TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This 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 is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Kia Sorento powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Kia Sorento have filed 47 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 16,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Sorento | 34 |
| 2016 Sorento | 122 |
| 2017 Sorento | 35 |
| 2018 Sorento | 8 |
| 2019 Sorento (this page) | 47 |
| 2020 Sorento | 17 |
| 2022 Sorento | 60 |
| 2023 Sorento | 18 |
When does it fail?
Of the 47 powertrain complaints filed for the 2019 Kia Sorento, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 47 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This 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 is replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PITSTOP: 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 differing circumference. Some customers may complain of a chatter sensation felt in the drivetrain of the vehicle and/or the failure of drivetrain component(s). A difference in tire size (width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter etc.) may be the cause.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This 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 is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL 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 (TCU) on some 2019MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles produced from January 24, 2018 through September 24, 2018, equipped with Lambda 3.3L GDI engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, which may exhibit symptoms of acceleration delay and hesitation after vehicle speed is reduced and close to 0 mph.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2019 Kia Sorentos report a cluster of powertrain failures. The most prevalent is transmission hesitation and jerking during acceleration—especially on cold start and from a stop—that persists across all drive modes (Eco, Smart, Comfort) and poses collision risk when merging or entering traffic. Dealers reset transmission computers or reflash logic per TSBs, but fixes are temporary or ineffective; one transmission was fully replaced due to burnt fluid with no resolution.
Engine oil consumption is severe and widespread: owners find dipsticks bone-dry within 4,000–25,000 miles of an oil change, with no low-oil warning light alerting them. This leads to engine knock, bearing failure, and sudden stalling at highway speeds. Kia has a partial recall for certain VINs, but owners with identical failures outside that range are denied warranty coverage. An extended warranty (TSB WTY026, 15yr/150K miles) exists for 2014–2018 models, but 2019 models manufactured on or near the cutoff date are excluded despite using the same Theta-2 engine.
Secondary issues include repeated front axle leaks, faulty oil pressure sensors, oil pan structural failure, and electrical gremlins triggered by moisture ingress after rain—all of which dealers attempt to repair repeatedly without addressing root causes. Owners describe feeling unsafe and unsupported when dealer technicians acknowledge problems but claim no fixes exist.
Same Kia Sorento powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2020 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burning or losing oil at abnormally high rates, with dipsticks reading dry between service intervals or within 4,000–25,000 miles of an oil change. No low-oil warning light illuminates before severe depletion occurs. Owners report finding bone-dry dipsticks despite regular checks, and dealers acknowledging the issue exists but refusing repairs.
When: Across model lifecycle; reported as early as 2,000–4,000 miles after purchase; persists across multiple service intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Dipstick reads bone dry between oil changes; Loss of 1 quart per 1,000 miles; No low-oil warning light; Engine rattling; Elevated engine noise
Repairs/costs cited: OEM engine replacement requested by owners but denied under warranty or excluded VINs; dealers suggest continued driving until engine failure; some owners report engine seizure after oil starvation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Partial recall for certain VINs (date range 2019); owners with same defect outside recall range (e.g., 90K miles, 113K miles) told no repair available; extended warranty exists for 2014–2018 models (TSB WTY026, 15yr/150K miles) but not honored for 2019 models manufactured near cutoff date (3/2/18); Theta-2 engine class lawsuit settled by Kia per owner report
Transmission hesitation, stumbling, and surge during acceleration
Transmission fails to respond smoothly when accelerating from a stop or at low speeds, causing hesitation, jerking, bucking, or stumbling that persists across drive modes (Eco, Smart, Comfort). Owners describe hard jerks strong enough to rock the head forward/back, uneven power delivery to wheels, and dangerous delays when merging or turning into traffic. Issue is worse when cold and in lower gears but continues after engine warmup.
When: Immediately after purchase or within first 2,000–6,500 miles; persists throughout ownership; worse on cold start; improves slightly in Sport mode
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation from stop or during low-speed acceleration; Jerking, bucking, or stumbling sensation; Hard downshifts felt in steering wheel and floorboard; Uneven power delivery (transmission surge); Delayed response to accelerator pedal; Stumbling in lower gears on cold start-up until ~45–50 mph; Misfire-like sounds; Less pronounced but still present in Sport mode
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers reset transmission computer or perform TCM reprogramming; transmission fluid flushed; TSB transmission reflash performed (partial improvement only); one transmission fully replaced due to burnt fluid; no permanent fix documented; owners forced to use Sport mode to reduce severity
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim unable to replicate issue or state it is 'not bad enough for Kia to fix'; KIA engineers acknowledged issue exists but no fix available; dealership manager noted transmission has moisture problem causing modulator valve malfunction; program update attempted but did not resolve underlying moisture issue; TSB issued for transmission logic reflash but only partially effective
Transmission downshift/power loss at highway speeds
Vehicle unexpectedly downshifts at highway speeds (60–70 mph), losing power and causing severe safety hazard. Occurs especially when driving behind large trucks. One owner reports dealership diagnosed serious electrical problem as root cause, leading to modulator valve malfunction.
When: During highway driving at 60–70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended downshift at highway speeds; Loss of power; Loss of acceleration response
Repairs/costs cited: First transmission replaced; moisture issue cited; second transmission received program update for modulator valve control; same problem recurred after program update
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership diagnosed serious electrical problem underlying the transmission issue; attempted correction via program update; no permanent resolution achieved
Engine stalling under load
Engine loses power and stalls while accelerating on highway, during merging, or under part-throttle load. Engine sputters and loses power to near-zero mph, creating immediate collision risk. Stalling can occur suddenly with no warning lights and no time to safely pull over.
