2021 Kia Sorento: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2021 Kia Sorento

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2021 Kia Sorento recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Sorento. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Trailer HitchesPark outsideFire risk

  A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  Details 22V703000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• ElectricalFire risk

  A fire increases the risk of injury.

  Details 25V649000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Fuel systemFire risk

  A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 21V519000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Transmission & drivetrain

  Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  Details 22V760000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

2021 Kia Sorento safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Corrosion: The affected vehicles may experience an unusual or different horn sound than normal, or an inoperative horn, caused by corrosion inside the electric horn and/or carbonization of the contact point.
• Doors and locks: Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2021 Kia Sorento safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

14 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is few.

Other Kia Sorento years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024