The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 173 of 436 complaints (40%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 255 in 2018 to 436 in 2019.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 436
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,500–$2,950
- Combined MPG
- 21–25
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–3,100 | 1,700–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–24 | 19–24 | 21–25 | 20–25 | 24–37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–21 / 23–28 | 17–21 / 23–28 | 19–22 / 24–29 | 18–22 / 24–29 | 21–39 / 25–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 377–465 | 377–465 | 363–428 | 363–436 | 242–375 | |
| Complaints filed | 810 | 255 | 436 | 140 | 277 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 32 | 11 | 19 | 12 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Sorento have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2019 Kia Sorento?
Engine: 173 of 436 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates it 21–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Kia Sorento?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 363 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 416 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 389 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 428 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 173 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 51 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 28 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 68 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 41 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 67 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 112 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
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."
- Consequence
- 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.
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.
- Consequence
- 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.