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, Jul 20, 2015
ON 06/15/2015, DROVE MY CAR TO THE BARN, THEN IT WILL NOT START. I THOUGHT IT'S BATTERY PROBLEM. BATTERY IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD. SO I CHARGED THE BATTERY. DIDN'T WORK. SO I JUMPED IT, IT HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY FOR IT. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER, GOT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS.TOOK IT TO KIA SERVICE. THEY SAID OIL RING HAS SLOW LEAK. DEALER CHANGED O RING, AND THEN SEVERAL DAYS, IT HAD ISSUES STARTING. THE DEALER KEPT MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO LISTEN AND FIX THE KNOCKING NOISE. FINALLY ON FRIDAY 06/27/15, IT WON'T START AT ALL. IT HAS THIS GRINDING, HARD START. I CALLED THE # 800-333-4542. SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY HAD MY CAR TOWED FOR FREE, AND DEALER GAVE ME A LOANER CAR. I CALLED KIA AT # 678-385-8540 AND ASK WHAT'S GOING ON AS THE DEALER SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR KIA SUPPORT TEAM APPROVAL TO TEST THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO WEEKS, KIA CALLED AND TOLD DEALER TO TEST ENGINE. IT HAS ISSUES WITH LOW COMPRESSION ON 2 CHAMBERS AND FINALLY THE DECISION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ON 7/11/2015, DEALER SUBMITTED AN ORDER TO HAVE KIA SHIP ENGINE. I WAS TOLD, NEXT WEEK, I SHOULD HEAR FROM THEM. NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED THE 678 # AGAIN, AND WAS TOLD BY MS. KUSHELL THAT SHE'S CONTACTING THE REGIONAL MANAGER TO GIVE PRIORITIES TO MY CASE.THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BETWEEN 7/20 TO 7/25. THIS MORNING, 7/17/15, I GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER THAT THE ETA FOR ENGINE ARRIVAL WILL BE 7/31/2015, AS THERE ARE NO ENGINES ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. TO DATE (7/17/2015), THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE KIA DEALER SERVICE FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW. I HAVE PENDING TRIPS THAT I KEPT POSTPONING TO ACCOMMODATE THE ISSUES. BUT THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND, AS I AM GETTING THE ROUND AROUND TALKS. MS. KUSHELL SAID, THEY CAN SHIP MY CAR TO THE PLACE I'M GOING, BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, WALK THE 1500MILES?
Engine, Jul 20, 2015
ON 06/15/2015, DROVE MY CAR TO THE BARN, THEN IT WILL NOT START. I THOUGHT IT'S BATTERY PROBLEM. BATTERY IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD. SO I CHARGED THE BATTERY. DIDN'T WORK. SO I JUMPED IT, IT HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY FOR IT. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER, GOT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS.TOOK IT TO KIA SERVICE. THEY SAID OIL RING HAS SLOW LEAK. DEALER CHANGED O RING, AND THEN SEVERAL DAYS, IT HAD ISSUES STARTING. THE DEALER KEPT MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO LISTEN AND FIX THE KNOCKING NOISE. FINALLY ON FRIDAY 06/27/15, IT WON'T START AT ALL. IT HAS THIS GRINDING, HARD START. I CALLED THE # 800-333-4542. SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY HAD MY CAR TOWED FOR FREE, AND DEALER GAVE ME A LOANER CAR. I CALLED KIA AT # 678-385-8540 AND ASK WHAT'S GOING ON AS THE DEALER SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR KIA SUPPORT TEAM APPROVAL TO TEST THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO WEEKS, KIA CALLED AND TOLD DEALER TO TEST ENGINE. IT HAS ISSUES WITH LOW COMPRESSION ON 2 CHAMBERS AND FINALLY THE DECISION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ON 7/11/2015, DEALER SUBMITTED AN ORDER TO HAVE KIA SHIP ENGINE. I WAS TOLD, NEXT WEEK, I SHOULD HEAR FROM THEM. NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED THE 678 # AGAIN, AND WAS TOLD BY MS. KUSHELL THAT SHE'S CONTACTING THE REGIONAL MANAGER TO GIVE PRIORITIES TO MY CASE.THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BETWEEN 7/20 TO 7/25. THIS MORNING, 7/17/15, I GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER THAT THE ETA FOR ENGINE ARRIVAL WILL BE 7/31/2015, AS THERE ARE NO ENGINES ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. TO DATE (7/17/2015), THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE KIA DEALER SERVICE FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW. I HAVE PENDING TRIPS THAT I KEPT POSTPONING TO ACCOMMODATE THE ISSUES. BUT THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND, AS I AM GETTING THE ROUND AROUND TALKS. MS. KUSHELL SAID, THEY CAN SHIP MY CAR TO THE PLACE I'M GOING, BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, WALK THE 1500MILES?
