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
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 1, 2018
VERY ROUGH START IN THE MORNING OR AFTER SITTING OFF FOR OVER 2 HOURS. AFTER 30 SECONDS ENGINE NOISE REDUCED DRAMATICALLY. STEERING CONTROL MALFUNCTION SOMETIMES. MAKING UP DOW BUTTON ACT ERRATICALY ALONG CRUISE CONTROL AND RADIO CONTROL. BLUETOOTH CONNECTION SOUND QUALITY VERY POOR.
Power train, Engine, Aug 8, 2018
MY 2011 KIA SORENTO HAS BEEN TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH TOOK OVER A MONTH TO GET THE PART FROM KIA. THEN AT 90,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING AND IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO GET KIA TO REPLACE THAT. THEN THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WENT BAD LESS THAN A YEAR LATER AND THEY REPLACED THAT. NOW, AT 120,000 MILES (OUT OF WARRANTY) THE MOTOR HAS DIED. GRINDSTAFF KIA IN JOHNSON CITY, TN TELLS ME IT IS A 'INTERNAL FAILURE' OF THE MOTOR, IT COULD BE A ROD OR CAM, BUT THEY WOULD NOT KNOW UNLESS THEY TOOK THE MOTOR APART. KIA'S PRODUCT IS TERRIBLE AND A SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN THE MOTOR STOPPED MY HUSBAND WAS IN 65 MILE AN HOUR TRAFFIC AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED WHEN IT STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AND THEN THE STARTER STUCK AND WIRES STARTED SMOKING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. MY MOTOR WAS A 4 CYLINDER 2.4 LITER ENGINE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY KIA FOR FAILURES. THEY WANT TO CHAGE ME $5500 PLUS TAX TO PUT ANOTHER ENGINE IN THE JUNK, WHICH TO ME IS ADDING GOOD MONEY TO BAD PRODUCT. I ALSO STILL OWE A BANK $$ FOR THIS CAR WHICH IS GOING TO BE NEGATIVE EQUITY I'M SURE. KIA SHOULD STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCT AND RECALL THIS ENGINE WHICH IS JUNK. I WILL NOT BUY KIA AGAIN, THAT IS FOR SURE!
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING, A BURNING AND EXHAUST ODOR ENTERED THE CABIN THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAIERL KIA (11410 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090, (724) 741-1197) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT CARBON WAS BUILDING UP IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jul 28, 2018, fire
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 6 MILES TO A LOCAL STORE NEARBY AND BACK HOME AS I PULLED MY CAR INTO MY PARKING SPOT BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF WAITED UNTIL THE SMOKE STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF I COULD TELL WHAT WAS SMOKING. EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE AND I MADE SURE TO CHECK ALL OF MY FLUID LEVELS AND OIL WHICH WERE ALL FULL. LATER THAT DAY MAYBE 4 HOURS LATER I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES TO MY SISTERS HOUSE AND AGAIN AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR THE BLACK SMOKE STARTED AGAIN FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PROCEEDED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AGAIN AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARED. LESS THAN 5 MINUTES LATER THE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND BY THE TIME I RAN OUTSIDE TO SEE THE ENTIRE FRONT PART OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES HOWEVER THE WINDOWS WERE UP SO THE FLAMES WERE CONTAINED INSIDE THE CAR AND UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME MINUTES LATER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED DUE TO THE FRONT TIRES MELTING FROM THE FIRE. I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I'D PURCHASED IT ONLY 5 MONTHS BEFORE AND LET THEM AND FINANCING COMPANY KNOW. NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED LIKE A BOMB WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF. I'M REPORTING THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT I BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD DEFINITELY BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE.
Engine, Jul 23, 2018
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE OIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A GAS STATION AND ATTENDANT CHECKED OIL, INDICATED THAT IT WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER LOW AND ADDED A QUART OF OIL. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE OIL LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED AND ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY TO MILES TO RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE NEXT MORNING VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. WHEN STARTED BOTH OIL AND ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE ENGINE WAS MAKING LOUD KNOCKING AND GRINDING NOISES FOR THE APPROXIMATE MILE AND A HALF DRIVE TO REPAIR STATION. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACED.
