VehicleVerdict

2021 Kia Sorento problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2021 Kia Sorento sits mid-pack among Sorento years: 335 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 338, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 120 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

335

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Sorento years?

Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted2,073 complaints2003: 421 complaints2004: 341 complaints2005: 457 complaints2006: 382 complaints2007: 224 complaints2008: 317 complaints2009: 79 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 2,073 complaints2012: 1,205 complaints2013: 1,293 complaints2014: 1,364 complaints2015: 955 complaints2016: 1,610 complaints2017: 1,021 complaints2018: 332 complaints2019: 616 complaints2020: 183 complaints2021: 335 complaints2022: 278 complaints2023: 179 complaints2024: 53 complaints2025: 112 complaints2026: 7 complaints
Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Kia Sorento problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission12036%
Engine5817%
Electrical System4313%
Other3711%
Fuel System185%
Driver Assistance144%
Visibility & Wipers124%
Speed Control113%
Steering51%
Body & Structure51%
Airbags41%
Lighting31%
Trailer Hitch21%
Brakes21%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V649000Visibility & WipersSeptember 25, 2025 · 39,536 units

Defect

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.

22V760000TransmissionOctober 11, 2022 · 69,038 units

Defect

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

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.

22V703000Trailer HitchSeptember 19, 2022 · 70,887 units

Defect

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

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.

21V519000Fuel SystemJuly 8, 2021 · 21,575 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Vehicle's transmission would not engage in "drive" or "reverse". After sitting for almost an hour, tried again and it engaged in "drive". Took to dealership, could not duplicate the problem. 4 days later, while driving, the vehicles transmission automatically disengaged from "drive". The car was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 4, 2022

“While in the process of pulling into marked stall in parking lot car accelerated unexpectedly jumping over a concrete stop and crashing into the wall of a building. Car sustained eleven thousand dollars worth of damage and the wall that was hit was caved in. Cost of wall repair is unknown at this…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 19, 2024 · crash

“Component: Electrical System / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist / Speedometer Incident Summary: ​I am reporting a catastrophic and uncorrected safety defect in my 2021 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ). ​Pre-Accident Attempts: Before April 2024, I repeatedly sought diagnosis for instrument cluster…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 2, 2024 · crash

“Tonight was the first time I drive this car in the snow. I was going downhill doing 5 miles per hour, I even downshifted to hold vehicle back, and the brakes totally locked up on me. I couldn't turn the car, it slid straight across the road, at a "T" intersection, and I crashed into a sign, and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 6, 2022 · crash

“Engine stumbled and suddenly lost power, the engine turned off while on roadway in traffic. Car wouldn’t restart. When it did restart, an extreme smell of gasoline and tail pipe emissions was observed. Car was discharging gasoline from the tail pipe, at alarming rate, on to the ground. Car was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 20, 2025

2021 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sorento: 335 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2021 Sorento problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (120 complaints), engine (58 complaints), electrical system (43 complaints).

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Sorento years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2017, 2015, 2019. The cleanest record among Sorento years belongs to 2010.

How safe is the 2021 Kia Sorento?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Kia Sorento earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.