2021 Kia SORENTO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
242 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 131 of 242 complaints (54.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 109 | 45.0% |
| Engine operation | 37 | 15.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 24 | 9.9% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 131 |
| Engine | 64 |
| Electrical System | 46 |
| Unknown Or Other | 38 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 7 |
| Steering | 5 |
Power Train: 131; Engine: 64; Electrical System: 46; Unknown Or Other: 38; Fuel/Propulsion System: 23; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 7; Steering: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 209 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 61 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 53 |
2021: 35; 2022: 61; 2023: 21; 2024: 29; 2025: 43; 2026: 53
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 109 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 37 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 24 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11420331 · 2021-06-09 (June 9, 2021)
On Wednesday June 2, 2021 around 12:15pm I was leaving a teacher summer workshop and I started the car as usual, no issues, and proceeded to leave the parking lot to make a right turn onto the street. I was about a mile away from home. As I proceeded to hit the gas the car moved forward into the street then failed to shift into the next gear, which left me stranded with traffic quickly coming up behind me. I turned the wheel really hard to get as close to the curb as possible. I proceeded to press the gas pedal all the way to the floor and noth…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427631 · 2021-08-03 (August 3, 2021)
The transmission failed entirely after 3,738 miles, disabling the car. Fortunately, the vehicle was parked when the transmission failed. Loss of power while actively driving could result in serious risk, crashes or death. Upon completion of repairs, Kia Van Nuys self-reported to me that at least 4-5 2021 Kia Sorrento were currently in for repair with the same issue of transmission failure after only 3,000 - 4,000 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428052 · 2021-08-06 (August 6, 2021)
Engine stall while sitting in red light twice in one month. I had to put vehicle in park and restart the vehicle to get the vehicle moving.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419918 · 2021-06-07 (June 7, 2021)
Purchased vehicle new on 4/7/21 Had an issue on 4/15/21(NHTSA CLAIM# 11408325) - Sons Kia advised that it was just a loose battery terminal cable. Pleaded with them to replace cable for possible short to no avail. On 6/6/21 - the car wouldnt open with key or UVO application - called KIA Roadside Assistance twice and couldnt get anyone. After a couple of hours, the car finally had power and let me in. While driving home, on the interstate, I was going 60 mph. I tried to speed up, but the car wouldnt let me and the RPM stayed at 2(2000). When…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11443302 · 2021-12-09 (December 9, 2021)
Transmission failure at 9108 miles. Car was turned on and error code stating of some form of a transmission failure. Odd electrical sounding issue in engine bay as well. If the transmission had failed while I was driving I could have gotten into a serious accident. Kia is already notorious for failing transmissions in their other vehicles. This car maybe no different.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435707 · 2021-10-06 (October 6, 2021)
Power train operation is erratic and unpredictable. I have have experienced the same problems of other reports (loss of power when turning, jerking/rough shifts, cruise control issues) with the addition of this: when stopping the vehicle in a smooth controlled fashion, it suddenly has a boost of acceleration at 1-2 mph which requires extra brake pedal pressure to keep from impacting the car ahead.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440285 · 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)
When coming to a parking lot stop the vehicle skips or jumps and it can be felt on the floor board. I took it to get inspected at a Kia dealer who was able to identify the problem being my transmission and not the brakes. He informed me that Kia considers this a “normal condition” and that there was nothing they could do about it. This is extremely alarming and concerning that Kia is not concerned about transmission issues in their brands. There are no warning lights that come on. I feel unsafe driving this vehicle in fear of the transmission t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473122 · 2022-07-09 (July 9, 2022)
Fuel tank door won't open. It supposedly locks and unlocks with the doors but it gets stuck locked, couldn't get fuel. Had to find something like a coat hanger to stick in and jimmy it open.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495202 · 2022-11-28 (November 28, 2022)
The contact owned a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after being parked for about 3 hours when someone informed them flames were coming from near the fuel tank. The fire department was called to put out the fire. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. A fire report was made. The contact's …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11495202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11546505 · 2023-09-26 (September 26, 2023)
My 2021 Kia Sorento X-Line Prestige comes with Driver Assist features. One is for steering. Without warning it will disengage, particularly on a 2-lane highway, or when entering a curve in the road. This is dangerous. It needs to come with a warning that Driver Assist can flake out on 2-lanes and on curves, and is fairly useless unless you are on a straightaway on an interstate. This has happened to me multiple times since I bought the car from the Heiser dealership in Wisconsin.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11546505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11669861 · 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)
My 2021 Kia Sorento lx has been having issues everyday where all of my dash lights come on, my power steering goes out and I can’t shift into or out of any gears. I have taken it to a Kia dealership (towed) twice already and they can’t find out the issue or unwilling to find it out. I have contacted Kia corporate and still no response from them. Kia has also refused to give me a loaner during this issue
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11669861 at NHTSA ↗