2021 Kia Sorento recalls and problems

The 2021 Kia Sorento has 4 recalls and 257 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

Park outside warning. Owners are advised to park outside and away from buildings until the repair is done, because of a fire risk. Campaign: 22V703000.
2021 Kia Sorento
Photo: 2021 Kia Sorento by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2021 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 24 Sorento model years — 11th most.

4recalls
257complaints
5crashes
1fires
2injuries
43,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

4 recalls

Electrical System

Sep 25, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V649000 · 39,536 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Power Train

Oct 11, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V760000 · 69,038 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Trailer Hitches

Sep 19, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · 70,887 vehicles
Park outside

Problem: 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.

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Fuel System

Jul 8, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V519000 · 21,575 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2021: 35 complaints20212022: 61 complaints20222023: 21 complaints20232024: 29 complaints20242025: 43 complaints20252026: 68 complaints202668

NHTSA investigations

Loss of Motive Power

DP22003 · opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023
Summary

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 as…

2021 vs. other Kia Sorento years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2021. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2021 Kia Sorento, the latest from Sep 25, 2025 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Sorento?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (146), engine (69), electrical system (48). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.

Is it safe to drive the 2021 Kia Sorento?

1 recall advises parking outside because of a fire risk. Only vehicles with the recall open are affected — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.