What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2021 KIA Sorento

Typical pattern

9.3% of complaints about the 2021 KIA Sorento came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (133 complaints), typically at 2.9 yr or about 65,000 miles.

Complaints
367
Median age at failure
3.3 yr
Median mileage
36,000 n=46
Crash / fire / tow
5.7% of reports
Safety recalls
4 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
133 reports · 65,000 mi
2.9 yr
5.3%
Engine
64 reports · 36,000 mi
3.4 yr
6.2%
Electrical system
47 reports · 34,256 mi
4.5 yr
4.3%
Other
38 reports · 540 mi
2.6 yr
2.6%
Fuel / propulsion
23 reports
5.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V703000 2022-09-19 Do not drive
Trailer 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 and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

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

25V649000 2025-09-25
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.

A fire increases the risk of injury.

22V760000 2022-10-11
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.

Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

21V519000 2021-07-08
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.

A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Other 540 mi 5 mo in service
HAD CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING HITTING WINDSHIELD. DIDN'T NOTICE TELL AFTER BEING HOME AND SHOWING FRIENDS THE NEW CAR
Other mileage not reported 6 mo in service
Rough idle when waiting on intersection due to red light. possible knocking sounds each and every time engine turns off due to stop & go feature or when I turn the key off. It's been happening since middle of March..
Other mileage not reported 11 mo in service
Engine stall while sitting in red light twice in one month. I had to put vehicle in park and restart the vehicle to get the vehicle moving.
Electrical system 500 mi 7 mo in service
ONLY HAD CAR 8 DAYS WITH 500 MILES. WENT TO PULL AWAY FROM STOP SIGN AND CAR CUT OFF. WHEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, CAR ADVISED TO PLACE IN PARK FIRST. ONCE PLACED IN PARK AND PRESSED START BUTTON - ALL SYSTEMS WENT DEAD. SPARKS CAME FROM GROUNDING CABLE UNDER HOOD. WHEN GROUNDING CABLE WAS ADJUSTED, CAR STARTED TURNING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. AFTER WAITING TWO HOURS FOR TOW TRUCK, WAS ABLE TO ADJUST GROUND CABLES WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE HOME. SUBSENQUENTLY, CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.

Other Sorento model years

202520232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112009200820072006200520042003

How to read this