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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-KIA-SORENTONHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Kia
2021 Kia Sorento problems
The 2021 Kia Sorento has 4 active recall campaigns on file and no owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.
No owner complaints on NHTSA yet, so the reliability score is provisional. 4 active recalls on file — read those first.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Sorento?
Not enough data for a verdict
Only 0 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 4 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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Fix: 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.
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Limited NHTSA data. Only 0 owner complaints have been filed for the 2021 Kia Sorento, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2021 Kia Sorento?
Only 0 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 4 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2021 Kia Sorento without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Kia Sorento?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2021 Kia Sorento to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2021 Kia Sorento a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 0 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Kia Sorento?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Kia Sorento has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Kia Sorento?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 0 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Kia/Sorento.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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