2019 Kia Sorento Engine

The contact owned a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed in stop-and-go traffic, the driver noticed smoke emerging from under the hood, pulled over, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and saw flames. The contact removed items from the vehicle and exited safely. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, airbag deployment, or crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was contacted, who referred to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

It need to fill the oil ever two to three weeks - oil consumption? Now this morning it has the a lot of oil in the ground - I won’t drive the car

On Saturday February 7th, while driving home, the vehicle suddenly caught fire without any warning. Within moments, the fire intensified, and I was forced to jump out of the vehicle to save my life. Shortly afterward, the vehicle exploded. The car was completely destroyed. Every item inside was charred, and I barely escaped with my life. A police report was filed. Both the manufacturer and insurance company were notified as well as the bank that the vehicle was purchased from. There were no warning lights or messages prior to. When the vehicle caught fire, all warning lights came on at the same time. Following this incident, I began researching similar cases and was alarmed to learn that fires and engine‑related failures appear to be a common issue in this model. Despite this, I was never notified of any recall, safety advisory, or service campaign related to fire risks. Had I been informed, I would have taken immediate action to prevent such a catastrophic and dangerous event.

The oil pressure switch on my 2019 KIA Sorento comes on when coming to a stop. This has occurred even after an oil change and checking the oil the dip stick showed full. I understand that Kia had a recall on these sensors for Kia Sorentos up to year models 2018 but evidently the problem with this sensor has not been resolved and presents a major possibility of fire occurring due to oil leakage. I believe Kia for safety sake should be required to replace this faulty sensor at no cost to the owner

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was an engine oil leak on the driveway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured oil pan, causing the engine oil leak. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not being under recall. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 19V101000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,500.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, and oil needed to be added to the engine every 30 days. Additionally, the vehicle was difficult to start, and there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle at start-up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump, the starter, and the timing chain cover were replaced; however, the excessive oil consumption persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed of an unknown engine recall and that the engine could seize. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the engine failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start, and the engine was making abnormal clanking sounds while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the gas cap, and the check engine warning light was reset; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The engine is completely burning all of the oil. I can feel a hesitation in the engine while driving

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

At 79,000, the engine started running very rough. I took it to the dealer. It’s got a cylinder that won’t fire. I have an extended warranty( big $!) but I’m getting the runaround from Kia. It’s been almost 3 weeks. They’re dragging their feet because they know these Theta II engines are JUNK! I’ve maintained my own vehicles my entire adult life, and I don’t drive crazy either. It also had a knock sensor recall, which most likely kept this issue from being a recall

Oil pressure sensor light came on when I would stop or park after 10-20 minutes of driving. Vehicle was low on oil so I added a quart. About a week later the light came on again so I took it to get oil changed at an independent shop. They said a change wasn’t necessary as I still had 2000 miles left, but said they would top it off if needed. It was half a quart low so they topped it off. On the way home the light came on again. Took it to the dealership where it was diagnosed as an oil pressure sensor failure. Vehicle has 103,000 miles so I was out of warranty. This vehicle is not eligible for the extended warranty for the oil pressure sensor issue provided by Kia as the extended warranty was only for models up to 2018, or vehicles manufactured up until March 2018. This is a 2019 that was manufactured in April 2018. Because of how close the model year and manufacture date is to the Kia provided extended warranty, it is apparent the issue was not corrected for this model year either and it should be part of the extended warranty.

My vehicle is a sorento 2019 model, April 2018 production, and is experiencing oil pressure switch failure that requires $1500 of repair, there is a recall/warranty extension WTY026 for the same model but only up-to March 2018 production, kia claimed that they modified the sensor to eliminate the problem in 2919 models, but unfortunately many of the 2019 model year owners are still experiencing the same problem as the previous year. Please extend this recall to cover 2919-2020 productions as well

The engine consumes alot of oil. There are no oil leaks. I have to refill the engine with 1 quart of oil weekly. The vehicle is available for inspection. If this is not checked week, the engine could lock-up for low to no oil. The service representative at Kia in Wendell, NC, verbally stated to me the engines do burn alot of oil and to monitor it regularly. He confirmed there are no recalls on the engine though. No official inspection has been performed. But the vehicle is available for inspection by an official. There have been no warning lamps or messages. The symptom here is constant checking of the oil levels with the dip stick and refilling the engine with oil weekly.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had overheated and fractured. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 97,000.

I have been having heavy oil leaks with my vehicle and when I check my oil a few days after adding oil it registers bone dry. Excessive oil can be seen in my drive way after pulling in and out. The oil ight has been coming on intermittently and now it stays on. Took it to Kia dealership and inquired about problem and possible recall and they said their was none and instead tried to sell me a nother vehicle.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact checked the oil level after arriving at the residence and noticed that it was very low, almost empty. The contact added two quarts of oil to the engine. Several weeks later, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that an oil consumption test needed to be performed. The contact stated that the vehicle passed the oil consumption test. The dealer cleaned off the top of the engine. The contact needed to add two quarts of oil every 1,500 to 2,000 miles driven. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's husband was able to drive back to the residence at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was told that the manifold had melted and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the engine had failed. The contact was informed that a bearing clearance test needed to be performed. The vehicle failed to pass the test. The contact was informed that cylinders #1 and #4 had misfired. The dealer changed the ignition coils. The contact stated that the failure had recurred, and the vehicle was parked and was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

