2021 Kia Sorento engine problems
66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Kia Sorento — 27% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While driving my 2021 Kia Sorento, the electronic power steering suddenly failed/intermittently cut out while the vehicle was in motion. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to turn, making the vehicle very hard to control and creating a serious risk of a crash. I had to muscle…”
filed Sep 19, 2026
“Kia completed Recall SC250 via a software update only. The physical hardware has now failed (Code P193B). Kia Corporate and the local dealership are refusing to honor the safety recall remedy because the software update marked the recall 'complete,' leaving a failed, dangerous transmission…”
filed Sep 18, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 26% |
| 2024 Sorento | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 Sorento | 30 | 25% |
| 2022 Sorento | 52 | 28% |
| 2020 Sorento | 64 | 48% |
| 2019 Sorento | 155 | 36% |
| 2018 Sorento | 106 | 42% |
| 2017 Sorento | 385 | 48% |
| 2016 Sorento | 694 | 56% |
| 2015 Sorento | 360 | 48% |
| 2014 Sorento | 387 | 39% |
| 2013 Sorento | 496 | 51% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.