2021 Kia Sorento recalls

5 safety recalls, 46 owner complaints and a 4-star NHTSA crash rating. Official NHTSA data.

5Recalls
46Complaints
1Crashes & fires reported
4/5NHTSA overall rating

Not every 2021 Kia Sorento is affected by every recall. Check your VIN to see open recalls on your exact vehicle.

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2021 Kia Sorento recall list

Electrical System recall

25V-649
September 26, 2025 · Kia America, Inc.
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.
Safety 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 recall

22V-760
October 11, 2022 · Kia America, Inc.
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.
Safety 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.

Trailer Hitches recall

Park outside22V-703
September 19, 2022 · Kia America, Inc.
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.
Safety 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.

Seat Belts recall

22V-447
June 23, 2022 · Kia Motors America
Problem
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.
Safety 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline recall

21V-519
July 8, 2021 · Kia Motors America
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.
Safety risk
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.

2021 Kia Sorento owner complaints

46 complaints filed with NHTSA, including 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Problems by component

Power Train21
Engine18
Electrical System12
Unknown or Other9
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Vehicle Speed Control2
Steering1
Trailer Hitches1

Recent complaints

October 26, 2026Power Train

When driving between 10 to 50 mph with foot on gas pedal my car won’t jerk sputter and lose complete loss of power while making a turn. I have to release my gas pedal and push back down and it takes a solid couple seconds to get any power back. I’ve been almost hit a couple times in the last two weeks because as I’m turning my car just loses all power.

October 14, 2026Power Train

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while accelerating between 10 MPH and 15 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked, similar to an attempted gear shift, before returning to normal operation. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, particularly while traveling down a decline. The failure was a recurring issue. The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 76,500.

October 7, 2026Vehicle Speed ControlUnknown or OtherEngine

UNKNOWN. Car all of a sudden wouldn’t accelerate while driving on the road. It was hesitating while pressing the gas pedal.

October 7, 2026Power Train

Transmission has failed and dealership scanner did not read code P1C2D03, the diagnostic has confirmed a severe, structural failure of the transmission: the internal fluid barrier seal has worn through, causing total cross-contamination of the DCT gear oil and control fluid. This physical fluid mixing is actively starving the electric oil pump and throwing codes P086800 and P193B79. This creates the exact safety hazard described in Safety Recall SC250. Kia informed me that since I didn't have a direct P1C2D03 code it would not fall under the recall and they would not be replacing the transmission. I was told by another tech that the two codes are related to P1C2D03. To me a barrier failure i

October 7, 2026Power Train

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH in fourth gear, the vehicle shuddered and decelerated to 30 MPH, then lost drive power. Additionally, the clutch made a flapping sound while in 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 8th gear. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled while the transmission was shifted in drive(D). The contact pulled over, turned off, and then restarted the vehicle. The failure had occurred approximately five times. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

2021 Kia Sorento crash test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2021 Kia Sorento SUV FWD Later Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Kia Sorento SUV AWD Later Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Kia Sorento SUV AWD Early Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Kia Sorento SUV FWD Early Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV FWD Later Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV FWD Early Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Driver aids on the tested 2021 Kia Sorento: electronic stability control standard, forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard. Rollover risk: 15.9%.

2021 Kia Sorento recall FAQ

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Sorento. The most recent, filed September 26, 2025, concerns the electrical system.

What are the most common 2021 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported area is power train (21 reports), followed by engine.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento safe?

The 2021 Kia Sorento earned up to a 4-star overall safety rating in NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program crash tests.

How do I get a recall fixed on my 2021 Kia Sorento?

Contact any authorized Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free, even if you are not the original owner or the warranty has expired.

This page combines NHTSA records for: Sorento, Sorento Hybrid.