2019 Kia Sorento cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Kia Sorento have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Sorento | 13 |
| 2016 Sorento | 47 |
| 2017 Sorento | 14 |
| 2018 Sorento | 6 |
| 2019 Sorento (this page) | 11 |
| 2022 Sorento | 5 |
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe unintended acceleration happening from a complete stop or at low speeds. One owner pulled into a gas station at 2 MPH with foot on brake when the car accelerated and struck a pump barrier, deploying both airbags. Another experienced acceleration from 55 to 95 MPH with unresponsive brakes and a seized steering wheel; the throttle shaft was replaced, but the surge recurred the next day at 55–80 MPH. A third owner reports the problem "happens all the time ever since purchased in April 2019," though the dealership couldn't replicate it after three attempts.
Cruise control fails in two distinct patterns. One owner describes the system suddenly disengaging while engaged, triggering simultaneous warnings: Forward Collision-Avoidance system message, Master warning, ABS light, ESC light, and Auto Hold indicator. Another reports the vehicle surges and jerks randomly while cruise is set, accelerating above the target speed without driver input.
Early acceleration issues show up from day one: one owner felt a stumble pulling from stops on delivery day; another experienced hesitation followed by abrupt acceleration during merge attempts. A dealership attributed this to "learning the electronic throttle control," but the owner notes his 2011 Chevy Equinox and 2014 Cadillac CTS (both fly-by-wire) never exhibited this behavior.
One owner's fuel pump failed at 15 months, causing loss of acceleration and shaking; repair cost $1,700. Another reports jerky low-speed driving with high RPM on light throttle and burning 5 quarts of oil monthly with no leak detected.
Dealerships have generally claimed nothing is wrong or couldn't replicate failures. Kia's recall SA387 (TCU Logic Improvement, DTC P0741) addressed transmission logic, but owners say the core problems persist and Kia closed cases without investigation.
Same Kia Sorento cruise control reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration from stop/low speed
Vehicle surges forward unexpectedly when owner has foot on brake or is attempting normal acceleration from a complete stop or low speed. In one incident, the surge caused collision with a gas station barrier at 2 MPH despite hard brake application. In another, vehicle accelerated from 55 MPH to 80–95 MPH despite brake input.
When: August 2019 onward; one failure at 100,000 miles; one at 10,500 miles; first day of ownership for some owners
Symptoms owners cite: Car surges forward with foot on brake; Stumbling or hesitation when pulling from stop, then abrupt acceleration; Unintended acceleration to high speeds despite brake pedal depression; Brake pedal unresponsive during acceleration event; Steering wheel seized during one acceleration event
Codes mentioned: P0741
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports throttle shaft replacement; another reports high-pressure fuel pump replacement ($1,700); recall SA387 UM TCU Logic Improvement mentioned; dealerships unable to replicate on multiple occasions
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SA387 UM TCU Logic Improvement DTC P0741 (transmission computer logic); owner reports KIA closed case without investigation; multiple dealership visits with no replication or fix; manufacturer notified but vehicle not repaired in some cases
Cruise control disengagement with multiple warning lights
While cruise control is engaged, the system suddenly disengages and becomes inoperative. Multiple dashboard warnings illuminate simultaneously: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist check message, Master warning light, ABS warning light, Electronic Stability Control indicator, and Auto Hold indicator. Issue occurs randomly at various speeds after cruise control activation. After vehicle restart, cruise control resets temporarily but failure recurs.
When: Multiple occurrences over days; timing relative to vehicle age not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control sudden disengagement; Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system warning message; Master warning light illumination; ABS warning light activation; Electronic Stability Control indicator light; Auto Hold indicator light; Cruise control inoperative until restart
Cruise control surge/acceleration above set speed
While cruise control is enabled, the vehicle surges, jerks, or jumps without warning. RPM needle shows acceleration. Vehicle accelerates faster than the set cruise speed without driver input. Occurs on straightaways at any speed, independent of incline or decline.
When: Ongoing for approximately one year in at least one case
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected surge when cruise control set; Jerking motion at cruise control engagement; Vehicle acceleration above set speed; RPM needle elevation without driver throttle input; Occurs on straightaways at any speed
Transmission hesitation with fly-by-wire throttle control
Vehicle stumbles or hesitates when attempting acceleration from a stop or during traffic merge. Owner suspects redundant accelerator position sensor or computer control malfunction related to the 8-speed transmission and electronic throttle control system. Occurs sporadically and unpredictably.
When: First day of ownership for one 2019 model; continues occasionally
Symptoms owners cite: Stumbling during pull-out from stop; Loss of accelerator response for a few seconds; Abrupt acceleration after hesitation; Sporadic, unpredictable occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership suggested new 8-speed transmission may be involved but stated no programming updates available at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed vehicle operating as designed; no software update available for 8-speed transmission at time of complaint
Rough idle and loss of acceleration with check engine light
Vehicle stopped accelerating while driving, began shaking and making noise at idle, with check engine light illumination. Diagnosed as high-pressure fuel pump failure.
When: After 15 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration while driving; Vehicle shaking at idle; Unusual noise at idle; Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: High-pressure fuel pump replacement; repair cost $1,700
Jerky driving behavior and high RPM on light throttle input
Vehicle exhibits jerky motion at lower speeds. Engine enters high RPM during acceleration even with light throttle pedal input. Excessive oil consumption at 5 quarts per month despite no oil leak.
When: Ongoing for approximately one year
Symptoms owners cite: Jerky motion at lower speeds; High RPM during light throttle input; Excessive oil consumption (5 quarts per month)
Repairs/costs cited: Two independent shops confirmed no oil leak
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2019 Kia Sorento?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 35,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.