Fourth generation (MQ4)
2021 Kia Sorento
The most reported problem on the 2021 Kia Sorento is stalling, with 63 complaints, usually around 43,000 miles.
- 248owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 4involved a crash
- 30,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Sorento doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?
The 2021 Kia Sorento has 248 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Sorento model years since 2014, it has the 7th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- At 41 complaints for each year on the road, the 2021 runs 2.1 times the 2020 (19) and close to the 2022 (38).
- Top problem
- Stalling leads with 63 of the 248 complaints (25%), ahead of transmission shudder at 38. A quarter of the 25 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 17,000 miles, and half by about 43,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 5 of the 248 complaints (2%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 4 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 1 person was hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Transmission shudder and transmission failure share a recall on the same system (22V-760). Stalling has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2022 at 61 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 43. So far in 2026, 59 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 63 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
248 complaints is 1.3 times the median 2021 model on this site and about the median for a 2021 SUV. Among the 12 Sorento model years here it ranks 7th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Kia Sorento
Kia filed 105 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Kia Sorento. 13 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 20 complaints
GDI FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MISFIRE DTC(S) THETA III 2.5L GDI (CA2505) This bulletin provides information regarding cylinder misfire DTCs stored on some 2021-2023MY Kia models listed in the on the table on page 4, equipped with a naturally aspirated Theta III 2.5L GDI engine and dual fuel injection, where a low-pressure (MPI) ...
GDI FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MISFIRE DTC(S) CLOSED AND SUPERSEDED BY FUE068/CA2505 - This bulletin is now closed. This bulletin provides information regarding cylinder misfire DTCs stored on some 2021-2023MY Kia models listed in the table below equipped with a naturally aspirated Theta III 2.5L GDI ...
1 more on this problem
GDI FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MISFIRE DTC(S) This bulletin provides information regarding cylinder misfire DTCs stored on some 2021-2022 MY Kia Sorento and 2023 MY Sportage vehicles equipped with a naturally aspirated Theta III 2.5L GDI engine and dual fuel injection, where a low-pressure (MPI) injector ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 10 bulletins · 10 complaints
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and AVN 5.0 Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to pages 5 and 16).
AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 8) to remedy a ‘non-responsive’ or ‘inoperative’ radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern.
8 more on this problem
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles.
AVN 5.0 WIDE SCREEN FREEZING OR MAP DELAY WITH WIRED APPLE CARPLAY This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles to remedy an inaccurate map location, freezing AVN screen, or experiencing a delay when using Google Maps or Waze through wired Apple ...
UNEVEN/SLIPPERY ROAD WARNING DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a warning sound accompanied by a 'Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully' or 'Uneven road ahead.
This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern.
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 VALUE SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR WIRELESS CARPLAY IMPROVEMENT This bulletin provides the procedure to update the head unit software on some 2021MY K5 (DL3a), Sorento (MQ4a), and Sorento Hybrid (MQ4 HEV) vehicles equipped with a Display Audio 2.0 Value head unit, which may exhibit a wireless CarPlay connectivity issue ...
PIT STOP: DIAGNOSING HAPTIC MOTOR CONCERNS This Pitstop provides information regarding a "Check Haptic Steering Wheel System" message displayed on the cluster on some 2021MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles, with DTC B247300 which may be related to a poor connection in the haptic motor circuit.
COMBINATION TSB / SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR WIRELESS CARPLAY ISSUE (SA460) This bulletin provides the procedure to update the head unit software on some 2021MY K5 (DL3a), Sorento (MQ4a), and Sorento Hybrid (MQ4 HEV) vehicles equipped with a Display Audio 2.0 head unit, which may exhibit a wireless CarPlay connectivity issue with ...
SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR WIRELESS CARPLAY ISSUE (SA460) This bulletin provides the procedure to update the head unit software on some 2021MY K5 (DL3a), Sorento (MQ4a), and Sorento Hybrid (MQ4 HEV) vehicles (refer to affected vehicle range on page 6), equipped with a Display Audio 2.0 head unit, which may exhibit a ...
Complaints filed by year
61 complaints came in 2022. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 Kia Sorento
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 Kia Sorento, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Kia Sorento?
Stalling, with 63 of the 248 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 43,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Sorento problems start?
Of the 76 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 10,000 miles and half by about 30,000.
Is the 2021 Kia Sorento better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than the 2020 and about as many complaints as the 2022: 41 a year against 19 and 38.
How many 2021 Kia Sorento complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
5 of them (2%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2021 Kia Sorento?
No recall on file for the 2021 Kia Sorento is on the same system as stalling. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.