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 and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2011, fire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY, WITHOUT WARNING, THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING ONE OR TWO OF THE CONNECTING RODS TO BLOW THROUGH THE OIL PAN AND START A FIRE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BACK UNDERNEATH THE CARRIAGE. THE FLAMES CAME UP THE SIDES AND BACK OF THE CAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING. LOOKING AT THE DAMAGE OF THE CAR I NEVER EXPECTED THEM TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS CAR YET THEY DID. THE CAR WAS DOWN FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS, THE SECOND ENGINE AND POWER STEERING FAILED BEFORE WE EVEN DROVE THE REPAIRED CAR OFF THE LOT. KIA STILL DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING BUT REPAIR THE CAR AGAIN. THEY SAID, "THESE THINGS HAPPEN THATS WHY YOU HAVE A WARRANTY". THESE THINGS HAVE NEVER HAPPENED TO ME OR ANYONE I KNOW IN THE 30 YEARS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING. YOU BUY A NEW CAR TO AVOID SUCH PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN RETURNED TO ME AND IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT. I JUST TOOK IT IN FOR THEM TO BLOW OUT THE VENTS AND FILTERS. THERE WAS STILL REMNANTS OF THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMING OUT WHEN YOU TURNED ON THE AIR. THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE A SALVAGED TITLE. I WAS FORCED TO PUT IN A LAW SUIT. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2011
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED THE ENGINE WILL OCCASIONALLY BOG DOWN AND ALMOST DIE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR ACROSS ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC. IT HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. SOMETIMES FROM A FULL STOP AND SOMETIMES FROM LOW SPEED (LESS THAN 10 MPH). I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IT BACK OVER TO US WITHOUT ANY COMMENT. THE THIRD TIME, AFTER I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT NOT BEING FIXED THE TWO TIMES BEFORE, THEY FINALLY ADMITTED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE DRIVEN ANOTHER 2011 SORENTO WHICH DID THE SAME THING AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE CONTACTED KIA WHO TOLD THEM IF THERE WAS NO CODE ON THE COMPUTER (THERE WAS NOT) THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. AND BY THE WAY, YOUR SYSTEM WILL NOT ACCEPT MY E-MAIL, I GUESS BECAUSE IT HAS A DASH (-) IN IT SO I AM USING MY WIFE'S E-MAIL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 18, 2011
EVER SINCE BOUGHT NEW (SORENTO SX 6CYL.) IN APRIL 2011, THERE HAS BEEN A INTERMITTANT ISSUE WITH NO ENGINE RESPONSE FROM STOP FOR 2-3 SECONDS. RPM'S STAY AT IDLE SPEED, THEN IT SUDDENLY TAKES HOLD AND RUNS FINE. ONLY HAPPENS FROM STOP, AND ONLY ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE EVERY 2-3 DAYS. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, NO CODES. DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. I CANNOT DUPLICATE IT UNDER ANY DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. ALSO, IF I APPLY BRAKE DURING THIS "HESITATION" THERE IS NO ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE I HOLD THE BRAKE. I FEEL SURE IT IS IN THE "FLY BY WIRE" SYSTEM, BUT DEALER HAS NO CLUE. I HAVE TO "FEATHER" THE ACCELERATOR FROM STOP WHENEVER I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 16, 2011
AFTER THE FIRST DEALER OIL CHANGE I BEGAN GETTING LIFTER NOISE ON ENGINE START UP THAT WOULD LAST FOR MINUTES. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. DEALER REFUSES TO AKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND NOW I HAVE PUT A NON-OP ON MY BRAND NEW 2011 SORENTO BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. TRIED TO GET THIS RESOLVED WITH A LAWYER AND THE COMPANY REFUSED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RETAIN A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY TO GET THIS RESOLVED. KIA MOTORS DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR WARRANTY. MY CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS WITH AN ARRAY OF PROBLEMS. THE INTERIOR CLOTH AROUND THE REAR HATCH IS COMING APART AND THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES FOR IT AND IT WAS NEVER FIXED. THE LAST DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE TO GET "SPECIAL PERMISSION" TO FIX THIS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE BRAKES ARE GETTING VERY SPONGY,AND THEY ARE STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 70 DAYS ON AND OFF WITH MOST OF MY COMPLAINTS BEING IGNORED. ONE OF MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINTS WAS A GLARE OFF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT BLINDS THE DRIVER ON SUNNY DAYS. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR WHEN I WAS MOMENTARILY BLINDED BY THE "CHROME RINGS" AROUND THE CLUSTER WHILE FLASHED IN THE EYES AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS AN "ENGINEERING" PROBLEM. THE BLUETOOTH STILL DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY,AND I AM STILL GETTING WARNING LIGHTS THAT GO ON AND OFF,INCLUDING LOW TIRE PRESSURE (WHEN THE TIRES ARE FINE) AS WELL AS AN EMISSIONS LIGHT AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND IT IS PARKED BECAUSE OF THEM. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE,AND I SUBMIT THAT THE COMPANY KNOWS A LOT MORE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS THAN THEY ARE LETTING ON.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2011
MY 2011 KIA SORENTO EX 4 CYLINDER HAS HAD A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HESITATION UPON TAKEOFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR ANY STOP. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL ACCELERATE AND I AM VERY CONCERNED IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER MANY TIMES AS IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THEY ACT LIKE THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS. ONE TIME THEY DID SAY IT WOULD TAKE A SOFTWARE FIX THAT KIA HAS NOT PROVIDED. I JUST WANT IT FIXED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2011
WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIES AND THE VEHICLE COASTS DOWN THE ROAD W/ SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 11K MILES ON IT; HAS DONE IT 3 TIMES IN 2 DAYS. ALL KIA SERVICE WOULD DO IS CLEAR THE HISTORY (RESET). *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2011
GOING DOWNHILL IN OUR NEWLY PURCHASED 2011 KIA SORENTO EX V6, REACHING A 4 WAY STOP, OUR ENGINE QUIT. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 175 MILES ON IT AS IT IS BRAND NEW. CAR RESTARTED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM OR FAULTS REGISTERED ON THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH OTHER 2011 KIA SORENTO EX V6. I WILL FILE ANOTHER REPORT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 3, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT ALSO BEGAN TO SEE SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND A FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 800.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 11, 2011
THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT BUT A REPORT OF DEFECTIVE KIA SORENTO. WE PURCHASED AN LX V6 SORENTO ON APRIL 3RD. CAR WAS SOLD AS NEW WITH 250 MILES ON IT (WE WERE TOLD THAT MILEAGE WAS RESULT OF TEST DRIVING WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE UNTRUE). WITHIN 17 HOURS AND WITHIN 25 MILES AND ONLY THE 2ND TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE CAR, WE EXPERIENCED SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES TOTAL OF DRIVING (ACTUALLY FIVE MINUTES AFTER HAVING PARKED TO PICK UP KIDS) AND AFTER 1 RED LIGHT, THE CAR STALLED AND THEN LURCHED FORWARD VIOLENTLY, REPEATEDLY. IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR HOME AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BACK UP INTO THE GARAGE FOUND THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED DEALER AND SALESPERSON CAME TO HOME AND OBSERVED PROBLEM, THEREAFTER TAKING CAR TO SERVICE. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, SERVICE CLAIMED THAT PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY COMPUTER AND WAS FIXED. WE RETURNED THE CAR WITHIN 17 HOURS OF PURCHASE AND REFUSED TO TAKE IT BACK. AFTER MUCH WRANGLING (AND DENIAL BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT HAD EVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM), CAR WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER NEW CAR. WE HAVE NOT OBSERVED PROBLEM IN NEW CAR BUT FROM COMPLAINTS, I AM GRAVELY CONCERNED. PROBLEM IS AN IMMEDIATE AND SERIOUS THREAT TO SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS MY HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL ACT IMMEDIATELY. I HAD TWO CHILDREN IN CAR AT TIME AND ON MY WAY TO PICK UP 4 MORE. HAD THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A FREEWAY OR CONDITIONS WHERE THERE WERE MANY ON THE ROAD, I BELIEVE THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN DIRE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 14, 2011
