2019 Kia Sorento: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
419 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
419 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Complaints per year on the road: 59.86
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The paint is peeling in sheets, especially above the windshield, leaving the vehicle unprotected and vulnerable to rust. There were no chips or damage in this area prior to the paint beginning to peel away and once it started it's been progressing very quickly. Other owners have reported similar issues with this paint color (I believe it's pearl white) in Kia other forums online
Spontaneous fire under hood. Nothing was malfunctuoing, no warning lights. All fluids were good, no temp issues. Parked to to run inside to use rr, was paged and came out car is on fire
My rear backup camera stopped working this year it's either a black screen or blinking screen no video will play. When I first started the video was foggy like moisture was in the camera and now it shows nothing. Other Kia sorento's my same model year have had a recall for the backup camera but mine is not on the recall list for some reason.
What the community is saying right now.
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 23V639000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Ca | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, … |
| 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… |
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (151 complaints in our indexed sample).
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 38/100, computed from 419 NHTSA complaints and 2 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
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.
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorComplaints & 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: 2026-08-20.