE MODULATOR VALVE. HOW DO YOU CORRECT A MOISTURE PROBLEM IN AN INTERNAL MODULATOR VALVE WITH AN UPDATE? WE WILL SEE WHAT YOUR ANSWER TO THIS IS, THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE #1 E-BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON BY ITSELF #2 THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LOWER LAMP GOING OUT 2 TIMES, THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THREE DAYS AND WENT THROUGH THE WIRE HARNESS CLEANED ALL THE CONNECTORS TO THE LAMP. I TOLD [XXX] THAT A LOT OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM THAT SOMETHING WAS GETTING WET AND CAUSING EITHER A SHORT OR A SURGE OR A BAD GROUND CONNECTION, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE E-BRAKE LIGHT BEING ON AND THE HEADLAMP LOWER LIGHT OUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THAT'S IT FOR NOW I WILL SENT THE PAPER WORK SOON. I AM ALSO SENDING A COPY OF THIS NOTE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND TO KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11281953

13,000 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASED WITHOUT A WARNING CHIME SOUNDING. GERALD KIA OF NORTH AURORA (201 HANSEN BLVD N, AURA, IL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #11279978

7,500 miles · Nov 8, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON AUGUST 25, 2019, WHILE DRIVING HOME TO NEW YORK, MY WIFE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY DAUGHTER SAT IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT BEHIND MY WIFE, I STOPPED AT A REST STOP FOR GASOLINE AT ABOUT 12:15 PM AS I PULLED INTO THE AREA WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AND I PRESSED HARD TO STOP THE CAR…

Read full complaint

ON AUGUST 25, 2019, WHILE DRIVING HOME TO NEW YORK, MY WIFE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY DAUGHTER SAT IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT BEHIND MY WIFE, I STOPPED AT A REST STOP FOR GASOLINE AT ABOUT 12:15 PM AS I PULLED INTO THE AREA WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AND I PRESSED HARD TO STOP THE CAR. IT STOPPED. ON THE SAME DAY, AT 4:17 PM, I PULLED INTO A SUNOCO GAS STATION. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AS I PULLED INTO THE STATION, THE CAR SURGED, I PRESSED HARD AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. I SLOWLY PULLED AROUND THE TWO OCCUPIED PUMPS AND PULLED BEHIND THE OTHER PUMPS. (TIME-4:19PM) A CAR WAS AT THE FIRST PUMP AND A MAN WAS STANDING AT HIS GAS TANK PUMPING GAS. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK, I SLOWLY MOVED BEHIND HIS CAR AT ABOUT 2 MPH AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. I PUSHED HARD ON THE BREAK. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND HIT THE PROTECTIVE BARRIER SURROUNDING THE GAS PUMP. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAR WAS TOWED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE DECLARED THE CAR 'TOTALED.' INCLUDED IN A SERVICE WAS A RECALL FOR A COMPUTER MECHANISM C/S: SA387 UM TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT DTC P0741. KIA TOLD ME IT WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. DID THIS RECALL REPLACEMENT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACCIDENT? I TOLD KIA CENTRAL ALSO THAT THE FCA (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSIST) DID NOT ENGAGE ON AUGUST 16. DID THIS MALFUNCTION CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACCIDENT? THESE CONCERNS WERE NEVER ADDRESSED OR INVESTIGATED BY KIA MOTORS. NUMEROUS CALLS TO KIA CENTRAL AND TO KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER WERE ATTEMPTED WITHOUT RESOLUTION AND MOST TIMES IGNORED. ON SEPTEMBER 24, KIA FROM CENTRAL CALLED ME TO INFORM ME THAT THE CASE WAS CLOSED. KIA DID NOT EVALUATE THE CAR OR AMELIORATE THE SITUATION. KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THE 2019 KIA SORRENTO FOR MALFUNCTIONING PERFORMANCE. PEOPLE COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE! *JS

NHTSA ODI #11278855

11,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

I SENT THIS TO [XXX]<[XXX]> I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I…

Read full complaint

I SENT THIS TO [XXX]<[XXX]> I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A MESS WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT A (SERIOUS ELECTRIC PROBLEM THAT THE MANAGER [XXX] AT LEV KIA TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS) CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWN SHIFT, I WILL SEND THOSE PAPERS SOON. ALSO IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHY DID THEY REPLACE THE FIRST ONE. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE OF A MOISTURE PROBLEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL SHIFTING MODULATOR VALVE TO ACT UP, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE IT THEY HAD TO DO A PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE MODULATOR VALVE. HOW DO YOU CORRECT A MOISTURE PROBLEM IN AN INTERNAL MODULATOR VALVE WITH AN UPDATE? WE WILL SEE WHAT YOUR ANSWER TO THIS IS, THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE #1 E-BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON BY ITSELF #2 THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LOWER LAMP GOING OUT 2 TIMES, THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THREE DAYS AND WENT THROUGH THE WIRE HARNESS CLEANED ALL THE CONNECTORS TO THE LAMP. I TOLD WARREN RIOS THAT A LOT OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM THAT SOMETHING WAS GETTING WET AND CAUSING EITHER A SHORT OR A SURGE OR A BAD GROUND CONNECTION, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE E-BRAKE LIGHT BEING ON AND THE HEADLAMP LOWER LIGHT OUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THAT'S IT FOR NOW I WILL SENT THE PAPER WORK SOON. I AM ALSO SENDING A COPY OF THIS NOTE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND TO KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11278175