Engine, Jul 19, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED ACCELERATING. I GOT IT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED UP. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHERE HE TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING ELSE IN MY CAR LOOKED GREAT (I GET MY OIL CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND TAKE VERY GOOD CAR OF MY CAR). HE SAID HE WAS CLUELESS AND HAD NO IDEA WHY THE ENGINE WOULD JUST SEIZE OUT OF NO WHERE. I CALLED THE KIA CONSUMER AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, EVEN
Engine, Jul 16, 2018, fire
THE ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE IN FEBRUARY 2018 AT THREE WEEKS TRYING KIA HELP ME FIX THE SEDONA IN FARMINGTON NEW MEXICO WE TOOK IT AND FIXED IT WHEN I WENT AND PICKED IT UP THE KEY IN FARMINGTON FIXED IT ENGINE WASN'T TIGHT THOSE BOLTS MISSING AND YOU MOVE THE CAR ON THE STREET IN THE SUV SHAKE AND RATTLE IN THE ENGINE SO I CALL KIA THE 800-NUMBER I SPOKE TO [XXX] HIS NUMBER IS [XXX] I HAD A HARD TIME WITH HIM TOO IT TOOK TWO MONTHS FOR THEM TO WORK ON IT NOW I'M TRYING TO GET MY MONEY BACK FROM RENTING A CAR I TRY TO TAKE IT BACK TO HIM BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON MY GRANDBABIES ARE VERY SCARED TO GET IN THE VEHICLE I TOLD HIM HE SAYS GRADUALLY THEY'LL GET BETTER WELL ANOTHER WORDS HE DIDN'T CARE LESS I'M NOT SURE WHAT I SHOULD DO I HOPE THIS ONE SOMEONE FROM HERE CAN HELP ME MY NUMBER IS [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO THANK YOU PLEASE CALL ME BACK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Jul 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUNTRUP KIA SOUTH (6263 S LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63123, 314-254-8955) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Engine, Jul 8, 2018
I WAS DRIVING IN MY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN. I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND MY VEHICLE HAD TURNED OFF. I COULDN'T GET IT TO TURN OVER. I WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THEN TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED SO I DROVE IT HOME. THE ANTIFREEZE WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY SO I PUT MORE IN IT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OVER HEAT SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE.
Engine, Jun 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (ALTOONA COURTESY KIA, 401 PLEASANT VALLEY BOULEVARD, ALTOONA, PA 10602) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BLEW OFF THE VALVES AND A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 9, 2018
HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAS BECOME OVERHEATED AND MELTED CAUSING ME TO REPLACE ONE HEADLIGHT AT $900. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I SPLICED THE NEW HOUSING YET THE BULB KEEPS BLOWING NEEDING REPLACED. THERE IS KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE THAT GETS WORSE WHEN MY SPEED INCREASES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH OIL. THE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED AND IT STILL SEEMS TO BE BURNING OR LOSING OIL. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ALL RANDOMLY COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SEEMED TO LOSE POWER AT TIMES THEN WOULD DIE AT A STOP LIGHT. THIS ALL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS OR MORE. IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE PAID $1900 PLUS ON RANDOM REPAIRS
Engine, May 23, 2018
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING 75MPH. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROX 65 MILES WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST ALL ENGINE POWER WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE 65 MILES BACK HOME AND TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC HAS STATED THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE ENGINE LOCKING UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE COMPLETED ON TIME AND IN FACT JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION BEFORE TAKING THIS TRIP. THERE HAVE BEEN NO LOUD NOISES OR NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AT ALL NOR WERE THERE ANY NOISES PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE OCCURRING.
Engine, Apr 10, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH, THE ENGINE SIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WENT ABOUT 1 MILE AND STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND. CAR WAS PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND THE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. COOPER KIA (5056 COMMERCIAL DR., YORKVILLE NY) WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V224000 (ENGINE AND COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. ADVISED THAT THIS ENGINE WAS NOT IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS ABOUT 115,000 MILES.
