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Electrical systemPart report

2021 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems

Complaints
47about this part
Share
18%of 255 total for the year
Median mileage
34,256miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Kia Sorento, 18% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,256 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Only had car 8 days with 500 miles. Went to pull away from stop sign and car cut off. When attempted to restart, car advised to place in park first. Once placed in park and pressed start button - all systems went dead. Sparks came from grounding cable under hood. When grounding cable was adjusted, car started turning on and off randomly. After waiting two hours for tow truck, was able to adjust ground cables well enough to drive home. Subsenquently, car was towed to dealership.”

NHTSA complaint #11408325, filed 2021-04, 500 miles

“The stop go feature is not working correctly, when it does cut off at a light after releasing the brake to move forward it takes 3-5 seconds to start. when the cars behind me see that i release the brake they assume im going to move which doesnt happen at first. some occasions the stop n go just doesnt work at all.”

NHTSA complaint #11651656, filed 2025-03

“My 2021 Kia Sorento lx has been having issues everyday where all of my dash lights come on, my power steering goes out and I can’t shift into or out of any gears. I have taken it to a Kia dealership (towed) twice already and they can’t find out the issue or unwilling to find it out. I have contacted Kia corporate and still no response from them. Kia has also refused to give me a loaner during this issue”

NHTSA complaint #11669861, filed 2025-06

“Transmission failure at 9108 miles. Car was turned on and error code stating of some form of a transmission failure. Odd electrical sounding issue in engine bay as well. If the transmission had failed while I was driving I could have gotten into a serious accident. Kia is already notorious for failing transmissions in their other vehicles. This car maybe no different.”

NHTSA complaint #11443302, filed 2021-12

“My electrical system failed. While on park I was unable to shut of the vehicle using the engine start stop button. After waiting for the vehicle to automatically turn off. The vehicle started trying to restart itself. The negative battery post had to be removed for the vehicle to stop. The entire safety system failed and all warning lights are still displayed on the dash. The backup camera and radio display went completely blank and was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #11662150, filed 2025-05

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
20252229%
20241126%
20233830%
20223116%
20214718%
20202014%
20196816%
20183012%
20179712%
20161078%
2015588%
201415315%
201311612%
201212714%
201124616%
20091425%
20083215%
20072114%
20065322%
20054916%
20042813%
20032910%

Other parts of the 2021 Kia Sorento

Transmission and drivetrain
144 complaintsEngine
68 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
10 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsLane departure
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology