Recall 23V639 affects 83,667 2019 Kia Sorento vehicles for rearview camera water leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 83,667 2019 Sorento vehicles because a manufacturing error allows water to leak into the rearview camera and stop the image from appearing on the display. That failure reduces the driver's rear view and increases crash risk; Kia dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The back view camera assembly on the 2019 Kia Sorento is the rearview camera mounted at the back of the vehicle. When you shift into reverse, it sends a live image to the dashboard display so you can see the area behind the SUV. The camera is part of the rear visibility system required for backing up.
On affected Sorentos, a supplier manufacturing error left a path for water to enter the camera through the wiring harness. Water inside the camera can interrupt the image signal or damage the camera electronics. When that happens, the rearview image does not appear on the display, so the system no longer provides the rear visibility the vehicle is required to show.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the missing rearview camera image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Kia Sorento | Camera |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 83,667 |
Not every 2019 Kia Sorento is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the rearview camera screen is blank, the driver has less rear visibility while backing up, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the display fails, so use mirrors, turn to look behind the vehicle, and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Kia Sorento is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free rearview-camera inspection.
- Schedule the harness waterproofing or camera replacement that fixes water intrusion into the rearview camera and restores the display image.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia sent one. If not, reference recall number 23V639 when you call.
- Use extra care when backing up until the repair is complete; check mirrors and look behind the vehicle before you reverse.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the rearview camera and camera harness for water intrusion. The technician adds additional waterproofing to the camera harness, or replaces the camera if inspection shows replacement is needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you've already paid for a related rearview camera repair, Kia's General Reimbursement Plan covers repair expenses already incurred. Bring repair invoices or payment records to the service desk so the dealer can explain the reimbursement process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 15, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 9, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| November 9, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 13, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 8, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V639?
Recall 23V639 covers 83,667 2019 Kia Sorento SUVs with a rearview camera defect. Water can enter the camera, keeping the image from appearing on the display and reducing the driver's rear view. Kia dealers will inspect the camera, add waterproofing to the harness, or replace the camera for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Kia Sorento is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sorento is included in recall 23V639. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the rearview camera inspection and repair. Reference recall number 23V639 or Kia recall number SC282 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and Kia's remedy says dealers will inspect the rearview camera, add waterproofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced rear visibility when backing up. If the rearview camera image does not appear on the display, the driver has less view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Kia's dealer repair addresses the camera water-intrusion problem.
When did Kia notify owners about this recall?
Kia mailed owner notification letters on March 8, 2024. A mailed letter is helpful, but the VIN decides whether a specific 2019 Sorento is included. Used vehicles and address changes can interrupt mail delivery, so check your VIN before calling the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V639000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V639 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V639000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →