2019 Kia Sorento Electrical Problems

There is a recall for the HAVOC system foe the years 2021-2023, 25V649 recall. My car is a 2019 kia sorento and I m having the same issues, I have already replaced blower motor, resistor, air filter replaced, fuses, air compressor clutch relays, 3 times. Coolant is fine. After reading this recall my car same issues, please add my car to the recall list, I have spent over $600 in mechanic fees and parts, now the problem is recurring. Its a wiring issue, there was melted part on the blower motor when everything was replaced in February, I can't afford more repairs. I can get reciepts from parts i had to buy and a invoice from my mechanic, the issue of AC/heater reoccurring on May 29th. 2026. I had pur in a relay last week, now needs another one. Cost of them $25.00.

NHTSA ID

11741175

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

On December 16, 2025 at approximately 0830 hrs. EST my wife attempted to start the above vehicle. There was an "odd" odor in the garage by the vehicle at the time. She was unable to start the vehicle, there were not functional lights and no other accessories were functional. I perfomed a test on the battery later in the afternoon using a battery testing probe, it indicated the battery was non-functional. At approximately 1515 hrs. EST I replaced the battery in the above vehicle. Upon replacement of the battery the vehicle was started and run for approximately 3 minutes to ensure all systems checked alright and there was no damage from the loss of the. I then was standing at the back of the vehicle and noted smoke coming from the tail lights and from under the liftgate. I opened the rear liftgate and felt heat and saw smoke. As I was removing the trim from around the vehicle to access the area of origin for the smoke, the rear bumper cover melted and flames were visible where the bumper cover had melted. I used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the visible fire then accessed the area under the bumper to ensure the fire had been fully extinguished. Visible under the bumper was the tow wiring whch was visibly damaged by fire. I reported the fire to Kia of Muncie from where the vehicle was purchased new in December 2018 and to the Kia Care Line. Pictures of the damage were sent to both. The vehicle had been checked and cleared of all recalls associated with the tow wiring recall.

NHTSA ID

11705499

Incident

Dec 16, 2025

Adding to NHTSA Safety Issue ID # 11685509. The car was taken back to the dealership on 9/8/2025 and the maintenance department was showed were the Junction box that controls a lot of safety features could be the issue and why normal diagnostics tools used could not isolated the issue to it. Online research shows that this Junction box is a common issue and an undiagnosed issue with major safety issues. Actually the maintenance department had no clue as to were it was even located on a 2019 KIA Sonata. Please look into this issue. I am having mine replaced but it will take a week to do it. It maybe because of the unavailability because of quality fixing the issue.

NHTSA ID

11685839

Incident

Sep 8, 2025

Upon starting my vehicle after going to the grocery store, the ABS, ESC, Check Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist System, and Auto Hold warning lights illuminated. The cruise control was then inadvertently deactivated. When vehicle is started the Check Forward Collision error comes on. After a few months when entering the freeway and accelerating I received an error regarding unknown engine issue. Took vehicle to Kia dealership and was who diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) needed to be replaced. Manufacturer being notified, vehicle not repaired at dealer due to cost.

NHTSA ID

11667820

Incident

Apr 5, 2025

I received a safety recall letter from Kia America July 2023 and Dec 2024 and called Jerry Seiner Kia Salt Lake City and they will not help me. I then called Kia customer care number on the recall letter 800-333-4542 and it goes to roadside assistance and they cannot help me. I then called the USGOV safety hotline listed on the recall letter 888-327-4236 and that goes to Coach Elkhart. So the Kia customer care number is incorrect and the USGOV safety hotline number is incorrect and no one except me knows this? Zombieland America. Anyone out their know why the USGOV safety hotline number lists Coach Elkhart phone number? I have had 3 other people look to see how crazy this all is.

NHTSA ID

11634492

Incident

Jul 31, 2023

My car has been in recall with Kia motors and nothing has been changed or done

NHTSA ID

11628145

Incident

Oct 4, 2024

This morning my 2019 Kia Sorento lost power all while driving on a busy highway going 70 miles per hour. When this occured the battery light flashed twice and then the instrument cluster had all warning lights. Then the cluster started flashing and the infotainment center lost power. I lost power steering and brakes. This is not the first time this has happened and I am extremely upset. I drove to the nearest dealership because it was the next exit off of the highway. The engine was running but nothing else was working. The dealership could not get it out of park after I arrived and then it would not start. This same issue occured in 2023 and the dealer had it for over 90 days. They claimed everything was fixed and multiple things were not resolved. My cluster has sparatically flashed since 15k miles and this is ridiculous. Kia will not honor warranty or admit that this is a lemon.

