Complaint volume
416 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2019 Kia Sorento Complaints
416 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Kia Sorento, grouped by component category.
416 Total complaints
10 Crash reports
18 Fire reports
10 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, structure. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 10 crash reports, 18 fire reports, 10 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 112 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 41,292 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, structure?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2019 Kia Sorento?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2019 Kia Sorento
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Kia Sorento complaints?
10 Crash
18 Fire
10 Injury
0 Fatality
20 Towed
8 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Kia Sorento complaint categories?
ENGINE 96
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 46
STRUCTURE 27
POWER TRAIN 20
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9
416 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2023 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes would pulsate as the vehicle would shake until the vehicle came to a stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to two dealers for the issue 7 times. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to determine if the failure was an ABS brake failure or an electrical failure as the vehicle has had electrical failures. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the tire sensors more than one time, the brain of the electrical system was reprogrammed, and replaced, and the sensor was also replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was currently at the dealer and was informed that the electrical wiring harness was short circuiting and needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the driver’s side rear passenger’s door handle had detached from the vehicle when her child attempted to open the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the door handle was not replaced as the contact was informed that the door handle was not included in the Extended Warranty. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had electrical issues since the day of purchase. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 35,000 |
| Nov 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle has a strong fuel smell when driving and when park kia found leak coming from fuel pump seen fuel coming from up on top of tank kia replace fuel pump and there were no cheek eng light | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Infotainment screen and back up camera, it is available for Kia at anytime they choose. A complaint has been filed with kia and they have yet to respond. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Failure of the system causes Safety issues for passengers as well as anyone outside of the vehicle while operating said vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It is unclear whether or not they have made a Legitimate attempt To reproduce the issues. The Dealership that it was purchased at refused to make any attempt to acknowledge the issue. Kia requested that it Be serviced at a dealership, they had it for 27 days consecutively in 2022 and 91 days in 2023 and made no attempt to reproduce the issue. multiple recordings have been provided to Kia. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. Kia has had possession of the vehicle 27 consecutive days on 2022 and 91 consecutive days in 2023 Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. Screen malfunctions during use. Flash black Last date of malfunction 11.21.2023. There was a heavy rain 11.20 to 11.21 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ENGINE | Oil pan crack below Plug due to changing oil. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | SEAT BELTS | While my 6 year old was attempting to put on his rear right seat belt, the belt gave way and tore in half completely unhinged at the seams. We were leaving so we move our child to the left rear seat that has hardly ever been used. As he was putting this seat belt on it also became completely torn in half at the seams . My child’s life has been at risk for the our most recent drives as the seat belt would most likely have been busted in the case of a car accident not being able to hold my child safe and secure. Dealer says they have never seen this. Dealer inspected and reported to manufacturer, stated they would only do a 1 time courtesy replacement. There were no warning lamps and zero symptoms or problems prior to malfunction. This first occurred the weekend of Oct 23rd 2023. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY | As I was merging off of a ramp onto the expressway my sunroof exploded causing glass to go everywhere almost causing me to crash the vehicle. No cars were present around me to kick up debris to hit the vehicle, and there were no potholes or anything for me to hit. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Infotainment center and back up camera failure as well as multiple other system failures that have been ongoing since 2020 after water damage when ac drain hose backed up. Kia has been contacted multiple times since April 2021 regarding this issue after it caused an accident while backing up in April 2021. Kia did not inspect the vehicle until March 2022 due to failure to arrange appropriate appointments and transportation. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The ongoing failures are a safety issue because they make it impossible to safely drive and not be distracted. The screen failures when backing up make it unsafe regarding backover protection and the sensors also fail for back up and blind spot. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Unknown. The manufacturer has been provided with multiple videos of the issue and has had the vehicle for over 100 days total. Kia states they have the right to manufacture vehicles with features and that they should not be relied upon for safety, under oath and recorded. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Manufacturer has had access to the vehicle. They are not sharing what occured when they had it. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Failure is not consistent or anticipated. It does occur more often when it has rained. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | I was driving from Los Angeles to Concord, CA when my car stalled on the highway. The last few miles I was driving a red oil light came on, which I found unusual since I wasn't due for another oil change for about 1000 more miles. I get my car towed to the nearest auto shop and they said the drain plug for my oil had fallen off and the tow truck bed was covered in oil as well as the entire backside of my vehicle. And now my engine is done for. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | My wife was driving and this is what she had happen—I was at the atm, put my car in park. I was to short to reach the atm so I cracked the door open just enough to reach out to the atm to do what I needed to do, when the car jumped out of park into somehow it rolling forward.I then fell out of the car head first, smashing my knee and arm in the ground, then getting run over by the Kia. I was also smashed between the cement pulled the curb and door when it smashed shut My arm leg foot ankle all got run over. I then had to somehow manage to get up and run after the moving car open the door jump into the living car to hit the break to stop the car from causing an accident on a busy road. I then came home.the pain over took my body and I needed up so my husband pulled me up and took my kids to my in-laws house to have them watch the kids so I could be checked out. I then knew I needed help as the adrenaline wore off it was bad, we called an ambulance to come get me and take me to the hospital. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began shaking and a burning odor emanated from the 12V accessory outlet. The contact stated that the instrument and meter did not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 65,000 |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | Oil plug fell out | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Unknown- Paint is peeling excessively. Coming off and sheets. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Engine Trouble: 1. Throttle Actuator Control (past issue, not sure if problem still exists). 2. Combustion Issue: (past and present) engine consuming excessive amounts of oil. Needing additional oil between oils changes. Dealer claimed ‘Combustion Cleaning’ was performed April/May 2023 and issue was resolved. I have had to add oil twice since then. Oil Lamp indicator would signaled, or engine would sound loud and over worked. I would then check the oil and add oil as needed. 3. Driving Mode: The vehicle can on be driven in ‘Comfort’ mode. If I drive in ‘Sport’, specifically, the car will start to malfunction and stall. When driving in any of the other modes the engine will become sluggish and eventually malfunction and stall. All of these problems occurred this year, 2023. I have service documents from the dealership. My cell phone is old and doesn’t take clear photos so I can’t upload them. I can provide the documents later if requested. Please contact me by email as I am in the process of moving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | UNKNOWN, HEARD A POP WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND FOUND SMOKE AND THEN FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND INSURANCE CLAIM WAS MADE. INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Paint is chipping and peeling off, we notified Kia and they did an estimate and told us it was out of warranty. We took the vehicle to another body shop who told us that they were seeing many of these Kia's with the same issue. They told us that it is due to UV rays penetrating the paint and causing the primer to get chalky, which causes the paint to delaminate chip and peel. Their estimate was 6566.86, due to having to take the vehicle apart, sand down the vehicle reprime and paint. This estimate was from Stingray Chevrolet in Plant City, Florida | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | After a particular strong rainstorm I found 4 areas on the driver hood right above the headlight and 6 spots above the windshield that were cracked, bubbled and pealed off all the way down to the metal frame. The areas on the hood remain small. They bubble and chip off a little at a time. The areas above the windshield is completely stripped 75% across the top and 4-6 inches deep. The paint continues to sheer off in large chunks all the way down to the metal. I purchased my Sorento in January 2019 brand new. Color is pearl white. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Kia has a known excessive oil consumption issue. This issue has caused my car to suddenly stall while driving which is a huge a safety concern for myself, my passengars and other drivers on the road. If the oil is being sucked into the intake, it will eventually cause engine failure. The Engine Defect is life-threatening and dangerous. As a result of latent design, manufacturing, material, and/or workmanship defects, the Affected Vehicles are prone to excessive oil consumption and/or the restriction of oil flow through the connecting rod bearings as well as to other vital areas of the Engine, causing the Affected Vehicles to experience sudden vehicle stalling, catastrophic engine failure, and/or non-collision engine fires during operation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Kia America sent me a letter on June 30, 2023, which alerted owners of 2018-2019 Kia vehicles of a possible low-pressure fuel pump leak and explaining a warranty extension. I am distressed and disgruntled, frankly, by this strategy to wait until there is a fuel leak before repairing the problem. My wife and I are in our 70s and travel in the car often on overnight and even two-month trips. We now have to worry that we’ll start to smell fumes while far away from home. This is unacceptable. Why is Kia waiting until owners experience problems before fixing it? I asked our Kia dealer how much it would cost me out of pocket to get the fuel pump replaced now before we are stranded on the road. The dealer would not give an estimate. In addition, I wrote to Kia America and their Customer Care Center about this problem and after a month they have not responded. Finally, I called the Care Center hotline and waited for an hour and finally someone answered, but the connection was lost or the person hung up on me before I could even explain the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | On a Sunday morning, approximately 168 miles away from my hometown of Fresno,Ca I was on a family road trip to Pismo, Ca when without warning I began to hear a loud knocking noise coming from the Sorento engine.Since the check engine light was not illuminating, I opened the hood of the Sorento to inspect for any obvious signs of what is causing this sound such as any loose part or oil lose. Nothing was apparent loose and full measured at full. I attempted to check the local area for a mechanic to assist but none were open due to the weekend. The vehicle was left parked at this time. Approximately 7 hours later, I attempted to drive the Sorento home when It started to loose power and began to shake while operating it on a heavy trafficked highway CA-101. I had to quickly exit the highway and park the Sorento on the side of the road. Due to the hour of the day, I left the Sorento on the side of the road in front of a GMC dealership in Paso Robles, Ca and received a ride back home to Fresno,Ca. The following morning with the local businesses open, I returned back to Paso Robles and had the Sorento towed to the local Paso Robles Kia by utilizing my roadside assistance towing through my insurance company, GEICO. After about a hour of being at Paso Robles Kia, I received a call from a rep stating that I would need a new engine because it is damaged. I then arranged a $400 tow from Paso Robles, CA to Coalinga, CA where I work to have the car more accessible for me to access during a repair and I could obtain a second opinion on the repair. They too informed me that I would require a new engine. I called Kia and discussed this issue with them due to this issue being a common occurrence, a partially with the 2019 Kia Sorento Model where a Class action suit was initiated. Kia informed me since my VIN was not part of the suit they would not cover the cost. I would like to note that this issued directly reflects the issues reported in the class action suit against Kia. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owned a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle crashed head on into a second vehicle. During the crash the vehicle was destroyed but the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained multiple rib fractures, lower back, and right knee injuries and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the second vehicle had also sustained unknown injuries and was also transported to the hospital. The cause of the failure was not determined. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 60,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | 60,000 |
| Jul 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Letter date 6/30/2023= Low pressure fuel pump leak . this should be a recall to fix the problem this saftey problem. Not a extension of the warranty | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | My Kia Sorrento Snow White Paint Peeling Chipping Flaking. Rapid peeling of paint. Delamination. My Kia is just a little over three years old. Should not be peeling. This is my second kia. My older one same color no paint issues even after 6 years. Paint is bubbling in some areas and seems like a manufacturer faulty paint job. Paint is coming off in big flakes on doors sides, around windshield and rear hatch area. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | There are times when I brake, my brakes will jump or skip before completely braking. My brakes have been checked and replaced. I have seen recalls on the Kia Sportage for the braking system and I believe that the Kia Sorento has the same issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | I was told by the dealer, that we had to have it dropped off at {400 miles from home}, that the oil drain plug fell out and the engine seized. there are are no previous warning lights no temperature rise the car just stalls, then the warning lights for engine and oil come and by this time your engine is dead. Thank God we where stuck in traffic. Otherwise at cruising speed this could have been a very catastrophic event with the possibility of lose of life. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |