2019 Kia Sorento Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 159about this part
- Share
- 37%of 434 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 159 complaints about the engine of the 2019 Kia Sorento, 37% of the 434 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 11 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“Leased the car in march and by end of may it was ideling rough and clicking. Got a message on my screen engine control system failure and a check engine light came on. Took it onto the dealer and with less than 2900 miles it needs a new engine. Now it will be about 3 months (they are backlogged) until I get it back!!”
NHTSA complaint #11217844, filed 2019-06, 2,892 miles“When accelerating from stop (19th ave and vineyard) the car will hesitate then take off at a fast rate of speed. There has been instances where the brake system hesitates to stop, almost like a delayed reaction (mostly while traveling on local streets such as west bound baseline rd). The brakes squill (all the time when braking) so bad and so loud. I feel like I've been ripped off on a car that's already giving problems less than six months of purchase. The city of all instances is phoenix, az.”
NHTSA complaint #11342467, filed 2020-07, 12,600 miles“My vehicle has the leaking oil pressure sensor. I have brought my car to Kia multiple times since either 65-89k based on loosing too much oil between oil changes with NO check oil light. I lost an extreme amount of oil between 113k and 115k after they changed my filter and checked my oil levels. Always told there is no leak. Now at 115k and 120k miles I am told that not only is the oil pressure sender leaking but it has been leaking on my wire harness which can create a fire. The oil presser sender has a recall of the 3.3 up until March of 2018, my car has a manufacture date of June of 2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11522709, filed 2023-05, 150,000 miles“When driving at high altitudes, the car seems to want to stall. We will be driving along just fine and then there is hesitation for a moment and then the car will be going along just fine again and the hesitation happens again. This is continuous throughout our entire high altitude drives. Usually occurs at approximately 8000-10,000 ft in elevation. Seems to occur more often at 40 miles per hour. I am scared we will have complete failure of the car in the mountains and have no cell phone service in order to call someone for help. …”
NHTSA complaint #11233063, filed 2019-07, 27,500 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)…
- 11031854Apr 4, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 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…
- 11026900Dec 19, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / UM) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 19 | 25% |
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 32 | 26% |
| 2022 | 52 | 27% |
| 2021 | 68 | 27% |
| 2020 | 67 | 48% |
| 2019 | 159 | 37% |
| 2018 | 107 | 42% |
| 2017 | 387 | 48% |
| 2016 | 697 | 55% |
| 2015 | 363 | 48% |
| 2014 | 388 | 39% |
| 2013 | 498 | 51% |
| 2012 | 461 | 52% |
| 2011 | 284 | 19% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 67 | 28% |
| 2005 | 63 | 21% |
| 2004 | 46 | 21% |
| 2003 | 43 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2019 Kia Sorento
119 complaintsElectrical system
68 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 28, 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