2011 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,518 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 42 involved a crash and 62 involved a fire. 50 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineDec 21, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Dealers will install Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC291.
Campaign 23V877000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
Campaign 15V626000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentOct 6, 2011
CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.
Campaign 11E041000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftApr 25, 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 11V258000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperNov 24, 2010
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.
AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK, FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 10V599000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringAug 31, 2010
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.
WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 10V388000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
183 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 25, 2020
THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON WITH OUR ANY REASON. CAR WON'T ACELERATE, STOP AND GET SPEED IN UNSAFE WAIT ON THE HIGHWAY.
Air bags, Oct 2, 2020
DRIVE SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW STEERING CONTROLS ARE NOT WORKING. KIA DEALER STATED ITS THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE THAT IS FAULTY
Air bags, Sep 11, 2020
MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SENSOR COMES ON AND DOESN'T GO OFF .
Air bags, Jul 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ON ROUTE TO BALD HILL KIA LOCATED AT 1021 BALD HILL RD, WARWICK, RI 02886 TO HAVE AN UNSTATED RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 90,000.
Air bags, Jul 15, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I DID TROUBLESHOOT ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL THAT CAME WITH MY VEHICLE. THE LIGHT STILL DID NOT SHUT OFF. MY GUESS IS THAT IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. LOOKING ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR KIA ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT CAME ON AS WELL AS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS.
Air bags, May 6, 2020
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT DOES NOT GO AWAY WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THIS MEANS THAT+S THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASEBOOK OF AN ACCIDENT WHICH IS A HAZARD. *TR
Air bags, Apr 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT VEHICLE START-UP, THE AIR BAG WARING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA TRUSSVILLE KIA LOCATED AT (5009 BROOKE'S CROSSING BLVD, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35235) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT SENSOR AND READ DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2020
MY ABS, AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BEFORE. AFTER REPLACING THE CLOCK SPRING THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON, AND ALSO BOTH MY BACK SEAT BELTS WILL NOT GO DOWN. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS
Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jan 29, 2020
THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER CV AXLE. IT WAS AFTERMARKET AND NOT OEM. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT LOW BEAM WIRING HARNESS AND BULBS AT MY OWN COST TWICE. ONCE IN FLORIDA AND ANOTHER IN MY HOME STATE. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. THEY SENT ME THE RECALLS ON BOTH. THEN PROCEEDED TO SAY THAT THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS UNDER RECALL. ALSO IF I COULD NOT GET OR FIND MY RECEIPTS FROM THE MECHANIC SHOP. I WOULD NOT GET REIMBURSED. KIA HAS BEEN KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS! ON TOP OF THE CV AXLE THIS IS TOO MUCH. IT IS DAMAGING MY TRANSMISSION AS WE SPEAK. MY BRAKES ARE VERY SPONGEY.
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 24, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER IS ON. ALSO THE BACK RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. DOOR NOT LOCKED AND CHILD LOCK IS OFF.
Air bags, Dec 28, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WHEN ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. THE LIGHT STAYED ON.
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Dec 14, 2019
ALL STEERING WHEEL FUNCTION HAVE STOP WORKING INCLUDING HORN. RADIO, CRUISE AND BLUE TOOTH CONTROLS. DURING A TRIP ON THE HIGH WAY
Air bags, Dec 5, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OUT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHILE THIS LIGHT IS LIT, MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA VEHICLES. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL!!
Air bags, Dec 3, 2019
MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON WITH CODE B1764. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. THIS MEANS THAT I HAVE NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT LEAVING MY FAMILY IN DANGER OF INJURY OR DEATH IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Air bags, Nov 27, 2019
OCS MAY DEFECTED. HAD IT SCANNED AND CODE B1764
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 7, 2019
CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTION CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON DASH. STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS DO NOT WORK. THIS IS A CONSTANT AND DAILY ISSUE. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS PARKED. LOW BEAM SOCKET MELTED. SINCE BEEN REPLACED BY ME. BOTH ISSUES ARE UNDER A RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED. MY VEHICLES YEAR MAKE AND MODEL ARE LISTED IN A CURRENT RECALL BUT MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITHIN IT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR VOLUME AND BLUETOOTH DO NOT WORK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. ALL OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE STOPPED WORKING, AND THE FUEL DOOR BUTTON HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING.
Air bags, Sep 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10164382 (AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR KIA OF TOLEDO (6300 CENTRAL AVE, TOLEDO, OH 43615, (419) 842-8811) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,100.
Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Sep 10, 2019, crash
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO KIA FOR SEVERAL RECALLS. ONE WAS THE DOOR LOCKS BEING FAULTY. I SAID I HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THEM ANYWAY. NOW MY REAR DOOR LOCK IS BROKEN. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WHEN ACCELERATING THE ENGINE REVS. IT ONLY HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES AT FIRST, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PEDAL IS GETTING STUCK. MY LAST ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG. I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS BANGED UP AND THE AIRBAG NEVER OPENED.
Air bags, Sep 2, 2019
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR MAT FAILED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT CAUSE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH KIA'S. MANY KIA'S HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THIS MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. PLEASE ADVISE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Aug 14, 2019, crash
AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. BEFORE ACCIDENT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS WERE WORKING (CRUISE, HORN, VOLUME ECT.) DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 12, 2019
FIRST IT STARTED WITH DRIVERS DOOR NOT WORKING. I CAN'T GET IN THE DRIVER DOOR BECAUSE THE HANDLE DOESN'T WORK. SO I HAVE BEEN CRAWLING THRU THE PASSENGER DOOR TO GET IN THE CAR. BUT NOW I CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THE PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE EITHER. YOU PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE AND IT DOES NOTHING. WHAT IF THERE WERE A FIRE AND I WAS IN THE CAR AND SOMEONE RAN UP TO GET ME OUT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. NEXT PROBLEM IS I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE OIL LEAK IN THE CAR. SO BAD IT KEEPS DRIPPING DOWN ON THE ALTERNATOR WHICHECK HAS FORCED ME TO REPLACE THAT TWICE NOW. I TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN COVER. IT WOULD COST 2,000.00 TO FIX. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THE TIMING CHAIN COVER IS A MISDIAGNOSIS. APPARENTLY THE OIL SENSOR IS THE CULPRIT. IT MALFUNCTIONS BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION IN THE ENGINE. I DON'T HAVE 2000.00 JUST TO PLAY A GUESSING GAME. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS A RECALL. LASTLY, DUE TO THE ENGINE ISSUES THE OIL LEAKING THE CAR HAS NOW DECIDED IF I'M DRIVING 60 MPH IT WILL ALL OF THE SUDDEN SHIFT THE ENGINE ALMOST TO A DEAD STOP AND THEN YOU FEEL AS IF YOU WILL FLY THRU THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE NOW THE CAR WON'T GO OUT OF FOURTH GEAR MANUALLY OR AUTOMATIC. PLEASE HELP.
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 12, 2019
THE DRIVER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING.. AT THE SAME TIME, ALL OF MY ELECTRONICS ON THE STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING ( CRUISE CONTROL, BLUE TOOTH, RADIO). I WAS TOLD THIS IS A CLOCK SPRING ISSUE AND HAS HAPPENED TO MANY 2011 KIA SORENTO OWNERS. IS THIS NOT A RECALL?
Air bags, Aug 6, 2019
WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR STAYS ON. IT DOES NOT TURN OFF, WHEN I'M STATIONARY OR MOVING, UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF.