NHTSA data · free2021 Kia SorentoProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)
Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2021 Kia Sorento, ranked by the component that failed most.
Complaints on file
24
Recalls issued
4
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
What breaks most
- Power Train20 complaints · 83.3%
- Engine8 complaints · 33.3%
- Fuel/Propulsion System3 complaints · 12.5%
- Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints · 8.3%
- Electrical System2 complaints · 8.3%
Recalls on this model year
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Campaign 21V519000 · reported 08/07/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Park outsideTrailer Hitches
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris a
Campaign 22V703000 · reported 19/09/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Campaign 22V760000 · reported 11/10/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
Campaign 25V649000 · reported 25/09/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
What owners report
Power Train
- The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while accelerating between 10 MPH and 15 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked, similar to an attempted gear shift, before returning to norm
- Transmission has failed and dealership scanner did not read code P1C2D03, the diagnostic has confirmed a severe, structural failure of the transmission: the internal fluid barrier seal has worn throug
- The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH in fourth gear, the vehicle shuddered and decelerated to 30 MPH, then lost drive power. Additionally, the clutch made a flapp
Engine
- UNKNOWN. Car all of a sudden wouldn’t accelerate while driving on the road. It was hesitating while pressing the gas pedal.
- This is my third report regarding a dangerous loss of drive power on my vehicle, which completely matches NHTSA Recall 22V760000. Kia of Rainbow City in Alabama diagnosed the failing transmission oil
- While driving my 2021 Kia Sorento, the electronic power steering suddenly failed/intermittently cut out while the vehicle was in motion. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to turn
Fuel/Propulsion System
- On XXX im driving my 2021 Kia Sorento sx it stalled while driving in the mist of traffic engine light comes on and I had my car towed contacted Kia of Bowie they are giving me a hassle contacted them
- Car stalled July 14th car has been at Kia of Bowie and they are stalling g me and dont want to do the sarter recal and are asking me for $550 for a diagnostic that I should not pay for do to this saf
- I was driving my car on [XXX] and my car suddenly lost power and when I pressed the gas pedal the RPM quickly increased but the car was hesitating between gears and not engaging. Shortly thereafter a
Vehicle Speed Control
- UNKNOWN. Car all of a sudden wouldn’t accelerate while driving on the road. It was hesitating while pressing the gas pedal.
- My car will randomly go into limp mode and I am unable to accelerate. The auto stop/start light will flash orange on the dashboard. I need to pull over and restart car and it seems to reset. I see
Electrical System
- I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX
- On August 15, 2026, while operating my 2021 Kia Sorento, the transmission warning light came on and the vehicle displayed the following warning on the infotainment screen: “A possible condition with y
Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.
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