10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2021 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2021 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Jan 012023

Sorento

  • miles

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

My 2021 Kia Sorento X-Line Prestige comes with Driver Assist features. One is for steering. Without warning it will disengage, particularly on a 2-lane highway, or when entering a curve in the road. This is dangerous. It needs to come with a warning that Driver Assist can flake out on 2-lanes and on curves, and is fairly useless unless you are on a straightaway on an interstate. This has happened to me multiple times since I bought the car from the Heiser dealership in Wisconsin.

- Dresden, TN, USA

problem #25

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 #24

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 #23

May 112023

Sorento

  • miles

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

Engine has turned off on road at stop and not started up again. Starts to shake then powers off. I have had to push break shut off engine completely and turn on again in middle of road. Carson of Kia states there is nothing wrong with it but this is a HUGE safety concern.

- Long Beach , CA, USA

problem #22

May 012023

Sorento

  • miles
Intermittent message on dash "Refill inverter coolant" Been to dealer 6x and no fix. Reported to KIA corporate to work with dealer Have been without this car several days

- Barboursville, VA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #21

Apr 092023

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle jumps when put in reverse and sometimes turns off when put in parked.

- Fairfield, TX, USA

problem #20

Nov 042022

Sorento

  • miles

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

10/25/2022 started the suv at a Wal-Mart parking lot and as I drove out of the parking lot onto a street my suv made a motorcycle sound then it started to loss power with my foot still on the gas pedal. Suv came to a complete stop and was towed home. 11/03/2022 Picked up suv from Kia dealership. Drove 43 minutes home and parked inside garage. An hour later started the suv to go pick up kids from school. The suv wouldn't reverse out of the garage. I restarted the engine 4 times then it finally reverse out of the garage then when I put it on drive. There was no power to drive. I restarted the engine again 2 more times then it finally drive and I parked it back inside the garage. 11-04-2022 I attempted to drive suv to Kia dealership for help. I made it onto the freeway with a speed of 74 mph for about 8 minutes then my suv started to loose power with my foot still on the gas pedal. I almost got rear ended by a big rig before I can even put my hazard light on and pulled safely to the side of the freeway. My suv was towed into Kia dealership that same day. 11-12-2022 Picked up the suv from Kia, drove it 43 minutes then stopped at Chevron to top off gas. When restarted the suv my engine light came on the dash board. I drove it back to my house. I notified Kia asap with a picture of my dash board and it's been in my garage since yesterday. Today is 11/13/2022. All incidents are not able to be duplicated by the dealership's mechanic everytime they had the suv. No actions were taken. I showed them videos and picture of the proof that I do have but because it's not happening for them while they have my suv. They can't fix my suv problem. It's an accident waiting to happen and I already had a near miss on the freeway. An extremely concerned 2021 Kia Seronto owner.

- Fernley , NV, USA

problem #19

Aug 062022

Sorento

  • miles
Refill inverter coolant notice comes up after routine oil change and downhill control turns on without me turning it on I have to sh*t my vehicle off in order for the brake control to turn off, available for inspection upon request. This notice interferes with me seeing the digital speedometer. Coolant was checked by dealer no leaks found, was told to wait patiently until a fix is available. No prior issues until I took it in for an oil change with the dealership.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #18

Sep 302022

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle was in my garage and I noticed a crack in my windshield. Nothing hit my windshield and there are no knicks in the glass. The crack starts all the way at the top of the windshield and the crack is spreading very quickly. I bought this vehicle used on 7/12/22 and I only put 789 miles on it since purchasing it.

- Youngsville, LA, USA

problem #17

Jul 312022

Sorento

  • miles
My 2021 Kia Sorento with 15,500 miles suddenly displayed a -€œstop safely immediately-€ warning with no other lights or indicators as to an issue. My husband and I were trying to find a safe place to stop when the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating and would not shift out of first gear and the RPMs increased to over 5000. We then lost all drivability in the middle of the road and couldn-€™t move at all. The dealership said a sensor was dirty and -€œcleaned it-€ and sent us on our way. Less than a week later, with my four year old daughter in the car with me, the same thing happened again but the -€œstop safely immediately-€ warning displayed briefly, disappeared, and then the car again lost all drivability in the middle of a busy highway.

- Nolensville, TN, USA

problem #16

Jun 092022

Sorento

  • miles

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

Refill inverter coolant warning on dashboard. Took it onto local dealer, no problems located. May be a sensor issue.

