2021 Kia Sorento: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · MN

My 2021 Kia Sorento (VIN [XXX]) is at Luther Kia. The dealership documented DTC P1C2D03 as stored. Kia's SC250 recall procedure states that if P1C2D03 is not stored, the dealer updates the TCU software only; if P1C2D03 is stored, the transmission is to be replaced and updated TCU software applied. Despite the stored code, Luther Kia did not replace the transmission. They updated the ECU, rescanned, performed an air-bleed procedure and transmission relearning, test-drove the vehicle, and marked the repair complete. I am concerned this does not comply with the remedy specified for stored P1C2D03 and leaves the vehicle susceptible to the loss-of-motive-power condition addressed by the federal safety agency Recall 22V760000/SC250. After receiving no update since late morning XXX, I called near closing XXXand was told their only Authorized Kia Warranty Service Technician was out sick. That evening I emailed the GM documenting the SC250 concern and requested resolution by Monday morning, including release of my vehicle while the transmission was ordered or a loaner/rental if unsafe to release. As of Monday afternoon, I have received no response. I also opened a case with Kia Corporate on XXX. The dealership sent me a $528.28 invoice via text and is retaining my vehicle pending payment of the entire invoice. This includes $178.98 I understand to be recall-related diagnosis/labor, although SC250 states there is no charge to the owner for this repair, plus $311.36 for A/C diagnosis and a $36.94 miscellaneous fee. I was instructed to drive approximately 1,000 more miles for the A/C issue. The odometer is approximately 99,2XX miles, which would exceed 100,000 miles and may affect CPO warranty coverage. A rear clunking concern potentially related to Kia TSB TRA105 was not resolved. I request the federal safety agency investigate whether SC250 was properly completed and whether this vehicle is safe to operate without the transmission replacement specified for stored P1C2D03. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning. The vehicle unexpectedly slowed down/appeared to brake on its own while I was driving. There was no check-engine light at that time and the warning did not remain on, so I did not initially know what caused the incident. Approximately two weeks later, the vehicle developed delayed shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. RPM increased from about 2,000 to 3,000 before the next gear engaged. Switching from ECO to Comfort mode initially seemed to help, but later that day the problem worsened even in Comfort mode and also began occurring from 2nd to 3rd gear. The check-engine light then came on. O'Reilly Auto Parts scanned the vehicle and reported codes P0868/P086800 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Low) and P193B79 (High Pressure Electric Oil Pump Performance). Kia has not yet diagnosed the current problem, and the vehicle is available for inspection. Kia checked my VIN for recalls sometime in 2025 and advised there was no open recall. I am aware of Kia Safety Recall SC250/the federal safety agency Recall 22V‑760 involving the 8-speed DCT electric oil pump on certain 2021-2022 Sorento vehicles. I am concerned because my vehicle experienced the “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning and unexpected slowing and now has worsening transmission symptoms and related diagnostic codes. I am concerned the vehicle could unexpectedly lose drive power while being driven. I request the federal safety agency review whether my vehicle's condition may be related to the existing safety defect and whether additional vehicles should be investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Sorento, which has suffered a transmission failure. The transmission slips, shifts harshly, hesitates during acceleration, loses power unexpectedly, and has become unsafe to drive. This defect has put my safety and the safety of others at risk. On several occasions the vehicle failed to respond properly when accelerating, including while entering highways and driving in traffic. The hesitation and sudden loss of power created fear and anxiety because I could not trust the vehicle to operate as expected. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a repair facility, and the symptoms are consistent with a transmission torque converter clutch failure. I also contacted Kia and provided the vehicle information. Kia informed me that they would not repair the vehicle because it has exceeded 100,000 miles and that the recall or warranty extension had expired. However, my vehicle is experiencing the same transmission-related symptoms reported by many other Kia owners.I never received any recall notification because I purchased the vehicle from a dealership as the second owner. Had I been properly notified, I would have taken the vehicle in for inspection much earlier or would never have purchased the dangerous vehicle in the first place. It is extremely frustrating and costly to be denied assistance solely because of mileage when the failure appears to be related to a known transmission defect.Before the failure, the check engine light illuminated and then went away even though the issue did not. Prior to that warning, the vehicle had already shown delayed shifting, slipping, hesitation, rough gear changes, and loss of power, which became progressively worse. I reported this to Kia on a previous service visit to Romeo Kia in Lake Katrine, NY and was told they did not find anything wrong. This situation has caused significant emotional stress and anxiety. I am requesting a full review and a fair resolution from kia. Thank

