The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Sorento · 2021
2021 Kia Sorento. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 5
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid | Auto (AM-S6) | FWD | 39 / 35 / 37 | Regular | $1,700 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (S8) | FWD | 24 / 29 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (S8) | AWD | 23 / 25 / 24 | Regular | $2,600 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S8) | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 | Regular | $2,500 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S8) | AWD | 21 / 28 / 24 | Regular | $2,600 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 11,600 and 75,400 miles. Median 41,500, from 38 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 64,500 | 34,800–77,400 | 22 |
| Engine | 33,000 | 4,700–71,400 | 10 |
| Electrical | 34,100 | 6,500–67,000 | 8 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 47% |
| Engine | 26% |
| Electrical | 16% |
| Speed control | 5% |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 5% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 4
25V649000 Sep 2025 Electrical System / Wiring / Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
22V760000 Oct 2022 Power Train / Automatic Transmission
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
22V703000 Sep 2022 Trailer Hitches
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
21V519000 Jul 2021 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Pedestrian alert sounds | 2023 | 2023 |
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
Manufacturer communications 121
Kia filed 121 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this…
- Potential low oil pressure due to filter drain plug that was left in filter - attention…
- Technical service bulletin: 8 speed wet dual clutch transmission (wdct) judder evaluation -…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sorento SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento SUV AWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento SUV AWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Standard | Standard |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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