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: engine
316 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jan 13, 2018
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON VEHICLE ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHILE IN MOTION. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD TOWED TO AUTO SHOP. AUTO SHOP SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY CAUSE OF SEIZURE. SHOP SAID OIL WAS FULL AND RECENTLY CHANGED. OWNER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA DEALER WHO ALSO CITED ENGINE SEIZURE. KIA DEALER SAID OWNER WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE EXACT CAUSE. ENGINE SEIZURE MATCHED ENGINE SEIZURE ISSUE IN RECALLED 2012-2014 SORENTO VEHICLES. OWNER ASKED DEALER ABOUT REPAIRS UNDER SIMILAR RECALL/ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING DEALER COULD DO.
Engine, Jan 1, 2018
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE, NO NOISES, NO UNUSUAL ISSUES. WENT TO START IN THE MORNING AND RAN FINE. WENT TO MY DESTINATION. WHEN I CAME OUT 2-HOURS LATER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 108,000 MILES
Engine, Oct 16, 2017
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORRENTO AND HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH IT STALLING WHEN I STOP AT RED LIGHTS . I START TO TAKE OFF AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO I PUSH ON THE GAS AND IT JUMPS AND FINALLY GOES. *BF UPDATED 10/16/2017*JS
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 27, 2017
WHEN DRIVING AT STABLE SPEED THE VEHICLE OFTEN "FEELS" AS IF THE GAS IS NOT GETTING TO THE MOTOR. THE SPEED OF THE CAR VARIES, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR ALSO SHOWS LOW TIRE LIGHT, ALONG WITH ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AT RANDOM TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL APPEAR WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES.
Engine, Aug 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF ALLIANCE (LOCATED AT 2010 W STATE ST ALLIANCE, OH 44601), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: K3452308. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Engine, Aug 2, 2017
BEGINNING MARCH OF 2016, LOUD BANGING AND CLANKING WHEN STARTING ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH BEARING PROBLEM WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY SO NO COVERAGE FOR AN ESTIMATED 6,000.00 REPAIR. WHEN MENTION OF RECALL CAME OUT I WAS RELIEVED AS I AM STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERS 2012 OR NEWER MODELS. THE 2011'S HAVE MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES AS WELL AND NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL
Engine, Jun 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,045.
Power train, Engine, Jun 17, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE ABOVE 35 MPH UPON SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR DOWNSHIFTING THE CAR JOLTS A LOUD BANG/POP IS HEARD THE CAR LUNGES YOU FORWARD IT'S QUITE VIOLENT I'VE TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER 10 TIMES AND THEY JUST SAY THEY NOTICE THE POPPING BUT NOTHING IS WRONG THEY ALSO SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE TO TEST THE UNBELIEVABLY HARD DOWN SHIFT . I WATCHED THEM THEIR TEST DRIVE WAS FROM THE FRONT OF THE PARKING LOT TO THE REAR . THEY NEVER WENT ABOVE 25 MPH SO THEY NEVER TESTED THE DOWN SHIFT IT'S HAPPENED FOR A VERY LONG TIME NOW AND THEY JUST KEEP DENYING IT I ALSO HAD THE TOP END OF THE MOTOR GO OUT AT 5000 MILES AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE JUST AVOIDING IT BEING A LEMON.
Electrical system, Engine, May 24, 2017, fire
AFTER DRIVING 8 MILES TO MY DESTINATION I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT, CALLED 911, AND BEGAN TO SEE FLAMES. THE POLICE ARRIVED IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BUT BY THEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND BY THE TIME THE FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NEVER A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE ANYTHING WAS WRONG. WE ALWAYS TAKE IT IN FOR ALL ITS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND CHECKUPS WITH THE KIA DEALER. IT WAS JUST INTO THE DEALER 2 WEEKS AGO.
Engine, May 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A METAL BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: K3454763. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Engine, Apr 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,752. CONSUMER STATED NEW ENGINE INSTALLED 4/18/17, ALSO , THE AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT. UPDATED 9/27/18*JB
Engine, Apr 12, 2017
THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BE HARD TO START LEAVING WORK FOR HOME. THEN THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS HARD TO START AND WOULD ALMOST STALL AT IDLE. AFTER PARKING AT WORK I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AND DRIVE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS, IT WOULD NOT KEEP RUNNING MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS. THE ENGINE HAS SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS LIKELY THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BEARINGS FAILED, OR POSSIBLY THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Engine, Apr 10, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS LOW ON OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARING WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED AN OIL LEAK. THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPIAGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Engine, Mar 21, 2017
ON FEBRUARY 27, 2017, MY 2011 KIA SORENTO'S ENGINE DIED. I HAD ONLY ONE WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THAT WAS A LACK OF POWER. I WAS GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL AND I HAD TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN 20MPH UP IT. I WENT OUT AT 830PM THAT NIGHT TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC AND MY SORENTO WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO GORRING AUTOMOTIVE AT 1030PM. ON MARCH 1, 2017, MR. GORRING CALLED AND TOLD ME I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I CONTACTED CENTURY 3 KIA AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER DAN. HE STATED THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I ALSO CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER NUMBER AND SPOKE TO ERIC. ERIC TOLD ME THE SAME INFORMATION AND I STATED I DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AGAIN. I HAD MY SORENTO TOWED TO CENTURY 3 KIA ON MARCH 1, 2017. DAN STATED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LIST. ON MARCH 3, 2017, DAN FROM CENTURY 3 KIA CALLED ME AND SAID THAT I DID NEED A NEW ENGINE. CHARLES FROM KIA'S CONSUMER NUMBER AND DAN FROM CENTURY 3 KIA BOTH STATED THAT IF I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE AT NO COST TO ME BUT SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE SORENTO, IT WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I INQUIRED AT THE COST OF LABOR AND WAS TOLD 15 HOURS AT $108 AN HOUR. I HAVE LOOKED AROUND AND FOUND THAT MOST ENGINES WITH ROUGHLY THE SAME MILEAGE AS MINE ARE AROUND $2,500. THE TOTAL COST WILL ROUGHLY BE BETWEEN $4,500 AND $6,500 TOTAL WITH ALL THE FLUIDS AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO RETURN MY SORENTO TO A FUNCTIONAL STATE. I PURCHASED THE SORENTO WITH 53,857 MILES ON IT AND HAD IT FOR ONE YEAR. I PUT 12,000 MILE ON IT ROUGHLY. MY SORENTO HAD ROUGHLY 65,500 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.4L ENGINES. IF THIS IS TRUE, WHY HAS KIA NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Engine, Jan 2, 2017
THE CAR WAS NOT ALWAYS RESPONDING TO ME WHEN I WANTED TO ACCELERATE, I WOULD HEAR THE RPMS GOING UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER, THEN A PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE WOULD COME OUT THE TAIL PIPE. THEN ONE DAY, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTED MAKING A CLANKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD PUSH THE GAS PEDAL. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE NOISE A ROLLER COASTER MAKES WHEN YOU ARE CLANKING UP THE HILL AT THE BEGINNING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK THE ENGINE APART TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS AN ENGINE DEFECT THAT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A KIA DEALER AS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. NOW THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND KIA IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THESE ENGINES. THEY ARE BUILT BY HYUNDAI AND THEY RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINES. *TR
Engine, Oct 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Engine, Sep 20, 2016
2011 SORENTO SHIFT REALLY HARD, SOMETIMES I HAVE TO FORCE IT TO SHIFT BY LOWERING SPEED, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WANT TO SHIFT AT ALL AND THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND WANTS TO STOP ON ME AS I AM DRIVING. SOMETIMES AT A LIGHT IT DOES DIE, BUT THEN START BACK UP. ONE TIME IT WOULD NOT GO EVEN WITH PUSHING THE GAS ALL THE WAY DOWN.
Engine, Jul 21, 2016
ENGINE WAS MAKING A CYCLICAL CLICKING/KNOCKING NOISE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE, WE WERE INFORMED THE ENGINE HAD A CONNECTING ROD FAILURE. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THE HYUNDAI SONATA HAS WITH THE EXACT SAME THETA 2.4 LITER ENGINE. HYUNDAI HAS ISSUES A RECALL BUT KIA FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Engine, Jun 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE RPM'S WENT TO ZERO. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Engine, May 12, 2016
AT 68,000 MILES THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR (PART #94750-37100) FAILED AND CAUSED A SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL. IN THE HALF MILE IT TOOK US TO SAFELY PULL OVER THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ACTIVATED AND THE DIP STICK READ BONE DRY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA'S, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO REPLACE THE PART WITH A BETTER ENGINEERED VERSION. HAD WE NOT BEEN ALERT / AWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON THE ENGINE COULD HAVE SEIZED AND ALL POWER COULD HAVE BEEN LOST WHILE IN MOTION.
Power train, Engine, Apr 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR IN GEAR, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUILD UP OF SLUDGE NEAR THE AXLE AND IT WAS UNCERTAIN WHAT TYPE OF FLUID MAY HAVE BEEN RELEASING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 16, 2016
ON 1-31-16 HEARD A PINGING NOISE ON THE HIGHWAY; THEN THE CAR STALLED AT THE EXIT LIGHT; STARTED IT AGAIN AND LOUD BANG BLOW A ROD AFTER GETTING BACK ON THE HIGHWAY TO DRIVE IT TO A SHOP. DIED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO KIA IN AUBURN WA. KIA STATED THEY WILL NOT FIX UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE WRONG OIL FILTER WAS INSTALLED AND I DIDN'T PROVIDE PROPER MAINTENANCE; WHICH I TOOK IT IN EACH AND EVERY TIME FOR OIL CHANGES TO MY AUTO SHOP. SAME OIL FILTER HAS BEEN PUT INTO MY CAR SINCE 2011. WENT BACK TO MY AUTO SHOP INFORMED THEM THEY STARTED THE PROCESS OF SENDING THE OIL FILTER IN TO BE CHECKED FOR DEFECTS, ALSO FOUND ON 3 DIFFERENT WEB SITES THE FILTER CAN BE USED FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL. NOW KIA WANT FIX MY CAR; IT HAS BEEN 3 WEEKS WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND NO WORD FROM KIA; NOT EVEN FROM THEIR HEADQUARTERS. KIA WILL NOT PROVIDE THE WORK ORDER STATING THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE TO THIRD PARTY.
Engine, Jan 9, 2016
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A ISSUE WITH OIL CONTROL VALVES AND CVVT CONTINUOUS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING. SEEMS LIKE A KNOWN ISSUE OF KIA, I WOULD THINK KIA WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY OR OFFER SOME SORT OF CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR THE $4800 REPAIR PEORIA KIA QUOTED FOR THE JOB. 3 KIA OWNER..NOT ANY MORE!!
Engine, Oct 16, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT A CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY MOVED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,614. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN; UPDATED 04/20/18*JB *CN