2019 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 12%of 435 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2019 Kia Sorento, 12% of the 435 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,600 miles. 1 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“My 2019 Kia Sorento has hesitations while ramping up in speed. Told dealership about this after the 1st week of ownership. Told it was nothing since it didn't show up in sport mode. I'm seeing in forums that this is a problem with the 8 speed trans. Dropping off to dealership today for them to look at it again.”
NHTSA complaint #11241961, filed 2019-08, 78 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“Our 2019 Kia Sorento lx v6 engine is surging and hesitating really bad. Car was brought in for service but nothing has worked to correct the issue. When pulling out onto the highway it will hesitate and then surge spinning the front tires, this is very serious safety issue! It has become dangerous for us to exit our development onto a busy high speed thoroughfare! Dealership indicates this is a known problem with the Sorento and we should contact the manufacturer. We have driven other new Kia models and none of them have this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11323586, filed 2020-05, 2,120 miles“Purchased new 2/22/19. Reported acceleration hesitation problem to the dealer the next day. Since then it has been in the dealers shop over 30 days. Consistently hesitation and stumbles on acceleration. Kia motor co, has denied their is an issue and vehicle is running properly according to design. Kia engineers agreed there was an issue with my car but no fix available. I drove 3 different brand new Sorento's with exact drivetrain and they all performed exactly as my car. Almost got run over last week trying to accelerate on an interstate on ramp.”
NHTSA complaint #11244841, filed 2019-08, 25 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10242913Sep 25, 2023PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10190939Apr 26, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 3.3L GDI 8AT TCU GEAR SHIFT LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the gear shift logic of the Transmission Control Unit…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10168851Nov 8, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - PARTIAL REPAIR OF 4WD COUPLING - This bulletin provides the procedure information regarding the partial repair of the Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Coupling…
- 10163456Jul 3, 2019TSB: SERVICE ACTION: 3.3L GDI 8AT TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P0741(SA387) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the…
- 10160838May 23, 2019TSB: SERVICE ACTION: 3.3 GDI 8AT TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P0741(SA387) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve logic of the TCU (Transmission Control Unit)…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | 25% |
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 22 | 17% |
| 2022 | 68 | 35% |
| 2021 | 144 | 56% |
| 2020 | 18 | 13% |
| 2019 | 51 | 12% |
| 2018 | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 | 37 | 5% |
| 2016 | 126 | 10% |
| 2015 | 42 | 6% |
| 2014 | 72 | 7% |
| 2013 | 69 | 7% |
| 2012 | 55 | 6% |
| 2011 | 265 | 17% |
| 2009 | 9 | 16% |
| 2008 | 23 | 11% |
| 2007 | 20 | 13% |
| 2006 | 35 | 14% |
| 2005 | 38 | 12% |
| 2004 | 40 | 18% |
| 2003 | 22 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2019 Kia Sorento
160 complaintsOther or unknown
119 complaintsElectrical system
68 complaintsBody and structure
56 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 31, 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