NHTSA has received 423 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Sorento, or 55.1 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.31, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #55 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 55% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is about the same.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-07-17 and 2026-09-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 29 days.
423Complaints
55.1Complaints per year on the road
1.31Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 1
6.6%Share involving a crash or fire
93Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 29.1 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 20.1 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 69 complaints, 14% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (38.8% of complaints), followed by Electrical (13.5%) and Interior & equipment (11.3%). Engine complaints are 1.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “oil”, “engine”, “consumption”, “pressure sensor” and “light”. 28 reports (6.6%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 16 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 57 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (46% of incidents). In the last 12 months 93 new complaints were filed, versus 80 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 16% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2022-09-12, closed 2023-12-12).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.31
vs. other Kia models1.55
vs. other 2019 models1.2
vs. other Midsize SUVs1.04
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (69)0.86
Spontaneous fire under hood. Nothing was malfunctuoing, no warning lights. All fluids were good, no temp issues. Parked to to run inside to use rr, was paged and came out car is on fire
Engine · 2026-07-20 · ODI 11751488 · Fire
On Saturday February 7th, while driving home, the vehicle suddenly caught fire without any warning. Within moments, the fire intensified, and I was forced to jump out of the vehicle to save my life. Shortly afterward, the vehicle exploded.
Engine · 2026-02-16 · ODI 11718382 · Fire
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 64 MPH, the contact detected a shimmy and knocking coming from the front wheels. There was no warning light illuminated.
Steering · 2026-08-20 · ODI 11758277
The paint is peeling in sheets, especially above the windshield, leaving the vehicle unprotected and vulnerable to rust.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-07 · ODI 11755415
My rear backup camera stopped working this year it's either a black screen or blinking screen no video will play. When I first started the video was foggy like moisture was in the camera and now it shows nothing.
Interior & equipment · 2026-07-17 · ODI 11751075
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 23V639000 · 2023-09-15
Summary: 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."
Risk: 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.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
DP22003 · ENGINE · Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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 i…
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Kia Sorento?
423 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Sorento, or about 55.1 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Kia Sorento?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 38.8% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2022-09-12, closed 2023-12-12).
Is the 2019 Kia Sorento still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 93 new complaints were filed, versus 80 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2019 Kia Sorento compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 423 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Sorento, or 55.1 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.31, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #55 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 55% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is about the same.