9.0

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,273 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Kia Sorento drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2021 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #76

Oct 252024

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I experienced a loss of drive power while on a busy street. Often while shifting into gear, the transmission will not engage. Luckily, this hasn't happened on a freeway. I have brought the vehicle into my dealership, however they can't replicate the issue, therefore, I feel unsafe continuing to drive. There was a recall on this issue, but I've been told my VIN is not effected by this recall. I understand that, however I am experiencing the issue of losing drive power, which can cause a serious incident.

- Happy Valley, OR, USA

problem #75

Aug 012024

Sorento

  • miles
My 2021 Kia Sorento has been losing drive power, shuddering when we accelerate, hesitate when starting from a stop or parked position, and having issues accelerating at different and random speed intervals. This is a safety concern because it can cause an accident or for us and others or cause us to lose the ability to control the vehicle Everyone is also at risk if my car stops responding to me pushing the gas and it will not let me continue, increase, decrease or become entirely unresponsive could cause my entire family to die. It has been reproduced by a local service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No warning lamps, messages have appeared at any time. The first symptoms started with short shuddering for a quick second or two every now and then. It has become progressively worse and is becoming unsafe for us to operate.

- Powhatan, VA, USA

problem #74

Aug 012023

Sorento

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated and would not accelerate above 30 MPH. During the failure, the Idle Stop light continued to flash off and on. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced but the failure reoccurred within a month of the repair being performed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Okeechobee, FL, USA

problem #73

Jun 302024

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving the car on the interstate with no issues. I took an exit to stop at a gas station and was stopped at a traffic light. When I went to accelerate the car was sluggish and barely got me into the gas station parking lot. There were no warning lights on. When I got back in the car the car reversed but it would not accelerate, and the engine light was on. I had to have the car towed 70 miles to the dealership closest to home. Once the car was at the dealership and off the tow truck I got in and tried to drive it. When I put the car in drive it would not move forward, the emergency brake came on, and a warning light displayed telling me to put the car in park. The car was towed on June 30. I got a call the morning of July 1 to inform me that the dealership would take 10-15 days to even diagnose the problem.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #72

Aug 152023

Sorento

  • 34,256 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the wiring harness for the remote starting system had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The wiring harness was replaced; however, the contact stated that after driving for an undisclosed period and parking the vehicle, the contact was unable to shift the gear shifter. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the State Attorney General who then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 34,256.

- Titusville, FL, USA

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problem #71

May 162024

Sorento

  • miles
The vehicle loss power pulling out on to a 2 lane county road. I was a quarter of the way across and vehicle simply lost power. I let off the gas and then pressed down again and car moved forward. An Amazon truck was coming around the corner at the same time...he had to put his brakes on to avoid hitting me. I proceeded on after the initial incident thinking maybe it was bad gas...vehicle started to beep at me repeatedly but no check engine light. I went about a mile down the road to nearest gas station during which time vehicle lost power a couple of times. Filled up with gas, put the car in reverse and car initially rolled forward and then engaged. I drove the car back home a couple of miles. In that time frame, the vehicle again lost power and started beeping at me. The check engine light came on at some point heading back home. Vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership has confirmed the issue exactly as I described. Becca at the dealership confirmed the car losing power driving it from the front of the dealership lot to the service department after locating the vehicle after the tow driver dropped it. The dealership tech said the transmission fluid pressures were low...did not specify if it was the control or transmission fluid. They are continuing to work with KIA's "tech line" on repairing....they did a "relearn" on the software controlling the transmission but it did not resolve the issue. I'm waiting on KIA's "techline" response on next steps....with all that said, its obvious to me at least this is related to the recent recall on their transmission pumps...which i did take my vehicle in for and it passed the recall inspection last year with no corrective action taken. This is a very dangerous scenario...losing power suddenly. I'm glad i was driving it when it occurred vs my wife or daughter.

- Griffin, Ga, GA, USA

problem #70

Sep 082023

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

See attached document for complaint

- Odum, GA, USA

problem #69

Feb 122024

Sorento

  • miles
Sometimes the vehicle will stall and not want to move. I have to try and coast off the road to kill the car and restart it. Also sometimes the radio goes completely black and doesnt come back on even if you kill the car.

- Coushatta, LA, USA

problem #68

Dec 282023

Sorento

  • miles
Transmission shifting 3 levels with start of driving

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #67

Dec 302023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that she restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the last time the failure occurred, the vehicle restarted but failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could only assist after the dealer diagnosed and determined if the failure was related to the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #66

Sep 292023

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my car on Friday, September 29 at approximately 12:30 pm. As i was driving the vehicle ot started to feel as though it was jerking and stalling while driving in driving on a busy road. I reached a parking lot and pulled over and shut the car off when i restarted it a warning came up on my infotainment system that there was a promblem with the transmission and i needed to contact my dealer immediately. The check engine light also came on. I own a 2021 Kia Sorento with 11,712 miles. I was afraid to drive vehicle after this incident as I feared for my safety.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #65

