Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Kia Sorento recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 45
Latest campaign: Sep 25, 2025

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	1	–	Sep 25, 2025	25V649000
Power train	1	–	Oct 11, 2022	22V760000
Trailer hitches	1	1	Sep 19, 2022	22V703000
Seat belts	1	–	Jun 23, 2022	22V447000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Jul 8, 2021	21V519000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 25, 2025Latest campaign


Sep 25, 202525V649000	Electrical system: wiring fuses and circuit breakers A fire increases the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 25V649000 What's wrong 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. Filed under Sorento Campaign NHTSA 25V649000 · Sep 25, 2025
Oct 11, 202222V760000	Power train: automatic transmission Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V760000 What's wrong 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. Filed under Sorento Campaign NHTSA 22V760000 · Oct 11, 2022
Sep 19, 202222V703000	Trailer hitches A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 22V703000 What's wrong 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. Filed under Sorento, Sorento Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022
Jun 23, 202222V447000	Seat belts: front An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V447000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under Sorento Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 22V447000 · Jun 23, 2022
Jul 8, 202121V519000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V519000 What's wrong 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. Filed under Sorento Campaign NHTSA 21V519000 · Jul 8, 2021

Merged from NHTSA model names: Sorento, Sorento Hybrid. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2021 Kia Sorento? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component45

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

45Complaints filed

1Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

1Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Injuries
Power train	20	44	1	1
Engine	18	40	0	0
Electrical system	12	27	0	0
Unknown or other	9	20	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	5	11	0	0
Vehicle speed control	2	4	0	0
Steering	1	2	0	0
Trailer hitches	1	2	0	0

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Sorento, Sorento Hybrid.

Latest reports

Power train
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while accelerating between 10 MPH and 15 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked, similar to an attempted gear shift, before returning to normal operation.”
Filed 10/14/2026 · ODI 11771163
Vehicle speed control
“UNKNOWN. Car all of a sudden wouldn’t accelerate while driving on the road. It was hesitating while pressing the gas pedal.”
Filed 10/07/2026 · ODI 11769649
Power train
“Transmission has failed and dealership scanner did not read code P1C2D03, the diagnostic has confirmed a severe, structural failure of the transmission: the internal fluid barrier seal has worn through, causing total…”
Filed 10/07/2026 · ODI 11769753

Other Kia Sorento model years

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Other Kia models

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2021 Kia Sorento recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Sorento. The most recent, 25V649000 (reported September 25, 2025), concerns electrical system. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Kia Sorento?

Power train is the most-reported component, named in 20 complaints out of 45 filed with NHTSA (44%). Across all complaints, owners reported 1 crash and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 Kia Sorento?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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Recall summary by component5

Safety recalls5

Electrical system: wiring fuses and circuit breakers

Power train: automatic transmission

Trailer hitches

Seat belts: front

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