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
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 5, 2019
THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON WHEN STATIONARY (AS I STARTED THE CAR) AND REMAINED ON AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES. MECHANIC INSPECTION YIELDED ISSUE WITH STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. MECHANIC ORDERED PART FROM KIA DEALERSHIP BUT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE RETROFITTED TO FIT THE PART. AS OF 8/5/2019, THERE ARE NO UNREPAIRED RECALLS ON THIS CAR OR FOR THIS SPECIFIC SAFETY ISSUE, BUT YEARS OF DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLAINTS FOR IT, AND IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDED AS A FORMAL RECALL? HAVE NOT CHECKED CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN, BUT VOLUME CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL STILL WORKING. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SOMETIMES OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS ON SEAT, SOMETIMES ON WHEN NO ONE IS IN SEAT.
Air bags, Jul 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF EAST SYRACUSE (6717 MANLIUS CENTER RD, EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057, (315) 701-5898) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jul 26, 2019
MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND MY HEADLIGHTS ARE BLACK AND HAVE MELTED WIRES
Air bags, Jul 26, 2019
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT GO OUT .
Air bags, Structure, Seats, Jul 20, 2019
MY CAR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY AND DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THE DRIVER SEAT LOWER BACK ADJUSTING CUSHION DOES NOT FUNCTION ANYMORE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UMLOCK DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE OR INSPECT AND ORDER THE DOOR HANDLE BASE MECHANISM PART, THEN CHARGE FOR THAT AND INSTALLATION.
Air bags, Jul 19, 2019
INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF. HAS SINCE CAME BACK ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jul 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH LEE JOHNSON KIA (425-827-0521, LOCATED AT 11845 NE 85TH ST, KIRKLAND, WA 98033). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 159,000.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2019
SRS/AIRBAG LIGHTS RANDOMLY CAME ON AMD SHUT OFF ALSO DOOR STOPPED OPENING
Air bags, Jun 18, 2019
STARTED ENGINE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS
Air bags, Jun 5, 2019
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THEN MY HORN STOPPED WORKING AND NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY RECALL AS OF I'M A ACCIDENT MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE RECALL AND FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2019
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.
Air bags, May 23, 2019
MY KIA SORENTO 2011 THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FOR DAYS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IT GOES OFF THAN GOES ON WHEN I STRAIT IT IN MOVEMENT OR NOT THE LIGHT IS ON .SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT HAVE TO BE RECALL.
Air bags, May 23, 2019
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. LIGHT ON BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL AND LIGHT STILL ON DEALER SAID IT WAS OCS MAT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOT INCLUDED IN PREVIOUS RECALL. SO I STILL HAVE NO AIRBAG AND THEY ARE REQUESTING $2,000+ TO FIX. SAFTEY ISSUE IS STILL NOT TAKEN CARE OF AND PUTTING ME AND MY CHILDREN IN HARMS WAY.
Air bags, May 20, 2019
FAULTY OCS MAT SENSOR PREVENTS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
Air bags, May 17, 2019
I TOOK MY 2011 KIA SORENTO IN TO KIA MOTORS IN AMERICAN FORK, UTAH TO GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT CHECKED OUT. IT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE OCS MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1600 TO FIX. SINCE MY AIRBAGS CAN NOT DETECT ANYTHING WITHOUT GETTING THIS PART REPLACED, ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 14, 2019
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO MAY 4 THAND THE CAR DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I GOT SOMEONE TO HELP PUSH THE CAR IN THERE DRIVEWAY. WHEN BACK THE NEXT DAY WITH A MECANIC HE TOLD ME THE CAR ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM CAUSE I BROUGHT THE CAR 3 YRS AGO. BEFORE THE CAR DIE THE CHECK ENGINE TURN ON THAN DIE. THE SEATBELT TURN IN 1 MONTH AGO .NOW I HAVE 9000 LEFT ON THE CAR THE WON'T WRONG TAKE BACK AND THE DEALERSHIP WON'T MAKE A STRADES
Air bags, Engine, Apr 19, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 35-48 MPH, A DEER JUMPED OUT INTO THE STREET. THE CONTACT SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUCCILLO KIA (3900 STATE ST, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, (518) 847-0800) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER'S COLLISION SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2019
MY VEHICLE STALLS AT TAKE OFF OFTEN AND ALSO MY HORN ONLUY SOUNDS WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL A CERTAIN POSITION . MY AIRBAG LIGHT REMAIN ON ALSO .THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS MALFUNCTION HAPPEN IN THE STREET ALSO.
Suspension, Air bags, Apr 3, 2019
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON YESTERDAY...AND SUSPENSION WHILE DRYING TRIALS YOU OVER IN LEFT LANE IF YOU HIT A BUMP
Air bags, Mar 25, 2019
LAST WEEK THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND APPARENTLY IT IS THE COIL SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. FROM WHAT WE HAVE DONE OUR RESEARCH ON, THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT IS NOT A RECALL. I DO BELIEVE THAT IF THE IS OCCURING IN SEVERAL OF THESE MODELS, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR IS WRECKED. I WOULD APPRECIATE PROPER CHANGE FOR THIS TO BE A RECALL.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 7, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY AND HAS NOT SHUT OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I WAS TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP THAT IT COULD COST A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS AND THAT TERRIFYING THAT IT COULD BE SET OFF AT ANY TIME FOR NO REASON OR EVEN WORSE NOT AT ALL. AFTER SEEING SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED OR RECALLED?
Air bags, Mar 4, 2019
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE THEIR IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR WITH THEIR SEATBELT IS ON WHILE THE VECHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Feb 28, 2019
I HAVE BEEN A KIA CUSTOMER FOR OVER 7 YEARS AND ARE ON OUR THIRD VEHICLE FROM THEM. TRADED MY KIA FORTE FOR 2011 SORENTO IN 2016. IT HAS HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IT COST $1,200 TO FIX IT. RECENTLY ON JAN 25TH MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND ALSO RUINED THE ENGINE. NOW TOLD THAT I NEED NEW ENGINE FOR $5.100. I HAVE LEARNED OF MANY RECALLS ON SORENTO ENGINE MOTOR BUT STARTING FOR THE YEAR 2012.
Air bags, Feb 6, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY. HAS NOT SHUT OFF.
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 3, 2019
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR RADIO/PHONE QUIT WORKING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. NO ACCIDENT ETC, JUST QUIT WORKING.