2021-2022 Kia Sorento Transmission Recall (22V760)
Kia America, Inc. · 69,038 vehicles · Reported October 11, 2022
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 69,038 2021-2023 Kia K5; 2021-2022 Kia Sorento vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power. Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V760 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V760000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC250 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 11, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Kia K5; 2021-2022 Kia Sorento |
| Units affected | 69,038 |
| Component | Power Train > Automatic Transmission |
| Safety risk | Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Kia Sorento in recall 22V760?
The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Sorento with recall 22V760?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Sorento shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the automatic transmission, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V760?
Recall 22V760 covers 69,038 vehicles: 2021-2023 Kia K5; 2021-2022 Kia Sorento.
NHTSA lists 69,038 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Kia | K5 |
| 2021-2022 | Kia | Sorento |
What is the fix for the Sorento transmission recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary.
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
When was recall 22V760 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 22V760 to NHTSA on October 11, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 9, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 11, 2022 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V760000. |
| December 9, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 48 months ago. If your Sorento was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Sorento is part of recall 22V760?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V760 is open on your Sorento, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 22V760000 is open on your Sorento, it will be listed there, along with Kia recall number SC250. You can also ask any Kia dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Sorento owners do about recall 22V760?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V760000 applies to your Sorento.
- Call a Kia dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the automatic transmission happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Sorento owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 838 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 249 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 22V760 was reported on October 11, 2022, owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 38 of them (20%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after October 11, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 838 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 249 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Kia Sorento: 248 complaints in total, 136 about the transmission
- 2022 Kia Sorento: 189 complaints in total, 64 about the transmission
- 2021 Kia K5: 167 complaints in total, 18 about the transmission
- 2022 Kia K5: 127 complaints in total, 20 about the transmission
- 2023 Kia K5: 107 complaints in total, 11 about the transmission
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
very bad antifreeze smell under hood dealer said normal not healthy to smell that its in all of this model car in multiple years needs a recall to force kia to fix this unhealthy problem. 3/1/25 is when i bought this car.
2021 Kia K5 owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11649917, filed March 22, 2025
I recently purchased a Kia k5 2021 gt line awd one month later I noticed there was recall I take to the dealership they let me know it will only take a few hours (3) and I can pick up later the same they call me 3h later and let me know sorry this case…
2021 Kia K5 owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11661615, filed May 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, while the transmission was shifting gear, the vehicle started sputtering and jerking. The contact stated that the failure occurred while shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear, and from 2nd gear to 3rd gear. There were no warning lights illuminated.
2021 Kia K5 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11663031, filed May 27, 2025
Can recall 22V760 make my Sorento a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2022 Kia Sorento has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Sorento been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Kia Sorento recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V760
Did the recall 22V760 fix work?
Since recall 22V760 was reported on October 11, 2022, owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 38 of them (20%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 9, 2022.
Is the 22V760000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Sorento is part of recall 22V760000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V760000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.