What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2019 KIA Sorento

Typical pattern

7% of complaints about the 2019 KIA Sorento came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2019 vehicle — around the middle of the 191 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (154 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 56,000 miles.

Complaints
627
Median age at failure
4.8 yr
Median mileage
22,000 n=144
Crash / fire / tow
9.9% of reports
Safety recalls
2 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
154 reports · 56,000 mi
5.8 yr
9.7%
Other
109 reports · 11,000 mi
4.8 yr
7.3%
Electrical system
68 reports · 18,000 mi
2.6 yr
14.7%
Structure
54 reports · 65,000 mi
4.5 yr
3.7%
Power train
50 reports · 13,000 mi
3.3 yr
4%
Fuel / propulsion
24 reports · 149,904 mi
5.3 yr
12.5%
Collision avoidance
22 reports · 5,000 mi
5.4 yr
9.1%
Exterior lighting
21 reports · 10,000 mi
3.0 yr
0%
Visibility / wipers
16 reports · 200 mi
4.6 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V703000 2022-09-19 Do not drive
Trailer hitches

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.

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

23V639000 2023-09-15
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

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."

A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Exterior lighting 327 mi 1.2 yr in service
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TWO WEIRD SHAPES AT THE TOP LINE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THESE SHAPES INTERFERE WITH THE CLEAR DRIVER VIEW AT NIGHT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND MUST BE RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.
Exterior lighting 10,000 mi 5 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON LOW, THE HEADLIGHT DISPLAYED A SHADOW AND BOUNCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE UNIVERSITY KIA OF DURHAM (5105 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL BLVD, DURHAM, NC 27707 919) 572-1700) WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ADJUSTED AND FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Exterior lighting mileage not reported 2.4 yr in service
Headlights causing moving shadows, blind areas, phantom objects. Unsafe because visibility is reduced, compromised. Dangerous to operators and passengers. Has a high probability of causing an accident.
Other mileage not reported 11 mo in service
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.

Other Sorento model years

202520232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112009200820072006200520042003

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