NHTSA ID

11623788

Incident

Nov 6, 2024

Vehicle has LKA FCA and HBA error lights on. Dealer inspection found Active DTC C180508 LKAS Can-Signal error. C160649 ECU Software Error. CAN Line inspection found incorrect Can-Signal from Multifunction Camera.

NHTSA ID

11618508

Incident

Sep 18, 2024

Infotainment center glitching while driving, Restarting as if the car was just started. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602658

Incident

Feb 13, 2021

Infotainment center glitching while driving, Restarting as if the car was just started. Recent water issue behind dash due to "design flaw" of A/C drain. Ongoing mold/musty smell. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602655

Incident

Nov 22, 2020

all electrical screens went black while driving including those on the instrument cluster Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. The ongoing infotainment screen failure occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602653

Incident

Nov 16, 2020

infotainment center issues after recent a/c drain hose issue and water pouring out of dash compartment due to design flaw. Concerned about water contributing to electrical issues. Dealership will not assess because electrical issue not happening constantly Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. Ongoing issues with mold smell after water as well. Dealership gave me vehicle back with carpets soaking wet 2 years in a row. Child has asthma, father has pulmonary fibrosis and is a disabled veteran. Only vehicle for family unfortunately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602652

Incident

Oct 28, 2020

Infotainment center glitching. Recent water issue. Mold smell after water issue. Carpet was not appropriately addressed by dealership for A/C drain "design flaw". I have a child with asthma and disabled vetran father and spend hours commuting daily. Mold and water are a health concern. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602649

Incident

Oct 22, 2020

Infotainment center glitching while driving, Restarting as if the car was just started. Dealership, Taylor Kia Toldeo refused to address because it was not occuring the moment it was brought into the dealership. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. recording of this available. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602645

Incident

Sep 6, 2020

Infotainment center continues to have issues/restarting as if the car was just started. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602643

Incident

Jul 16, 2024

Infotainment center glitching while driving and using back up camera, Restarting as if the car was just started. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602638

Incident

Aug 20, 2020

Infotainment center glicthing while driving Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602637

Incident

Jul 17, 2020

Multiple infotainment center errors while driving from Wisconsin to Michigan. Freezing and then restarting as if the car was just started. Occasionally freezing on the safety acknowledgement screen. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602635

Incident

Jul 8, 2020

about an hour after earlier incident below we went to the beach. After unloading beach items and children I realized that the elctrical components of the vehicle were still running. The vechicle was off. Key was out of the ignition. All doors were open. AC/Infotainment Center/Lights would not turn off. I was concerned about what to do. I felt it was unsafe it leave it running. Called the dealership, left a message with the service advisor I was given the card for a week prior when mentioning ongoing issues. Video recorded the incident. Attempted to call again. Attempted to call other numbers for the dealership. Spoke with a friend who is a mechanic who suggested disconnecting the battery. Earlier incident below: While parked in a parking lot I attempted to lower the volume of the radio and the buttons were not responding. Attemped to turn off infotainment center and it would not respond. A call came in and my phone was connected and car would not allow me to answer call. Attempted to disconnect phone from car and it would not work. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602634

Incident

Jul 6, 2020

While parked in a parking lot I attempted to lower the volume of the radio and the buttons were not responding. Attemped to turn off infotainment center and it would not respond. A call came in and my phone was connected and car would not allow me to answer call. Attempted to disconnect phone from car and it would not work. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available

NHTSA ID

11602629

Incident

Jul 6, 2020

Infotainment center glicthing while driving, Restarting as if the car was just started. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available There is no warning before failure. Due to Covid, Parts shortatages and loaner/rental shortages this was not addressed in a timely manner by KIA however they state its my fault.

NHTSA ID

11602626

Incident

Jul 3, 2020

infotainment center glitching Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.

NHTSA ID

11601018

Incident

May 14, 2020

infotainment center glitching and restarting while driving at random times. would restart to kia logo and then freeze on the saftey message. this interferes with navigation and is a distraction while driving. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.

NHTSA ID

11601014

Incident

May 8, 2020

infotainment center glitching. restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. I was driving on roads in the country that I was not familiar with, I did record this to the best of our ability with the assitance of my child. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.

NHTSA ID

11601012

Incident

Mar 30, 2020

Infotainment center failure/glitching. It would restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.

NHTSA ID

11601008

Incident

Mar 14, 2020