2021 KIA SORENTO Recalls Canada & USA – Major League Recalls
2021 KIA SORENTO Recalls — Canada & USA
Summary
The 2021 Kia Sorento has 7 recalls, the most serious being a seatbelt pretensioner on hybrid models that can explode in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants.
Three separate recalls involve fire risk. The HVAC blower motor wiring can overheat and melt, potentially starting a fire while driving; this issue is filed across two campaigns, one of which specifically covers LX+ trim models. On 2.5L turbocharged models, a fuel line connection between the high-pressure pump and fuel rail can leak, raising the risk of a fire. There are also two overlapping recalls covering tow hitch wiring harnesses, either factory-installed or dealer-sold accessories, where a short circuit can cause a control module to overheat and start a fire even when the vehicle is parked and off.
On the drivetrain side, vehicles with the 2.5L turbocharged engine and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission can experience a sudden loss of drive power after entering a fault mode, which can reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle in traffic.
On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the blower motor may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the wiring could overheat and melt.
Note: This recall only affects Sorento LX+ models.
Safety Risk
Wiring that overheats and melts can create the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the blower motor wiring harness and the blower motor resistor.
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
A fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
On certain vehicles, a fault in the transmission oil pump can cause the vehicle to enter "fail-safe mode". When this happens, a programming error can cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels after 20-30 seconds.
Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.5 L turbo gasoline (T-GDI) engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Safety Risk
A sudden loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmission. The dealer will also update the transmission control unit software.
Certain vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer wiring harness kit that could fail. Over time, this could result in a short circuit that can cause the control module to overheat.
Note: This recall only affects Kia Genuine tow hitch wiring harness kits with the part number R5F03AP100 or R5F03AP200. These kits may have been ordered at the time of a vehicle purchase, or purchased separately from a dealer as an aftermarket accessory.
Safety Risk
A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to inspect if your vehicle has a trailer wiring harness installed. If it does, Kia advises that you should park your vehicle outdoors, and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been complete. The corrective actions for this recall are under development. As an interim repair, Kia will advise you to make an appointment at your local dealership to replace the 30 A "TRAILER" fuse with a 15 A fuse.
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
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
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
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
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.
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
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.