Sep 142023

Sorento

  • miles
My 2021 Sorento randomly gets stuck in between gears, slipping into neutral and rev'ing up to 4000-5000 rpms. This is at lower speed usually within a mile or so of leaving my house. It's very frightening and has happened to me dozens of times, but I live in a rural area over an hour from a Kia dealership, and they do not offer loaners. This issue first arose for me after the transmission oil pump recall was already addressed. I am the 2d owner, and suspect this could be why the previous owners sold the car, which I bought through Autotrader from the Heiser dealership in Wisconsin. After the latest episode, I finally arranged alternate transportation and took it in to the Serra Kia dealership in Jackson, TN. They have had it over a week and not been able to replicate the issue so far. No computer codes show up on it either. They say there's no technical advisory on the issue, and have no idea what's going on with the transmission. Serra Kia is saying that Kia corporate will not approve replacing the transmission without an error code. From reviewing other owner reviews in Kia forums, the Kia 2021 Sorento slipping into neutral while driving appears to be an issue for others as well. It is dangerous, as I could be rear-ended. Quite honestly, it-??s terrifying, and I am afraid to drive the car again without this issue being addressed.

- Dresden, TN, USA

problem #64

Sep 182023

Sorento

  • 66,550 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who mentioned a recall on the transmission. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contact there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed there was no recall or warranty coverage on the VIN. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 66,550.

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #63

Aug 282023

Sorento

  • miles
The automatic start/stop function (ISG) stopped functioning. The light turned from green to amber and flashes intermittently. When the light is flashing the vehicle has a loss of power. On 8/28/23 I was accelerating to get on the interstate. Suddenly the speedometer dropped from 40 mph to 24 mph. I had to quickly exit the on ramp as to avoid being hit from behind by a huge white pickup truck. I drove the side streets, staying under 40 mph, to the dealership.You cannot disable the ISG at this time. There is no warning of when this may happen. I've had it in the dealership 3 times, 8/10/23, 8/24/23, and 8/28-9/16/23. The first two times they could not replicate the problem, so nothing was done. On the third visit a high pressure sensor was ordered and replaced. The ISG is still malfunctioning. Now the ISG kicks itself back on after it has been disabled. The light is still amber, not green, indicating there is still a problem. Loss of power has happened twice 6/25/23 and 8/28/23. I have service reports and videos of flashing lights. Unfortunately, I was not able to load at this time.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #62

Aug 172023

Sorento

  • miles
I had reported a momentary loss of power when driving the first time I took my vehicle for an oil change. Dealer said the car was just getting accustomed to my driving habits. I said I was in an intersection and the car lost power for a moment and I was almost rear-ended. It has happened many more times and it seemed as though it usually happened between 25-30 mph. Recently it has become more frequent. It-??s happening at all speeds. Yesterday it seemed like it was choking like when you-??re out of gas (it had 3/4 tank of gas). Today I was making a turn at a heavily traveled intersection, when rounding the corner vehicle lost power then banged into gear. I-??ve never heard it bang like that before. Seems to be getting progressively worse and I-??m now concerned for myself and others safety. I work 45 miles from home and depend on this vehicle. This is my 3rd Sorento and have always liked and recommended them. I-??m making an appointment for a diagnostic service soon but can-??t afford to be without my car. I saw there was a recall for -??loss of power-?? but my VIN isn-??t included. Please help.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #61

Mar 222023

Sorento

  • miles
Our issues include not shifting into second gear with no warning lights on the dash to indicate a faul. It goes completely in to neutral at all speeds without any warning. Never recovers until stopped and turned off. Again, nothing happens, no sounds, no lights, no flashes. Just no transmission at all. My wife was almost rear ended on when it stopped functioning in traffic. Someone is going to get killed.

- Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord, WA, USA

problem #60

Feb 212023

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle shut off on interstate while slowing for a wreck and almost caused our own ACDA crash. Entire gauge cluster flashed and started back up after stopping in the roadway for approximately 5 minutes without restarting. The vehicle was able to be driven home and was taken to a local Kia dealership where after 3 days has not been able to replicate the issue.

- South Bloomfield, OH, USA

problem #59

Jan 032023

Sorento

  • miles
The transmission has failed there has been a recall involving the transmission on this car. My car has been in the shop for a month because it needs a transmission replacement.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #58

Oct 312022

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly displayed the message "Stop Safely Immediately" and then lost all traction to the wheels. This happened as I was entering a busy street and could have resulted in an accident. I had to coast to the side of the road where the car would not drive. I took the vehicle to my Kia Dealer and they performed a software update as part of a recall. The update or "fix" only prevents the immediate loss of traction and does not address the underlying cause. My car is now back at the dealer with a failing transmission.

- Oak Park, IL, USA

problem #57

Nov 192022

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle transmission completely failed immediately after long (~4 hr, 224 mile) highway drive. During drive vehicle hesitated slightly when downshifting to accelerate. After arriving at destination, vehicle showed a check engine light and would not consistently accelerate. After sitting for ~36 hrs, vehicle would not shift into any gear (drive or reverse). Had to have vehicle towed. After unsuccessfully attempting to update and flush transmission, and consulting with Kia engineers, Future Kia in Fresno, CA informed me that the dual clutches in the transmission had -??melted and fused.-?? Failure occurred the day after a transmission software update by the Kia dealer in Carson, CA.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

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