2019 Kia Sorento Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
65/100
#8 most-complained of 21 Sorento years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Kia Sorento has a Complaint Index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. It logged 426 complaints, 2 recalls, and 19 fires, with engine problems making up 41% of reports.
- Complaints
- 426
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 19
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26 hwy
Top 2019 Kia Sorento problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine176 (41%)
- Other111 (26%)
- Electrical System84 (20%)
- Structure & Body65 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain51 (12%)
- Fuel System28 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras23 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers21 (5%)
- Brakes14 (3%)
- Lane Departure12 (3%)
What owners report
- Engines have caught fire, sometimes preceded by a rattle while accelerating, a stall, or white smoke from under the hood, with no warning lights displayed beforehand.
- Some owners report the fuel pump failing and leading to a fire while driving, with flames visible from under the motor.
- Electrical wiring has burned inside the dashboard, triggering multiple warning lights (engine, ABS, traction control) before the vehicle died on the road.
- Brakes have reportedly failed to stop the vehicle quickly, with one owner describing repeated full brake failure tied to a deformed brake booster vacuum hose.
- Airbags did not deploy in some crashes, including head-on collisions and impacts with fixed objects, resulting in injuries.
2019 Kia Sorento recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V639000Sep 15, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras83,667 vehicles
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."
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.
- NHTSA 22V703000Sep 19, 2022Structure & Body70,887 vehiclesPark Outside
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.
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.
2019 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Kia Sorento reliable?
- NHTSA data give the 2019 Sorento a Complaint Index of 65 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years of the Sorento. Engine complaints account for 41% of reports, and the model has had 19 reported fires.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Sorento?
- Engine issues lead with 176 complaints (41% share), followed by electrical system problems (84 complaints, 20% share) and structure & body issues (65 complaints, 15% share).
- Does the 2019 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 Sorento: one for water leaking into the rearview camera and one involving a tow hitch harness that requires owners to park outside away from structures.
- How does the 2019 Sorento compare to other Sorento years?
- The 2019 model's Complaint Index of 65 is lower than the worst years like 2011 (100) and 2016 (95), but higher than newer years like 2023 (30) and 2024 (15), which is rated Best.
- Is the 2019 Kia Sorento one of the worst years?
- It ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years with a Caution verdict, not as bad as 2011-2017 Avoid years but worse than 2018, 2020-2022 Caution years in raw complaint count.