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2021 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 33 of 242 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

133 reports
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30,000 miles · Mar 24, 2025
EnginePower Train

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that intermittently, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the vehicle failed to go into Standard Mode. While driving, the vehicle lost motive power while driving at 15 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There was an “S” symbol displayed. The vehicl…

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The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that intermittently, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the vehicle failed to go into Standard Mode. While driving, the vehicle lost motive power while driving at 15 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There was an “S” symbol displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the system needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sensor or wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11650125

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Was driving and car lost all power then violently shifted to the next gear and almost caused an accident

NHTSA ODI #11649653

36,000 miles · Mar 14, 2025
EnginePower Train

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop and while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond while the engine revved. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle made a dinging sound…

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The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop and while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond while the engine revved. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle made a dinging sound. The contact stated that the RPMs fluctuated while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that upon manually shifting to Sport Mode, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly Auto Parts, where DTC: P193B and P193B79 were retrieved. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #11648316

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2025
Power Train

When pressing the accelerator pedal after a near stop (rolling stop, California stop, stop to u der 3mpg and then resume acceleration) or very brief stop (<1 second) there is a significant delay in acceleration or a very brief acceleration then dead pedal and no acceleration for ~ 1 second. No accelerator pedal input variations …

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When pressing the accelerator pedal after a near stop (rolling stop, California stop, stop to u der 3mpg and then resume acceleration) or very brief stop (<1 second) there is a significant delay in acceleration or a very brief acceleration then dead pedal and no acceleration for ~ 1 second. No accelerator pedal input variations changes this, i.e. I can release the accelerator pedal, hold the accelerator pedal pr push the accelerator pedal to the floor and it’s still a “dead pedal” scenario until the car decides it’s time to go. Owned car since new (~20 miles) and now has ~64k miles, been a persistent issue for entire ownership.

NHTSA ODI #11647222

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2025
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

The check engine light has come on. The vehicle has stalled or loss power while driving 3 times with the last week. Once at 70 mph and the other 2 at 35 mph. Still very concerning on how to control when this occurs!!

NHTSA ODI #11640819

65,000 miles · Dec 23, 2024
EnginePower Train

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost drive power temporarily. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with loss of transmission oil pump pressure. The dealer updated the transmission control un…

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The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost drive power temporarily. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with loss of transmission oil pump pressure. The dealer updated the transmission control unit software under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact stated that the recall remedy also involved the transmission replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11632160

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2024
Power Train

I experienced a loss of drive power while on a busy street. Often while shifting into gear, the transmission will not engage. Luckily, this hasn't happened on a freeway. I have brought the vehicle into my dealership, however they can't replicate the issue, therefore, I feel unsafe continuing to drive. There was a recall on t…

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I experienced a loss of drive power while on a busy street. Often while shifting into gear, the transmission will not engage. Luckily, this hasn't happened on a freeway. I have brought the vehicle into my dealership, however they can't replicate the issue, therefore, I feel unsafe continuing to drive. There was a recall on this issue, but I've been told my VIN is not effected by this recall. I understand that, however I am experiencing the issue of losing drive power, which can cause a serious incident.

NHTSA ODI #11625065

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

My 2021 Kia Sorento has been losing drive power, shuddering when we accelerate, hesitate when starting from a stop or parked position, and having issues accelerating at different and random speed intervals. This is a safety concern because it can cause an accident or for us and others or cause us to lose the ability to control …

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My 2021 Kia Sorento has been losing drive power, shuddering when we accelerate, hesitate when starting from a stop or parked position, and having issues accelerating at different and random speed intervals. This is a safety concern because it can cause an accident or for us and others or cause us to lose the ability to control the vehicle Everyone is also at risk if my car stops responding to me pushing the gas and it will not let me continue, increase, decrease or become entirely unresponsive could cause my entire family to die. It has been reproduced by a local service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No warning lamps, messages have appeared at any time. The first symptoms started with short shuddering for a quick second or two every now and then. It has become progressively worse and is becoming unsafe for us to operate.

NHTSA ODI #11611212

20,000 miles · Aug 23, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated and would not accelerate above 30 MPH. During the failure, the Idle Stop light continued to flash off and on. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the …

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The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated and would not accelerate above 30 MPH. During the failure, the Idle Stop light continued to flash off and on. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced but the failure reoccurred within a month of the repair being performed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11610374

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2024
Power Train

Was driving the car on the interstate with no issues. I took an exit to stop at a gas station and was stopped at a traffic light. When I went to accelerate the car was sluggish and barely got me into the gas station parking lot. There were no warning lights on. When I got back in the car the car reversed but it would not acceler…

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Was driving the car on the interstate with no issues. I took an exit to stop at a gas station and was stopped at a traffic light. When I went to accelerate the car was sluggish and barely got me into the gas station parking lot. There were no warning lights on. When I got back in the car the car reversed but it would not accelerate, and the engine light was on. I had to have the car towed 70 miles to the dealership closest to home. Once the car was at the dealership and off the tow truck I got in and tried to drive it. When I put the car in drive it would not move forward, the emergency brake came on, and a warning light displayed telling me to put the car in park. The car was towed on June 30. I got a call the morning of July 1 to inform me that the dealership would take 10-15 days to even diagnose the problem.

NHTSA ODI #11599707

Official recalls

4

25V649000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor

Sep 25, 2025

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor

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.

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

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.

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

22V760000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 11, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.

22V703000 · Trailer Hitches

Sep 19, 2022

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 and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

21V519000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 8, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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