Engine, Apr 4, 2018
SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE CRANK SHAFT, ROD, AND ROD BEARING. FAILURE RESULTED IN A ROD BEARING BLOWING A HOLE THROUGH THE MOTOR BLOCK AND OIL PAIN RESULTING IN OIL DRAINAGE AND SUBSEQUENT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE MOTOR. IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT I DIDN'T NOTICE ANY NOISES OR CHANGE IN VEHICLE BEHAVIOR. ALL FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. I MERGED ONTO A HIGHWAY AND REACHED A SPEED OF APPROX 65 MPH FOR APPROX 2 MILES ALL WAS NORMAL AND FINE. I THEN HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED VEHICLE LOSING POWER. I PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE AREA AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED APPROX 1 MILE TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION. THE INFORMATION I RELATED IN THE BEGINNING IS THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE MECHANIC. I HAVE AN AFTER MARKET WARRANTY UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPAIRS THEY ARE FIGHTING PAYING FOR NEEDED REPAIRS, WHICH IS CAUSING ME TO INCUR A VERY LARGE FINANCIAL LOSS. MY VEHICLE WAS VERY WELL KEPT, AND ONLY HAD A LITTLE OVER 108,000 ORIGINAL MILES. ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE KEPT. RELIGIOUSLY KEPT UP WITH TYPICAL PM SUCH AS TIRES, OIL CHANGE, BRAKES, ROTORS, ECT. ALL NON-TYPICAL PM REPAIRS WERE ALWAYS DONE AT A KIA DEALERSHIP BY A CERTIFIED KIA TECHNICIAN, AND ALWAYS REQUESTED TO CHECK VIN FOR ANY RECALLS AND WHEN FOUND HAD RECALL REPAIRS MADE. AS I STATED THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE BEHAVIOR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE YEARS, MONTHS, WEEKS, OR DAYS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT THAT WOULD INDICATE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS NATURE WAS IMPENDING.
Engine, Apr 2, 2018
CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. RPMS DIMINISH AND POWER IS LOST. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT FOR A SHORT TIME, AND RESTART IT. THERE ARE TWO LIGHTS THAT COME ON IN THE PANEL. ONE IS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE OTHER IS LIT UP NEXT TO THE 4WD INDICATOR. IN REQUESTING SERVICE FROM ONE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD THEY COULDN'T MAKE THE CAR ACT IN THIS WAY. FINALLY, AFTER SEVERAL RETURNS TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THE COMPUTER (PCM) WAS BAD AND IT WOULD BE $1500 TO REPLACE IT THEY TOLD US SOME DAY THE ENGINE WOULD STOP IN THIS MANNER AND WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART IT. AFTER CALLING KIA CORPORATE ABOUT RECALLS, WE WERE TOLD THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM DID NOT INCLUDE OUR MANUFACTURING DATE. THIS DEFECT RECALL BEGAN WITH CARS MANUFACTURED STARTING JULY, 2010, OURS WAS MANUFACTURED IN MAY, 2010. IT WAS SUGGESTED WE REQUEST A SECOND OPINION FROM THE OTHER DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. AND WERE TOLD THAT ANY PROBLEM WOULD SHOW UP WITH A CODE ON THE COMPUTER, THEY DID DIAGNOSTICS AND REPORTED THERE WAS NO CODE ON THE COMPUTER THAT WOULD INDICATE THIS PROBLEM. WE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE RPMS AND DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR TO TAKE IT OUT OF TOWN. THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 8-10 TIMES, FORTUNATELY NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Engine, Mar 26, 2018
CAR HAS BEEN BURNING OIL FOR AWHILE, SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY TOPPING IT OFF. WE ARE DILIGENT ABOUT ROUTINE OIL CHANGES. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A CLICKING ON HARD ACCELERATION THAT HAS NO KNOWN CAUSE, EVEN AFTER BEING INVESTIGATED ON 2 OCCASIONS. YESTERDAY, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER. GOT TO AN EXIT AND HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP. GOT THE CALL TODAY THAT THERE IS A HOLE IN ONE OF THE PISTONS AND ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED KIA AND THIS YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MULTIPLE ENGINE RECALL LIST. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000 MILES WITH A REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $7000.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Engine, Mar 23, 2018
2011 KIA SORENTO 116,000. REGULARLY MAINTAINED.THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, THAT HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. NOW, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, RECENTLY MY CAR HAS JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING; FOOT ON THE GAS AT IT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING (NO ENGINE LIGHT). WE PARK IT, SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART AND IT WILL WORK FINE FOR A WHILE. THERE IS SOME SORT OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM. I CAN STOP AT STOP SIGN AND LIGHTLY INCREASE MY SPEED AND IT WILL TUG LIKE ENGINE. NO ACCIDENTS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN WITH HAVING 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY CHILD OUT OF THE BACK. IF I WAS IN ACCIDENT, SOMEONE COULDN'T HELP ME OR MY CHILDREN. THIS TO ME IS VERY SERIOUS! SEPT 2017 DATE OF BACK DOOR ISSUE NOT OPENING FROM OUTSIDE. 3/22/18 DRIVERS DOOR NOT OPENING FROM OUTSIDE. CAR SHUTTING OFF AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY AS BEEN SINCE ABOUT JAN/2018. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH HEADLIGHTS TOO. SINCE 1/2017, BULBS ARE GOOD BUT THEY JUST WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN ONE OR THE OTHER STOPS WORKING OUT OF NOWHERE.
