Home › Kia › Sorento Hybrid › 2021

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid recalls and problems

The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid has 2 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Urgent: recall 22V-703 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
2
Complaints
21
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid recalls

Recall 22V-703: Trailer Hitches

Park outsideReported Sep 19, 2022 · 70,887 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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, 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.

Recall 22V-447: Seat Belts

Reported Jun 23, 2022 · 17,199 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.

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 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.

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine10
Electrical System10
Unknown or Other6
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Trailer Hitches1

Most reported parts

  • Electrical System › Software — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 7,650 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Jul 15, 2025
Recall SA512 was previously completed on my vehicle. The problem is happening again. Since there are no open recalls, I am unable to get it fixed under the recall.
Electrical System · reported Jan 21, 2025
On [XXX] we were driving the Kia at slow speed due to snow on the road when a warning light came on which we think said hybrid vehicle failure pull over. The car stopped and the traffic lane with the engine off. The car would not start and we were exposed to traffic. Fortunately, we were on a country road at the time about a mile from our house and we were not struck by following vehicle when the car shut off and stopped in the traffic lane. If we had been on a beltway with 60 or 65 mph traffic obviously the result would’ve been quite different. Because I felt the vehicle was not safe to…
Engine · reported Dec 22, 2024
There is a malfunction in the vehicles.computer system that gives a warning about low coolant level for the hybrid battery. It's been been seen by the KIA dealer and the issue keeps arriving.
Engine · reported Jun 9, 2024
For a few days ( especially if is a HOT day (over 80F) ) my 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid with 15,421 miles on it displays a "Refill Inverter Coolant" message. I checked the coolant level and is OK. After my research, it seems that the factory put the wrong Blue inverter coolant instead Red (all other KIA hybrid cars have Red coolant) . I found out that there is a KIA Technical Service Bulletin SA515 that addresses this issue. Called a few dealers in GA and I have been told that they need the cars for 7-10 days for investigation. Why???? when there is a Service Bulletin.. On top of this, I have been…
Unknown or Other · reported May 5, 2024
My Kia Sorento will shift from drive to first or second gear’s several times. I’ve been told by the dealership that I’m probably touching the shifter accidentally, I disagree. My opinion is that this is a safety concern because it slows the vehicle down. My vehicle also at times does not accelerate. These two issues are intermittent.

Other Kia Sorento Hybrid years

202620252024202320222021

Compare all Kia Sorento Hybrid years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid: 22V-703 (trailer hitches), 22V-447 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid?

Owners report engine problems most often (10 reports), followed by electrical system (10). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 7,650 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.