Engine, Jun 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2015
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE REVS UP & WON'T STOP UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY & HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES TO MY KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN SERVICED SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2010. THEY STATE THEY HAVE NOTED THIS PROBLEM BUT SINCE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR
Engine, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE THE DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON PULLING THE VEHICLE OVER, IT WAS FURTHER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD FRACTURED INTO THE ENGINE AFFECTING THE OTHER COMPONENTS CAUSED A FIRE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTONS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT FURTHER EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS WAS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V388000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Engine, Feb 24, 2015
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE WHEN MY GAS WAS LOW AND WHEN I FILLED UP IT WENT OFF. THAT HAPPENED FOR TWO WEEKS. THE THIRD WEEK IT CAME ON AGAIN, BUT MY GAS TANK WAS FULL SO I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. TURNS OUT MY VCM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN AT SOME POINT. LUCKILY I WAS UNDER 60,000 WHEN I TOOK IT IN, OTHERWISE I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 19, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE GOING 75MPH WHEN MY RPM'S SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY UP AND THEN DOWN, PAST 0. THE CAR MADE A HUGE JOLT BUT THEN KEPT DRIVING WITH NO TACHOMETER. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE LATER I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO GET OFF HIGHWAY AND THEN MERGE ONTO ANOTHER INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND TOTALLY SHUT OFF. I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES W FIXING IT AT KIA. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR 2X AS WELL AS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. IT CONTINUES TO VIOLENTLY JERK DAILY, TYPICALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 40 MPH AND AGAIN STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE LAST WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE CAR IS RUNNING AS DESIGNED BUT I JUST HAVE A STEADY FOOT AND THE ENGINE ISN'T SURE WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE I WHEN I'M GOING 40MPH. *TR
Power train, Structure, Engine, Jan 20, 2015, crash
A VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED TO TURN LEFT AND I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID REAR-ENDING IT RESULTING IN HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A UTILITY POLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 13, 2015
MY SON WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-5 NEAR SALEM, OR WHEN HIS CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR HAD A 50,000 MILE AND $1000.00 SERVICE 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I DID ON LINE RESEARCH AND SAW SEVERAL INSTANCES OF KIA SORENTOS STOPPING SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY. KIA OFFERED $400.00 TO COMPENSATE OUR INCONVENIENCE BUT I THINK THE US CONSUMER SAFETY IS WORTH MUCH MORE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THIS INCIDENCE. THANK YOU, [XXX] THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 12, 2014, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON LIGHT, NEW SNOW MY CAR HAD SUDDENLY SKIDDED SLIGHTLY, NO OVER-CORRECTING, I SIMPLY GOT THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD, STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND STARTED RACING DOWN THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET INTO THE EMBANKMENT! I HAD PULLED THE CAR TO THE LEFT AND HAD THE BRAKES PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN (AND BOTH FEET INCLUDING ALL MY WEIGHT ON THEM) UNTIL MY CAR CRASHED COMPLETELY INTO A TREE! THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AND MY FEET WERE ON THE BRAKES! IT WAS ALSO HARD TO GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO PARK --- WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR INTO PARK I QUICKLY TOOK THE KEYS OUT. THE 2011 KIA SORENTO AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD SERIOUSLY BE LOOKED INTO. YES, I WAS INJURED AND THANKFULLY A TREE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE ELSE WAS HURT! *TR
Engine, Nov 28, 2014, fire
OUR KIA WENT UP IN FLAMES LAST SUNDAY. IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP ON THURSDAY BEFORE. HERE IS THE ARTICLE THAT GOT ME THINKING IT WAS UNDER A RECALL. HTTP://MONEY.CNN.COM/2010/09/03/AUTOS/HYUNDAI_KIA_RECALL/INDEX.HTM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 6, 2014
VEHICLE STARTED BY LOSING POWER ON TAKE-OFF. LATER VIOLENT JERKING/SHIFTING OVER 30 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BOTH DEALER AND PERSONAL MECHANIC. CRANK AND CAM SENSORS WERE REPLACED. ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF UPON TAKE-OFF. SOMETIMES IT IMMEDIATELY STARTS AGAIN, OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART. THIS ISSUE IS ALSO NOT RESOLVED. POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS REMOVED TO RESET THE COMPUTER. THIS TEMPORARILY FIXED THE PROBLEMS FOR A DAY. WHEN PLACED INTO "SPORTS MODE", THE VEHICLE SHIFTS WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT (SECOND GEAR AND ABOVE). NOTE: UNSCRUPULOUS DEALER MECHANIC VOIDED ENGINE WARRANTY FOR "SLUDGE" IN ENGINE AND INCORRECTLY REMOVED A SENSOR, RESULTING IN BREAKAGE OF SAID SENSOR. PERSONAL MECHANIC SAW NORMAL TRACES OF "SLUDGE" IN ENGINE. VEHICLE IS ACTING SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS RECALLS OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE/MODEL, BUT DOES NOT FALL INTO VIN/DATE RANGES FOR RECALL REPAIR.. *TR
Engine, Sep 26, 2014
4/26/14 MY SORENTO CEL LIGHT WAS FLASHING & VEHICLE RUNNING ROUGH. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING, NO ISSUES, CONTACTED DEALERSHIP TOOK IN FOR SERVICE 5/9/14, THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AS IT WAS NOT DOING IT AT THAT TIME. ON 7/25/14 CEL LIGHT FLASHING & RUNNING ROUGH AGAIN, CALLED DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IN 8/9/14, AGAIN THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AND NO CODES SHOWING UP OR IN HISTORY STATED THEY HAVE A CALL INTO KIA MOTORS AND OPENED A TECH LINE CASE HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM. 9/18/14 CEL LIGHT FLASHING AND RUNNING ROUGH, I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP THAT I ALWAYS HAVE USED SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE BUT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSE TO MY WORKPLACE. I REFUSED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO, IT RESETS EVERYTHING AND IT CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, LEFT IT RUNNING TILL THEY COULD PUT THE OBD SCANNER ON IT TO CODE IT. I RECEIVED CALL FROM MANAGER, HE STATED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET CODES FROM IT AND THAT 2 COILS WERE MISFIRING. THEY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, IT WOULD NOT START. THEY LEFT IT SIT AN HOUR AND IT STARTED UP AND THEY TRIED TO CODE IT AGAIN AND NOTHING SHOWED IN THE CODES AT ALL, NOT EVEN CODE HISTORY. THEY REPLACED TWO COILS, THEN ON 9/25/14 THE CEL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN AND RUNNING ROUGH. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT JUST CHANGED THE COILS, HE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY. ASKED ME WHERE I PURCHASE MY GAS FROM AND THAT HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TODAY BECAUSE THEY CLOSE AT 4:30 AND IT WAS AFTER 4:00 THEN. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF, IT WOULD NOT START. LEFT FOR WORK THIS MORNING AND YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW ANYTHING WAS WRONG, RAN FINE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING GOING ON THAT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT BECAUSE I AM NOT GOING TO BE HANDED A BIG BILL FOR REPAIR ONCE MY WARRANTY EXPIRES, AS THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR 5 MONTHS NOW. *TR
Power train, Exterior lighting, Engine, Aug 29, 2014
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FINALLY IT STARTED IN THE DRIVE POSITION , HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ON ITS OWN FROM DRIVE TO ANOTHER POSITION. IN ADDITION ALL THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON IN THE DASH BOARD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OUT THE REPAIR SHOP ON 8/25/14 AND THIS PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON NOW SINCE 8/25/14. *TR
Engine, Aug 23, 2014
AFTER A SMALL NUMBER OF DAYS OF A MINOR RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE, AS I PULLED AWAY AT AN INTERSECTION THERE WAS A BANG FROM THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER AND THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF BANGING FROM THE ENGINE. MANAGED TO CRAWL TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. THE CAR STALLED ON THE FORECOURT. MANAGED TO RESTART IT, ONLY TO HEAR THE TERRIBLE BANGING AGAIN AND SEE THAT THE ENGINE STILL HAD NO POWER. HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING. AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS, KIA ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE IT STILL BEING COVERED AND THERE ONLY BEING 44,000 MILES ON IT. THEY ARE CLAIMING THE REASON FOR THE INCIDENT IS A 'CLOGGED OIL FILTER', ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE YET TO PROPERLY EXAMINE THE ENGINE AND OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSE THE FAULT. THE SYMPTOMS OF MY INCIDENT ARE SUSPICIOUSLY SIMILAR TO OTHER ISSUES DATING BACK TO 2005 WHERE THE BOLT PIN ON THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY SHEARS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER ACTIVATING THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE KEY FOB, ENGINE MODULE, WIRING HARNESS AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 9, 2014
1) THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT SIX (6) TIMES DURING MY OWNERSHIP. THIS HAS OCCURRED AFTER STOPPING. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOUR OF THE SIX TIMES BY STOPPING, PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND PRESSING THE "START" IGNITION BUTTON. TWO OF THE SIX TIMES THE GEAR WAS LOCKED INTO DRIVE AND NEUTRAL ONLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT SHUT OFF. BOTH TIMES 911 WAS CALLED FOR CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AS I WAS STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY. THIS OCCURRED ON 2/20/14 AND 6/03/14. ON 5/17/14 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE KIA CAR PROS CARSON FACILITY FOR THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE AND PASSED WITH NO ISSUES. 2) THE BACKUP CAMERA FLUTTERS INTERMITTENTLY (ABOUT 10-15 TIMES A MONTH) MOSTLY IN THE MORNING ON START UP AND SOMETIMES AT NIGHT. KIA OF CERRITOS HAD REPLACED THE NAVIGATION/RADIO MODULE 3 TIMES, BUT OFFICIAL RECORDS SHOW IT WAS REPLACED ONLY TWICE. THIS HAS NOT RECTIFIED THE ISSUE AS IT STILL PERSISTS. 3) THE RADIO INCONSISTENTLY (ABOUT 2-5 TIMES A MONTH) DOES NOT START FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE UP. I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE ISSUES ARE RESOLVED AND I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND ALL WHO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. THE KIA CAR PROS CARSON FACILITY REPLACED THE DRIVE ASSIST PART AND CLEANED THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT IN FEB 2014. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD RECTIFY THE ISSUE. ON 6/03/14, I WAS TOLD A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO THE ECU (ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNIT) WAS PERFORMED, BUT THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. I WANT THE FACILITY TO RETAIN MY VEHICLE AND PERFORM A FULL DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY CAN GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT STALL AND LOCK UP ON ME AGAIN. CORPORATE KIA SAID THE VEHICLE CAN BE RELEASED AND THE FACILITY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE ANY FURTHER. I DO NOT BELIEVE KIA IS TAKING THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. *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
Power train, Engine, Mar 31, 2014
WHEN THE SORENTO REACHES A SPEED ABOVE 60 IT HESITATES BEFORE ABRUPTLY JUMPING INTO THE NEXT GEAR, CAUSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND ALL PASSENGERS TO JERK FORWARD. THE JUMPING OF THE GEAR IS SO FORCEFUL THAT IT SOUNDS AS IF THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE EACH TIME IT'S PLACED IN GEAR. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 20, 2014
WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE A LOUD POP WILL BE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE USUALLY OCCURRING (LOUDEST) DURING COLD MOIST DAYS. IN THE SAME CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE CAR BEGINS TO STUTTER AND VIBRATE WHEN SWITCHING GEARS (THIS IS USUALLY FELT INITIALLY DRIVING OFF OR DURING HARD BRAKES AT LIGHTS). CAR AT ONE POINT STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WHEN GOING TO DEALER THEY SAID SOFTWARE UPDATES SHOULD HAVE FIXED IT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM SIMPLY PERSISTS (THOUGH THE CAR DID NOT STALL THUS FAR). *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.
Steering, Engine, Dec 31, 2013
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A 2 LANE ROAD WITH PEOPLE BEHIND ME. MY CAR MADE A SOUND LIKE A ROCK ROLLING AROUND IN AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE THEN ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON AND THE ENGINE DIED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH A GREAT DEAL OF STRENGTH APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED KIA IMMEDIATELY AND THEY HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW CLAIMING I HAD A COOLANT LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT BUT I HAD NO INDICATIONS PRIOR THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. THEY SAID THIS IS PROBABLY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE ITS A LEAK AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED EARLIER. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 11, 2013
WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, USUALLY ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE, THE VEHICLE ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BE DRIVEN FOR 10-15 MINUTES, PARKED FOR 10-15 MINUTES THEN DRIVEN AGAIN FOR TEN MINUTES. ONCE IT DIES I AM ABLE TO START IT UP RIGHT AWAY. IT IS A PUSH START "KEY" AND THE CAR DIES AFTER I APPLY THE BRAKES AND AM VERY NEAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE AND OCCURS RANDOMLY, EVERY FEW MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENED SIX TO TEN TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE COMPUTER COMES BACK WITH NO CODES. THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO FIX. TODAY, THE DEALER INSTALLED A MONITOR FOR ME TO USE FOR TWO WEEKS TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AND WE CAN CAPTURE THE INFO IN REAL TIME. KIA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ABOMINABLE. I AM TRYING TO GET A FIELD TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEALER. *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