2021 Kia Sorento hybrid problems
The Kia Sorento (Korean: 기아 쏘렌토, romanized: Gia Sorento) is a series of automobiles manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 2002 through four generations. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second-generation Sorento transitioned to a larger car-based platform which placed it into the mid-size crossover SUV class, and has been developed alongside the Hyundai Santa Fe.
First generation (BL; 2002)
2002–2006
Debuting in February 2002, the first generation Sorento was a traditional truck-based body-on-frame SUV. All American Sorentos also came with dual front airbags and dual side-curtain airbags in the front and rear. An optional four-wheel drive system with low range received praise for adding to the vehicle's off-road ability.
It had two transmission options, a 5-speed manual or 4- and 5-speed automatic (pre-2005 models have a 4-speed automatic, whilst 2005 Sorentos came with a 5-speed tip-tronic style automatic). First generation Sorentos are equipped with a Hyundai-manufactured 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 engine producing 192 hp (143 kW) at 5500 rpm, and 217 lb⋅ft (294 N⋅m) of torque at 3,000 rpm. Common features of the first generation Sorento were 4-wheel disc brakes (standard on all models), optional anti-lock braking system (ABS), and a 21.1-gallon (79.9 litres) fuel tank.
There were two trim levels available for the Sorento: either the base LX or the up-level EX. Both models included an AM/FM stereo with a single-disc CD player and an eight-speaker audio system, dual front airbags and front and rear side-impact SRS airbags (side-impact front and rear SRS airbags for North American-market models ONLY), cloth seating surfaces, a power-adjustable front driver's seat, air conditioning, power door locks and windows, tinted windows, aluminum-alloy wheels, keyless entry, wood interior trim accents, a split-folding second-row rear bench seat, and monotone exterior paint as standard equipment. Features such as satellite radio (on later models), leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, a ten-speaker premium audio system, cassette and CD players, an in-dash CD changer, power front bucket seats, seventeen-inch (17") aluminum-alloy wheels, a power sunroof, two-tone exterior paint, and a security system were available regardless of trim level choice.
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Common 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid, several common problems have been reported:
- Transmission Issues: Owners have experienced issues with the transmission control system, ranging from sluggish shifting to the inability to engage drive or reverse. Some have reported catastrophic failures leading to a sudden, total loss of vehicle power. This has raised concerns about the reliability of the transmission, with instances where the engine needed replacement due to failures caused by a lack of engine oil.
- Electrical System Problems: Complaints have been made about the vehicle's locks not locking automatically as intended when the ignition is turned on. Some owners have also reported issues with the adaptive cruise control feature causing the car to suddenly slow down even when there are no obstacles ahead. Additionally, there have been reports of the forward collision warning system failing to identify slow-moving vehicles, resulting in collisions.
- Exterior Problems: Owners have reported issues with sunroofs breaking without external force, leading to warranty claim rejections by Kia. Complaints about cracked windshields and visibility hazards due to non-illuminated areas while using headlights at night have also been raised. These issues may require recalls or repairs to ensure safety and functionality.
- Recalls: The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid has been subject to recalls related to potential fire hazards, such as leaks at the pipe connection fuel, tow hitch harness fire while parked or driving, and loss of drive power due to transmission oil pump malfunctions. These recalls highlight critical safety concerns that need to be addressed promptly to prevent accidents.
These problems reported by owners of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid indicate significant reliability and safety issues that need attention from the manufacturer to ensure the overall performance and safety of the vehicle.
What are common problems with Kia Sorento 2021?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- In-car Electronics. Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display. ...
- Electrical Accessories. ...
- Exhaust. ...
- Paint And Trim. ...
- Transmission Major. ...
- Engine Electrical. ...
- Body Hardware. ...
- Fuel System/Emissions.
Is there a recall on 2021 Sorento Hybrid?
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. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Are there any transmission problems in the 2021 Kia Sorento?
An clear sign would be if your 2021 Kia Sorento transmission warning light is on. If you notice an odd noise or grinding sound when you shift gears or if you feel your gears catching when you change them then your transmission likely needs more lubricant or something more relentless could be at fault.
How reliable is the 2021 Kia Sorento?
How Reliable Is the 2021 Kia Sorento? The 2021 Kia Sorento has a predicted reliability score of 77 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
2021 Kia Sorento hybrid car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Sorento hybrid problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Trailer hitches problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2021 Kia Sorento hybrid complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid.
TRAILER HITCHES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-13
- VIN: KNDRH4LG0M5
- Components: TRAILER HITCHES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-09
- VIN: kndrh4lg3m5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fluid inverter level indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer informed the contact that there was no known repair available for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 7,650.