1. Vehicle Information Make: Kia Model: Sorento Model Year: 2019 VIN: [XXX] Approximate Mileage: 87,000 miles 2. Incident Details Complaint Title: Critical Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch Leak Leading to Oil Warning Light, Rapid Oil Loss, and Safety Risk Narrative: I am submitting this safety complaint regarding a critical oil leak on my 2019 Kia Sorento, currently at 87,000 miles. The leak originates specifically from the Oil Pressure Sensor (Switch). Symptoms and Diagnosis: 1. I observed a significant amount of engine oil leaking onto the ground where the vehicle was parked, indicating a substantial loss of lubricant. 2.The oil pressure warning light has been illuminating intermittently on the dashboard, confirming that the engine's oil pressure or level has dropped to a critical point. 3.A dealership/mechanic officially diagnosed the issue as a severe leak at the Oil Pressure Sensor. Safety Concern and Precedent: The rapid and severe loss of engine oil creates an unreasonable risk of sudden engine failure/seizure while driving, which is an extreme safety hazard. Additionally, oil leaking onto hot engine components poses a potential fire hazard. I note that Kia has previously issued safety recalls and/or substantial warranty extensions for this exact type of Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch leak on other Kia models and earlier model years of the Sorento. This defect appears to be recurring in the \text{2019} model year, suggesting the core safety defect has not been resolved for this vehicle group. I request that NHTSA investigate this specific issue in the 2019 Sorento and mandate a proper safety recall to replace the faulty component and eliminate the serious risk of engine failure and fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that an oil consumption test needed to be performed and instructed the contact to return after driving 1,000 miles. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be returned to the dealer on multiple occasions due to exceeding the 1,000-mile interval. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

Vehicle: 2019 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] at Incident: 171,800 Description of Incident: On Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 12:30 PM, my 2019 Kia Sorento experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure while in motion. I was driving with my two children at approximately 60 mph on Highway 111, a major highway in Palm Springs, CA. Without any warning whatsoever, no dashboard lights, sounds, or symptoms, the engine failed and the vehicle immediately lost all power. The gas pedal became completely unresponsive, and I was left to coast from highway speeds down to a natural stop. My safety and the safety of my children were severely at risk. Being in a vehicle that is unable to accelerate or even maintain speed on a major highway creates an immediate and extreme hazard for being rear-ended by other traffic moving at 60+ mph. We were a vulnerable, slow-moving obstacle with no ability to power ourselves out of a dangerous situation. The vehicle was towed to the Palm Springs Kia dealership in Cathedral City, California, where it was inspected by their service department. A certified Kia technician confirmed the cause of failure was a cracked engine valve, requiring a full engine replacement. I am the original owner of this vehicle and have a complete and documented history of performing all scheduled maintenance. This incident represents a severe safety defect, as a sudden loss of motive power in traffic places the vehicle occupants and surrounding drivers at high risk of a serious collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

There is almost no engine oil in the engine room. This phenomenon does not happen once, but continuously.

Engine started to knock, had it towed to KIA dealership it's been there for 6 weeks. Dealership stated needs new engine, Warranty company refuses to honor coverage and replace engine. 2019 KIA Sorento known for engine failures. Have provided oil receipts which is not needed. (Nothing stated in our contract) If we continued to drive the car the engine would have seized or caught fire. There were no lights on the dash for oil change or engine lights on. There are reports on the internet/social media of many people having the same issue with this engine. There should be a recall on this engine. And it shouldn't be this hard to get KIA or the warranty company to step up and fix a known problem. We paid for the warranty and expect it to work for us. Right now the car is still at KIA of Huntington. We have made a complaint with the BBB and with KIA Headquarters in CA hopefully this will be resolved soon.

Recently the 2019 Kia Sorento 3.3L V6 has had an intermittent Engine Oil Pressure Light. It will sometimes come on at low idle but not all the time. We did find a leak at the oil filter housing and repaired that, which did not solve the light issue. The vehicle has oil in it, thus not the problem. The vehicle was Manufactured in June of 2018 and there was a recall on the exact issue just prior to this for 2018's. Given the manufacture date and the fact this issue was not discovered until AFTER the vehicle were produced, I feel that given the timing it would be fair to say this vehicle would fall into the recall. I did have an independent shop diagnose this as a possible electrical short or part issue. I have spoken to Kia and they have provided no assistance on this.

Excessive oil burning Burns an insane amount of oil every week, 2-3 quarts of oil has to be added every week. Started noticing slightly low oil a year ago wasn’t a lot but it has gotten worse.

Car burns oil excessively. It is an ongoing problem. I also had a kia soul before this that also burned oil excessively

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle abnormally shuddered, with the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to excessive oil consumption. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the diagnostic result was confirmed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 74,750.

The oil was changed with no leak, and less than 1000 miles later, it all disappeared. Now, it has gone into limp mode and thrown a knock code due to no oil. Having it sent to a shop four times in a week is not okay. If there's no leak and no gasket problems, where did all the oil go? I have more posts about this daily. I have 96,000 miles on this engine with full synthetic changes every time. It was healthy, and now it's not because it's overeating oil. Make it make sense, please.