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, May 23, 2014
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 2011 SORENTO NOT STARTING AT ALL OR ONLY STARTING WITH THE FOB IN THE CHARGER SINCE DECEMBER 2013. MORE RECENTLY I HAVE HAD ISSUES WHERE THE VEHICLE WON'T LOCK OR IT LOCKS AND THEN WON'T UNLOCK UNTIL I AM ABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH MANUALLY AND THEN THE FOB WILL UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. YESTERDAY I WAS AT A GAS STATION AND MY FUEL DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN (NO CLICKING SOUND OR ANYTHING) UNTIL I STARTED THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB IN THE CHARGER AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE FUEL DOOR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WON'T START WITH THE FOB IN THE CHARGER, I HAVE EITHER HAD TO USE THE "UNOFFICIAL" START METHOD WITH MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND HOLDING IN THE START BUTTON FOR 15 SECONDS OR IF THAT DOESN'T WORK I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START THE BATTERY. MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CAR BATTERY BUT I REALLY DON'T FEEL THAT IS THE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME DAYS THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. I AM SCARED THAT AT SOME POINT I WILL BE LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN INSIDE OR THAT I WILL BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. AT THIS POINT I HAVE ONLY ONE WORKING FOB - I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THAT ONE OF THE FOBS WASN'T WORKING BUT THEY TOLD ME (AFTER WORKING ON ALL OF THE RECALLS FOR 7+ HOURS) THAT THE FOB WAS FINE. SO, I DON'T EVEN HAVE A BACKUP KEY. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 25, 2014
OCCASIONALLY AND MORE THAN ONCE, THE REMOTE KEY FOB WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR AND WHEN IT DOES WILL NOT START THE CAR. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE FOB HOLDER IN THE CONSOLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. IT HAS HAPPENED NOW MORE THAN 5 TIMES TO MY FAMILY AND I. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Mar 18, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTY ROAD, LOUD CLICKING NOISE CAME FROM DASHBOARD, SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF, AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHED OFF ALL AT THE SAME TIME. HEADLIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR 1-2 SECONDS, CAME BACK ON, AND WENT OFF AGAIN, AND ON AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND ALSO A FEW TIMES DURING THE DAYTIME (I HEAR THE CLICKING AND SEE THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT). MECHANICS AT KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE" AND MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TWICE AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND MAKES ME AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT! *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 18, 2014
PUSH BUTTON START NOT STARTING VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON UPON DEPRESS OF BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE ONLY STARTS AFTER HOLDING BUTTON 10-15 SECONDS.
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2013
THE SEAT BELT LIGHTS WILL FLASH AND THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND IN THE LEFT SIDE B-PILLAR GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH ALL THE PASSENGERS BUCKLED IN. THE HEADLAMPS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF AFTER DARK AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT LIGHT EVEN IF THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALER IN CHATTANOOGA TN. AND THEY SAID IF THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ACTION THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I CALLED KIA CORP. AND THEY ALSO STATE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES IF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS FLASHING THEN THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Nov 18, 2013
WHILE BRAKING TO SLOW FOR A STOP SIGN, MY 2011 SORENTO TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. WE MOVED CROSS COUNTRY DAY AFTER THE DEALERSHIP RELEASED THE CAR. IN OUR NEW STATE, THE SORENTO SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES, IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. IN TRAFFIC, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, PARKING LOTS, ETC. THE CAR IS ALWAYS MOVING WHEN IT SHUTS OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NO ISSUES. I HAVE NOW, SINCE JANUARY 2013, TAKEN THE SORENTO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. I AM TAKING IT IN TODAY FOR THE FIFTH TIME, AFTER THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF TWICE THIS PAST WEEKEND. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. I HAVE HAD A CASE OPEN WITH KIA, BUT THEY CLOSED IT AFTER THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ON THREE OCCASIONS, I CAME QUITE CLOSE TO HITTING PEOPLE WHILE TURNING IN PARKING LOTS, BECAUSE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOES OUT WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF. THIS MORNING, THE CAR SHUT OFF IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT DURING DROP OFF, WITH KIDS WALKING THROUGH THE LOT. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 17, 2013
KIA SORENTO INFREQUENT AND UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF POWER DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION. DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS, WHICH HAVE INCLUDED MODERATE UPHILL CLIMBS, HIGHWAY DRIVING AND CITY UNDER 50MPH AND AT MODERATE ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER, FAIL TO UPSHIFT WHEN NEEDED, OR SHOW NO SIGNS OF POWER, FOLLOWED BY ERRATIC SHIFTING AND A LOUD CLUNK. AT OTHER TIMES ON HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE CAR WILL, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, DOWNSHIFT ON FLAT SECTIONS WHEN SPEEDS ARE BETWEEN 45-65MPH. MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER: 1/8/13, 95,035 MILES- DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE, INHIBITOR SWITCH BRACKET INSTALLED, DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE 7/26/13, 106,574 MILES-ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND ABS LIGHT COME ON, SIMILAR TO STOP LAMP SWITCH, DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE, DID SEE ERROR CODES BUT DID NOT PROVIDE THEM TO CUSTOMER, RESET THE COMPUTER. NOT RESOLVED. 10/3/13, 107,842-TRANSMISSION STILL JERKING, DEALER TRIED REPLACING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. TOOK TO ALTERNATIVE DEALER-ROAD TEST WITH CUSTOMER-ADVISED THE PROBLEM WILL NEED TO BECOME WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT TO DIAGNOSE. THIS IS LEADING TO UNSAFE CONDITIONS DUE TO UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 13, 2013
WILL INTERMITTENT TURN ON DURING DRIVING AND STAY ON. IF YOU STOP AND TURN OFF CAR AND THEN RESTART MAY OR MAY NOT RETURN ON. CAR AS A BIT OF A SHAKE TO IT SOME TIMES. HAD CRUISE CONTROL NOT TURN ON. ELECTRICAL SEEMS WACKY IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO HAD IT BEEN STUCK IN PARK OR TIMES COULD NOT MOVE THE SHIFTER TO PARK OR REVERSE. SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED. ALL THESE ISSUES HAPPEN INTERMITTENT AND NEVER WHEN NEAR THE KIA DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE 90% OF THE TIME HAS BEEN WONDERFUL, HOWEVER THERE ARE ISSUES THAT NEED INVESTIGATED AND CORRECTED FOR EXAMPLE ALL THE ABOVE I HAVE LISTED. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 20, 2013
I WAS AT CAR WASH TO WASH CAR TURNED OFF CAR. COULD NOT GET IT TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH PUSH BUTTON START. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. REPLACED BRAKELIGHT SWITCH.. STILL HAVING ISSUES TO THIS DAY WITH INTERMITTENT NO START.. JULY 3 BRAKELIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN SECOND TIME NOW ALONG WITH 11 CAMPAIGN ISSUES WITH CAR. STILL HAVING NO START ISSUES REPLACED SAME PART AGAIN! ON AUGUST 8TH 2013. STILL HAPPENING OFF AND ON . WAS TRYING TO DEAL WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS THEY ARE NO HELP. GOT TOLD IT HAD TO NOT START AGAIN AND NEED TO BE TOWED IN TO DEALER BEFORE THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING. THIS IS VERY UNFAIR. ENOUGH ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FIX AND SEEING OTHER OWNERS HAVING SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2013
KEYLESS START WOULD NOT WORK. NOW THIS HAS BECOME A REGULAR PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Sep 14, 2013
PROBLEMS WITH REMOTE KEY FOB,WONT LOCK VIA REMOTE KEY FOB.VEHCILE WON'T LOCK VIA KEY. VEHICLE WON'T START VIA KEYLESS PUSH BUTTON START WITHOUT KEY FOB IN THE CONSOLE RECEPTACLE. WITH VEHICLE RUNNING,IF KEY IS REMOVED-VEHICLE REMAINS RUNNING AND WON'T SOUND BELL OR SHUTOFF ENGINE SAME PROBLEM IN SUMMER/2012 DEALER REPLACED BATTERY THEN,WITH 22,500 MILES ON VEHICLE. AT DEALERSHIP NOW 9/14/13 WAITING FOR FIX WITH 35,500 MILES ON KIA SORENTO. DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS ALSO SOME KIND OF ECM REFLASH THAT IS DUE FOR MY VEHICLE,NOW. STILL WAITING 2HRS NOW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 14, 2013
AIR CONDITIONING NOT COOLING PROPERLY.DRAIN AND RECHARGE SYSTEM BY DEALERSHIP,STILL NOT COOLING PROPERLY.DEALER ORDERED A NEW COMPRESSOR.DEALER INSTALLED NEW COMPRESSOR AND RECHARGE SYSTEM. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2013
KEYLESS ENTRY NOT WORKING,ROUGH STARTING-BATTERY REPLACED BY DEALER. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE HOWEVER, THE SHIFTER COULD NOT BE MOVED FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO WOULD SPORADICALLY POWER ON INDEPENDENTLY AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 3, 2013
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE TO GAS PEDAL INPUT, BUT BRAKES SILL WORKED. HILL ASST AND ETC LIGHTS LIT UP ON DASH, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST NEUTRAL. TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK. CAR STARTED NORMALLY AFTER BEING SHUT OFF. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 27, 2013
I CAME TO A STOP, SUDDENLY THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TURNED THE KEY A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT NOTHING HAPPENED, I TURNED OFF THE RADIO AND THEN TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED AND I DROVE IT HOME. TWO DAYS LATER THE SORENTO WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP. POSSIBLE REASON GIVEN ON THE WORKORDER FOR THE STALLING/SHUTTING DOWN WAS THAT THE GAS TANK HAD BEEN OVERFILLED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE SOLVED BY THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL, SERVICE BULLETIN 13V114000. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM RECEIVES A SIGNAL FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH FOR THE STARTING PROCESS AND, IF THE SIGNAL IS NOT RECEIVED, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH, HE STATED THAT IT COULD INTERRUPT THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE BY SENDING AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM, ACTIVATING THE "NO START" PROCESS. EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT. HE FURTHER STATED THIS RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SIGNAL SWITCH SHOULD CURE THAT PROBLEM. AFTER RUNNING A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE REP SAID THERE WERE NO STORED CODES IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MEMORY INDICATING A FAULT. SINCE SHUTTING THE MOTOR OFF DUE TO AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED IS NOT A SET FAULT CODE, THIS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RECORDED. ALSO, THE REP STATED THAT IF A FAULT HAD OCCURRED, IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE LONG ENOUGH TO RECORD A FAULT CODE. THOUGH HE DID GIVE THESE ANSWERS VERBALLY, THEY WERE NOT SPECIFICALLY INDICATED ON THE SERVICE INVOICE, AND THIS CONNECTION WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. IS THIS KIAS OFFICIAL POSITION THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL FIXES THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN? *TR
Electrical system, May 19, 2013
CAR WOULDN'T START WHEN I PUSHED IT TO START, THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED. ON 1/4/2012 DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE CAR DID RESTART BUT SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. RESTARTED AND HAD IT TOWED TO KIA. THEY HAD THE CAR UNTIL 1/9/12. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUSE BLOCK. THEY REPLACED EMS BLOCK CONTROL HARNESS. ON JANUARY 30,2012, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO KIA. THEY KEPT THE CAR AND ON 2/1/12 AND 2/2/12 THE CAR DIDN'T START FOR THEM. I WAS TOLD THEY MOVED AROUND THE COMPUTER AND THEN THE CAR STARTED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESSURE THAT TIME. THEY REPLACED PCM. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA GARAGE ON 4/26/13 FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THAT DAY GOT THE CAR BACK AND HAD OIL LEAKING ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. TOOK THE CAR BACK 2 TIMES FOR OIL LEAK. DURING THE TIME IT WAS IN THE GARAGE I WAS TOLD THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED, AFTER BEING REPLACED I WAS TOLD THERE WAS TO MUCH VOLTAGE GOING TO THE SENSOR AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY. CURRENTLY I AM TOLD THE CARS COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE CAR BACK. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 8, 2013
I WAS DRIVING 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN MY CAR STALLED OUT. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE MAIN FUSE PANEL AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID ONE SHORTED THE OTHER OUT AND THAT IT WAS A FLUKE. ON 4/7/2013, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AGAIN, CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. NOBODY, CAN TELL ME WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND I AM REALLY NERVOUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN.. IF THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. KIA IS SAYING THEY HAVEN'T HEARD THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER VEHICLES, HOWEVER, AFTER COMING TO THIS SITE, IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING WITH REGULARITY. HELP. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?? *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE PUSH START IGNITION FAILED TO OPERATE ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES FOR BOTH DEFECTS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 04/02/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SING, TURNING TO SLOW DOWN, OR DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A PARKING LOT.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 24, 2012
