2021 Kia Sorento Complaints

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/07/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while accelerating between 10 MPH and 15 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked, similar to an attempted gear shift, before returning to normal operation. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, particularly while traveling down a decline. The failure was a recurring issue. The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 76,500.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 10/07/2026

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

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/01/2026

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 since I didn't have a direct P1C2D03 code it would not fall under the recall and they would not be replacing the transmission. I was told by another tech that the two codes are related to P1C2D03. To me a barrier failure is a mechanical failure that should be covered under the recall. my vehicle has 133,000 miles on it so it isn't covered under warranty.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/01/2026

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 associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/29/2026

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 my car fits the description of what the recall is for and i can't believe my car isnt part of the recall! The same make,model,year and engine(turbo). The car isn't even drivable and i will have to have it towed to a dealership and it could be days before they can look at it.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 11/03/2025

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 road.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/12/2026

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 the brake pedal was released. Recently the vehicle was jerking while accelerating and merging into traffic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/01/2026

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, but no action was taken.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/10/2026

Car will lose power sporadically ,go into limp mode . Need to shut off ignition,restart and then fine till next time!

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/07/2026

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 contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 09/18/2026

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 two weeks and could recur without warning, I considered the vehicle unsafe to continue operating and had it taken to a Kia dealership for inspection. The vehicle has also experienced repeated electrical/electronic issues, including difficulty starting and recognizing both key fobs. Every time now, the engine requires approximately 3–4 attempts to start. There have also been problems with the climate-control system and other electrical components. I am concerned these issues may be related to a broader electrical, voltage, control-module, or electronic power-steering problem. The vehicle is currently available for inspection by the dealer/manufacturer upon request. The exact cause of the steering failure has not yet been confirmed. I have requested that the dealer inspect the electronic power steering system, retrieve any stored or historical EPS/IBU fault codes, and evaluate the vehicle’s battery, charging system, grounds, wiring, and related electronic control modules. The steering failure created an immediate safety hazard because normal steering assistance was lost while the vehicle was moving. There was little or no meaningful warning before the steering became extremely difficult to operate. I am reporting this because I am concerned the condition could recur and result in loss of vehicle control. I have two small children and this is my only means of transportation.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 09/18/2026

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.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 08/21/2026

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 incident. Approximately two weeks later, the vehicle developed delayed shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. RPM increased from about 2,000 to 3,000 before the next gear engaged. Switching from ECO to Comfort mode initially seemed to help, but later that day the problem worsened even in Comfort mode and also began occurring from 2nd to 3rd gear. The check-engine light then came on. O'Reilly Auto Parts scanned the vehicle and reported codes P0868/P086800 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Low) and P193B79 (High Pressure Electric Oil Pump Performance). Kia has not yet diagnosed the current problem, and the vehicle is available for inspection. Kia checked my VIN for recalls sometime in 2025 and advised there was no open recall. I am aware of Kia Safety Recall SC250/NHTSA Recall 22V-760 involving the 8-speed DCT electric oil pump on certain 2021-2022 Sorento vehicles. I am concerned because my vehicle experienced the “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning and unexpected slowing and now has worsening transmission symptoms and related diagnostic codes. I am concerned the vehicle could unexpectedly lose drive power while being driven. I request NHTSA review whether my vehicle's condition may be related to the existing safety defect and whether additional vehicles should be investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/14/2026

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 mishandled and treated as if this is not a severe safety hazard and needs to be addressed by Kia I am asking for assistance PLEASE IN SERIOUS SAFETY MATTER.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/14/2026

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.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 01/07/2026

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 Failure: The 2023 software patch failed to resolve the underlying physical safety defect. An independent technician recently diagnosed the vehicle and confirmed a permanent, un-clearable fault code for a completely failed electric transmission oil pump—the exact physical component failure targeted by safety recall SC250. This defect causes an immediate risk of a sudden loss of motive power. The Dealership Violation: The vehicle was dropped off at Greenway Kia West Orlando on Monday, August 17, 2026. The dealership held the car for over a week, logging it under a separate fuel pump recall to stall. On August 25, 2026, the dealership formally denied safety recall coverage and issued a $7,000 out-of-pocket quote to replace the transmission, claiming the vehicle is no longer covered because it is past the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Federal Mandate Violation: Under federal law, safety recalls do not have mileage caps. The manufacturer's remedy failed to permanently correct a documented safety hazard, and the dealership is actively attempting to shift a multi-thousand-dollar safety recall replacement cost onto the consumer.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/13/2026

The transmission pump on my transmission just went out randomly last week. The power in my car went into limp mode and the car won't drive properly now. The car was being driven at the time this happened, and my husband had to pull over, as the car wouldn't work. I had this looked at by an auto body shop and they diagnosed it with this, which is to be found that there is a recall on my specific year and model of car for this issue as well. For about a month prior, we had noticed a few "stutters" when driving the car. After I hit 100k miles on the car, it was doing it almost daily.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/14/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift gear as intended, and the RPM was extremely elevated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact pulled over, and the message "Possible Condition with the Transmission Control System Detected - Press SOS for Roadside Assistance" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/15/2026

On August 15, 2026, while operating my 2021 Kia Sorento, the transmission warning light came on and the vehicle displayed the following warning on the infotainment screen: “A possible condition with your Transmission Control System has been detected. Please press the SOS button on the rear view mirror or roof console for Roadside Assistance.” At the time of the malfunction, my vehicle would not properly switch gears. The transmission appeared to become stuck and would not shift as expected. This created a serious safety concern because I could not rely on the vehicle to change gears or respond normally while driving. The component/system that appears to have malfunctioned is the transmission and/or Transmission Control System/Transmission Control Module (TCM). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem first occurred on August 15, 2026. Prior to this occurrence, I had not received this specific transmission control system warning. When the problem occurred, the transmission warning light illuminated and the vehicle displayed the transmission control system diagnostic message described above. As of the filing of this complaint, the vehicle has not yet been inspected or diagnosed by a Kia dealership or independent repair facility. I have photographs documenting the warning message that appeared on the vehicle's display. I am concerned about the safety of continuing to operate this vehicle because an unexpected inability of the transmission to shift gears could cause a loss of acceleration, an inability to maintain appropriate speed, or an inability to safely maneuver the vehicle in traffic. I am also requesting that NHTSA review whether this failure is related to any existing recalls, investigations, technical service campaigns, or known transmission/Transmission Control Module issues affecting the 2021 Kia Sorento, including vehicles equipped with the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 04/01/2026

My car will randomly go into limp mode and I am unable to accelerate. The auto stop/start light will flash orange on the dashboard. I need to pull over and restart car and it seems to reset. I see there is a recall for a 2021 KIA Sorrento but I don't think it affected my vehicle even though the issue is exactly the same. Recall #22V6000. It happened once a few months ago then didn't reoccur until about two weeks ago and it has happened three times since. It is scary because I am afraid to cross traffic in fear that the car won't move fast enough

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/14/2026

I was driving up a hill and my car stalled. Contacted Kia of Bowie for assistance had a diagnostic asked for a goodwill repair because of this being a safety issue with my car stalling while driving up a hill life threating situation and they have denied the goodwill repair the service tech is saying because I didnt get my car serviced there and they have no records I informed them that I have and had been taking care of the maintenance at the Kia dealership in Temple hills md. They are just overlooking the severity of the situation of a safety issue.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/11/2026

Recall 22V-760 was performed, but the remedy failed, the exact same safety code has returned, and the manufacturer is refusing to replace the failed hardware component.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 02/01/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving rotating noise coming from and louder when accelerating. The was taken to local mechanic transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to the be replaced. A transmission software update was performed but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously service under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000(POWER TRAIN). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 01/10/2026

I was driving my car on [XXX] and my car suddenly lost power and when I pressed the gas pedal the RPM quickly increased but the car was hesitating between gears and not engaging. Shortly thereafter a malfunction code showed up on my car screen along with an engine warning indicator. The code was DCT P193B79. That code indicates a High Pressure Electric Oil Pump Performance issue pointing to problems with the 8WDCT; the same issue and symptoms associated with the recall bulletin for the 2021 Kia Sorento Transmission. When I brought it to Ken Gariff Kia in Phoenix Arizona they stated there is no such recall for my vehicle with this problem and that since I have 76000 miles on the car it is not covered. I feel that this repair falls squarely within the scope of the recall for the Kia transmission and would like it replaced at the manufacturers expense. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)