10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 8
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 15,453 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The car has issues with accelerating, with huge hesitations that almost feel like the car is going to stop, causing a jerking feeling. This especially happens on the expressway, initially at around 20 mph and then around 50+ mph. Have taken the car to be serviced with no resolution for the issue after over two weeks and now my check engine light constantlystays on. Other Kia owners have expressed noticing similar issues with their Sorento. This is a big concern, as it has the potential to cause several accidents nationwide.
- Louisville, KY, USA
Engine stutters and jerks upon acceleration. Happens in every driving mode (Comfort / Eco / Smart / Sport). This has been a persistent safety issue, and judging by the number of similar complaints, a speedy resolution is needed.
- Indian Trail , NC, USA
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the front passenger's seat was not able to move forward or backward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
- Amity, PA, USA
Car lost power while drving and a semi truck almost ran into me. Have taken car to Kia dealership and throttle body was replaced and week later same problem exist. I have taken the car there 3 times for the same problem haven't had the car 3 months have had this problem since I purchased the car.
- Saint Pauls, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stationary at a traffic light and making a left turn, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The vehicle was taken to Kia of cleveland (2492 S. lee hwy, cleveland, tn 37311; (423)693-0505) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times and occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Cleveland, TN, USA
Engine trouble. Engine failure and stalling problems.
- Warrenton, OR, USA
When taking off, it spits and sputters and the rpms go down to zero as pulling out in the highway. Safety issue! this has been an ongoing issue have had it in the shop 3 times
- Newark, DE, USA
Engine hesitates or jerks until it warms up. Vehicle was bought new and have had it to the dealership and they say it is nothing is wrong. Based on all the complaints with this same problem it definitely is not normal.
- Redding, CA, USA
When accelerating from stop (19th ave and vineyard) the car will hesitate then take off at a fast rate of speed. There has been instances where the brake system hesitates to stop, almost like a delayed reaction (mostly while traveling on local streets such as West bound baseline rd). The brakes squill (all the time when braking) so bad and so loud. I feel like I've been ripped off on a car that's already giving problems less than six months of purchase. The city of all instances is phoenix, AZ.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
Like many others, my 2019 Kia Sorento V6 AWD stumbles, hesitates and jerks when accelerating from a stop. Does it more pronounced when the vehicle is cold. Had it to the local Kia dealership and they said it is a problem that Kia is aware of and "they" would notify effected customers when they have a fix. Really! it has been 2 years and they still don't have a solution?
- Carthage, NY, USA
When pulling out onto the road pushing on the accelerator the vehicle wont accelerate, pushing down on the accelerator another 1/8 of an inch and the vehicle will take off very fast, also it feels like a misfire at slow speeds.it happens always.
- Scott Township, PA, USA
Stumbles horribly through the low gears during acceleration until hitting ~45-50mph on cold start-up (after sitting several hours or overnight). After engine warmup the effect begins to moderate, though it remains present at all times. Worse in eco and comfort drive modes. Going up hill the car accelerates faster which lurches the car forward and is very scary. Sounds like a misfire when I start the car this happens in the city/town and speeding up to get on the interstate.
- Raymond, NH, USA
Purchased vehicle new with 12 miles on it back Sept. 2019. I noticed almost immediately that it feels like the car is lurching forward, or skipping like when I accelerate. I took to dealership to have them check it out. Before I could get it into service dept. Tech told me that they all do it. With the new sport, eco, comfort and it is trying to adjust to your driving habits. It is still doing it. The other day, it lunged forward like it wasn't going to stop when I had my foot on brakes. I am taking back to dealership to have it checked out again. Will post update. I personally thing Kia needs to investigate problem.
- Milner, GA, USA
Days previous to event was getting warning alerts on different problems. Called dealership when warning alerts continued happening. On day of event was driving on major route, when power steering became difficult as I pulled over the entire car shut down. No lights, no braking, no hazard lights to engage all systems down.
- Kunkletown, PA, USA
My sorrento started to ride very rough and felt like engine was knocking and mthe vehicle would start to shake. I pulled over turn vehicle off checked all my levels everything was ok except low washer fluid. Proceeded home no problem. Next day after working and running errands same thing happened this time engine light came on. Brought it to auto zone and the error code given is P0200. And I notice that my vehicle is burning a large amount of fuel. The next day the light was off no problem but on yesterday 10/14/19 it has started again.
- Schreiver, LA, USA
Our new 2019 Kia Sorento ex V6 engine and new 8 speed transmission surging and hesitation really bad, especially in lower rpms. We have had it into service 5 time now but nothing has worked to fix the issue. When pulling out onto the highway it will hesitate and surge, this is very dangerous! the new 8 speed transmission shifts way to soon, so it does not keep the rpms up long enough to get the car going sufficiently therefore causes surging.
- Cave City, KY, USA
Purchased car in Jan 2019. Car studders on acceleration of car under all conditions.acceleration is always rough. Two time and several calls to dealer has been of no help. I keep getting told by dealer that Kia is working on software fix for the problem and that all Kia Sorento's have same problem.
- Georgetown, TX, USA
When pulling out or starting out the car hesitates making it very unsafe when pulling out in traffic. I have reported it to the Kia service center, but they could not find anything wrong with it. It is very frustrating and unsafe. This has been going on since I purchased the car in May.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
Loud engine rattle noise when starting engine that has been shut off overnight.sounds like the camshaft chain hydraulic tensioner is bleeding down.tensioner does not maintain a correct initial position.noise diminishes within a minute or so of stationary engine run.
- Salem, NH, USA
- Nashville , TN, USA