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
Air bags, May 7, 2014, crash
FRONTAL COLLISION AT 55 MPH, FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT INSTANTANEOUS SIDE IMPACT FROM OTHER VEHICLE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, BROKEN SEAT, RIGHT SIDE INJURIES (RIBS, BACK, PUNCTURED LUNG), AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN (FAILED TO DEPLOY) WITH THIS SIDE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH AT 55 MPH, AND WAS STRUCK BY A WESTBOUND TRUCK TRAVELING 35 MPG...UPDATED 10/08/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 3/24/2015 *JS
Air bags, Mar 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT, NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000...UPDATED 12/29/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MILEAGE SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR WITH THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE. UPDATED 9/28/2015*JS
Air bags, Feb 25, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT, CURTAIN AND SEAT CUSHING AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME STARTLED AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE AIR BAG FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTACT HAD SHIFTED INTO TWO-WHEEL DRIVE AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A CHIPPED TOOTH AS A RESULT OF THE ERRONEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND REVIEWED THE EVENT DATA RECORDER, WHICH INDICATED A LOW BATTERY BUT DID NOT SPECIFICALLY INDICATE AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,447.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2013, crash
DRIVER ON SIDE-STREET TRIED TO CUT ACROSS MAIN ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO AVOID HER. MY KIA SORENTO THEN HIT A BRICK WALL AND A 2,000+ POUND CAST IRON ENTRANCE GATE. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT THE CAR, FOR SAFETY FOR MY NEW FAMILY. BY THE LOOKS OF THE DAMAGE AND WHERE THE IMPACT WAS, THE OFFICERS AND I WERE ALL SURPRISED THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD I HAD A PASSENGER OR WAS NOT WEARING MY SEATBELT, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS INJURY AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. PICTURES CAN BE FURNISHED TO DOCUMENT THE IMPACT AND DAMAGE TO THE 2011 KIA SORENTO LX AWD. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Jan 2, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DOWNHILL IN ICY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE HEADREST PREVENT WHIPLASH, AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND REQUIRED PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND STATEDT THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY OPERATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Air bags, Nov 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE OSC MAT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DAMAGED BY WATER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 9, 2011
I WAS IN A THREE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH I REAR ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE AT 40MPH. UPON LOOKING AT KIA'S OWN WEBSITE AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR THE 2011 KIA SORENTO, I CAN SEE THAT THE IMPACT TOOK PLACE ON THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY & THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT & FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO 'LOCK'. THIS RESULTED IN MY 92 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER HITTING THE DASH WITH HER FACE, AND I AS THE DRIVER, HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING A CONCUSSION & WHIPLASH. I AM STILL SUFFERING SEVERE PAIN THAT I HAVE TO BE MEDICATED FOR WITH NARCOTICS, AND SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS. MY GRANDMOTHER, LUCKILY ONLY SUSTAINED FACIAL BRUISING. *TR
Air bags, Apr 20, 2011
AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR IS ON WHEN FRONT PASSENGER (160 LB) IS SEATED ON A CUSHION. AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR IS OFF WHEN FRONT PASSENGER (160 LB) IS SEATED WITHOUT A CUSHION. *TR