2021 Kia SORENTO: complaints, problems and recalls

HAD CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING HITTING WINDSHIELD. DIDN'T NOTICE TELL AFTER BEING HOME AND SHOWING FRIENDS THE NEW CAR

Owner-reported narrative. 540 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394923 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PARKING HIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANOTHER VEHICLE BEING IN THE VICINITY. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SENSOR HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER AND RESTED ON THE BUMPER BY THE CONNECTING WIRES. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COURTESY KIA OF BRANDON (9205 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL 33619) WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT A NEW BUMPE…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11396935 at NHTSA ↗

I'VE HAD VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AND TWO DAYS. INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHERE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE WHEN MAKING A TURN AFTER STOPPING (NO VEHICLE IN FRONT) OR ACCELERATING FORWARD AFTER A STOP (STOP LIGHT WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT). ISSUE OCCURRED FIRST ON 20 FEB 21 AND AGAIN ON 23 MAR 23. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 23 JAN 21. ISSUE SO FAR APPEARS TO OCCUR MONTHLY AROUND THE SAME TIME OF THE MONTH. ISSUE NOT EASY TO REPLICATE. CONCERNED THAT ISSUE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS VEHICLE LITERALLY ACCELERATES ABOUT 1-2MPH AND WHEN OUT OF "DA…

Owner-reported narrative. 375 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404916 at NHTSA ↗

ONLY HAD CAR 8 DAYS WITH 500 MILES. WENT TO PULL AWAY FROM STOP SIGN AND CAR CUT OFF. WHEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, CAR ADVISED TO PLACE IN PARK FIRST. ONCE PLACED IN PARK AND PRESSED START BUTTON - ALL SYSTEMS WENT DEAD. SPARKS CAME FROM GROUNDING CABLE UNDER HOOD. WHEN GROUNDING CABLE WAS ADJUSTED, CAR STARTED TURNING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. AFTER WAITING TWO HOURS FOR TOW TRUCK, WAS ABLE TO ADJUST GROUND CABLES WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE HOME. SUBSENQUENTLY, CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11408325 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

KIA's manual gives instructions on two different ways (having two is a bit odd) to disengage their adaptive cruise control (KIA's name for it is Smart Cruise Control). Neither works. It is not possible to disengage SCC and use regular cruise control. This has been brought to the attention of the dealer from where the car was purchased (who has been working with us non-stop) as well as by me to KIA via their website. The dealer's service department has inspected it and cannot find a way to disengage the SCC. (Other safety features built int…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423184 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that the exhaust started to leak. The contact also stated that the engine was overheating. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 21V519000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was appr…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,911 miles reported. Look up ODI 11426095 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2021-07-08 (July 8, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-09-19 (September 19, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-10-11 (October 11, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2025-09-25 (September 25, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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.