PITSTOP: OUTSIDE MIRROR GLASS CONTROL INOPERATIVE - This Pitstop provides information on the repair procedure for an inoperative mirror glass on the outside door mirrors for 2016-2019MY Optima (JFa) and Sorento (UMa) vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Kia Sorento visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Kia Sorento have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Sorento | 3 |
| 2016 Sorento | 13 |
| 2017 Sorento | 5 |
| 2018 Sorento | 4 |
| 2019 Sorento (this page) | 8 |
| 2020 Sorento | 4 |
| 2022 Sorento | 14 |
| 2023 Sorento | 4 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
PITSTOP: BLOCKED WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLES ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH WASHER HEATERS - This Pitstop provides information regarding blocked windshield wiper nozzles on some 2016MY~ Sorento (UMa) and 2017MY~ Sportage (QL) vehicles equipped with windshield washer heaters (A). Mixing tap water (?) and concentrated windshield washer fluid can cause corrosion of the heater element due to the mineral content of tap water.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The rear camera picture has become foggy and I can't see what is behind me. There is a NHTSA campaign id 23v639000 for this problem. It covers the 2019 Kia sorento (which is my vehicle) but Kia says my particular VIN number is not included in the recall. Kia needs to expand this recall to include additional VIN numbers including mine.
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2019 Kia Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 35,450 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.