2019 Kia Sorento
Common Problems
Ranked from 160 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
38 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Oil Consumption
26complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring frequent refills.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Infotainment System Glitches and Restart Issues
20complaintsMedium severityElectricalInfotainment system frequently glitches, restarts, and freezes, causing distractions and navigation interference.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Paint Peeling
19complaintsMedium severityOtherSnow White Pearl paint begins to peel off the vehicle, especially during rain or humidity.
- 4
Electrical System Interference During Highway Travel
16complaintsMedium severityElectricalElectrical system glitches and restarts during highway travel, causing distractions and interfering with safe operation.
- 5
Structural Paint Delamination and Peeling
11complaintsLow severityOtherPaint on the vehicle's exterior begins to delaminate and peel, affecting appearance and potentially leading to rust.
- 6
Engine Overheating
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats and fluctuates in temperature, leading to potential engine damage if not addressed.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
High Oil Consumption
8complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, requiring frequent refills.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Infotainment Screen Failure
8complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe infotainment screens fail intermittently, causing hands-free phone usage to become unavailable and posing a safety risk.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Engine Knocking Noise
7complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking sound during operation, indicating potential internal issues.
- 10
Engine hesitance and stalling during acceleration
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences hesitation and stalling when accelerating, especially from a cold start or in certain drive modes.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Engine Oil Leaks
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences rapid oil consumption and leaks, potentially leading to engine failure if not addressed.
$200–$1,600est. oil-leak repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine Oil Pressure Issues
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe oil pressure sensor or switch malfunctions, leading to oil pressure warnings and potential engine damage.
- 13
Transmission hesitance and surging during acceleration
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission hesitates and surges during acceleration, causing the car to lurch forward unpredictably.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Steering Issues
4complaintsLow severitySteeringThe steering becomes tight and sticky, particularly during turns, affecting driving comfort and control.
- 15
Brake system failure and hesitation
3complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system fails and hesitates, leading to delayed reactions and potential loss of control.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Excessive Exhaust Emissions
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine emits excessive smoke and soot, indicating potential oil burning.
- 17
Fuel Pump Malfunction Leading to Stalling
3complaintsHigh severityFuel systemFuel pump malfunctions causing the vehicle to stall and lose power, posing a safety risk.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Headlights Cause Moving Shadows and Blind Areas
3complaintsMedium severityOtherHeadlights cause moving shadows and blind areas, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Oil Pressure Sensor Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe oil pressure sensor or switch malfunctions, leading to oil pressure warnings and potential engine damage.
- 20
Automatic Headlights Aimed Too High
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe automatic headlights on low beam are aimed too high, causing glare and reduced visibility at night.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Back-up Camera Failure
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalBack-up camera fails to function properly, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
- 22
Brake Pulsation and Shaking
2complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brake pedal pulsates and the vehicle shakes until stopping, with the ABS warning light illuminated.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Electrical system issues with power windows and radio controls
2complaintsLow severityElectricalPower windows and radio controls intermittently fail to function properly, causing inconvenience and potential safety hazards.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 24
Engine Knocking Sound
2complaintsMedium severityEngineAn abnormal knocking sound occurs from the engine, affecting performance and reliability.
- 25
Engine Stall at Idle
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, possibly due to a malfunctioning stop-start system or other engine issues.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Fuel System Failure
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe engine stalls at idle due to a malfunction in the fuel system, causing loss of power and potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Engine Stall During Highway Driving
2complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine stalls during highway driving, leading to loss of control and potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Engine Stalling
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stutters or stalls at idle, potentially due to stop-start system failure.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Engine Stalling at High Speeds
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stutters or stalls at higher speeds, potentially leading to accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 30
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe forward collision avoidance system intermittently malfunctions, causing warning lights to appear and disappear.
- 31
Fuel Smell and Leak
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThere is a strong fuel smell during driving and parking, indicating a fuel pump leak.
- 32
Headlight Issues
2complaintsLow severityOtherHeadlights frequently burn out or malfunction, requiring frequent replacements.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 33
Paint Delamination and Chipping
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe paint on the vehicle peels and delaminates, especially in certain areas like the hood and roof.
- 34
Safety System Malfunction
2complaintsSafety riskOtherMultiple safety systems, including ABS and FCA, fail to function properly.
- 35
Seat Belt Failure
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe seat belts fail and tear, posing a significant safety risk to passengers.
- 36
Steering Swaying at Interstate Speeds
2complaintsLow severitySteeringThe vehicle sways left and right at interstate speeds, requiring constant steering adjustments.
- 37
Sunroof Explosion
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe sunroof unexpectedly explodes, causing glass to shatter and potentially leading to injury.
- 38
Transmission Jerks and Hesitates During Acceleration
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission jerks and hesitates during acceleration, leading to a jerking sensation and potential accidents.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.