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, Oct 1, 2020
AT 103,000 MILES, MY 2011 KIA SORENTO HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS DEEMED TO BE AN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE, KNOWN BY KIA, HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VIN IN THE RECALL. I PAID 2700 FOR A REPLACEMENT THROUGH THE KIA DEALERSHIP. 2 YEARS LATER, AT 1240,000 MILES, THE SECOND ENGINE FAILED. AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS, SIMPLY DRIVING FORWARD AT 60MPH WHEN IT STOPPED. KIA REFUSES TO COVER ANYTHING AGAIN.
Engine, Sep 29, 2020
CAR MAKES A BAD NOISE WHEN STARTING UP. SEEMS TO BE THE TIMING CHOSEN. KIA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND MADE A REPAIR BUT HAS TO BE REPAIRED AT OWNERS COST. THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT SINCE THEY PUT OUT BAD PRODUCT
Engine, Sep 28, 2020
ENGINE STARTED CLICKING AND SMOKING WHILE IN MOTION GOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. MY ENGINE BLEW AT 158,000 MILES. I HAD NORMAL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. MY MECHANIC DID REGULAR OIL CHANGES.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 27, 2020, fire
I WAS LEAVING MY MOM HOUSE AROUND TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. AS I WAS FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM MY APARTMENTS MY CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I STOP MY CAR AND PUT IT UN PARK AND I SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOOD. I GET OUT THE CAR AND GRAB MY SON AND , I KNOCK ON SOMEONE'S DOOR FOR HELP AND AFTER THAT FIRE STARTS. I CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME IN ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES AND THEY FORCED MY HOOD OPEN DUE TO MY HOOD LATCH MISSING . AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT I FOUND PIECES OF METAL ON THE GROUND FROM MY KIA.
Engine, Aug 17, 2020
CAR HAS AN ENGINE KNOCKING SOUND FROM A BAD ROD. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE REPAIR WILL COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH.
Engine, Aug 13, 2020
ONE DAY HEARD UPPER MOTOR TAPPING SOUND.ASSUMED LOW IN OIL.WE HAVE HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND WERE DO FOR ANOTHER SHORTLY.WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO ADD FLUIDS.DROVE THE CAR AROUND THE BLOCK TO GET OIL WARM.CHECKED OIL .FOUND ENGINE COMPLETELY OUT IF OIL!! CAR DOES NOT LEAK.NO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.THE VEHICLE HAS NO PROBLEM TELLING ME IT NEEDS AIR!! BUT A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE THAT IT DOESN'T INDICATE!! FILLED ENGINE TO MANUFACTURED SPECS.ENGINE HAS NO POWER!! TOP OF ENGINE TAPPING BOTTOM OF ENGINE KNOCKING. JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR CAR WITH ONLY 90K MILES.
Engine, Aug 1, 2020
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO AND CHECKED TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE MOTOR. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ON THE MOTORS. BUT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MOTOR SMOKING AND LOSING POWER. I FEEL LIKE KIA SHOULD REPLACE THOSE MOTORS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, BECAUSE LOSE OF POWER! I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO CHANGE LANES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. I COULD PUSH THE GAS PEDDLE AND IT WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T FAR FROM MY HOME! IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE. SO I HAD TO LIMP IT HOME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD SITUATION HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY! I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO THEIR KIA SERENTO. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE MOTORS!
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 28, 2020
HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS 2-3 YEAR;. BRAKE CALIPER TWICE; REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR; BACK DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT.
Engine, Jul 27, 2020
VEHICLE KEPT CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING OR EITHER WOULDN'T ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH . AFTER RESTARTING A COUPLE TIMES VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS SOMETIMES MONTHS. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR WAS ADVISED OF SOME RECALLS BUT NO OTHER ISSUES. BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE . IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND WAS VERY SCARY TRAVELING AT A FAST SPEED. NOW IT WONT STAY STARTED AT ALL. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED NEED A NEW ENGINE .
