2021 Kia Sorento transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V760000Oct 11, 202269,038 vehicles
  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: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission has failed and dealership scanner did not read code P1C2D03, the diagnostic has confirmed a severe, structural failure of the transmission: the internal fluid barrier seal has worn through, causing total cross-contamination of the DCT gear oil and control fluid. This physical fluid mixing is actively starving the electric oil pump and throwing codes P086800 and P193B79. This creates the exact safety hazard described in Safety Recall SC250. Kia informed me that…

   NHTSA complaint #11769753 · source
2. Filed Oct 7, 202664,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH in fourth gear, the vehicle shuddered and decelerated to 30 MPH, then lost drive power. Additionally, the clutch made a flapping sound while in 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 8th gear. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled while the transmission was shifted in drive(D). The contact pulled over, turned off, and then restarted the vehicle. The failure had occurred approximately five times. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11769596 · source
3. Filed Sep 30, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   I noticed my car having a delayed engagement whenever i put it in reverse. I had to wait a couple of seconds before it would go in reverse. As i was leaving my job there is a hill and i noticed jerking when trying to accelerate up. As i made if past the hill i stop at a light,upon takeoff i noticed my car wouldn't accelerate but the RPM gauge spiked.i turned it off and then back on and it did the same only this time the check engine light came on. The issues i am having with…

   NHTSA complaint #11767936 · source
4. 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
5. Filed Sep 29, 202640,000 miOHCrash1 injuredTransmission & Drivetrain

   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. During the crash the contact sustained a mild neck injury. Medical attention was sought. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced auto stop failures and the engine failed to automatically restart when…

   NHTSA complaint #11767672 · source
6. Filed Sep 23, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission in my Kia Sorento intermittently does not engage when shifting from park to drive. It will take 5 to 10 seconds for the gear to engage. When this occurs, the car is free-wheeling and will roll away. This is especially dangerous if you are on a slope or hill. I of course am applying the brake when shifting out of park, but their is no warning or indication that the transmission is, or isn't engaged. I have mentioned this problem when visiting the Kia dealer,…

   NHTSA complaint #11766362 · source
7. Filed Sep 22, 202673,000 miKYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway at 20 MPH, the vehicle lost drive power. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had not produced DTC: SC250 associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train). The related code was P1C2D03 - Electric Oil Pump (EOP) malfunction. The Kia service center was…

   NHTSA complaint #11766165 · source
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. Filed Aug 25, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle: 2021 Kia SorentoCurrent Mileage: Over 100,000 miles (Original Owner) Description of Safety Defect & Failed Recall Remedy: Background: This vehicle is equipped with the 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) and has suffered from severe slipping, jerking, and hesitation since delivery (at 5 miles). In 2023, the vehicle received the software update remedy under Kia Safety Recall SC250 (NHTSA Campaign 22V760) for the defective electric oil pump circuit board. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11759535 · 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