2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid has 21 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls, with a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 3rd worst out of 5 model years and earning a "Caution" verdict. Electrical System and Engine issues each make up 48% of complaints, mostly tied to inverter coolant warnings.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #3 of 5 Sorento Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 37
- 39 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System10 (48%)
- Engine10 (48%)
- Other6 (29%)
- Fuel System2 (10%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a persistent "Refill Inverter Coolant" warning message that reappears even after the coolant is topped off or serviced.
- The coolant warning light blocks other dashboard information such as speed, lane departure alerts, and tire pressure readings.
- Some owners report the coolant fluid inverter level indicator illuminates with no repair available from dealers.
- One owner suspected the factory installed the wrong color inverter coolant (blue instead of red) as the root cause.
- Owners report the seat belt pretensioner recall and a trailer hitch harness recall requiring parking outside due to fire risk.
- One owner reported a hybrid alert dinging repeatedly after a software reprogram following accident repairs.
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V703000Sep 19, 2022Structure & Body70,887 vehiclesPark Outside
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V447000Jun 23, 2022Seat Belts17,199 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
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.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
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.
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 39 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 37 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,750
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Sorento Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid?
- NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 50 and a "Caution" verdict, ranking 3rd worst among the 5 Sorento Hybrid model years. It is not the worst year, but it has more reported issues than 2022 and 2024.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid?
- Electrical System and Engine complaints each account for 48% of the 21 total complaints, largely centered on a recurring inverter coolant warning message that dealers often could not resolve.
- Does the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a tow hitch harness fire risk requiring owners to park outside, and one for seat belt pretensioners that could explode in a crash. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2021 Sorento Hybrid compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 50 is worse than 2022 (25, "Good") and 2024 (0, "Best"), but better than 2023 (75, "Avoid") and 2025 (100, "Avoid").
- What mileage do problems typically show up at in the 2021 Sorento Hybrid?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 7,650 miles, mainly for Electrical System complaints.