2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID has 2 complaints and 11 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report sudden hybrid system failure causing the engine to shut off and the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, sometimes while driving at slow speeds. Dealers have been unable to duplicate or diagnose these issues consistently.
- Hybrid system failure. Vehicles stop abruptly with a warning light indicating hybrid vehicle failure, causing the engine to shut off and the car to stall in traffic lanes.
- Starting issues after stall. After the engine shuts off, the vehicle will not restart, leaving drivers stranded in potentially dangerous traffic situations.
There are 11 recalls affecting various systems on the 2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID. These recalls involve safety equipment such as seat belts and the tow hitch harness, with risks including injury from exploding components and fire hazards. Repairs are being offered free of charge through dealerships.
- Seat belt pretensioners. NHTSA recall 22V447000 affects 17,199 vehicles. The front driver and passenger seat belt pretensioners may explode during a crash, projecting metal fragments that can injure occupants. Dealers will install caps on the pretensioners. This recall expands and replaces 22V-127. Vehicles previously repaired must receive the new remedy.
- Tow hitch harness fire risk. NHTSA recall 22V703000 involves 70,887 vehicles including the 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid. Moisture and debris on the tow hitch harness PCB may cause an electrical short, creating a fire hazard. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until repairs are completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the fuse or tow hitch harness module if needed, free of charge.
Owners facing repeated safety defects such as unexpected stalls or recall repairs that do not resolve issues may have rights under their state lemon laws. It may be advisable to consult a qualified attorney to explore these options.
2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID Summary
2021
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
2
Total Recalls
88086
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID
17199 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID
70887 vehicles affected
TRAILER HITCHES
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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Complaints
2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID
ID: 2057334ENGINE
On [XXX] we were driving the Kia at slow speed due to snow on the road when a warning light came on which we think said hybrid vehicle failure pull over. The car stopped and the traffic lane with the engine off. The car would not start and we were exposed to traffic. Fortunately, we were on a country road at the time about a mile from our house and we were not struck by following vehicle when the car shut off and stopped in the traffic lane. If we had been on a beltway with 60 or 65 mph traffic obviously the result would’ve been quite different. Because I felt the vehicle was not safe to drive. I had it towed to the Kia dealer in Salisbury Pocahontas Kia, who have not been able to duplicate the problem and have also not been able to tell us what was wrong with the Kia to cause this problem in the first place. Unless there is a clear reason why this happened And it can be fixed then we have no reason to believe this would not happen again and endanger our safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2021 KIA SORENTO HYBRID
ID: 2057333ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX] we were driving the Kia at slow speed due to snow on the road when a warning light came on which we think said hybrid vehicle failure pull over. The car stopped and the traffic lane with the engine off. The car would not start and we were exposed to traffic. Fortunately, we were on a country road at the time about a mile from our house and we were not struck by following vehicle when the car shut off and stopped in the traffic lane. If we had been on a beltway with 60 or 65 mph traffic obviously the result would’ve been quite different. Because I felt the vehicle was not safe to drive. I had it towed to the Kia dealer in Salisbury Pocahontas Kia, who have not been able to duplicate the problem and have also not been able to tell us what was wrong with the Kia to cause this problem in the first place. Unless there is a clear reason why this happened And it can be fixed then we have no reason to believe this would not happen again and endanger our safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)