Model year record

2021 Kia Sorento

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 533 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V649000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
39,536
Reported to NHTSA
2025-09-25
Owners notified
2026-01-23

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V760000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
69,038
Reported to NHTSA
2022-10-11
Owners notified
2022-12-09

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V703000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
70,887
Reported to NHTSA
2022-09-19
Owners notified
2023-07-27

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V519000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
21,575
Reported to NHTSA
2021-07-08
Owners notified
2021-07-21

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train18666,550 mi
Engine9336,000 mi
Electrical system7643,000 mi
Unknown or other49540 mi
Fuel/propulsion system39
Vehicle speed control15375 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings11500 mi
Steering8
Air bags749,000 mi
Structure: body6
Visibility/wiper6
Exterior lighting5111,178 mi
Lane departure: warning4
Visibility475,000 mi
Service brakes3
Visibility: windshield3
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2
Lane departure: blind spot detection2
Power train: automatic transmission265,000 mi
Seat belts249,000 mi
Trailer hitches220,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Electrical system: wiring: connectors/plugs/receptacles1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: sump/tank: drain plug110,394 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1
Fuel system, gasoline17,911 mi
Lane departure: assist1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1

The 2020 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2022 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.