2021 Kia Sorento Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 225 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Kia Sorento overview page.
What owners report
“The transmission has failed there has been a recall involving the transmission on this car. My car has been in the shop for a month…”NHTSA complaint 11506742 — filed 02/11/2023
“Vehicle suddenly displayed the message "Stop Safely Immediately" and then lost all traction to the wheels. This happened as I was entering a busy street…”NHTSA complaint 11495325 — filed 11/29/2022
“Vehicle transmission completely failed immediately after long (~4 hr, 224 mile) highway drive. During drive vehicle hesitated slightly when downshifting to accelerate. After arriving at…”NHTSA complaint 11495047 — filed 11/27/2022
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2021 Kia Sorento: 118 of 225 complaints on file (52.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Kia Sorento have in total?
225 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 4 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 1 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
