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Fuel systemPart report

2021 Kia Sorento Fuel system Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
9%of 255 total for the year
Median mileage
7,911miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the fuel system of the 2021 Kia Sorento, 9% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,911 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“This has been occurring intermittently since my 2021 Kia Sorento reached approx. 15k miles and now has 26,600 miles. There are no lights or indicators on the dash letting me know anything is wrong. When the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or stopped in heavy traffic, the vehicle will start idling high and shaking and the engine will seize up. I am not able to steer, the brakes lock up, I cannot accelerate, all functionality is lost. …”

NHTSA complaint #11725971, filed 2026-03

“Car stalled July 14th car has been at Kia of Bowie and they are stalling g me and dont want to do the sarter recal and are asking me for $550 for a diagnostic that I should not pay for do to this safety recall ive been telling them from the start that there was a very strong gas smell coming from theoil dipstick and they have been avoiding it till yesterday now the gas has evaperated and they are asking g me to pay $550 for the leak down test.”

NHTSA complaint #11760301, filed 2026-08

“I have had many issues where my car will completely shut off after the auto start-stop function causing me to almost get into accidents with my toddlers in the vehicle. There was one incident where I was at a stop light, when the light turned green I started my car again to go and another vehicle continued to bypass me. When i halted for the other vehicle, my engine shut off again almost the cause of a horrific accident. I have had many incidents after this with the related cause of engine shutting off.”

NHTSA complaint #11673190, filed 2025-07

“I unable to accelerate to merge on to the highway. This is the second time that my car was unable to accelerate and kick into gear. The first time was in 2021/2022 a few months after getting the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11624472, filed 2024-11

“I am unable to open the gas tank door. The gas tank door is open and closed by pushing in the gas tank door on the right side. I have not had a problem with this until recently. The information in the owner's manual indicates to check that doors are unlocked. I have completed that step. I am almost out of gas now. I consider this a safety issue because there is no emergency release for the gas tanks and thus someone may be confronted with this issue during a long trip from home. This does not appear to be an isolated incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11588428, filed 2024-05

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202545%
202425%
202365%
2022147%
2021249%
2020107%
2019286%
2018135%
2017496%
2016585%
2015314%
2014505%
2013384%
2012394%
2011191%
200852%
200721%
2006125%
2005124%
2004146%
20037725%

Other parts of the 2021 Kia Sorento

Transmission and drivetrain
144 complaints
Engine
68 complaints
Electrical system
47 complaints
Other or unknown
42 complaints
Vehicle speed control
13 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
10 complaints
Steering
6 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Lane 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 29, 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