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⚑ NHTSA Official DataUpdated: Jun 2026How we calculate this
Good Record

2021 Kia Sorento: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict

Shopping for a used 2021 Kia Sorento? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. No significant NHTSA complaints found for this model year.

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Complaints
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Crashes
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Fires
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Injuries
β€”
Deaths
4
Recalls

2021 Kia Sorento Fuel Economy

βœ“ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2021 Kia Sorento trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

22
MPG City
21–39 range
29
MPG Hwy
25–35 range
25
MPG Combined
24–37 range
360
g COβ‚‚/mile
Regular Gasoline
⚠️Costs $1,500 more than avg vehicle over 5 years

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.

2021 Kia Sorento Safety Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Program4 variants tested β€” showing 2021 Kia Sorento SUV FWD Later Release

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

4/5

15.9% rollover risk

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5

15.9% probability

βœ“Stability Control: Standardβœ“Forward Collision Warning: Standardβœ“Lane Departure Warning: Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Kia Sorento has 0 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.

2021 Kia Sorento β€” key reliability facts
Make
Kia
Model
Sorento
Model year
2021
NHTSA owner complaints
0
Crash-related complaints
0
Safety recall campaigns
4
Reliability signal
Good Record
EPA MPG combined
25
EPA MPG city / highway
22 / 29
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
NHTSA overall safety rating
4/5 stars
NHTSA frontal crash rating
4/5 stars
NHTSA side crash rating
5/5 stars
NHTSA rollover rating
4/5 stars
Electronic stability control
Standard

Should You Buy a Used 2021 Kia Sorento?

The 2021 Kia Sorento looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.

Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.

What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Kia Sorento

Inspection Focus

  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase

Before You Close the Deal

  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2021 Kia Sorento, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

All 2021 Kia Sorento Complaints by Category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Sorento. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Real Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

Showing 0 most recent complaints

No complaints match β€œβ€. Try a different keyword.

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Kia Sorento.

2021 Kia Sorento Recalls

4 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Sorento. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

21V519000Aug 7, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

22V70300019/09/2022
TRAILER HITCHES

22V760000Nov 10, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

25V64900025/09/2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Compare Kia Sorento Model Years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2021 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112009200820072006200520042003

2021 Kia Sorento Buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?β–Ύ

Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 0 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Kia Sorento looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Sorento?β–Ύ

No significant patterns found in the NHTSA complaint database for this model year.

At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Kia Sorento?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2021 Kia Sorento?β–Ύ

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Kia Sorento, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 0 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Kia Sorento. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Sorento?β–Ύ

The 2021 Kia Sorento looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2021 Kia Sorento based on your ownership experience.

Add your rating:

Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.