PUT KEY IN IGNITION, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON AS NORMAL, RADIO CAME ON AS NORMAL, ENGINE DID NOTHING, MADE NO SOUND WHATSOEVER. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CRANK VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED. AFTER THE 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENING I TOOK IT TO ALL STAR KIA OF BATON ROUGE (THE ONLY KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES ON A GOOD DAY FROM MY HOME). VEHICLE WAS THERE ONLY 30 MINUTES WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY BATTERY, WHICH I KNEW WAS INCORRECT BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS A DEAD BATTERY WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED MY RADIO AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO COME ON, BUT I ALLOWED THE TO GIVE ME A NEW BATTERY WITHOUT QUESTION. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AND QUITE FRANKLY AM TIRED OF WASTING MY TIME AND GAS MONEY ON THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUSE BLOCK, SAID ALL KINDS OF OTHER GARBAGE THAT DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO THE AVERAGE INTELLIGENT PERSON. DID NOT HAVE THE CAR BACK 2 DAYS AND THE SAME THING, WONT START. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL HAVE IT TOWED MONDAY AGAIN. DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE FIXED, THE MECHANICS AT THIS DEALERSHIP DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT VEHICLES OR WHAT MAKES THEM CRANK, RUN, AND GO. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, CAUSING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO GO BLACK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE GLOW PLUG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AN ENGINEER WAS REQUESTED TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD A SPONGY FEEL TO IT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V599000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Nov 2, 2012
THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE, BUT GIVEN THE ISSUE SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT..... DRIVING UP HILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT 50 MPH. MY VEHICLE LOST POWER ( AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE ) MY BODY WENT FORWARD AND WAS STOPPED BY THE SEATBELT. MY HEAD WHIPPED DOWNWARD. THEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. MY HEAD AND BODY SLAPPED BACK INTO THE SEAT. IT WAS SO ABRUPT AND VIOLENTLY. IT WILL SCARE YOU TO DEATH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR TO COUNT. I HAVE TRIED TO DOCUMENT THE EVENTS IN A JOURNAL BECAUSE THE DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT ONLY ONCE. SOME DAYS IT CAN HAPPEN UP TO 3 TIMES A DAY FOR WEEKS ON END. SOME TIMES I CAN DUPLICATE IT DRIVING UP HILL AND SOMETIMES NOTHING. THE WORST TIMES ARE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND ME. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL HURT ANOTHER MOTORIST OR A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. A TERM CALLED " LIMP MODE " HAS BEEN SAID TO ME. WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A HI GEAR TO PROTECT IT FROM DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE STILL DOES THIS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 14 TIMES. THE TRANNY WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO AND A BACKFIRE CODE WAS FOUND RECENTLY. A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DIDN'T HELP WAS THE LAST THING DONE IN OVER A YEAR, UNLESS YOU COUNT PAYING FOR RENTAL VEHICLES DOING SOMETHING. THERE IS ALSO A SUSPENSION/STEERING ISSUE. A HARD PULLING LEFT/RIGHT AND BUMP STEER. THE VEHICLE WILL PULL THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HAND IN TURNS AND VEERS AS IT HITS BUMPS. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2012
THIS CAR SOMETIMES AFTER THE KEY IS INSERT IN THE IGNITION AND TURN WITH THE INTENTION OF OF STARTING THE CAR IT DOES NOT START. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD COME ON BUT IT DOES NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL TRAYS BY STEPING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL TURN THE WHEEL AND MOVE THE SPEED SHIFT IT STARTS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 1, 2012
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. THEN WHEN STOPPED, CAR WILL NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO PARK. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK IMMEDIATELY WHEN PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AFTER STARTED AND STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED. LOCATED SWITCH AT THE UPPER PART OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHILE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, WITH PARKING BRAKE ON, WAS ABLE TO BUMP THE SWITCH BOX AND THEN SHIFT CAR INTO PARK. *TR