2021 Kia Sorento: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 271 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (43% of complaints); the 2020 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 17 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 271 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Kia completed Recall SC250 via a software update only. The physical hardware has now failed (Code P193B). Kia Corporate and the local dealership are refusing to honor the safety recall remedy because the software update marked the recall 'complete,' leaving a failed, dangerous transmission unaddressed.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2026
“The transmission pump on my transmission just went out randomly last week. The power in my car went into limp mode and the car won't drive properly now. The car was being driven at the time this happened, and my husband had to pull over, as the car wouldn't work. I had this looked at by an auto body shop and they diagnosed it with this, which is to be found that there is a recall on my specific year and model of car for this issue as well. For about a month prior, we had noticed a few "stutters" when driving the car. After I hit 100k miles on the car, it was doing it almost daily.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2026
“I was driving up a hill and my car stalled. Contacted Kia of Bowie for assistance had a diagnostic asked for a goodwill repair because of this being a safety issue with my car stalling while driving up a hill life threating situation and they have denied the goodwill repair the service tech is saying because I didnt get my car serviced there and they have no records I informed them that I have and had been taking care of the maintenance at the Kia dealership in Temple hills md. They are just overlooking the severity of the situation of a safety issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 safety recall ive been telling them from the start that there was a very strong gas smell coming from theoil dipstick and they have been avoiding it till yesterday now the gas has evaperated and they are asking g me to pay $550 for the leak down test.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
“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 because this is a safety issue from the beginning I have mentioned gas smell coming from the oil dipstick now the car has say and the gas has evaperated and they are saying no gas smell contacted corporate and Istill have no results. This is a serious issue and I am being mishandled and treated as if this is not a severe safety hazard and needs to be addressed by Kia I am asking for assistance PLEASE IN SERIOUS SAFETY MATTER.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2026
“Recall 22V-760 was performed, but the remedy failed, the exact same safety code has returned, and the manufacturer is refusing to replace the failed hardware component.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2026
“The vehicle experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of motive power while driving due to a failure of the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission's (DCT) high-pressure electric oil pump causing loss of shifting and dropping to lower gears at a very high rpm and slowing the car almost instantly creating a hazard for a crash with following vehicles. âThis vehicle was previously serviced under Kia Safety Recall Campaign SC250 (NHTSA ID: 22V-760). However, the initial recall remedy failed to permanently resolve the underlying defect. Despite the recall work being marked as completed, the transmission component has failed again.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway at 20 MPH, the vehicle lost drive power. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had not produced DTC: SC250 associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train). The related code was P1C2D03 - Electric Oil Pump (EOP) malfunction. The Kia service center was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2026
“previous warranty repair for a failed fuel injector (RO #1103175) resulted in severe gasoline dilution of the engine oil. the vehicle now vents raw fuel vapors into the cabin (Fire Hazard) and hesitates/jerks when braking at stoplights (Stall/Crash Hazard). Kia Corporate has refused to communicate for over two weeks while the dealer holds the car.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2026
“The transmission in my Kia Sorento intermittently does not engage when shifting from park to drive. It will take 5 to 10 seconds for the gear to engage. When this occurs, the car is free-wheeling and will roll away. This is especially dangerous if you are on a slope or hill. I of course am applying the brake when shifting out of park, but their is no warning or indication that the transmission is, or isn't engaged. I have mentioned this problem when visiting the Kia dealer, but no action was taken.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC241. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 22V-127. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Sorento years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Sorento by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?
NHTSA has 271 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Kia Sorento. The most complained-about area is power train (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Sorento problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,000 miles or less.
Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.