Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Kia Sorento
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Kia Sorento has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 25 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 4 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V649000 Fire from HVAC Wiring Harness NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V760000 Loss of Drive Power NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V703000 Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V519000 Fuel Leak at Pipe Connection NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 21 complaints
- Engine 8 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
- Unknown or Other 3 complaints
- Electrical System 2 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Of the 25 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 25 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Kia Sorento faces average reliability challenges, with notable concerns in the HVAC system and transmission. Recalls for potential fire risk and power loss issues underscore the need for cautious ownership, yet the model remains fundamentally sound.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC blower motor | 30,000–60,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| Transmission | 40,000–70,000 miles | $1,200–$2,000 | occasional |
| Fuel system | 20,000–50,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Tire rotation
- Spark plug replacement
- Coolant flush
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Burning smell from vents
- Transmission slipping
- Fuel odors near engine
- HVAC not blowing air
- Reduced acceleration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Kia Sorento at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.