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Recall Campaigns
5
Federal recall campaigns
Urgent Safety Directives
1
Do Not Drive / Park Outside
Affected Subsystems
5
Air Bags & Restraints, Electrical System
Authorized Remedy
100% Free
Mandated dealer repair by law
Federal Safety Campaign Analysis

Executive Recall Findings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 5 official safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Sorento in AutoUtility's current federal dataset. The primary affected vehicle systems include Air Bags & Restraints, Electrical System, Fuel & Propulsion System. NHTSA records include 1 campaign carrying an official Park Outside safety advisory.

VIN Specificity Notice: Safety recall campaigns apply to specific production date ranges and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Check your 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov or with an authorized dealer to verify whether a safety repair is open.
Campaign Status & Legal Rights
  • • Federal Authority: Recalls administered under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301.
  • • Free Dealer Remedy: Under federal law, safety defect repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers.
  • • High-Priority Warnings: 1 campaign(s) include urgent Do Not Drive or Park Outside instructions.
  • • Latest Campaign Filing: Recorded on September 25, 2025.
Federal Directives

Official NHTSA Recall Campaigns (5)

Complete safety campaign filings including defect descriptions, safety hazards, and free dealer remedies

⚠️ PARK OUTSIDE ADVISORY — Park outside and away from structures until remedy is completed.
NHTSA Campaign #22V703000 TRAILER HITCHES
Filed: September 19, 2022

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

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.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #25V649000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Filed: September 25, 2025

What is defective?

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.

Safety Risk / Consequence

A fire increases the risk of injury.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

NHTSA Campaign #22V760000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Filed: October 11, 2022

What is defective?

Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Safety Risk / Consequence

Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #22V447000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Filed: June 23, 2022

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

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.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #21V519000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Filed: July 8, 2021

What is defective?

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.

Safety Risk / Consequence

A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Subsystem Scope

Vehicle Systems Involved in Recalls for 2021 Kia Sorento

Distribution of official safety recall campaigns across automotive subsystem domains

01 1 CAMPAIGN

Air Bags & Restraints

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Air Bags & Restraints subsystem.

02 1 CAMPAIGN

Electrical System

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Electrical System subsystem.

11 Consumer Complaints →
03 1 CAMPAIGN

Fuel & Propulsion System

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Fuel & Propulsion System subsystem.

2 Consumer Complaints →
04 1 CAMPAIGN

Other / Miscellaneous

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Other / Miscellaneous subsystem.

7 Consumer Complaints →
05 1 CAMPAIGN

Powertrain & Transmission

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Powertrain & Transmission subsystem.

4 Consumer Complaints →
Fleet History

Recall History for Kia Sorento

Official safety recall campaign volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)

Model Year NHTSA Recalls NHTSA Complaints Detailed Report
2015 Kia Sorento 3 747 View 2015 Recalls →
2016 Kia Sorento 8 1245 View 2016 Recalls →
2017 Kia Sorento 4 798 View 2017 Recalls →
2018 Kia Sorento 3 252 View 2018 Recalls →
2019 Kia Sorento 2 422 View 2019 Recalls →
2020 Kia Sorento 1 132 View 2020 Recalls →
2021 Kia Sorento Current Page 5 26 Current
2022 Kia Sorento 9 218 View 2022 Recalls →
2023 Kia Sorento 4 154 View 2023 Recalls →
2024 Kia Sorento 2 45 View 2024 Recalls →
2025 Kia Sorento 4 119 View 2025 Recalls →
2026 Kia Sorento 2 0 View 2026 Recalls →
Consumer Checklist

VIN-Specific Recall Verification

How to confirm whether an individual vehicle requires an authorized safety repair

Safety recall campaigns apply to specific vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and manufacturing date ranges. To verify if your individual vehicle has an uncompleted safety recall:

  • Locate your 17-character VIN on the driver's side door jamb or dashboard.
  • Enter the VIN into the official NHTSA recall lookup at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
  • Contact any franchised Kia dealership to schedule a free remedy appointment.
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 711)
Related Workstations

Related Official Reports for 2021 Kia Sorento

Explore owner problem reports and crash safety ratings for this model year

← 2021 Kia Sorento Overview

Key performance indicators, EPA fuel economy specs, powertrain variants, and summary ratings.

2021 Kia Sorento Owner Complaints (26) →

NHTSA defect complaints breakdown across all vehicle subsystems and recurring symptoms.

2021 Kia Sorento Safety & Crash Ratings →

NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test results, driver assistance systems, and rollover ratings.

2021 Kia Sorento MPG & Range →

EPA fuel economy ratings, electric range, and annual energy cost benchmarks.
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Safety Recalls & Federal Directives for the 2021 Kia Sorento

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Kia Sorento

How many safety recalls are on file for the 2021 Kia Sorento?

The 2021 Kia Sorento is associated with 5 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns, affecting systems including Air Bags & Restraints, Electrical System, Fuel & Propulsion System.

A recall campaign listing indicates that a safety defect or noncompliance standard was determined for specific production runs of this vehicle model year.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

Are there urgent 'Do Not Drive' or 'Park Outside' warnings for the 2021 Kia Sorento?

Yes. Federal recall records for the 2021 Kia Sorento include 1 campaign with high-priority safety directives including a Park Outside advisory.

Urgent directives are issued when an unreasonable risk of severe injury or fire exists prior to authorized dealer repair.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database

Are recall repairs free for the 2021 Kia Sorento?

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge.

Federal law (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301) requires manufacturers and franchised dealers to provide authorized safety recall repairs at no cost to the vehicle owner. Because campaigns apply to specific production runs and option packages, vehicle owners must verify their 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or through an authorized dealership to confirm individual applicability.

Source: National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301)

Does a recall campaign apply to every 2021 Kia Sorento?

Not necessarily. Model-year recall campaigns typically apply to specific vehicle production date ranges, assembly plants, or optional equipment packages.

AutoUtility's model-year records describe campaign scope; owners must check their individual 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or through an authorized dealership to confirm if an open recall applies to their specific vehicle.

Source: NHTSA VIN Lookup Service
Official US Government Data Provenance

Recall records published on this page are retrieved directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Recalls Database under 49 U.S.C. 30118.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.