IllustrationPURCHASED CAR IN JAN 2019. CAR STUDDERS ON ACCELERATION OF CAR UNDER ALL CONDITIONS.ACCELERATION IS ALWAYS ROUGH. TWO TIME AND SEVERAL CALLS TO DEALER HAS BEEN OF NO HELP. I KEEP GETTING TOLD BY DEALER THAT KIA IS WORKING ON SOFTWARE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND THAT ALL KIA SORENTO'S HAVE SAME PROBLEM.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sorento years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
600–25K
1625–50K
1050–75K
1075–100K
15100–150K
3150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ALL THE TIME EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE HANN AUTO GROUP (1730 S 1ST ST, Y…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ALL THE TIME EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE HANN AUTO GROUP (1730 S 1ST ST, YAKIMA, WA 98901) ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,500.
I NOTICED AN ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION HESITATION PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE 6500 MILES ON MY 2019 SORENTO EX V6 AWD.. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE HESITATION ESPECIALLY IN ECO AND SMART MODES. SOMETIMES IT HESITATES INITIALLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION BUT THE REAL CONCERN IT HESITATES AFTER YO…
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I NOTICED AN ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION HESITATION PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE 6500 MILES ON MY 2019 SORENTO EX V6 AWD.. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE HESITATION ESPECIALLY IN ECO AND SMART MODES. SOMETIMES IT HESITATES INITIALLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION BUT THE REAL CONCERN IT HESITATES AFTER YOU PULL INTO AN INTERSECTION WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT PREVENTS YOU FROM DRIVING AWAY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. I MENTIONED THIS TO TWO KIA EMPLOYEES AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR KIA VEHICLES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY CHECKED MY VEHICLE AND DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM BUT THE 'RESET' THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE TWO OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE AND MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON THE KIA SORENTO FORUM. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED.
MY 2019 V6 KIA SORENTO STUMBLES AND HESITATES UNDER PART THROTTLE, LOW RPM, ACCELERATION REGARDLESS OF SPEED. IT'S MORE NOTICEABLE IN CITY DRIVING, BUT IS PRESENT WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. KEEPING THE TRANSMISSION IN 'SPORT' MODE REDUCES THE SEVERITY, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE IT. WHEN I PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN MANUAL MODE…
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MY 2019 V6 KIA SORENTO STUMBLES AND HESITATES UNDER PART THROTTLE, LOW RPM, ACCELERATION REGARDLESS OF SPEED. IT'S MORE NOTICEABLE IN CITY DRIVING, BUT IS PRESENT WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. KEEPING THE TRANSMISSION IN 'SPORT' MODE REDUCES THE SEVERITY, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE IT. WHEN I PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN MANUAL MODE, AND LOCK IN A HIGHER (NUMERICALLY) GEAR, I CAN DUPLICATE THE HESITATION. I HAD MY DEALERSHIP REFLASH THE LOGIC CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION, PER A TSB, BUT THAT ONLY PARTIALLY ADDRESSED THE ISSUE SO IT MAY BE A COMBINATION OF FUEL DELIVERY/AUTOMATIC GEAR SELECTION. I BELIEVE IT'S MORE OF A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM, THOUGH. SOMETIMES THE HESITATION IS SUCH THAT IT PREVENTS PROMPT ACCELERATION, POSING A SAFETY CONCERN. I'VE USED VARIOUS FUEL SYSTEM CLEANERS DESIGNED FOR GDI ENGINES WITH LIMITED SUCCESS. MY VEHICLE HAS 13K MILES ON IT, AND IT HAS PERFORMED IN THIS MANNER SINCEI BOUGHT IT APX. 2K MILES, AND TWO MONTHS, AGO.
WHEN PULLING OUT OR STARTING OUT THE CAR HESITATES MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNSAFE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY.
PURCHASED NEW 2/22/19. REPORTED ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEM TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP OVER 30 DAYS. CONSISTENTLY HESITATION AND STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION. KIA MOTOR CO, HAS DENIED THEIR IS AN ISSUE AND VEHICLE IS RUNNING PROPERLY ACCORDING TO DESIGN. KIA ENGINEERS AGREED THERE …
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PURCHASED NEW 2/22/19. REPORTED ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEM TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP OVER 30 DAYS. CONSISTENTLY HESITATION AND STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION. KIA MOTOR CO, HAS DENIED THEIR IS AN ISSUE AND VEHICLE IS RUNNING PROPERLY ACCORDING TO DESIGN. KIA ENGINEERS AGREED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR BUT NO FIX AVAILABLE. I DROVE 3 DIFFERENT BRAND NEW SORENTO'S WITH EXACT DRIVETRAIN AND THEY ALL PERFORMED EXACTLY AS MY CAR. ALMOST GOT RUN OVER LAST WEEK TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON AN INTERSTATE ON RAMP.
MY 2019 KIA SORENTO HAS HESITATIONS WHILE RAMPING UP IN SPEED. TOLD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AFTER THE 1ST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. TOLD IT WAS NOTHING SINCE IT DIDN'T SHOW UP IN SPORT MODE. I'M SEEING IN FORUMS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 8 SPEED TRANS. DROPPING OFF TO DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN.
TRANSMISSION STUMBLES / HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILL OR ON LEVEL SURFACE AT LOW SPEEDS. VEHICLE BRIEFLY AND REPEATEDLY LURCHES UNDER ACCELERATION AS IF DRIVING ON PATCHY ICE-COVERED ROAD SURFACE. NOTICEABLE TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. WORST IN COMFORT, SMART AND ECO MODES. NOT AS PRONOUNCED, BUT STILL PRESENT IN SPORT MODE.…
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TRANSMISSION STUMBLES / HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILL OR ON LEVEL SURFACE AT LOW SPEEDS. VEHICLE BRIEFLY AND REPEATEDLY LURCHES UNDER ACCELERATION AS IF DRIVING ON PATCHY ICE-COVERED ROAD SURFACE. NOTICEABLE TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. WORST IN COMFORT, SMART AND ECO MODES. NOT AS PRONOUNCED, BUT STILL PRESENT IN SPORT MODE. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING SHORTLY AFTER START-UP. LESS NOTICEABLE AFTER 10-15 MINUTES DRIVING.
I WAS OUT OF TOWN WHEN MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR SHOULD TAKE 2-4 HOURS. HOWEVER, AFTER TRYING A FIX THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT A WIRING HARNESS IN THE FRONT CONSOLE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR A…
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I WAS OUT OF TOWN WHEN MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR SHOULD TAKE 2-4 HOURS. HOWEVER, AFTER TRYING A FIX THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT A WIRING HARNESS IN THE FRONT CONSOLE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK. I AM NOT SURE IF ANY OR ALL OF THE AIRBAGS WOULD'VE FAILED DURING A WRECK BUT FELT THIS WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO REPORT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT.
LOUD ENGINE RATTLE NOISE WHEN STARTING ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN SHUT OFF OVERNIGHT.SOUNDS LIKE THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN HYDRAULIC TENSIONER IS BLEEDING DOWN.TENSIONER DOES NOT MAINTAIN A CORRECT INITIAL POSITION.NOISE DIMINISHES WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO OF STATIONARY ENGINE RUN.
Official recalls
223V639000 · 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
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.