Every 2021 Kia Sorento recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Electrical System · NHTSA 25V649000
Sep 25, 2025Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses and Circuit Breakers
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 25V649000 →Power Train · NHTSA 22V760000
Nov 10, 2022Power Train:Automatic Transmission
- Problem
- 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.
- 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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
Full recall details for 22V760000 →Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 22V703000
Sep 19, 2022Trailer HitchesPark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- 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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Full recall details for 22V703000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 22V447000
Jun 23, 2022Seat Belts:Front
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V447000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 21V519000
Aug 7, 2021Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V519000 →
2021 Kia Sorento complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 273 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Sorento, reporting 5 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries. Kia has issued at least 105 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Power Train141
- Engine78
- Electrical System57
- Unknown Or Other46
- Fuel/Propulsion System25
- Vehicle Speed Control13
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (97)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (29)
- Power Train (28)
- Equipment (14)
- Structure (8)
- Steering (7)
Read Kia Sorento owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2021 Kia Sorento
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 2 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
What people reported
Owners have filed 273 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Sorento. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH and exiting the freeway, the vehicle failed to accelerate and decelerated. While slowing down and driving onto the shoulder a second vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle.”
2021 KIA SORENTOSep 29, 2026 · OH
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11767672
“Recall SA512 was previously completed on my vehicle. The problem is happening again. Since there are no open recalls, I am unable to get it fixed under the recall.”
2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRIDJul 15, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11673619
Crash
“Component: Electrical System / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist / Speedometer Incident Summary: I am reporting a catastrophic and uncorrected safety defect in my 2021 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ).”
2021 KIA SORENTOMar 21, 2026 · FL
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11726020
“On [XXX] we were driving the Kia at slow speed due to snow on the road when a warning light came on which we think said hybrid vehicle failure pull over. The car stopped and the traffic lane with the engine off. The car would not start and we were exposed to traffic.”
2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRIDJan 21, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11637251
Crash
“The contact owned a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 15-20 MPH and making a quick left turn to avoid a truck that did not have the right-of-way, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side door of the vehicle. The driver's side curtain air bags deployed.”
2021 KIA SORENTOAug 12, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11680202
Check your Sorento by VIN
Not every 2021 Kia Sorento is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →