2021 Kia Sorento Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  314%
• 25k–50k
  627%
• 50k–75k
  732%
• 75k–100k
  418%
• 100k–150k
  29%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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 mild neck injury. Medical attention was sought. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced auto stop failures and the engine failed to automatically restart when the brake pedal was released. Recently the vehicle was jerking while accelerating and merging into traffic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH over a speed bump, the vehicle shut off. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a bad connection at the fuel pump fuse box. The dealer performed a minor wiring repair. The contact stated that while driving 60-80 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle shuddered and then jolted. The vehicle was taken to Calavan Kia [redacted] ), but the failure could not be duplicated; however, the coils were replaced. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle was inoperable. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were turned off, and the vehicle operated as needed. …

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 50-60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, where the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to Firestone, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel injectors were replaced, and the transmission oil pump was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the failure recurred after driving 6,000 miles. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the transmission oil pump was replaced under warranty; however, the failure worsened. …

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); which the dealer linked to the failure. The vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, the failure returned soon after leaving the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to Arapahoe Kia (9701 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80112); where the contact was informed that the recall was closed by the previous dealer. The contact believed that the initial dealer never serviced the vehicle under the recall. …

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and attempting to merge onto the highway, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that she pulled off the highway ramp, turned off and restarted the vehicle several times before the vehicle started operating normally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the Start/Stop function had started to fail to operate as designed. The vehicle would shut down at a stop sign or traffic light; however, as the brake pedal was released and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would cycle between shutting the engine off and on. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. …

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the wiring harness for the remote starting system had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The wiring harness was replaced; however, the contact stated that after driving for an undisclosed period and parking the vehicle, the contact was unable to shift the gear shifter. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the State Attorney General who then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop and while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond while the engine revved. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle made a dinging sound. The contact stated that the RPMs fluctuated while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that upon manually shifting to Sport Mode, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly Auto Parts, where DTC: P193B and P193B79 were retrieved. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal clunk coming from the transmission while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred and became worse. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,658.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign, the vehicle rolled backwards and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The ignition key was cycled several times before the vehicle restarted. The failure was intermittent, with the check engine light illuminating intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,500.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift gear as intended, and the RPM was extremely elevated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact pulled over, and the message "Possible Condition with the Transmission Control System Detected - Press SOS for Roadside Assistance" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Sorento years