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Sorento, which has suffered a serious transmission failure. The vehicle is displaying diagnostic code P0741, indicating a torque converter clutch malfunction. The transmission slips, shifts harshly, hesitates during acceleration, loses power unexpectedly, and has become unsafe to drive. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.This defect has put my safety and the safety of others at risk. On several occasions the vehicle failed to respond properly when accelerating, including while entering highways and driving in traffic. The hesitation and sudden loss of power created fear and anxiety because I could not trust the vehicle to move when needed to avoid a dangerous situation. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a repair facility, and the symptoms are consistent with a transmission torque converter clutch failure. I also contacted Kia and provided the vehicle information. Kia informed me that they would not repair the vehicle because it has exceeded 100,000 miles and that the recall or warranty extension had expired. However, my vehicle is experiencing the same transmission-related symptoms reported by many other Kia owners.I never received any recall notification because I purchased the vehicle from a dealership as the second owner. Had I been properly notified, I would have taken the vehicle in for inspection much earlier. It is extremely frustrating and financially devastating to be denied assistance solely because of mileage when the failure appears to be related to a known transmission defect.Before the failure, the check engine light illuminated and code P0741 appeared. Prior to that warning, the vehicle had already shown delayed shifting, slipping, hesitation, rough gear changes, and loss of power, which became progressively worse.This situation has caused significant emotional stress, anxiety, and financial hardship. I am requesting a full investigation and a fair resolution from kia.

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Transmission · 66,658 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal clunk coming from the transmission while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred and became worse. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,658.

Filed Apr 12, 2025 · Transmission · KY

I bought the car at 28k miles certified pre owned at jake sweeney kia in Florence ky. I had taken the car to the service station multiple times complaining of a clunky transmission. Things got worse and a whine from the engine bay occurred. At this time kia replaced the transmission at just under 42k miles. After having the new transmission about 500 miles later this issue is occurring again. Within 50 miles of replacement I went back to the dealership complaining of the the same clunking issue. At this time the dealership told me they could not replicate the problem. Now just a few hundred miles later the problem is extremely worse. I once again visit kia were they tell me again they could not replicate the issues. At this time I asked the service advisor Donavon to ride with me and I will point out the issue. Within a mile of our trip the problems occurred and the advisor noted the issue. I now am driving the car and waiting for a loaner from the dealership so they can yet again diagnose the issue which may result in another transmission replacement

Filed Jul 27, 2022 · Transmission · MA

Vehicle slams into gears, jerks forward when accelerating, hesitates a long time when reversing then changing to drive(extremely dangerous), and when in park and not turned off yet it surges or revs slightly and you can feel it trying to go forward. At first these things were rare but then became occasional and now after a year they have become constant. Dealership says I need a new transmission and they may have my car for two months or more! Have also had a dead battery twice already with nothing left on or plugged in.

Filed Jun 5, 2022 · Transmission · PA

Transmission down shifts hard when coming to a stop or putting it in reverse. Car has been to the Kia dealership were we where told this normal. We had a expert look at the car and his diagnosis was there is something wrong with it. You can here the Transmission making a clunky sound when coming to the stop. People in parking lots have noticed this as well.

Filed Apr 7, 2022 · NE

1. Transmission; vehicle is currently at dealership 2. Yes, I was driving with my daughter in the vehicle at the time 3. Yes, they were able to verify that the vehicle needs a new transmisson 4. Yes, the vehicle is currently at the dealership and has been inspected by the mechanic 5. Since I started the lease, in April 2021, I have noticed "rough shifting" of gears. I have notified Kia dealership of such, and they told me it was normal for the engine, so I continued to drive the vehicle. While driving on the interstate, on April 1 2022, the transmission light illuminated on my dash and an error message also across the LED screen.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Power train operation is erratic and unpredictable. I have have experienced the same problems of other reports (loss of power when turning, jerking/rough shifts, cruise control issues) with the addition of this: when stopping the vehicle in a smooth controlled fashion, it suddenly has a boost of acceleration at 1-2 mph which requires extra brake pedal pressure to keep from impacting the car ahead.