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The 2019 Kia Sorento has 418 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2019 Kia Sorento has 418 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 117 complaints, typically surfacing around 86,116 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Sorento | 1,241 | 8 |
| 2017 Sorento | 790 | 4 |
| 2018 Sorento | 248 | 3 |
| 2019 Sorento (this page) | 418 | 2 |
| 2020 Sorento | 131 | 1 |
| 2021 Sorento | 0 | 4 |
| 2022 Sorento | 183 | 6 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 Kia Sorento SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 86,116 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
At 79,000, the engine started running very rough. I took it to the dealer. It’s got a cylinder that won’t fire. I have an extended warranty( big $!) but I’m getting the runaround from Kia. It’s been almost 3 weeks. They’re dragging their feet because they know these Theta II…
The Snow White Pearl Paint Color is peeling off my entire car, compromising the vehicle since the metal is no longer being protected. I took it into a KIA dealership and they acknowledged the paint defect but said they can’t do anything about it even though they know that there…
The engine blew up. I have all of my oil change receipts and gave them to West Herr Kia, and per Kia West Herr, Kia denied covering the blown engine because the piston went through the engine with great force. This happened at approximately 110,000 miles. West Herr Kia quoted…
My 2019 Snow White KIA Sorento paint started peeling up on the driver side hood and wasn't caused by any type of damage. Took the vehicle to the local KIA dealership and was told that my 3 year 36000 mile warranty was expired and there was nothing they would do to correct this…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 418 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Kia Sorento has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
On the NHTSA data, the 2019 Kia Sorento is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints on the engine; Electrical system: 62 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 9,166–46,500 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 117 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,116 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 418 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 86,116 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 117 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,116 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 86,116 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 418 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.