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: electrical system
246 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2012
VEHICLE UNABLE TO START, EVEN WITH KEY IN 'HOLSTER' IN GLOVE BOX. VEHICLE BRAKE APPEARED TO BE PRESSED DOWN ALREADY AND NO REACTION WHEN START BUTTON WAS PUSHED. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER A 3 DAY PERIOD. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OVER TWO DAYS, THE VEHICLE STARTED. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHO DETECTED NOTHING AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SITUATION. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2012
CAR WILL NOT START WITH KEY OR REMOTELY CONTROL. AFTER CAR SITS FOR A TIME, SEVERAL HOURS OR DAYS, IT MAY START. CAR HAS SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND WILL NOT START ... HAD TO BE TOWED SEVERAL TIMES. SEEMS TO HAVE A COMPUTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTION THAT DEALER CANNOT REPAIR.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Mar 24, 2012
MY 2011 KIA SORENTO DOWNSHIFTS WHILE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. IT ALSO GETS STUCK AND WHILE THE RPMS ARE RACING, IT WILL NOT SHIFT UP. THE BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND AM ONLY ABLE TO MAKE A CALL 30% OF THE TIME. BACKUP CAMERAS AND SENSORS ARE INTERMITTENT. WINDOW WILL NOT WORK. BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF HINGES WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT. MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OVERHEATED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. CAUSING MY CAR TO FILL WITH SMOKE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. MANY ISSUES WITH THIS LEMON! SHIFTER WILL NOT GO FROM DRIVE INTO PARK LEAVING ME STRANDED IN MY CAR. VEHICLE HAS NO POWER....POOR ENGINE. PAINT AND CHROME OF HANDLES ARE COMING OFF. PULLS TO THE LEFT AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 16, 2012
1ST PROBLEM: I BOUGHT THE CAR, DROVE IT OFF THE LOT, DEALERSHIP DID NOT GET IT INSPECTED SO I HAD TO TAKE IT AT 10 MILES TO GET AN INSPECTION STICKER ON IT! 2ND PROBLEM: IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUYING THE CAR, I NOTICED ALL THE WINDOWS AND DOORS RATTLED. TOOK IT TO KIA IN KINGWOOD 5 TIMES AND THEY COULD NEVER HEAR THE SOUND AND/OR FIXED OTHER THINGS ON THE CAR THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE FIXED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. 3RD PROBLEM: ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, 3 VISITS LATER, I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, AT 13,000 MILES..SOMETHING WRONG WITH SENSOR THAT MEASURES FLUIDS?? 4TH PROBLEM: TAKING BACK AT 14,500 MILES ON MONDAY(3/18/12) TO GET DOORS CHECKED OUT NOW ELECTRONICS ARE MESSED UP AND LOUD NOISE EVERYTIME I LOCK OR ROLL DOWN WINDOWS. ALSO, CANT GET KEY TO TURN IN IGNITION ALOT!! WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 9, 2012
02/23/2011 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH. 10/14/2011 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. 11/14/2011 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION SHIFTER. 01/05/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, STARTED AFTER BATTERY JUMP. 01/29/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; CALLED FOR TOW; VEHICLE STARTED AFTER 40 MINUTES OF NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. 02/07/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; VEHICLE STARTED AFTER 30 MINUTES OF NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. 02/09/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; TOWED TO DEALER. SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THESE PUSH-BUTTON STARTERS! 5 TOWS WITHIN ONE YEAR PLUS OTHER NON-START TIMES?! KIA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 16, 2012
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON MONDAY JAN. 9TH GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY. THEN THE CAR LOST POWER I HAD TO PULL OVER IT WOULD NOT DRIVE, I WAS PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. ALSO THE TACH QUIT WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO CALLED AND SCHEDULED SERVICE WITH OUR LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. ON MY WAY HOME IT DONE THE SAME EXACT THING I HAD TO PULL OVER AGAIN, LUCKILY BOTH TIMES THERE WAS NOT A CAR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE PICKED IT UP ON SUNDAY THINKING EVERYTHING WAS FINE, WE MADE IT HOME AND WENT TO THE STORE. ON THE WAY BACK COMING ACROSS THE POMEROY MASON BRIDGE IT JERKED AGAIN VERY HARD AND WE HAD TO COME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC! WE CALLED TO SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THURSDAY JAN. 19. ON MY WAY TO WORK TODAY JAN. 16 IT DONE THE SAME EXACT THING! I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2012
KEYLESS IGNITION SWITCH WHICH IS ATTACHED TO BREAK HAS DEFECT. UNABLE TO START CAR, CALLED AAA WHO COULD NOT START. CALLED HOT LINE AND THEY SAID HAVE BEEN HAVING A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS. CALLED LOCAL DEALER WHO VERIFIED HAVIN A NUMBER OF FAILURES ON THIS AND NEED TO REPLACE. AGREED PROBABLY NEED TO SEND A BULLETIN TO OWNERS AND RECALL. THE SWITCH STICKS AND WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO START THE CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 29, 2011
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A SHOPPING PLAZA, GOING ABOUT 15MPH,THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSIST FUNCTIONS AND ELECTRICAL OPERATION. THE ELECTRICAL CAME BACK ON-LINE RIGHT AWAY, BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, 4 DAYS LATER. THE CAR WAS COASTING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN. *KB
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED THE FOLLOWING DAY AND TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD INADVERTENTLY SOUND. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,990.
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2011
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE "PUSH TO START" FAILING IN OCT. '10, THAT WAS FIXED. DEC. 12, 2011 AM I COULD NOT START MY CAR. THE PUSH TO START DID NOTHING. AFTER TRYING VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR 15 MIN I TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED WITH THE PUSH BUTTON AND BRAKE APPLIED. I CALLED KIA TO REPORT IT AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP CHECK IT OUT THAT MORNING, THEY FOUND NO ERROR CODES. I STARTED MANY MORE TIME WITH NO INCIDENT UNTIL THE NEXT PROBLEM. DEC. 14, 2011AM, AGAIN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I COULD HERE A SMALL "TIC" AS I PRESSED THE START BUTTON. I REMOVED MY PHONE AND EZ PASS FROM THE AREA AS SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER, NOTHING. I GOT A DIFFERENT FOB FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE, NOTHING. I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR, STANDING NEXT TO IT AND THE CAR STARTED BY ITSELF, NO ONE PRESSING THE BUTTON. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE IMPOSSIBLE AS YOU MUST PRESS THE BRAKE AND BUTTON FOR THE CAR TO START. NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT AND THE KEY WAS IN MY POCKET BY THE OPEN CAR DOOR. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 6, 2011
THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED IN THE DOWN POSITION. IT WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE FUSE WAS CHECKED AND APPEARS TO BE OK. ALL OTHER WINDOWS FUNCTION PROPERLY. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Sep 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX PANEL UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT DETACHED COMPLETELY, EXPOSING THE WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE FUSE BOX PANEL WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEFECT WAS A MANUFACTURING FLAW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2011
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE "PUSH BUTTON START" WOULD NOT START. ONCE, IT STARTED I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. BUT, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. TODAY AFTER SEVERAL HOURS IT STILL WILL NOT START. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED IN THE MORNING AND DEAL WITH THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. ALSO ON SEVERAL OCCASIONSI WAS UNABLE TO TAKE MY CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT IN PARK. I HAD TO PUT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2011
BOUGHT NEW 2011 KIA SORENTO IN FEBRUARY AND HAVE 11,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE PUSH TO START TAKING A BIT TO START. IT SEEMS AS IF SOMETIMES IT IS NOT GOING TO START. TOOK IT IN AT 8000 MILES AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BRAKE SENSOR AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. JUST GOT THAT FIXED WITH 11,000 MILES ON IT. TOOK KIA IN THIS WEEK FOR A NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEEL BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF. PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. SAID KIA WAS WORKING TO RESOLVE ISSUE WITH BRAKE PAD BUT THAT IT WAS SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND THAT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. NOT TO HAPPY ABOUT MY SERVICE NOT GETTING TAKING CARE OF WHEN I TAKE IT IN. APPARENTLY THEY NEED TO JUST REPLACE OUR CARS IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I DON'T APPRECIATE BUYING A $27,000 CAR AND BEING TOLD THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY NEW KIA ALREADY HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND ONLY 11,000 MILES ON IT. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 14, 2011
WE PURCHASED/LEASED A NEW 2011 SORENTO V6 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STARTED EXPERIENCING THE OCCASIONAL HESITATION PROBLEM WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. ON A COUPLE OCCASIONS IT PUT US IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WE WERE CROSSING 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COURTESY KIA IN BRANDON FL. 4 TIMES, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY THEY GOT US A 2012 NEAR IDENTICAL SORENTO V6, AND ON THE 3RD DAY HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE W/50 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE NOW HAVE 500+ ON IT AND HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 7 SIMILAR SITUATIONS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS I'M THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS AND THAT THEY AREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH I TALKED W/A CUSTOMER OF THEIRS W/A 2011 SORENTO AND HE SAID HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES W/THEIRS. