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 ↗2019 Kia Sorento steering problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Kia Sorento have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Sorento | 33 |
| 2016 Sorento | 80 |
| 2017 Sorento | 94 |
| 2018 Sorento | 26 |
| 2019 Sorento (this page) | 10 |
| 2020 Sorento | 4 |
| 2022 Sorento | 10 |
| 2023 Sorento | 6 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: REPLACEMENT OF MOBIS C-MDPS SMALL BEARING - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the small bearing of the Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit on the vehicles listed below, which may exhibit an abnormal noise when steering left and right. This may be caused by foreign substances in the MDPS worm shaft small bearing. On some vehicles when the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Small Bearing and does not affect the steering effort.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - 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 regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit. On some ve
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF THE DUAL PINION MOTOR DRIVER POWER STEERING SYSTEM - This bulletin provides information regarding the availability of partial repair (depending on faulty components) of the Dual Pinion Motor Driven Power Steering (DP-MDPS) system on some 2016-2021MY~ Kia vehicles (refer to the table below) in order to enhance customer satisfaction by promoting a cost-effective repair/replacement of a faulty related part, instead of replacement of the complete DP-MDPS assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - 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 regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
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 spectrum of steering defects. The most serious involve outright power steering failure—one owner at 4,000 miles lost all steering control at 30 mph with all electrical warning lights illuminating; another experienced total electrical shutdown while driving on a major route, losing power steering, braking, and hazard lights simultaneously. A separate failure at 10,200 miles involved an alternator malfunction that caused momentary loss of steering control at 45 mph.
Less catastrophic but persistent complaints center on sticky or tight steering, especially at highway speeds and in curves. Owners describe the wheel sticking, then suddenly releasing and overcompensating, causing the vehicle to zigzag. One owner with only 3,100 miles reports constant swaying at interstate speeds requiring continuous left-right steering corrections, worsening in light wind.
Secondary issues include audible hissing from the steering during turns and plastic trim pieces breaking off the steering wheel bottom while the vehicle sat parked.
Dealer diagnostics have been inconsistent—some found no problem, others ordered parts that went on backorder. No recalls have been issued despite manufacturer notification of these failures.
Same Kia Sorento steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss and steering wheel seizure
Complete loss of power steering control at low speeds with steering wheel unable to move. One owner reported this at 30 mph; another at low speed after losing power steering assistance on a major route.
When: 4,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel fails to move or becomes immovable; All instrument panel warning indicators illuminate; Entire vehicle electrical systems shut down (no lights, braking, hazard lights)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering assembly replacement attempted but failure recurred; parts placed on backorder at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued according to dealership communication
Alternator failure causing steering control loss
Alternator failure resulted in loss of steering control at highway speed. Owner lost control momentarily, then managed to steer vehicle to shoulder with difficulty.
When: 10,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Auto lane correction warning light illuminated; Loss of steering control at 45 mph; Difficult steering after regaining control
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; vehicle not subjected to recall
Sticky or tight steering at highway speeds and curves
Steering becomes stiff and difficult to maneuver, particularly at higher speeds and when turning. Intermittent sticking followed by overcompensation causing vehicle to zigzag.
When: Early ownership; one vehicle at 3,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel sticks at higher speeds; Difficulty making fine steering adjustments; Steering loosens suddenly and overcompensates causing zigzagging; Tightness especially in curves
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspections found no problem
Lane centering and stability issues at highway speeds
Vehicle exhibits continuous swaying at interstate speeds requiring constant steering correction. Problem worsens in light wind conditions.
When: 3,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Swaying at interstate speeds; Must continuously steer left and right to maintain lane; Worsening in light wind conditions
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: KIA did not find a problem
Steering system hiss noise
Audible hissing sound from the steering system when turning left or right.
Symptoms owners cite: Hiss noise from steering during left turns; Hiss noise from steering during right turns
Steering wheel plastic trim defect
Plastic covers on bottom of steering wheel broke off while vehicle was stationary and off. Plastic connectors did not match and appear to be poor design.
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic covers on bottom of steering wheel broke off
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2019 Kia Sorento?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 7,380 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.