2021 KIA SORENTO Complaints

ISSUE: Vehicle appears to encounter a severe reduction of power output when attempting to accelerate [i.e., either will not exceed 5mph or accelerates extremely slow) while also experiencing random erratic shifting, shifting failure, and abrupt jerking. Issue occurs regardless of circumstances (i.e., speed, weather, road conditions, turning, accelerating from stop, accelerating while in motion). Issue first appeared 12 DEC 2021. Restarting vehicle will not resolve issue. Check Engine light illuminated briefly and then extinguished. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle has not been diagnosed by dealership; Service department visit has been scheduled [30 DEC 2021].

Hello, My 2021 Kia Sorento SX was purchased new and it currently has 1917 mileages on the odometer. After purchasing the vehicle I have noticed a very noticeable noise which seems like coming from the transmission. When I slow to a stop a big clicking noise comes from the transmission. This noise is concerning regarding a safety stand-point and to be honest it is really annoying. I have read some other comments online and it seems to be an issue around this certain make and model. I have been to a Kia service center on two separate occasions on this issue. At this time the service department stated they can not assist me moving forward unless I escalate this to Kia Support which I plan on doing. Thank you for your time.

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.

2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige (XLine) did not want to shift on its own. When it was taken to the dealership, SME's reset the check engine light, drove 1 mile (total) and informed us there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. They were able to see a power train code (transmission fluid level pressure) within code history however they did not drive it long enough to replicate the code. Transmission fluid levels were checked ( 89% full) and was topped off prior to releasing the vehicle back to us. After driving about 40 miles, the vehicle was taken to the store however, went limp in the middle of the road. The vehicle would not move (no matter the gear) and after turning off the vehicle and turning it back on the vehicle would not budge. The vehicle was forced to move after revving up the vehicle to 5K RPMs the vehicle started to drift. During this time, the D symbol and R symbol would blink repeatedly. I put it in manual mode and instead of showing the gear it shows an " S ". Thankfully this occurred on a military base however, if this occurred off the base I believe I would have gotten into an accident causing serious bodily injury or worse. Currently, the check engine light is on and I do not feel comfortable or safe in the vehicle.

I brought this truck 1/1/21. 6/13/21, the transmission went out on me. The Kia Dealership had to replace 3 transmissions, in which the truck stayed in the shop for over 4 months with no loaner. When I got it back, I drove it for 2 weeks and in the middle of traffic, the dashboards lit up like a Christmas tree, then the truck cut off on me. This is a safety concern and this truck is a lemon. Currently going through the buy back process since September. It's now going on December.

THE TRANSMISSION PERIODICALLY DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION ALSO OVER REVS THE ENGINE WHILE GOING A SLOW SPEED I POINTED THIS OUT TO THE DEALER WHEN IN FOR SERVICE THEY STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF OTHER TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS, AND I SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON IT. NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS OR INDICATORS WHEN THIS HAPPENED

Within a 2 month period after purchasing this vehicle, the windshield has cracked twice. First time was more understandable as a larger sized rock hit the windshield right next to the pillar on the passenger side creating a roughly 4” starburst crack. That one was replaced and 2 weeks later a tiny pebble kicked up and created a small chip on the upper corner driver side. Within about 30 seconds the chip spread halfway across the windshield. These new windshield seems to be extremely weak and falling in line with the issues the Telluride had as well with the Kia acoustic glass.

Transmission failure with no warning while driving on the highway. No warning lights before or while this occurred. Car would not accelerate. After being diagnosed at the dealership, we were told there have been other reports of the same issue therefore replacing the transmission would not be an option and Kia may have to buy the vehicle back. This is NOT a safe vehicle!!

At first from 1st to 2nd took RPM to 5,000 before shifting to 3rd. Almost like it was stuck in neutral over that time but clearly in Automatic. Once in third girl no power until RPM drops and then shifted.At high speed all seemed fine. Happened ever time I start/stopped until When turned off car and it on went away. Now this morning on the way to dealship no Forward or Revese so having it towed to dealership.

The vehicle has a dual clutch transmission which causes the vehicle to lunge forward at idle. The transmission also "slips" at times during hard acceleration and results in very slow acceleration when entering a highway on a ramp or making way across an intersection. The transmission also shifts extremely hard when coming to a stop and then lunges requiring additional braking. This presents a safety issue when crossing an intersection or coming to a sudden stop in stop and go traffic. The vehicle has 10,000 miles was inspected (and reproduced) at the Kia dealership where I purchased it, and the service department states that the transmission is working as designed, which I believe since there are numerous complaints about the same issue on line and Kia forums. The newest issue (about 2 months old) is that there is a whining noise that appears to be coming from the transmission during acceleration until the transmission shifts into another gear. There are no warning lamps - the issue has been occurring since purchased in May 2021. It appears that this issue is with the dual clutch 2.5 turbo models across the Kia line.