4,000 miles · Oct 23, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCOTT KIA OF SPRINGFIELD (321 BALTIMORE PIKE, SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064, (610) 544-0100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCOTT KIA OF SPRINGFIELD (321 BALTIMORE PIKE, SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064, (610) 544-0100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPON LEAVING A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ODI #11270428

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2019
Unknown Or Other

2019 KIA SORENTO, PURCHASED ON 8/11/19 THAT HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH VIBRATION SINCE DAY ONE.. ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FLAT SPOTTED TIRES AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED SAID IT WAS HIGH RADIAL FORCE ON TWO TIRES AND REPLACED THOSE TWO. VIB…

Read full complaint

2019 KIA SORENTO, PURCHASED ON 8/11/19 THAT HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH VIBRATION SINCE DAY ONE.. ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FLAT SPOTTED TIRES AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED SAID IT WAS HIGH RADIAL FORCE ON TWO TIRES AND REPLACED THOSE TWO. VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE AND I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE JUST CRAPPY(BRAND) AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT, BUT I COULD REPLACE THEM. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY AGREED TO GIVE $750 TOWARD A NEW SET OF TIRES, WHICH I HAD PUT ON AND AM STILL WAITING ON MY $750. YOU GUESSED IT, THE PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION IS STILL THERE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. IN FACT, I HAVE VIDEO OF MY WATER BOTTLE SHAKING IN MY CUP HOLDER WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED. ALSO THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH HESITATION WITH THIS NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR ANOTHER OPINION. WORST EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE EVER HAD WITH A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11269111

29,000 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Engine

MY SORRENTO STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH AND FELT LIKE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MTHE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE. I PULLED OVER TURN VEHICLE OFF CHECKED ALL MY LEVELS EVERYTHING WAS OK EXCEPT LOW WASHER FLUID. PROCEEDED HOME NO PROBLEM. NEXT DAY AFTER WORKING AND RUNNING ERRANDS SAME THING HAPPENED THIS TIME ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON…

Read full complaint

MY SORRENTO STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH AND FELT LIKE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MTHE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE. I PULLED OVER TURN VEHICLE OFF CHECKED ALL MY LEVELS EVERYTHING WAS OK EXCEPT LOW WASHER FLUID. PROCEEDED HOME NO PROBLEM. NEXT DAY AFTER WORKING AND RUNNING ERRANDS SAME THING HAPPENED THIS TIME ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO AUTO ZONE AND THE ERROR CODE GIVEN IS P0200. AND I NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE IS BURNING A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WAS OFF NO PROBLEM BUT ON YESTERDAY 10/14/19 IT HAS STARTED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11268438

200 miles · Oct 12, 2019
Visibility/wiper

WITHIN ON WEEK OF PURCHASING MY NEW KIA SORENTO, I EXPERIENCED A WINDSHIELD CRACK THAT SPREAD QUICKLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE BUILT BETTER. I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MAKES FROM PREVIOUS CARS. I HAD PURCHASED THE PLATINUM PROTECTION PLAN BUT WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT COVER. I CALL…

Read full complaint

WITHIN ON WEEK OF PURCHASING MY NEW KIA SORENTO, I EXPERIENCED A WINDSHIELD CRACK THAT SPREAD QUICKLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE BUILT BETTER. I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MAKES FROM PREVIOUS CARS. I HAD PURCHASED THE PLATINUM PROTECTION PLAN BUT WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT COVER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AT WHICH I PURCHASED THE CAR FOR HELP ONLY TO BE GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BEING TRANSFERRED TO MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS. THE CRACK SPREAD FROM THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN MY LINE OF SIGHT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CLEARLY SEE. I HAD TO PAY MYSELF TO GET THE WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY REPLACED. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF MY KIA AND THE SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED.

NHTSA ODI #11268072

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

OUR NEW 2019 KIA SORENTO EX V6 ENGINE AND NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SURGING AND HESITATION REALLY BAD, ESPECIALLY IN LOWER RPMS. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO SERVICE 5 TIME NOW BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED TO FIX THE ISSUE. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WILL HESITATE AND SURGE, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THE NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS …

Read full complaint

OUR NEW 2019 KIA SORENTO EX V6 ENGINE AND NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SURGING AND HESITATION REALLY BAD, ESPECIALLY IN LOWER RPMS. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO SERVICE 5 TIME NOW BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED TO FIX THE ISSUE. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WILL HESITATE AND SURGE, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THE NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WAY TO SOON, SO IT DOES NOT KEEP THE RPMS UP LONG ENOUGH TO GET THE CAR GOING SUFFICIENTLY THEREFORE CAUSES SURGING.

NHTSA ODI #11268049

5,000 miles · Oct 10, 2019
Forward Collision Avoidance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILUR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VAN SYCKLE KIA (729 HOGAN RD, BANGOR, ME), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE 'BLIND SIDE COLLISION' MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND SUDDENLY ACTIVATED, WHICH ABRUPTLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13352019. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #11267605

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.

Go deeper into Kia Sorento problems