2021 KIA Sorento Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2021 KIA Sorento, 56% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 64,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “oil pump” (10% of reports).
- 142power train complaints
- 64,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 25%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil pump: mentioned in 14 of 142 complaints (10%)
- Software update: mentioned in 9 of 142 complaints (6%)
- Safely immediately: mentioned in 8 of 142 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 21 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 142 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
KIA Sorento power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 25% | 2,532 |
| 2024 Sorento | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 22 | 18% | 21,700 |
| 2022 Sorento | 67 | 35% | 24,864 |
| 2021 Sorento | 142 | 56% | 64,000 |
| 2020 Sorento | 18 | 13% | 5,000 |
| 2019 Sorento | 51 | 12% | 12,600 |
| 2018 Sorento | 9 | 4% | 32,717 |
| 2017 Sorento | 37 | 5% | 56,574 |
| 2016 Sorento | 126 | 10% | 71,000 |
| 2015 Sorento | 42 | 6% | 74,000 |
| 2014 Sorento | 72 | 7% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 69 | 7% | 55,768 |
| 2012 Sorento | 55 | 6% | 33,000 |
| 2011 Sorento | 265 | 17% | 34,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 9 | 16% | 5,200 |
| 2008 Sorento | 23 | 11% | 40,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 20 | 13% | 11,650 |
| 2006 Sorento | 35 | 14% | 79,000 |
| 2005 Sorento | 38 | 12% | 94,000 |
| 2004 Sorento | 40 | 18% | 84,235 |
| 2003 Sorento | 22 | 7% | 60,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 KIA Sorentos have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 142 owner complaints about power train for the 2021 KIA Sorento (56% of the 253 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 KIA Sorento power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 64,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2021 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “oil pump”, in 14 of 142 complaints, followed by “software update” (9).
Other 2021 KIA Sorento problems
- Engine problems (68)
See all 2021 KIA Sorento problems or power train problems across all Sorento years.