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS SITUATION, BUT OTHER THAN THAT WE LIKE THE VEHICLE & GET LOTS OF COMPLIMENTS ON IT, BUT I AM ALSO LETTING OTHERS KNOW OF OUR EXPERIENCES. ITS OUR FIRST VENTURE FROM GM, AND IT WILL LIKELY BE OUR LAST. ADDITIONALLY, THE 2011 WAS GETTING THE ADVERTISED FUEL MILEAGE, THE 2012 HAS NOT GOTTEN ANY BETTER THAN 17.5 ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN. WHEN WE TURNED IN THE 2011 THEY CHARGED ME $2,500 (MONEY THAT WE WERE TO GET BACK FROM KIA IN THE DEAL) WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY OUT OF LINE. I ADMIT WE PUT 5,000 MILES ON IT BUT $.50 PER MILE IS A BIT MUCH, PLUS I HAD ADDED HEAT & LUMBAR IN THE SEATS AND TINTED WINDOWS. THIS IS TRULY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY DISAPPOINTING. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER WHAT KIA & THE DEALERSHIPS WILL DO WHEN SOME IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN'T FIND OR EVEN ADMIT IS HAPPENING.!? JJ (NOTE: THE VIN PROVIDED IS FOR THE 2012 KIA SORENTO). *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 9, 2011
WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE DOWN-SHIFTED HARD AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND P0748- PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID "A" ELECTRICAL FAULT. THEY PERFORMED A REPROGRAM OF TSM PER TSB# TRA038. DROVE OFF LOT AND IT SHIFTED HARD THREE TIMES ON WAY HOME. DEALER SAID IT WOULD TAKE 100 MILES FOR THE COMPUTER TO RE-LEARN MY DRIVING FOR BEST FUEL MILEAGE. DROVE TO WORK (SHIFTED HARD 5 TIMES) AND DROVE TO RUN ERRANDS. WHILE ON ERRANDS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN HARD AND ENGINE SPUTTERED WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THEN, WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE AND PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE RPM/ TACH WENT UP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO. AFTER STEPPING BACK ON THE BRAKE AND WAITING 2-3 SECONDS I TRIED TO MOVE AGAIN AND IT DID. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER DIRECTLY AND WHILE STOPPING TO TURN INTO DEALER IT SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE SPUTTERED AND IT AGAIN WOULD NOT MOVE ( ONLY ENGINE RPM'S TURNED UP). IT DID FINALLY MOVE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT. NOW THE MANUFACTURER IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE TO THEIR ADMISSION THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NEARLY STRANDED ON A FIVE LANE 35 MPH ROAD COULD BE PHYSICALLY DANGEROUS BUT A HIGHWAY COULD BE FATAL. AN EVASIVE MANEUVER WITH THIS VEHICLE, REQUIRING STOPPING AND STARTING QUICKLY IS NOT AN OPTION IF YOU CAN'T DRIVE DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS STOPPING AND STARTING.
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN SUNNY WEATHER, THE CONTACT STATED HE AS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER DUE TO THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTING OFF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THERE WAS SUNNY WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A LOUD, UNUSUAL CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS NOT COMPLETING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST BEFORE THE STARTER WOULD ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. THE CURRENT IS 6,983 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 725. THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE SEEMS TO COME FROM THE COMPUTER AND THE DRIVE TRAIN. UPDATED 091/16/10 UPDATED 09/15/10. *LJ
Electrical system, May 12, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING IN VERY SUNNY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE SUN WOULD REFLECT OFF OF THE CHROME AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND BLIND THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A REPAIR DID NOT EXIST FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH DUE TO HIS VISION BEING OBSTRUCTED BY THE BLINDING CHROME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ
Electrical system, Apr 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PUSH BUTTON START/SMART KEY. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER SHIFTED INTO PARK BUT DUE TO THE PUSH BUTTON/SMART KEYS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE TO USE THE SMART KEY AND SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO BEHAVE THAT WAY AND THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER TYPE OF KEY AVAILABLE AS AN ALTERNATIVE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 5, 2010
TOOK POSSESSION OF 2011 KIA SORRENTO ON 2-18-2010. SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAVE BEEN 14 INSTANCES WHEN THE CAR HESITATED ALMOST DYING OUT AND THEN SURGING FORWARD. AT ONE TIME IT DIED COMPLETELY OUT AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED WHILE BEING IN THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TWICE IT HESITATED AND SURGED AHEAD 4 - 5 CONSECUTIVE TIMES BEFORE SETTLING DOWN, ONCE WHILE CROSSING OVER A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY CLAIM WE DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. UPDATED 03/16/10 *BF *TR UPDATED IVOQ 07/16/10*JB