2021 Kia Sorento
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 133 of 263 complaints (51%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 134 in 2020 to 263 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–3,100 | 1,700–2,600 | 1,700–2,600 | 1,700–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–25 | 20–25 | 24–37 | 24–37 | 24–37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–22 / 24–29 | 18–22 / 24–29 | 21–39 / 25–35 | 22–39 / 25–35 | 22–39 / 25–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 363–428 | 363–436 | 242–375 | 242–377 | 242–377 | |
| Complaints filed | 426 | 134 | 263 | 221 | 157 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 19 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Sorento have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Kia Sorento?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 133 of 263 NHTSA complaints (51%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates it 24–37 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Kia Sorento?
EPA estimates $1,700–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 39 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | $1,700 (low) | 242 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 24 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 360 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 366 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 375 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 75 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 133 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 57 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 44 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR · Campaign 25V649000 · Sep 26, 2025
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.
Consequence: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 22V760000 · Oct 12, 2022
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.
Consequence: 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.
TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 22V703000 · Sep 20, 2022
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.
Consequence: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · Campaign 22V447000 · Jun 24, 2022
Defect: Kia 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.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC241. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 22V-127. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 21V519000 · Jul 9, 2021
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.
Consequence: 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.