2021 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet

Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard

38owner reports
45,000median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 25, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

133 of the 242 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 38 of those describe transmission shudder. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 38 reports

shudders or vibrates at low speed

slips or revs without pulling

bangs or clunks into gear

hesitates when I accelerate

a dealer did a software update

fluid was changed or flushed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (6 reports) and the clutch (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

22V-760Oct 11, 2022

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

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

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.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Sorento

PE13-025opened Jul 5, 2013

Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2014

Front axle shaft failure. Closed sep 20, 2013, led to recall 13V-355.

NHTSA summary

In a letter dated August 9, 2013, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. (Hyundai-Kia) submitted two Defect Information Reports (DIR) to NHTSA identifying a safety defect related to fracture of the right front axle shaft in MY 2013 front wheel drive Hyundai Santa Fe Sport vehicles built from July 13, 2012 through March 12, 2013 and MY 2014 front wheel drive Kia Sorento vehicles built from January 7 through March 12, 2013 (Recall Nos. 13V-355 and 13V-356).According to Hyundai-Kia, the right front axle driveshaft may develop a crack in the area of the stub at the wheel end of the shaft due to problems with the stub supplier's forging process for axles installed in vehicles built prior to March 12, 2013.When moving from a stop, the crack can lead to a separation of the shaft, causing a loud noise and loss of motive power.In addition, should the driver fail to engage the parking brake on an inclined surface, the vehicle may roll.In either case, a crash could result.ODI's review of consumer complaints and data submitted by Hyundai-Kia, identified 21 complaints alleging right-front axle shaft failure and 60 warranty claims related to right front axle replacements.All of the vehicles identified in the complaints and warranty claims were manufactured during the vehicle builds periods identified in the DIR.The Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 1

PE11-010opened Apr 7, 2011

Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2011

Transmission intermediate driveshaft. Closed may 10, 2011, led to recall 11V-258.

NHTSA summary

On April 25, 2011, Kia Motors Corporation submitted a defect notification letter to NHTSA regarding a transmission intermediate driveshaft condition in approximately 12,690 model year (MY) 2011 Kia Sorento 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-258).The recall addresses a defect with the external shape of the engine block which can prevent the intermediate shaft bearing bracket from mating evenly with the engine block.This can cause a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear.Resulting damage could cause a loss of motive power.Additionally, on April 27, 2011, Hyundai Motor Company submitted a defect notification (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-261) for the same issue in approximately 6,169 MY 2010 Sante Fe 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines that use the same components as the recalled Kia Sorento vehicles.This investigation is closed.

None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 28,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

321

1022

323

124

1125

1026

What owners wrote

“Vehicle is showing symptoms and issues related to a recall on 2021 Kia Sorento transmissions. The vehicle hesitates shifting gears and there is no manual shifting mode available. Vehicle also has issues when accelerating due to the hesitation in shifting the gears. This vehicle was not included in the recall for this issue however it is the same issue as the recall describes.”
Filed Oct 6, 2025

“Transmission started slipping after 25,000 miles, very scary in traffic. Got home and transmission completely failed.”
Filed Jul 10, 2022 · 25,000 miles

“Car jumps when going into reverse, going into a stop and coming off a stop. Hesitates off of stops. Feels like it goes into neutral when going around bends. When Iâm park, it rocks back and forth and rpmâs go down. Itâs been happening since I bought the car a year ago.”
Filed Jun 25, 2022

“Transmission down shifts hard when coming to a stop or putting it in reverse. Car has been to the Kia dealership were we where told this normal. We had a expert look at the car and his diagnosis was there is something wrong with it. You can here the Transmission making a clunky sound when coming to the stop. People in parking lots have noticed this as well.”
Filed Jun 5, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 38 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.