Kia Sorento 2021–2025 problems by year and mileage
4th generation (MQ4)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026851 complaints, 103 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2021 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 275
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2021
- Transmission and driveline143 reports
- Engine78 reports
- Electrical system57 reports
Recall areas Visibility — defroster/defogger/hvac system · Power train — automatic transmission · Trailer hitches
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2022 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 227
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2022
- Transmission and driveline78 reports
- Engine59 reports
- Electrical system42 reports
Recall areas Visibility — defroster/defogger/hvac system · Back over prevention — sensing system · Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 164
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2023
- Engine48 reports
- Electrical system47 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise42 reports
Recall areas Visibility — defroster/defogger/hvac system · Back over prevention — sensing system · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2024 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 51
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2024
- Electrical system12 reports
- Engine9 reports
- Transmission and driveline8 reports
Recall areas Electrical system — body control module · Electrical system — wiring
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2025 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 134
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2025
- Engine44 reports
- Transmission and driveline40 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise35 reports
Recall areas Electrical system — instrument cluster/panel · Engine and engine cooling — critical fasteners · Electrical system — body control module
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. 4 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2021–2025 Kia Sorento reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 22,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 80,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 103
- Recalls
- 16
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline34.9% of complaints · median 36,000 mi
- Engine28.0% of complaints · median 21,000 mi
- Electrical system22.6% of complaints · median 17,000 mi
Owners filed 851 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021–2025 Kia Sorento; the transmission and driveline leads with 34.9% of them, and half of the 103 that record an odometer reading came by 22,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
35% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 0.8 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2021–2025 Kia Sorento last?
The newest model years (2024–2025) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
On the 2021–2025 Kia Sorento, half of the 103 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 22,000 miles and 90% by 80,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
1 report came in past 150,000 miles and 1 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Sorento reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Kia Sorento 2021–2025 · 103 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
20,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 42 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 35% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 1 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 530
- 25%
- 6,000
- Median
- 22,000
- 75%
- 56,000
- 90%
- 80,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 42 | 40.8% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 25 | 24.3% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 12 | 11.7% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 13 | 12.6% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 5 | 4.9% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 4 | 3.9% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 1 | 1.0% |
| 200,000+ | 1 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Sorento problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Kia Sorento 2021–2025
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Electrical system192 reportsmedian 17,000middle half 2,000–42,000
- Engine238 reportsmedian 21,000middle half 4,000–56,000
- Transmission and driveline297 reportsmedian 36,000middle half 17,000–67,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 297 | 34.9% | 36,000 | 17,000–67,000 |
| Engine | 238 | 28.0% | 21,000 | 4,000–56,000 |
| Electrical system | 192 | 22.6% | 17,000 | 2,000–42,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 170 | 20.0% | — | — |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 84 | 9.9% | — | — |
| Throttle and speed control | 56 | 6.6% | — | — |
| Forward collision avoidance | 50 | 5.9% | — | — |
| Brakes | 50 | 5.9% | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 31 | 3.6% | — | — |
| Steering | 29 | 3.4% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2021–2025 Sorento
Electrical / Fire 2021–2023
Tow hitch wiring harness can allow moisture ingress and short, causing a fire with the vehicle parked and off; subject to recall with an interim park-outside advisory, shared with the Telluride.
Transmission
8-speed wet dual-clutch behind the 2.5T: low-speed shudder and hesitation from a stop.
Before you buy a 2021–2025 Sorento: the 3-minute check
Generated from 103 mileage-tagged complaints, 16 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 16 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check electrical / fire on 2021–2023 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check transmission.
- Years differ here: from 51 to 275 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Sorento problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi77% below | At 90k mi93% below | At 120k mi98% below | At 150k mi99% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 17,000–67,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 4,000–56,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 2,000–42,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Kia Sorento 2021–2025 · 103 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 77% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2021–2025 Kia Sorento recalls (16)
NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
1 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the electrical system (3), the fuel system (3), the engine and its cooling system (2) (why one area can repeat).
Jan 2026 · 2025 · Electrical SystemAn instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire…
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the…
What can happen. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia…
Sep 2025 · 2021–2023 · VisibilityA fire increases the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
What can happen. A fire increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542.…
Aug 2025 · 2025 · Engine and Engine CoolingA loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
What can happen. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's…
Jan 2025 · 2024–2025 · Electrical SystemA loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these…
What can happen. A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
Dec 2024 · 2025 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During a crash, the steering rack may damage the fuel line, which can result in a fuel leak.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will install a cover around the fuel line, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for…
Apr 2024 · 2024 · Electrical SystemA loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Sorento vehicles. The motor driven power steering (MDPS) wiring harness may be incorrectly assembled, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.
What can happen. A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the MDPS wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Aug 2023 · 2022–2023 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the…
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display.…
What can happen. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Aug 2023 · 2023 · EquipmentA detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing…
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
What can happen. A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer…
Jan 2023 · 2022 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The fuel tank may have been improperly molded, which can result in a fuel leak.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Deales will inspect and replace the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
Oct 2022 · 2021–2022 · Power TrainLoss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The free 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…
Sep 2022 · 2021–2023 · Trailer Hitches park outsideA fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an…
What can happen. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module…
Jul 2022 · 2022 · TiresImpaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such…
What can happen. Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
Jun 2022 · 2021–2022 · Seat BeltsAn exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
What can happen. An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
The free fix. Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
Mar 2022 · 2022 · Engine and Engine CoolingAn oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the…
The defect. Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
What can happen. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number…
Mar 2022 · 2022 · Seat BeltsAn exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
What can happen. An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the seatbelt pretensioner(s), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this…
Jul 2021 · 2021 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
What can happen. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 851 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 26 (3.1%)
- Fires
- 6
- Injury reports
- 20
- Fatality reports
- 0
Sorento problems by model year
The 2021 drew the most complaints of this generation, 275, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2024 the fewest, 51. A typical year drew about 164.
The first year of the generation, 2021, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 275 | 38 | 42,000 | Transmission and driveline (143) | 5 |
| 2022 | 227 | 29 | under 30 reports | Transmission and driveline (78) | 9 |
| 2023 | 164 | 17 | under 30 reports | Engine (48) | 4 |
| 2024 | 51 | 4 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (12) | 2 |
| 2025 | 134 | 15 | under 30 reports | Engine (44) | 4 |
What Sorento owners reported
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…
2021 · 76,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
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…
2021 · 64,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
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…
2021 · 40,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
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…
2021 · 73,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 103 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Sorento generations
- Sorento 2003–2009 1,228 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Sorento 2011–2015 3,202 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Sorento 2016–2020 907 reports with mileage, most about the engine