BrakeNewsOwner complaints, read early

Your vehicle report

2021 Kia Sorento

The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.

NHTSA data through October 2026View original NHTSA data Change vehicle

Your vehicle at a glance

Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.

Owner complaints
255
Received Feb 2021 to Oct 2026
Official recalls listed
4
Naming this model year; check your VIN for applicability
BrakeNews flagged problems
2
Statistical signals, not official defect findings or recalls

Owner reports

Most reported problems

  1. 1
    Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips32 complaints · 13% of this vehicle’s complaints
  2. 2
    Transmission fails or loses power while driving29 complaints · 11% of this vehicle’s complaints
  3. 3
    Engine stalls and loses power while driving24 complaints · 9.4% of this vehicle’s complaints
See all reported problems

Official NHTSA records

Recalls to check

  • Recall #22V703000Park outsideKia 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.
  • Recall #25V649000Kia 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.
View recall details

BrakeNews signals

Flagged complaint patterns

Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.

How flags are identified

Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 5 crashes, 1 fire, 2 people injured, 0 deaths.

Explore by system

Where do owners report problems?

Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.

Schematic car with five system shortcutsGeneric side view, with the front on the left. Numbered links explore engine, brakes, steering, electrical, and body complaints. Text controls below provide the same choices.12345FRONTSCHEMATIC VIEW

Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.

View selected problems

Showing all 15 listed problems by system.

Engine & powertrain

7 more problems

Brakes

Electrical & lights

Airbags, belts & seats

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Steering, suspension & tires

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Body, doors & glass

Driver assistance

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Other

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Complaints received about the 2021 Kia Sorento
11
Show as a table
MonthComplaints
February 20212
March 20211
April 20211
May 20210
June 20212
July 20213
August 20215
September 20210
October 20217
November 20218
December 20216
January 20226
February 20222
March 20225
April 20224
May 20225
June 20226
July 20227
August 20229
September 20223
October 20228
November 20226
December 20220
January 20231
February 20233
March 20233
April 20231
May 20231
June 20234
July 20230
August 20232
September 20234
October 20231
November 20230
December 20231
January 20245
February 20241
March 20242
April 20241
May 20244
June 20244
July 20242
August 20244
September 20240
October 20241
November 20244
December 20241
January 20250
February 20254
March 20258
April 20251
May 20253
June 20254
July 20255
August 20256
September 20251
October 20254
November 20253
December 20254
January 20264
February 20263
March 202611
April 20269
May 20266
June 20263
July 20268
August 20268
September 20269
October 20265
Total255

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

ProblemComplaintsShareShare ratioStatus
Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips3213%2.3×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Nov 2021
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.8%
Transmission fails or loses power while driving2911%4.8×NHTSA recall #22V760000
Engine stalls and loses power while driving249.4%10.7×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Oct 2021
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 2.0%
Unintended acceleration despite braking176.7%3.2×
Engine suddenly shuts off while driving135.1%2×
Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed135.1%8.1×NHTSA recall #22V760000
Glass shatters or cracks without impact103.9%–
Transmission will not engage reverse gear83.1%–
Paint peels off roof and hood41.6%–
Rear door latch fails to open or close41.6%–
Check engine light comes on repeatedly41.6%2×
Automatic emergency braking applies without reason41.6%–
Vehicle catches fire from wiring31.2%–NHTSA recall #22V703000, #25V649000
Head gasket leaks coolant into engine31.2%–
Transmission shudders during acceleration at low speeds31.2%–

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

  • NHTSA recall #22V703000September 19, 202270,887 vehicles affected

    Park outside: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.

    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.

    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 recall #25V649000September 25, 202539,536 vehicles affected

    electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers; 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.

    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 recall #22V760000October 11, 202269,038 vehicles affected

    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.

    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 recall #21V519000July 8, 202121,575 vehicles affected

    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.

    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.

Other model years

About this data

NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2021 Kia Sorento.

Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.

Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN