2019 Kia Sorento: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
423 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Sorento shares Hyundai's Theta II 2.4-litre and 2.0-litre turbo engines, and the 2011 and 2016 model years are where its engine-failure complaints concentrate — the same bearing wear, knocking and stalling that hit the Sonata and Optima, covered by the same recall campaigns and warranty extensions. Between those years the record is moderate, and from 2018 the Sorento becomes one of the better three-row crossovers on the site, with the 2020 model year scoring 91. Read the full note on the model page. 2019 specifically: a year the record favours — 423 complaints, score 81/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Kia Sorento, Sportage and Soul: the recall years and the good years after them, including 2019 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 423 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 60.43
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Engine, a Lambda 3.3 v6 started knocking periodically and consuming oil at about a half a quart a week. It is a know problem with this motor and well documented in its existence in all Hyundai and Kia vehicles using this engine. We now have been told that the head bolts are partially stripped. Another known problem and we are consuming coolant. This can is not trustworthy and could fail at any time. We are still payi…
Engine burning oil Failed oil consumption test done by dealership - had to get engine replaced Still noticing stuttering and fluctuating power at times. Failure of Snow White Pearl paint delamination issue causing the top-coat to lift off of underlying primer. Rust has started in some of the spots
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 64 MPH, the contact detected a shimmy and knocking coming from the front wheels. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a common failure with similar vehicles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and an alignment, tire rotation, and wheel balance were performed. The vehicle was taken to th…
Recalls: 2 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 23V639000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. |
| 22V703000 | Trailer Hitches | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 23 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,650
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine153 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other110 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System67 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Structure54 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Power Train50 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Fuel/Propulsion System23 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Kia Sorento years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Kia Sorento?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (153 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2019 Kia Sorento a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 81/100, computed from 423 NHTSA complaints and 2 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2019 Kia Sorento's most common problem?
153 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2019 Kia Sorento sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2019 Kia Sorento cost to run per year?
About $5,448 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $27,240 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2019 Kia Sorento have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for the 2019 Kia Sorento, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 15/09/2023. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2019 Kia Sorento really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 423 complaints, 2 recalls on record
- 423 NHTSA complaints on record (60.4/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (62.6/yr)
- 2 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems