2019 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 16%of 435 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the electrical system of the 2019 Kia Sorento, 16% of the 435 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car lost power while drving and a semi truck almost ran into me. Have taken car to Kia dealership and throttle body was replaced and week later same problem exist. I have taken the car there 3 times for the same problem haven't had the car 3 months have had this problem since I purchased the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11407538, filed 2021-04, 40,000 miles“I began smelling burnt plastic and my battery light came on in my dashboard. Shortly after, all the warning lights came on in my dashboard (engine, ABS, traction control, etc). My vehichle wound up dying completely on the side of the road. I brought it to the Kia dealership. They informed me that all of the internal wiring was burnt beyond recognition. They were unable to tell where the problem started or ended. …”
NHTSA complaint #11389438, filed 2021-01, 46,500 miles“On 3 separate occasions (2 of which occurred 3/1/20). After stopping my vehicle, I lost all electrical power when I attempted to restart. No displays, no lights and of course the vehicle wouldn't start. After exiting and entering the vehicle multiple times everything comes back on. The battery and alternator test fine and the keyfob battery is good, the vehicle was not in motion when the incidents occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11315470, filed 2020-03, 35,600 miles“While driving on highway, radio on and only connected via bluetooth. The radio screen was flickering and then shut down as if I manually turned off . As this happened the dashboard lights and my headlights shut off. I had to safely pull over and by the time that I did, I couldn't record it for evidence as it rebooted itself. I called right away and had to wait 2 days for appt. This is the 3rd time and rick case Kia in sunrise fl keeps giving me the run around. My battery and alternator is fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11288150, filed 2019-12, 18,200 miles“I was out of town when my airbag warning light came on, indicating a problem with the vehicle's airbags. I contacted Kia and was told the repair should take 2-4 hours. However, after trying a fix the dealer discovered that a wiring harness in the front console was faulty and needed to be replaced. They have now had the car for a week. I am not sure if any or all of the airbags would've failed during a wreck but felt this was significant enough to report, especially since the vehicle has less than 10,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11241885, filed 2019-08, 8,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037387Sep 10, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC365) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting an important Voluntary Emissions…
- 11037384Sep 9, 2026Sc365_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11037383Sep 9, 2026Sc365_poc: proof of correction card
- 11037382Sep 9, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC365) – This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding…
- 11037381Sep 9, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC365) - This document is the announcement to dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is…
- 11037380Sep 9, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC365) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting an important…
- 11037385Sep 8, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: This bulletin provides the procedure to update the emissions‑related logic of the Engine Control Unit (ECU)…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024468Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC340) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 22 | 29% |
| 2024 | 11 | 25% |
| 2023 | 38 | 30% |
| 2022 | 31 | 16% |
| 2021 | 47 | 18% |
| 2020 | 20 | 14% |
| 2019 | 68 | 16% |
| 2018 | 30 | 12% |
| 2017 | 97 | 12% |
| 2016 | 107 | 8% |
| 2015 | 58 | 8% |
| 2014 | 153 | 15% |
| 2013 | 116 | 12% |
| 2012 | 127 | 14% |
| 2011 | 246 | 16% |
| 2009 | 14 | 25% |
| 2008 | 32 | 15% |
| 2007 | 21 | 14% |
| 2006 | 53 | 22% |
| 2005 | 49 | 16% |
| 2004 | 28 | 13% |
| 2003 | 29 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2019 Kia Sorento
160 complaintsOther or unknown
119 complaintsBody and structure
56 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsLane departure
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology