Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2021 Kia Sorento Engine problems

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2021 Kia Sorento's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 30% of all its complaints, most recently on October 7, 2026. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11769649
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11767829
SteeringEngine & cooling

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,...

Read the full complaint

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.

Filed Incident Steering · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11765555
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11765337
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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 [[redacted]] and [[redacted]] 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...

Read the full complaint

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)

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11762292
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11760301
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

On [redacted] 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.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11760268
Engine & coolingFuel system

I was driving my car on [[redacted]] 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...

Read the full complaint

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)

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11710554

Kia Sorento engine complaints by year

Sorento engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2021 Sorento? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience