The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Sorento · 2019

2019 Kia Sorento. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index113100 = average car
Complaints114NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold95,951U.S. model year
Per 100K sold119complaints
Year rank#8 of 18#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD22 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD21 / 26 / 23Regular$2,700
3.3L 6-cylAuto (S8)FWD19 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
3.3L 6-cylAuto (S8)AWD19 / 24 / 21Regular$2,950

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 74,800 miles. Median 21,700, from 114 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine40,00013,800–100,50037
Electrical18,0008,600–43,20013
Transmission & drivetrain12,600800–24,00025
Lights8,5001,100–33,80010
Speed control10,5002,100–22,0007

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain25%
Engine23%
Lights12%
Electrical11%
Speed control7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
431101910021

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 23V639000 Sep 2023 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282.

  • 22V703000 Sep 2022 Trailer Hitches

    Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

    Risk. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023

Manufacturer communications 118

Kia filed 118 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Technical service bulletin: lambda 3.3l gdi engine hesitation at high altitudes logic…
  • PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Sorento SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Kia Sorento SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento, 17.3M views.

TopicVideosViews
Brakes & ABS5410K
Infotainment, battery & electrical2255K
Oil changes & service2208K
Gauges, lights & wiring3181K
Transmission & shifter1130K
Windows, doors & mirrors280K
Spark plugs & ignition coils140K
Heat, A/C & blend door138K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2016173199114,733Engine
201716818499,684Engine
20185661107,846Engine
201911311495,951Transmission & drivetrain
2020695074,677Transmission & drivetrain
202120916581,785Transmission & drivetrain
202215416386,406Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data