2021 Kia Sorento engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026TXEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   UNKNOWN. Car all of a sudden wouldn’t accelerate while driving on the road. It was hesitating while pressing the gas pedal.

   NHTSA complaint #11769649 · source
2. Filed Sep 29, 2026ALEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   This is my third report regarding a dangerous loss of drive power on my vehicle, which completely matches NHTSA Recall 22V760000. Kia of Rainbow City in Alabama diagnosed the failing transmission oil pump in March 2026 but refused to honor the recall because a software patch was previously marked 'complete.' The dealership has since deactivated my digital access to the inspection report. The manufacturer is actively leaving a verified, life-threatening safety defect on the…

   NHTSA complaint #11767829 · source
3. Filed Sep 19, 2026GAEngineOther / UnknownSteering

   While driving my 2021 Kia Sorento, the electronic power steering suddenly failed/intermittently cut out while the vehicle was in motion. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to turn, making the vehicle very hard to control and creating a serious risk of a crash. I had to muscle the wheel to get out of traffic turn the vehicle off and on several times before steering worked again. Because the steering failure occurred while driving THREE TIMES in the last…

   NHTSA complaint #11765555 · source
4. Filed Sep 18, 2026ALEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Kia completed Recall SC250 via a software update only. The physical hardware has now failed (Code P193B). Kia Corporate and the local dealership are refusing to honor the safety recall remedy because the software update marked the recall 'complete,' leaving a failed, dangerous transmission unaddressed.

   NHTSA complaint #11765337 · source
5. Filed Sep 4, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning. The vehicle unexpectedly slowed down/appeared to brake on its own while I was driving. There was no check-engine light at that time and the warning did not remain on, so I did not initially know what caused the…

   NHTSA complaint #11762292 · source
6. Filed Aug 28, 2026MDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Car stalled July 14th car has been at Kia of Bowie and they are stalling g me and dont want to do the sarter recal and are asking me for $550 for a diagnostic that I should not pay for do to this safety recall ive been telling them from the start that there was a very strong gas smell coming from theoil dipstick and they have been avoiding it till yesterday now the gas has evaperated and they are asking g me to pay $550 for the leak down test.

   NHTSA complaint #11760301 · source
7. Filed Aug 28, 2026MDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   On XXX im driving my 2021 Kia Sorento sx it stalled while driving in the mist of traffic engine light comes on and I had my car towed contacted Kia of Bowie they are giving me a hassle contacted them because this is a safety issue from the beginning I have mentioned gas smell coming from the oil dipstick now the car has say and the gas has evaperated and they are saying no gas smell contacted corporate and Istill have no results. This is a serious issue and I am being…

   NHTSA complaint #11760268 · source
8. Filed Jul 26, 2026GAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   "The vehicle has twice suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power at highway speeds (approx. 70 MPH) on the interstate, forcing the driver to coast across active traffic to the shoulder without engine pull. The engine revs freely in 'Drive' but the transmission fails to engage any gears. No dashboard warning lights, check engine lights, or diagnostic trouble codes are triggered during or after the failure. The failure resets temporarily only after cycling the…

   NHTSA complaint #11752940 · source
9. Filed Jul 22, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   previous warranty repair for a failed fuel injector (RO #1103175) resulted in severe gasoline dilution of the engine oil. the vehicle now vents raw fuel vapors into the cabin (Fire Hazard) and hesitates/jerks when braking at stoplights (Stall/Crash Hazard). Kia Corporate has refused to communicate for over two weeks while the dealer holds the car.

   NHTSA complaint #11751993 · source
10. Filed Jul 21, 2026NYEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    I am filing this complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Sorento, which has suffered a transmission failure. The transmission slips, shifts harshly, hesitates during acceleration, loses power unexpectedly, and has become unsafe to drive. This defect has put my safety and the safety of others at risk. On several occasions the vehicle failed to respond properly when accelerating, including while entering highways and driving in traffic. The hesitation and sudden loss of power created…

    NHTSA complaint #11751825 · source
11. Filed Jul 16, 2026MAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    I am filing this complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Sorento, which has suffered a serious transmission failure. The vehicle is displaying diagnostic code P0741, indicating a torque converter clutch malfunction. The transmission slips, shifts harshly, hesitates during acceleration, loses power unexpectedly, and has become unsafe to drive. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.This defect has put my safety and the safety of others at risk. On several occasions the…

    NHTSA complaint #11750887 · source
12. Filed Jun 10, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle is suffering from a chronic, cascading powertrain and fuel management defect that has resulted in a critical safety hazard: sudden engine stalling. Over the last 17,000 miles, the vehicle has experienced three severe engine/emissions failures that the manufacturer has been unable to permanently resolve. At approximately 30,000 miles (on 29-Jun-2025), the engine suffered a severe Cylinder 3 misfire (Code P0303). At approximately 39,000 miles (on 02-Jan-2026), the…

    NHTSA complaint #11743204 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology