Model year
2021 Kia Sorento
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 254 complaints for the 2021 Kia Sorento (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 21 complaints under SORENTO HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (141), ENGINE (68), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (46). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 6 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 24–37 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,800–$2,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 305 complaints
- 2004 220 complaints
- 2005 307 complaints
- 2006 242 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 217 complaints
- 2009 55 complaints
- 2011 1,520 complaints
- 2012 880 complaints
- 2013 982 complaints
- 2014 988 complaints
- 2015 754 complaints
- 2016 1,258 complaints
- 2017 808 complaints
- 2018 255 complaints
- 2019 433 complaints
- 2020 138 complaints
- 2021 254 complaints
- 2022 193 complaints
- 2023 125 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 76 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
25V649000 · Sep 25, 2025
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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.
22V760000 · Oct 11, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022
Park outsideTRAILER HITCHES
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…
21V519000 · Jul 8, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Complaints
254 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 1, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SORENTO HYBRID | 2 | 21 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid SUV FWD Early Release | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.159 | NHTSA photo |
| Hybrid SUV FWD Later Release | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.159 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV AWD Early Release | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.159 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV AWD Later Release | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.159 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD Early Release | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.159 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD Later Release | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.159 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento Hybrid · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 39 | 35 | 37 | — | — | $1,800 |
| Sorento FWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 29 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Sorento FWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AM-S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 29 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Sorento AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 25 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Sorento AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AM-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Kia Sorento at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.