2021 Kia Sorento hybrid recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid.
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: TRAILER HITCHES
- Summary: 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 accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
- Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: 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, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
- Remedy: 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 number for this recall is SC241. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 22V-127. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Negative 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid car reviews
Positive 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid car reviews
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This hybrid does everything well! It has good mileage and great traction in the snow and ice, even though it is a front-wheel drive. Plus, it has plenty of room for luggage or larger purchases when the seats are down. I haven't had any issues with it in the 23,000 miles I've driven it. The only thing I've noticed is that the mileage drops a bit in cold weather.
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I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share my experience with the Sorento hybrid. While I found it to be a nice option overall, I did have some concerns about the third seat design and limited rear space. Additionally, I was disappointed to discover that the passenger side seat only has manual controls in both the S and EX trims. As a result, my family and I have decided to pass on this vehicle. It's unfortunate because there was a lot of promise, but ultimately we felt that some poor design decisions were made. Thank you for considering my feedback.
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Hey there! Just wanted to clarify that the regular Hybrid and the Plug in Hybrid are actually two different models. I've been driving the regular EX Hybrid for about 4K miles now and it's been absolutely fantastic! The technology is great, but what really sold me was the smooth ride. I live on a very poorly maintained road, but this car handles like a dream and feels like a sportscar. Plus, it gets an impressive 34mpg and has more power than I could ever need. What's not to love?
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid problems:
Sorento Hybrid reliability? : r/kia
Aug 2, 2022 ... I have a 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX with 20k miles. No issues. I absolutely love it. I have the FWD version. I average between 38-40mpg in ...
2021 Kia Sorento Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Electrical Accessories · Exhaust · Paint And Trim · Transmission Major · Engine Electrical · Body Hardware · Fuel ...
2021 Kia Sorento transmission problems : r/kia
Nov 10, 2021 ... Is this a common problem with these? I have a 2021 AWD prestige as well. No problems so far but only 3K miles. Now I'm worried!
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Coolant Refill Warning | Kia Forum
Jan 4, 2022 ... I just started having the same problem with my 2021 Sorento hybrid that I bought in April 2021. ... known problem and Kia is trying to find a fix.
2021 Sorento Transmission Problem : r/KiaSorento
Aug 2, 2022 ... My 2021 Kia Sorento with less than 12k miles is at the dealer awaiting a new transmission. I was shocked when my wife told me that the car ...
Other years of Kia Sorento hybrid
Are you having problems with your 2021 Kia Sorento hybrid?
Jackson Bauch 2025-01-04
We bought our Sorento just over a year ago with the intention of taking long road trips with good gas mileage. It has exceeded our expectations in terms of driving experience. The seats are comfortable, the ergonomics are perfect for long trips, and the technology is very useful. The adaptive cruise control is great at reducing fatigue, and the lane keep assist, lane follow assist, and forward and reverse alerts work very well. We get an average of 38-40 mpg, even when driving in hilly terrain in Southern California. Our only issue is that we repeatedly get a warning light reading 'Refill Inverter Coolant', which is concerning, and the placement of the light makes it difficult to use most of the dash computer functionality. We have been to two separate dealers, but they have been unable to determine the cause of the light or stop it from recurring. Both dealers indicated that this 'false warning light' is pretty common across Kia's hybrid lineup, but they had no idea how to rectify it. Several posts in owner forums indicate an over-the-air 'fix' is scheduled, but it has yet to happen (and the dealers are unaware of this 'fix'). The latest incident occurred while we were traveling several hundred miles from home, through the Arizona desert. Pulling into the dealer with fingers crossed (hoping to NOT overheat something), we were again told the vehicle was fine and we could drive it the rest of the way home. If not for this recurring error message, I would give this car a 5-star review. However, with today's hot used car market, we may well trade it in for a comparable Toyota product, a brand we have had great experience with over the years.
Jeremy Hermiston 2024-07-10
The gear shifting has been a bit challenging with my vehicle, even though it only has 3k miles on it. At times, it is difficult to engage the gear with the dial. Recently, I encountered an issue where the vehicle would not move forward or backward, and the screen kept prompting me to fasten my seatbelt and check if the back gate was closed. After double-checking everything, I had to restart the vehicle a few times to release the park and move it. Overall, I believe there is room for improvement with this equipment. However, I remain confident in my ability to operate it effectively.
Lorenza Mills 2024-06-27
As you may have read in another review, there is a recurring issue with the 'refill inverter fluid'. Additionally, the message 'Check hybrid system. Stop Car' may appear, even though there is nothing wrong with the car. It seems that extreme temperatures, such as the heat here in Florida, can cause some issues. I have also heard that cold weather can cause problems. However, if you live in a temperate climate year-round, you should be fine. Another minor inconvenience is that Android Auto sometimes has trouble connecting to phones when they are on the wireless cell phone charger. It works much better if the phone is placed in the cupholder.
Nathanial Hickle 2024-03-03
When you come to a stop, the acceleration can be quite uneven.