NHTSA has received 430 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Sorento, or 55.2 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.37, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #57 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Kia models its rate is 58% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 5% higher.
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 2026-10-10. Median delay from incident to filing: 29 days.
430Complaints
55.2Complaints per year on the road
1.37Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 1
6.5%Share involving a crash or fire
87Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 29.0 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 20.2 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 69 complaints, 13% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (39.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (13.3%) and Unspecified or other (11.2%). Engine complaints are 1.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 28 reports (6.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 16 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 58 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (47% of incidents). In the last 12 months 87 new complaints were filed, versus 87 in the 12 months before — virtually unchanged.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (defect petition, opened 2022-09-12, closed 2023-12-12).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.37
vs. other Kia models1.58
vs. other 2019 models1.23
vs. other Midsize SUVs1.05
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (69)0.87
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
Case number 25530365 discussed with vanguard kia. Paint not adhering. Flakes off when washing by hand.
Body & structure · 2026-09-27 · ODI 11767241
Gasoline smell is coming with the left side of vehicle. Gasoline is leaking from the fuel pump causing the gas to puddle creating the gasoline smell.
Fuel system · 2026-09-07 · ODI 11762607
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
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 · defect petition · 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…