Power train, Engine, Jun 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED WITH THE MECHANIC FOR TWO DAYS AFTER WHICH THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. A DAY LATER WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER BUT RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Engine, Jun 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED HOWEVER, THE DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
Engine, Jun 16, 2020
ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO KIA. STAFF STARTED ENGINE AND SAID IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT FURTHER. TOOK ELSEWHERE FOR A SECOND OPINION. KNOCK SUBSIDED SOME AFTER ADDING ADDITIONAL ENGINE OIL (NO HISTORY OF LEAKS OR OIL USE). ENGINE THEN THREW A ROD THROUGH THE OIL PAN AS THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROX 40 MILES PER HOUR ON A 4 LANE STREET. .FORTUNATELY, MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO REACT TO THE TOTAL ENGINE/POWER LOSS AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET THE VEHICLE PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A TURN LANE. KIA ACKNOWLEDGES THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY IDENTICAL ISSUES WITH VARIOUS ENGINES, BUT THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE WASN'T INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. SEEMS VERY STRANGE THAT THIS ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHER KIA ENGINES, BUT THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE ISN'T COVERED... KIA IS AGREEING TO COVER APPROXIMATELY 1/2 OF THE ESTIMATED $6,000 REPAIR BILL. ENGINE HAD APPROX 120,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Engine, Jun 11, 2020
ROD BARRING SEIZURE ON MY NON-GDI THETA II ENGINE. KIA IS REFUSING TO COVER THIS, IN LIEU OF THE RECENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT. 2011 SORENTO'S ARE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE SETTLEMENT, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NEVER EQUIPPED WITH THE GDI VERSION. *TR
Engine, May 18, 2020
ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR MISSED & DIED. TRIED TO START AND IT MADE A RATTLING SOUND. A TN TROOPER SD IT SOUNDS LIKE TIMING CHAIN AND WE HAD TO TOW IT HOME 75 MILES $500. A FORD MASTER MECH SD IN 20 YRS HE NEVER SAW THIS B4. OIL LEVEL WAS FULL BUT THE OIL WASN'T GETTING TO THE ENGINE AND THE CRANK CRACKED IN 3 SPOTS. CALLED LOCAL KIA MARYVILLE TN & SHE SD IT WAS OVER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND I BOUGHT IT USED.. NO TELLING WHAT THE OTHER DEALER DID TO IT. STILL I DO TO TOW IT TO KIA PARKSIDE KNOXVILLE TN AND PD THEM ALMOST $200 TO TELL ME THE EXACT SAME THING; HE'D BEEN A MECH FOR 20+ YRS AND HAD NO IDEA HOW THAT COULD EVEN HAPPEN. THEY WON'T FIX IT THOUGH THE RECALL IS FOR THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE, MINE IS A 2.4 2011. (MY CAR IS THE 2012 BODY STYLE MADE IN 2011) THEY WILL SELL ME ANOTHER ENGINE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND I TWEETED ABOUT IT. KIAMOTORS_AMERICA DM'D ME OFFERING HELP. THEY DENIED MY CLAIM ENTIRELY BECAUSE MY ENGINE ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH MY ISSUE IS THE SAME. I FOUND THOUSANDS OF PPL JUST LIKE ME BEING TOLD THE SAME THING. I'M ON SS DISABILITY PAYING $267/MO + FULL COV INS SINCE NOV. I HAVE 2 SPECIALISTS 100 MILES IN OPP DIRECTIONS THAT I HAVE NO CAR TO GO TO. I WATCH MY 3YR OLD GRANDSON AND WAS GOING TO THE STORE FOR MY MOM WHO HAS STAGE 4 LUNG CANCER. I WOULD TWEET NEWS ARTICLES WARNING PPL AND KIAAMERICA BLOCKED ME. I COULDN'T TALK TO THEM IF I TRIED. I THOUGHT I FILED A COMPLAINT HERE ONCE B4, I DON'T SEE IT THOUGH. I WAS THINKING OF TRYING MY SENATOR. KIA IS RECKLESS, UNPROFESSIONAL AND HAS NO CONCERN WHATSOEVER ABOUT HUMAN LIVES. I WISH I KNEW A GOOD LAWYER, THIS HAS ALMOST DESTROYED ME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 28, 2020
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM OREGON TO IDAHO I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING APPROXIMATELY 67MPH AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING SO I DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS AND IT CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER SO I PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT HAD BEEN TO THE MECHANIC THAT WEEK TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WHEN IT WAS TOWED BACK THE MECHANIC REPORTED IT HAD BLOWN TWO CYLINDERS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 27, 2020
ON 6/5/17 I WAS DRIVING FROM MCCALL TO BOISE IDAHO WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 90 MILES. I PARKED THE CAR AT WALMART AND WENT OUT TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT START AT FIRST THEN WHEN IT WOULD RESTARTED IT WOULD DIE QUICKLY APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES. I DROVE IT TO THE BOISE DENNIS DILLON KIA DEALERSHIP AND ON THE WAY IT STALLED, DID CHUGGING SOUND AT A STOP SIGN IN TOWN AND JERKED FORWARD AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THERE. THE CAR HAS BEEN BURNING OIL AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUT A QUART OF OIL IN PROBABLY ONCE A WEEK. MY BROTHER WHO IS A MECHANIC HELPED ME TO GET PARTS FOR IT AT O"REILLY AUTO PARTS AND HELPED ME REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET, SPARK PLUGS, PLUG TUBE SEALS, HEADLIGHT BULB, AND AIR FILTER TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP. LATER I ENDED UP BUYING A NEW OIL FILER CAP TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP BUT NOTHING EVER SEEMED TO.
Engine, Apr 9, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED UP CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE MADE NOISE AND STOPPED COMPLETELY. UNABLE TO START. PERSONAL RESEARCH ONLINE-POSSIBLE RECALL SC147.KIA SORENTO BUILT 4/2011-2/10/2014, NHTSA CAMP.ID 17V224000. KIA CONSUMER AFF.STATES THE VEH DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL.VEH.BROKE DOWN ON 3/20/2020 IN LYNCHBURG,VA. SAME SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL.DEALERSHIP IN LYNCHBURG DETERMINED THE MOTOR "SEIZED" UP CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE.KIA HAS DETERMINED TO PAY FOR PARTS ONLY,NOT LABOR.KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS STATED THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER DUE TO BEING 2ND OWNER.THE VEH. HAS LESS THAN 43K MILES.NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED UNTIL TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE.VEH. HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY PRIOR TO DATE OF ENGINE FAILURE.IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE DEALERSHIP HAS PERFORMED TESTING VIA SCAN TOOLS EQUIPPED FOR SC147 INSPECTION.RESEARCH THAT I'VE DONE SHOWS THE NOISE TEST CANNOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE ENGINE SEIZED AND CANNOT BE STARTED.WHEN THE VEH ENGINE FAILED, I CHECKED THE OIL AND COOLANT.ALL FLUIDS WERE AT LEVEL AND CLEAN.NO LEAKS APPEARED UNDER VEH.THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Engine, Mar 14, 2020
TODAY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I STOPPED AT THE GROCERY STORE AND I FINISHED THERE AND I WAS MAKING MY WAY HOME. I GOT ABOUT 3 OR SO MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME AND I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT WAS ON. SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE OIL AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I DIDN'T SEE A NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED THOUGHT IT WAS TELLING ME IT WAS TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE. I PROCEEDED ONE AND I GOT ABOUT A MILE OR SO FROM MY HOUSE I'M AT A STOP LIGHT AND NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALONG WITH MY OIL LIGHT. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST DIED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED. THEY HAD LOOKED AT IT AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD NO OIL PRESSURE AND THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. I NEEDED A NEW ONE. I STILL OWE MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS.
Engine, Dec 14, 2019
MY DAUGHTER IS 21 YEARS OLDS AND SHE PURCHASED 2011 KIA SORENTO FROM PETE'S KAR SMART KIA IN AMARILLO. SHE GOES TO COLLEGE IN LINCOLN NEBRASKA AND HER CAR IS NOT HOLDING OIL. SHE HAS ON 2 OCCASIONS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME HAD HER OIL LIGHT COME ON AND WHEN SHE CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS BONE DRY. THIS IS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. WE CAN GET NO RESOLUTION FROM KIA AS SHE HAS TAKEN IT TO KIA IN AMARILLO AND IN LINCOLN. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS ISSUE FOR THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND THEIR HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMMENTS FROM OTHERS SHARING THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2011 KIA NOT HOLDING OIL. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY. IF SHE BREAKS DOWN ON SHE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE THIS ISSUE AS SHE HAS TO DRIVE 10 HOURS TO COME HOME. PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTIGATING AND REVIEWING THIS ISSUE. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. SHE GOT THE CAR TOWARDS THE END OF APRIL/ FIRST OF MAY
Engine, Nov 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE OCCURRED AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUNTRUP KIA(6263 S. LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO) WHO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Engine, Nov 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NAPLETONS MID RIVERS KIA (4555 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, ST PETERS, MO 63376) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 26, 2019
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND STATIONARY. WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY-LESS IGNITION, DASH AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER IN THE VEHICLE AND RELAYS START TO CLICK. LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE NOR COULD I SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, STARTED TO SMELT BURNING, PUSHED IGNITION BUTTON TO SHUT DOWN. WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, ELECTRICAL KEPT CYCLING LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO START ON ITS OWN, HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO SHUT DOWN THE CAR. STARTER SOLENOID NEVER ENGAGED AT ANY TIME NOR DID THE ENGINE TRY TO TURN OVER.
Power train, Engine, Oct 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE FOURTH WHEEL WARNING INDICATOR FLICKERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO VISIT A KIA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATTHEWS AUTO GROUP (3721 VESTAL RD D, VESTAL, NY 13850, (607) 584-5354) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000. *BF
Engine, Oct 16, 2019
ENGINE GOT A LOUD NOISE AND THEN CAR SHUT DOWN. THE ENGINE HAS A LARGE HOLE. I WILL HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON 4 LANE STREET. HAD HAVE VEHICLE TOWED.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2019
WE HAVE TAKEN OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO TO MULITPLE DEALERSHIPS TO GET FIXED. ALL SAY THE ENGINE IS SHOT. THERE IS A SEAL INSIDE THE ENGINE THAT IS MAKING THE VEHICLE NOT WORK. THERE IS MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR OTHER YEARS OF THE KIA SORENTO BUT NOT OURS. THE MECHANICS SAY THAT THIS YEAR AND MAKE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. I AM WONDERING WHEN THIS YEAR WILL BE RECALLED FOR ENGINE ISSUES? WHEN I START THE 2011 KIA IS SPUDDERS AND BLOWS SMOKE OUT THE MUFFLER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SPUDDERING AND SMOKE HAPPENS RIGHT WHEN I START THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2011 AND I ONLY HAVE 96K MILES ON IT.