2021 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 63owner reports
- 43,000median miles
- $5,300median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
194 of the 248 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 63 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 Sorento.
Tick what matches of 63 reports
Stalling on other Sorento years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (6 reports), the fuel pump (3 reports) and the ignition coil or plugs (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
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.
Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 Kia Sorento, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Sorento
Loss of motive power. Closed jul 23, 2024.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Engine oil pressure switch leak. Closed jun 26, 2023.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
Front axle shaft failure. Closed sep 20, 2013, led to recall 13V-355.
Transmission intermediate driveshaft. Closed may 10, 2011, led to recall 11V-258.
Fuel spill during refueling. Closed dec 21, 2011.
What owners paid
7 of the 63 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $550 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 17,000 and 86,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Our Kia lost power on the highway in a construction site and we had to coast until we finally were able to pull over in a safe place. This has happened a few times before but Kia says they can't do anything unless it can be duplicated.”
Filed Feb 2, 2025
“Sometimes the vehicle will stall and not want to move. I have to try and coast off the road to kill the car and restart it. Also sometimes the radio goes completely black and doesnt come back on even if you kill the car.”
Filed Feb 15, 2024
“Engine has turned off on road at stop and not started up again. Starts to shake then powers off. I have had to push break shut off engine completely and turn on again in middle of road. Carson of Kia states there is nothing wrong with it but this is a HUGE safety concern.”
Filed Jun 24, 2023
“This is 2nd time that my Kia Sorento shuts off while weâre stopped at a red light. When we release the brake the engine didnât start.”
Filed Jun 3, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 63 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 38 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 31 reports