2021 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Kia Sorento has a complaint index of 55, ranking 10th worst of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 55% of its 247 complaints, and it carries 4 recalls, none of them do-not-drive.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 247
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22.5 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain137 (55%)
- Engine74 (30%)
- Electrical System48 (19%)
- Other39 (16%)
- Fuel System24 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (4%)
- Structure & Body7 (3%)
- Steering6 (2%)
- Airbags4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission can fail completely at very low mileage, sometimes leaving the vehicle undriveable.
- Some owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating or lurching forward while parking or pulling into a space.
- Electrical faults have caused the car to shut off entirely after leaving a stop, with sparks reported near the grounding cable under the hood.
- The forward collision warning system has activated with no vehicle nearby, and the sensor was found detached from the front bumper.
- Fuel system complaints include fuel odor, exhaust leaks, and engine overheating shortly after parking.
- Brakes have reportedly locked up unexpectedly during downhill driving in snow, leading to loss of steering control.
2021 Kia Sorento recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V649000Sep 25, 2025HVAC39,536 vehicles
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:fan/motor
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.
- NHTSA 22V760000Oct 11, 2022Transmission & Powertrain69,038 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
2021 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Sorento a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict, ranking it 10th worst among 21 model years. Transmission and powertrain complaints account for 55% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 65,000.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 Kia Sorento?
- Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area at 55% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 30% and electrical system issues at 19%. Owners also reported fuel leaks and camera sensor detachment.
- Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Sorento, covering the HVAC blower motor wiring harness, a transmission fail-safe mode defect, a tow hitch harness fire risk, and a fuel pipe leak issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Sorento compare to other Sorento years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 55 is worse than the 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Sorentos, but better than 2011-2017 models, which reached indexes as high as 100 and carry Avoid verdicts.
- What year Kia Sorento should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 Sorentos carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes between 75 and 100. The 2024 Sorento has the lowest complaint index at 15 and rates Best.