Reliable Auto DB

2019 Kia Sorento reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2019 Kia Sorento has 426 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 28 per year. That is about even with the other Sorento years here. Their median is 26 complaints per year. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Trailer hitch.

2012 Kia Sorento
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

426

Per year

28

Recalls

2

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (155 of 426), then Electrical system (68) and Structure (54). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 19 that report a fire, and 10 that report an injury.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Sorento has 254 complaints, 16 per year, and the 2020 has 135 complaints, 10 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Kia Sorento. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-09-15 · NHTSA campaign 23V639000
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."
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.
Recall trailer hitch 2022-09-19 · NHTSA campaign 22V703000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (426 total)

Engine
155
Electrical system
68
Structure
54
Powertrain
51
Fuel and propulsion system
24
Exterior lighting
22
Forward collision avoidance
18
Visibility and wipers
16
Speed control
14
Engine and engine cooling
13
Service brakes
13
Lane departure
12
Steering
11
Trailer hitch
7
Back-over prevention
6
Air bags
5
Seat belts
5
Visibility
5
Fuel system, gasoline
4
Seats
4
Suspension
2
Fire-related
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Tires
1
Wheels
1
Show 18 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

19

Injury reports

10

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

520183620192820201420213120225820231072024872025602026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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 and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-07
  • "Engine seized per Kia Inspected by Kia after AAA TOWED AND COULD NOT START CAR warning lamps have been on for over 6 months. Kia inspected and ran diagnostics at that time and said it was nothing to fix just an annoying…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-09-04
  • "I am filing this complaint regarding my 2019 Kia Sorento and an engine failure related to Kia’s Product Improvement Campaign/KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) campaign. I purchased this vehicle used in 2022. Prior to…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-04
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was slowly driven to the residence and…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-09-01
  • "Engine burning oil Failed oil consumption test done by dealership - had to get engine replaced Still noticing stuttering and fluctuating power at times. Failure of Snow White Pearl paint delamination issue causing the…"
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-08-21

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2019 Kia Sorento SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2019 Kia Sorento SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Sorento all-wheel drive 3.3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 19 24 21 MPG $3100
Sorento all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 21 26 23 MPG $2800
Sorento front-wheel drive 3.3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 26 22 MPG $2950
Sorento front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 29 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (UM), 2012–2020
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 3.3L V6 per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/65R17 to 235/55R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Safety recall 17V-224 covers certain 2012-2014 Sorentos (among Optima and Sportage): machining errors during engine manufacturing may cause premature bearing wear that can seize the engine; dealers inspect and replace the engine as needed. That campaign does not list 2015-2020 model years. For later GDI/T-GDI years, Kia ran a Knock Sensor Detection System product-improvement campaign (not a safety recall) on certain 2015-2018 Sorentos with 2.4L GDI and 2016-2018 with 2.0L turbo GDI to add ECU software that detects early connecting-rod bearing wear. Safety recall 18V-907 covers certain 2012-2017 Sorentos that previously received an engine replacement under 17V-224, warranty, or the KSDS campaign: the high-pressure fuel pipe may have been damaged or mis-torqued during that replacement and can leak; dealers inspect and replace the pipe. Safety recall 16V-480 covers certain 2016 Sorentos whose rear-suspension cross-member welds may be improper; dealers inspect and replace the cross-member as needed.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Kia Sorento Next year 2020 Kia Sorento See every Kia Sorento model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Kia Sorento reliable?

The 2019 Kia Sorento has 426 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 28 per year. That is about even with the other Sorento years here. Their median is 26 complaints per year. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Trailer hitch.

What are common problems with a 2019 Kia Sorento?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (155 of 426), then Electrical system (68) and Structure (54). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 19 that report a fire, and 10 that report an injury.

Is the 2019 Kia Sorento more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 Sorento has 254 complaints, 16 per year, and the 2020 has 135 complaints, 10 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Kia Sorento been recalled?

The 2019 Kia Sorento has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Kia Sorento?

Owners have filed 426 complaints about the 2019 Kia Sorento with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Kia Sorento get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Kia Sorento is 22.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Kia Sorento take?

UM (2012-2020): 5W-20 or 0W-20 for 2.4L and 3.3L V6. MQ4 (2021+): 0W-20 for 2.5L and turbo/hybrid where equipped (about 5 qt with filter).

Does safety recall 22V-202 cover a 2022 Kia Sorento?

Yes for certain 2022 Sorentos: the turbocharger oil supply pipe may crack and leak oil near hot components; dealers replace that pipe.

What generation is a 2020 Kia Sorento?

UM generation (2012-2020). The MQ4 redesign starts in 2021.