When: During acceleration or highway driving; persists even after spark plug, coil, and high-pressure fuel pump replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine sputters and loses power; Sudden stalling during acceleration; Loss of responsiveness to throttle; Power drops to 5–20 mph mid-acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs replaced; ignition coil replaced; high-pressure fuel pump replaced; hesitation continues; fuel system cleaners (GDI-specific) used with limited success; no permanent fix achieved
Faulty oil pressure sensor
Oil pressure warning light illuminates, often only at idle, due to defective pressure switch. Issue documented on earlier Kia models (2014–2018) with extended warranty to 15yr/150K miles (TSB WTY026), but 2019 models manufactured on or near the cutoff date (e.g., 3/2/18) are excluded from extended coverage despite using identical engine and sensor.
When: Around 77K–90K miles; can occur earlier
Symptoms owners cite: Check oil or oil pressure warning light illuminated at idle or during operation; Light comes on intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pressure sensor/switch replacement cost reported at ~$1,700; dealers replacing with 'new version' of faulty switch but not acknowledging design defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty (TSB WTY026) issued 4/6/22 for model years 2014–2018 with manufacturing date 12/17/12–3/7/18, but dealerships deny coverage for 2019 models manufactured 3/2/18 (within engineering window but outside model-year cutoff); Kia refuses to extend warranty to affected 2019 models
Engine knock, bearing failure, and catastrophic internal damage
Engine develops knock or bearing noise, followed by stuttering and catastrophic internal engine failure. Rod bearing defects are documented in the Theta-2 engine class lawsuit. Engines fail suddenly with no warning lights, rendering vehicle undriveable and posing collision risk.
When: At varying mileages from early ownership to 77K+ miles; failure can be sudden with no prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking or stuttering noise; Engine stuttering during acceleration; Catastrophic internal engine failure; Loss of power; No warning lights prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; full engine disassembly and inspection performed at dealership to confirm rod bearing failure or internal damage; warranty denial based on burned valves despite direct causation from bearing defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Theta-2 engine class lawsuit settled by Kia; extended warranty programs exist for affected vehicles; some dealerships deny warranty claiming rod bearing failure is separate issue from burned valves, thereby avoiding repair; manufacturer acknowledges design defect but attempts to deny coverage through diagnosis loopholes
Oil pan structural failure
Oil pan develops a semi-rectangular hole or crack, typically near the exhaust pipe, causing catastrophic oil loss and burning. Failure can occur shortly after service (25 miles post-oil-change in one case). Owners report oil blown onto exhaust, severe fire risk, and wheel lock-up from sudden oil loss.
When: Can occur early in ownership or shortly after oil service; one case documented 25 miles after oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Hole or crack in oil pan near exhaust; Oil blown onto underside of vehicle and exhaust; Burning oil smell; Wheels lock up due to loss of power/brake function
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan replacement required; owner reports dealership backed up for diagnosis and repair; owner forced to rent vehicle; one reported owner cost >$150 for oil pan cap replacement
Electrical system moisture ingress and grounding issues
Moisture enters electrical connectors and wiring after heavy rain, causing intermittent electrical failures including e-brake light malfunction, headlamp failures, and transmission control problems. Issue appears related to poor weatherproofing or grounding.
When: Following heavy rain or wet weather; affects multiple electrical systems simultaneously
Symptoms owners cite: E-brake warning light coming on by itself after rain; Right front headlamp lower lamp going out; Transmission modulator valve malfunction (moisture-related per dealership); Intermittent electrical failures on right side of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership cleaned connectors and wire harness; replaced headlamp; no permanent weatherproofing fix documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership identified moisture as root cause of modulator valve malfunction and attempted correction via program update, which did not resolve underlying moisture ingress problem
Front axle assembly repeated failures
Front axle assembly develops leaks and fails repeatedly despite multiple warranty replacements, indicating a persistent design or manufacturing defect. Vehicle has been replaced three times in ~16 months, raising concerns about long-term reliability and safety.
When: January 2022, November 2022, March 2023; recurring at ~4–5 month intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Front axle assembly leaks; Recurrent failures despite replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Front axle assembly replaced under warranty three times; each time same problem recurs
Alternator failure (recurrent)
Alternator fails, requiring OEM replacement, and then fails again within a year. Two documented failures on same vehicle.
When: Failure 1 documented; second failure occurred approximately 1 year later
Symptoms owners cite: Alternator malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: OEM alternator replacement performed twice; no underlying cause addressed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Engine recall identified for Sorento engines within vehicle date range, but vehicle VIN excluded from recall despite matching manufacturing date and experiencing identical oil consumption defect
Throttle body malfunction and power loss
Vehicle loses power and responds sluggishly or inconsistently to throttle input. Throttle body replacement performed but problem recurs within days or weeks.
When: Within first 3 months of ownership; recurs after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power response to accelerator; Vehicle won't accelerate or accelerates very slowly; Delayed throttle response
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement performed; same problem reoccurred one week later; owner taken to dealership three times for same issue within first 3 months
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Jerks in lower gears when you're about to stop and/or slow it down when you make a turn, bad workmanship on Kia's part. Keeps happening everytime. This is my second car, the first is sedona, thought Kia's were strong, reliable and sturdy cars, but sadly disappointed. Never again another Kia.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 Kia Sorento?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2019 Kia Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 47 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 8,975 and 27,895 miles, with the median around 16,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,975; a quarter make it past 27,895. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Kia/Sorento.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.