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2021 Kia Sorento: common problems and reliability
One of the best Sorento years.
The best Kia Sorento year. All Sorento years
38 owner complaints, most about engine. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Sorento?The 2021 Kia Sorento has 38 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Kia Sorento vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sorento years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Sorento?
Across the 24 Sorento model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2010) to 1,517 (2011). With 38 complaints, the 2021 Sorento sits below the model's median of 242.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Sorento
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 21V519000Kia 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.
trailer hitches
Campaign 22V703000Kia 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 22V760000Kia 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.
electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Campaign 25V649000Kia 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.
Show 1 more recall
seat belts:front
Campaign 22V447000Kia 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year, powertrain, and owner expectations. For newer models (2023-2026), feedback is often positive regarding value, interior comfort, ride quality, feature content, and hybrid fuel economy.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sorento. See the full Sorento owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Sorento listings typically run $15,098–$28,908.
Other Sorento model years
Compare every Sorento year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sorento against its rivals
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