2021 Kia Sorento: common problems and reliability

The 2021 Kia Sorento has 21 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag engine failures: reports of engines (including non-recalled engines) failing and requiring replacement, sometimes under 100,000 miles, with repair costs around $6,000. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2021 model year

21
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Kia Sorento vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2021 a good year for the Sorento?

Across the 8 Sorento model years we track, complaint volume runs from 21 (2021) to 976 (2014). With 21 complaints, the 2021 Sorento sits belowthe 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

engine
10
electrical system
10
fuel/propulsion system
2
trailer hitches
1

Recalls affecting the 2021 Sorento

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

Campaign 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.

trailer hitches

Campaign 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 orig

power train:automatic transmission

Campaign 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

electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers

Campaign 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.

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…

  • Transmission failures: Multiple reports of complete transmission replacements, with one owner citing three new transmissions in a 2024 model within 14 months. Clunky shifting and concerns over Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) reliability are mentioned. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Engine failures: Reports of engines (including non-recalled engines) failing and requiring replacement, sometimes under 100,000 miles, with repair costs around $6,000. Frequency: very frequent.

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 $29,848–$34,610 across 2014 to 2026 model years.

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