2021 Kia Sorento: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Kia Sorento: 4 recalls, 253 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #21V519000 · 2021 · 21,575 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l turbocharged engines. Fuel May leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Why it matters: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021.
Trailer hitch Vehicle recall #22V703000 · 2022 · 70,887 vehicles
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,…
Why it matters: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #22V760000 · 2022 · 69,038 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Vehicle recall #25V649000 · 2025 · 39,536 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (142): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (61), warning light on (48), stalls / loses power (39).
- Engine (68): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (29), warning light on (18).
- Electrical (47): the most common themes are electrical failure (17), warning light on (13), stalls / loses power (12).
- Other / unknown (40): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), warning light on (5).
The 2021 Kia Sorento has 253 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 24 Sorento model years for complaints (well below the 425 average). Complaints peaked in 2026 (64 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 41,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (137 complaints, 1 recalls), 2022 (191 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 29 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 25 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Kia Sorento.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Sorento problems?
Owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (142), engine (68), electrical (47).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Sorento get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S8)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Kia Sorento repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.