I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. DURING THIS TIME IT HAS 5 TIMES COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND ONCE WHILE I WAS CHANGING LANES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Interior lighting, Equipment, Feb 3, 2011
2011 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD DOWN SHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY AND THEN JERK AND JOLT. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND FOR A SHORT PERIOD BEFORE THE VEHICLE REVVED UP AND ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THERE WAS A BAD GRINDING/RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH SPONGY BRAKES WHICH WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THE BACK-UP CAMERA STOPPED WORKING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 15, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 2000.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2010
7/21/10 PURCHASED KIA SORRENTO EX FWD FROM MORITZ 110 NE LOOP 820 HURST, TX 7/22 NOTICED ENGINE HESITATED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING SUFFICIENT THAT CARS PULLED AROUND ME. CONTACTED JERRY SIMPSON AND JIM CARTWRIGHT SERVICE MANAGER 7/26 TOOK SORRENTO BACK AND TO MORITZ AND RODE WITH JIM CARTWRIGHT THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. CAR EXHIBITED NO HESITATION 8/2 HAVE DRIVEN SORRENTO TO OKLAHOMA TWICE AND AROUND RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN THE METROPLEX AND NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION. 11/8 WHILE IN 8:OOAM BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC EAST BOUND ON HWY 820 IN FORT WORTH,TX AT A SLOW 15MPH (EST) ENGINE CHUGGED DOWN AND THEN CAUGHT AND THEN DIED COMPLETELY AND CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF WAY. WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND MAKE IT TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENT THEN TOOK THE SORRENTO BACK TO MORITZ KIA WHERE WE BOUGHT IT AND TOLD THEM I WANTED IT FIXED 11/11 NOT HAVING HEARD FROM MORITZ KIA I CALLED THEM AND ASKED THAT THEY DOUCUMENT WHAT THE FOUND AND WE WERE GOING TO PICK UP THE SORRENTO. WHICH WE DID
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION,THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE "TIRE PRESSURE" WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO FLASH FOR FORTY- FIVE TO FIFTY SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CLANKING NOISE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 16, 2010
TOOK DELIVERY OF A 2011, KIA SORENTO LX, WITH 2.4L ENGINE, ON 4/22/10. DURING THE NEXT 3.5 MONTHS AND 4,800 MILES, THIS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ISSUE SEVEN TIMES, TWO OF WHICH A COLLISION WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, FROM IT'S DEFAULT POSITION, THE ENGINE REMAINS AT IDLE SPEED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1.5 SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATING RAPIDLY, PROPORTIONATE TO THE THEN THROTTLE POSITION. DURING THIS LAG, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS HELD IN THE POSITION REPRESENTING THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF ACCELERATION UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HESITATION OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, SEVERELY IMPACTING NORMAL JUDGMENT AND DRIVING REACTIONS. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON FLAT PAVEMENT, SLIGHT INCLINE OR DECLINE, FROM A STOP, PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, OR WHILE TRAVELING 35 TO 40 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE AT A KIA DEALERSHIP THE DAY AFTER THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE IN ONE TRIP, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ONE WEEK. AFTER ONE DAY, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND KIA HAD NO RESOLUTION, THEREFORE BOTH PARTIES OFFERED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. OUR INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO KIA. THE RESULTANT CASE HAS BEEN ESCALATED THROUGH KIA'S SYSTEM, AND WE ARE NOW WAITING FOR FURTHER COMMUNICATION. THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS IN QUESTION...OUR CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHAKEN. CURRENTLY, MY WIFE AND I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, WE CONSIDER IT TOO DANGEROUS, AND WE DO NOT WANT TO PUT OURSELVES, OR OTHERS AT RISK. *TR