2019 Kia Sorento problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 426 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Sorento, filed between 2018-07-17 and 2026-09-07. The most common problem areas are the engine (155, 36%), electrical system (68, 16%) and structure (54, 13%). Owners reported 10 crashes, 19 fires and 16 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2019 Kia Sorento complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 155 | 36% | 2 | 11 | 4 |
| Unknown or other | 110 | 26% | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 68 | 16% | 3 | 7 | 2 |
| Structure | 54 | 13% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Power train | 51 | 12% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 24 | 6% | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 22 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 18 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 16 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 3% | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 12 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Trailer hitches | 7 | 2% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 155 complaints
- 155 complaints of 426 (36%) name the engine.
- 23 of them also name the power train; owners reported 2 crashes, 11 fires and 4 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Electrical system: 68 complaints
- 68 complaints of 426 (16%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 37 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 3 crashes, 7 fires and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Structure: 54 complaints
- 54 complaints of 426 (13%) name the structure — the body and frame structure.
- 21 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 1 crash and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Power train: 51 complaints
- 51 complaints of 426 (12%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 23 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 24 complaints
- 24 complaints of 426 (6%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 9 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Exterior lighting: 22 complaints
- 22 complaints of 426 (5%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- 6 of them also name the electrical system; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Kia Sorento covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 36 |
| 2020 | 28 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2023 | 58 |
| 2024 | 107 |
| 2025 | 87 |
| 2026 | 60 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names SORENTO, model year 2019. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2019 Kia Sorento recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Sorento?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2019 Kia Sorento's most common problem areas are the engine (155 of 426 complaints), electrical system (68 of 426 complaints) and structure (54 of 426 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2019 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA has 426 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Sorento, including 10 reported crashes and 19 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Kia Sorento's problems?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 Kia Sorento; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.