2019 Kia Sorento: jerking or lurching

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · TX

Car would randomly stall and jerk while accelerating. Unsafe to drive. May cause accident. Having to constantly set hazard lights to prevent accident.

Filed Apr 28, 2024 · Brakes · CA

I made a hard brake when first got car. Warning lights for ABS and traction control came on. Battery disconnected. Battery reconnected and codes cleared, but warning lights remained. Code 2400201 on OBDII read. I didn’t check ABS pump for leakage as I don’t know where that is. I can see the ABS Pump module unit aka ABS Hydraulic Control Unit. When I hard brake there is no ABS pumping action. Car just lurches forward real hard. Hope car doesn’t catch on fire.

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 Aug 1, 2022 · Engine · KY

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.

Filed Jul 10, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

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.

Filed May 6, 2022 · Transmission · FL

Jerks in lower gears and sometimes speads up when you're about to stop and/or slow down & when you make a turn, caused me to get into an accident on i95 while my kids were in the car with me!!!! When I tried to break the car slightly sped up before stopping causing me to rear end another vehicle. This is my second kia car, the first was an optima. I thought kia's were strong, reliable and safe cars. Something needs to be done!!!

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · FL

Jerks in lower gears when you're about to stop and/or slow it down when you make a turn, bad workmanship on kia's part. Keeps happening everytime. This is my second car, the first is sedona, thought kia's were strong, reliable and sturdy cars, but sadly disappointed. Never again another kia.

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Engine · 23,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 24, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 20,194 miles · NY

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?

Filed Jun 18, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 27,895 miles · NH

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.

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 Apr 19, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 20 miles · GA

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.