- Clearfield , UT, USA

problem #15

May 272022

Sorento

  • miles
Inverter fluid light has been coming on and staying on for over a month. It impedes the view of the digital display. The dealership has no fix nor any rental vehicles to bring my vehicle in. I have had this vehicle for 14 months. No one can tell me if this consistent light is harming my vehicle nor is there an urgency to repair. Unacceptable in a 40 grand vehicle

- Whiting , NJ, USA

problem #14

May 312022

Sorento

  • miles
Unknown. I was driving down the express way, when I heard a big bang. Glass all through my car. I looked up and noticed that my sunroof had exploded. This is very dangerous and really scary while doing 70+ down the freeway! Something needs to be done. Doesn't seem like kia warranties their glass and insurance companies want to charge the deductible for something that wasn't even anyone's fault.

- River Rouge, MI, USA

problem #13

Apr 012022

Sorento

  • miles
1. Transmission; vehicle is currently at dealership 2. Yes, I was driving with my daughter in the vehicle at the time 3. Yes, they were able to verify that the vehicle needs a new transmisson 4. Yes, the vehicle is currently at the dealership and has been inspected by the mechanic 5. Since I started the lease, in April 2021, I have noticed "rough shifting" of gears. I have notified Kia dealership of such, and they told me it was normal for the engine, so I continued to drive the vehicle. While driving on the interstate, on April 1 2022, the transmission light illuminated on my dash and an error message also across the LED screen.

- Bennington , NE, USA

problem #12

Mar 162022

Sorento

  • miles
In 2 instances the car shut off without warning. Once After the car had been shut off, ( would not restart.) Then again while the car was in drive sitting at a red light. (Engine shut off without warning). Dealership could not figure out cause. When trying to restart the dash lights would come on with all codes being thrown as failure for multiple systems but engine would not start or try to start. The car did think it was running though as the dash would say car will shut off in alloted time frame that was set in car settings. Both times after the car being towed to the dealership and sitting for the night it started back up next morning like nothing ever happened. I ended up getting traded out of the vehicle at 18,500 miles after owning the car for 30 days. I-€™m assuming that-€™s why previous owner traded it. It-€™s a lemon.

- Lewistown, MO, USA

problem #11

Jan 072022

Sorento

  • miles
When making a turn and accelerating from a stop (pulling out into traffic from a parking lot), if there is any loose gravel or potholes, the traction control system engages and renders the vehicle unable to accelerate. This has almost caused accidents on multiple occasions and has been described by other drivers on this forum: https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/sporadic-issue-no-acceleration-from-stop.350565/page-7#post-2083617

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #10

Jan 062022

Sorento

  • miles
Tonight was the first time I drive this car in the snow. I was going downhill doing 5 miles per hour, I even downshifted to hold vehicle back, and the brakes totally locked up on me. I couldn't turn the car, it slid straight across the road, at a "T" intersection, and I crashed into a sign, and continued to slide down a hill on someone's property. In all my years driving this has NEVER happened to me. We have been complaining to Kia about the brake system on this car for months. Something is wrong with this car.

- Manheim, PA, USA

problem #9

Jan 042022

Sorento

  • miles
1/2/22 HORN-when I attempted to lay on it due to being cut-off, it was at this time, and continues to be inoperable. 1/4/22 Reported to Destination Kia, Service Department, Albany, NY. ACCELERATION-When pulling onto a major highway where the speed limit is 55mph, from an entrance ramp, my vehicle would not accel above 32mph. I do not recall any warning lamps. I was forced to pull off to the shoulder of the highway where I shut my car off and restarted it. The problem corrected itself. On the second occasion, I was driving in an area where the speed limit is 30mph, my vehicle would not accel (I cannot remember my speed); I do not recall any warning lamps. I was again forced to pull over to the side of the roadway where I shut my car off and restarted it. The problem again corrected itself. 1/4/22 Reported to Destination Kia, Service Department, Albany, NY Kia cannot get me in for service until February 2022 due to a staff shortage! Unacceptable due to the two (2) severe safety concerns.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #8

Dec 122021

Sorento

  • miles
ISSUE: Vehicle appears to encounter a severe reduction of power output when attempting to accelerate [i.e., either will not exceed 5mph or accelerates extremely slow) while also experiencing random erratic shifting, shifting failure, and abrupt jerking. Issue occurs regardless of circumstances (i.e., speed, weather, road conditions, turning, accelerating from stop, accelerating while in motion). Issue first appeared 12 DEC 2021. Restarting vehicle will not resolve issue. Check Engine light illuminated briefly and then extinguished. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle has not been diagnosed by dealership; Service department visit has been scheduled [30 DEC 2021].

- Converse, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 132021

Sorento

  • miles
I brought this truck 1/1/21. 6/13/21, the transmission went out on me. The Kia Dealership had to replace 3 transmissions, in which the truck stayed in the shop for over 4 months with no loaner. When I got it back, I drove it for 2 weeks and in the middle of traffic, the dashboards lit up like a Christmas tree, then the truck cut off on me. This is a safety concern and this truck is a lemon. Currently going through the buy back process since September. It's now going on December.

- White Hall, AR, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?