2019 Kia Sorento acceleration problems

Filed Jun 27, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · AZ

My 2019 Kia Sorento suddenly began making loud knocking noises from the engine and immediately lost all acceleration while I was driving with my children in the car. The vehicle would not respond when pressing the gas, and the check engine light came on. This created a terrifying situation because I had no power to merge or move out of traffic, and I had my [XXX], [XXX] and [XXX] children with me.The engine now knocks severely and has almost no power at all. The oil level is full, so this is not due to low oil or lack of maintenance. This appears to be a sudden internal engine failure consistent with known Kia engine defects involving rod bearings, timing issues, and loss of compression.I am reporting this because the vehicle is unsafe to drive and put my children at risk. Kia is refusing to cover the engine failure even though this matches the same symptoms seen in other Kia engine recalls. I am extremely concerned that this defect could have caused an accident or left us stranded in a dangerous situation. I need this investigated as a serious safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 30, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · AR

My car started to act crazy not wanting to move when in traffic.

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 95 MPH. The check engine and hazard warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to respond as needed, and the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off the vehicle and was able to stop the vehicle on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the throttle shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred the following day, and while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 80 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side lane and turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle gradually slowed to a stop. The check engine warning light and hazard light were illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and slowly driven back to the same deale,r and the contact was informed that additional diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · AL

I have been without transportation for 3 months now and I’m about to lose my Job

Filed May 25, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · KS

When driving at certain lower speeds the vehicle is jerky. The car will go into high RPM's when excelerating even when not fully pressing the gas pedal. The engine is burning through oil very quickly. In less than a month from my oil change I have had to put 5 quarts in. When the cruise control is on it sometimes excelerates faster than what it is set for. This has been ongoing for about a year. I have confirmed with 2 shops that I do not have an oil leak.

Filed Feb 20, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · OH

While driving with cruise control enabled, the cruise control suddenly disengaged and became inoperative, and the following warning lights (icons) and warning messages displayed on dashboard: > “Check Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist System” warning message > Master warning mode light > ABS warning light > Forward collision assist warning light > Electronic stability control indicator light, and > Auto Hold indicator light. Vehicle continued to operate normally except for those error warnings; cruise control remained disengaged and inoperative. After pulling off the roadway, turning the vehicle off and restarting engine, vehicle operated normally, cruise control could be re-enabled normally, but eventually the same warning lights and warning messages displayed on dashboard and cruise control again disengaged and remained inoperative. This happened multiple times over a number of days. This error happens randomly, at various speeds, but only after cruise control has been engaged. After pulling off the roadway, I took pictures of the dashboard showing these error messages and warning icons to show dealership at appointment that has been scheduled later this week. (These photos are attached to this report.)

Filed Dec 11, 2022 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

To whom it may concern: I am sending this email as an owner of a 2019 Kia Sorento for just 15 months, yet I am already experiencing significant mechanical issues. 3 weeks ago my car stopped accelerating while driving across a bridge, began shaking a making a weird noise once idle, and as expected my engine light came on. After calling endless Kia dealers I was able to get it towed 2 weeks later to my local Kia. To my surprise it was a high pressure fuel pump issue which seems to be a common issue amongst Kia Sorento’s. After only having this car for 15 months it should not be costing me $1,700 in repairs. I am requesting that this issue be looked into further and that Kia provides me with assistance.

Filed May 12, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 18,500 miles · MN

When cruise control is set or just starting the kia and going it will without warning surge, jerk, and jump. The RPM needle will show acceleration from 2.5 RPM and it jumps to 4.5 RPM and stays their for awhile before going back down to 2.5 RPM. This happens without notice and not on any incline or declines, it's on straight aways. This also happens at any speed when the cruise control is set or when just starting the kia and going. It's not just on the highway when this happens it also happens in city streets. It first only started happening when it was cold out but now it's happening even with warmer weather. I've taken it to kia of duluth many times and always get told nothing is wrong or to just change the drive mode from smart to eco but it doesn't make a difference and it has been doing this since I got the kia which was 16 months ago.

Filed May 6, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 2,120 miles · FL

Our 2019 kia sorento lx v6 engine is surging and hesitating really bad. Car was brought in for service but nothing has worked to correct the issue. When pulling out onto the highway it will hesitate and then surge spinning the front tires, this is very serious safety issue! It has become dangerous for us to exit our development onto a busy high speed thoroughfare! Dealership indicates this is a known problem with the sorento and we should contact the manufacturer. We have driven other new kia models and none of them have this issue.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Acceleration · 22,000 miles · WA

The vehicle will unexpectedly surge when the accelerator is applied, especially from stopped and at low speeds. This unintended and abrupt is a safety hazard as there is the ongoing possibility of crashing into another vehicle or obstruction.