Engine, Mar 11, 2018
AS MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND, WITH NO WARNING, NO ENGINE LIGHT, NO OIL LIGHT, ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATORS SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND THEN STALLED.
Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 10, 2018
DOOR HANDLES NOT OPENING BRAKES NOT WANTING TO STOP OR GRABING ESC ABS DOWNHILL ON AND PASSGER AIR BAG
Steering, Engine, Mar 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VALLEY HI KIA (14644 VALLEY CENTER DR, VICTORVILLE, CA 92395, (760) 955-0046). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT KNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN THE CONTACT'S POSSESSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT*JB
Engine, Mar 6, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 KIA SORENTO FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM MY HOME, DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH I APPROACHED A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING MORNING TRAFFIC AND WITH NO SIGN ANYTHING WAS WRONG MY CAR STALLED OUT. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO TURN WHEEL AND TURN RIGHT ONTO SIDE STREET TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. CAR ROLLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART AND CAR SEEMED TO HAVE RESTARTED JUST FINE. I TURNED AROUND AND DECIDED TO HEAD BACK HOME INSTEAD OF DRIVE THE HIGHWAY TO WORK. LITERALLY A MINUTE AFTER I TURNED MY CAR AROUND AND ENTERED THE INTERSECTION MY SORENTO STALLED OUT AGAIN. I ONCE AGAIN TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC THIS TIME IN THE BUSY INTERSECTION. THIS TIME OIL LIGHT, AND ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON ON THE DASHBOARD. WAITED ALMOST 2 HOURS TO GET MY CAR TOWED 1 1/2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD TO FIND OUT THAT MY ENGINE SEIZED UP. THE MECHANIC WHO GAVE ME THE BAD NEWS STATED THE OIL WAS DOWN ABOUT HALF A QUART NOT ENOUGH TO SEIZE THE ENGINE. STATED HIS OPINION WITHOUT FURTHER TEARDOWN WAS THAT SOMETHING LET LOOSE INSIDE OF ENGINE CAUSING IT TO JAM UP.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 23, 2018, crash
MY KIA WAS BEING DETAILS, THE PERSON DETAILING THE VEHICLE GOT INTO THE VEHICLE. HE PUSHED THE START BUTTON DIDN'T START THE VEHICLE. HE STARTED IT BY INSERTING THE FOB IN THE CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED AT HIGH RPMS, DRIVER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PLACED THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE CAR EXITED THE GARAGE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, DRIVER APPLIED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK HE TRIED TO STEER THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE CREEK THE STEERING DID NOT WORK.. THE VEHICLE DID STOP AFTER IT CRASHED INTO THE CREEK THAT WAS NEAR THE BUSINESS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO HIS HEAD WHEN HE TRIED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER IT ENTERED THE CREEK. VEHICLE WAS PULLED FROM THE CREEK. DRIVER DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 17, 2018, fire
WHILE RETURNING FROM MY AUNTS FUNERAL IN KANSAS, MAKING MY WAY TO GEORGIA. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP, ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN IT CUT OFF, WOULDN'T START OR MOVE. THERE WAS THIS WHINING AND CLANKING SOUND, WHITE SMOKE AND FIRE SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR, AS I WAS TOLD BY A PERSON THAT WAS PASSING BY, HE STOPPED TO MAKE SURE THAT I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. IT JUST GOT TO 130,000 MILES. HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS GONE.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Feb 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. COOPER KIA (5056 COMMERCIAL DR, YORKVILLE, NY) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000. *TT *TR
Engine, Jan 31, 2018
JANUARY 26, 2018 I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE MADE A THUD SOUND, AND IT FELT LIKE A DOWNWARD THRUST AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND DROVE HOME. WE TOOK IT TO OUR KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT THIS MORNING AND ASKED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN SAID SINCE THERE WERE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON, THE TEST WOULDN'T SHOW ANYTHING UNLESS WE HAD THE PROBLEM BEFORE. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HIS LACK OF CONCERN. ESPECIALLY AFTER I RESEARCHED SORENTO ENGINE FAILURES AND IT IS HUGE FOR SO MANY MODELS. THE 2011 WAS ABOUT THE ONLY ONE NOT ON THE RECALLS.. MY MODEL WAS THE FIRST MADE IN THE US AT THE GEORGIA PLANT. MY PRODUCTION DATE IS 12/19/09. WE BOUGHT OUR 2011 IN FEBRUARY 2010. WE WERE TOLD SINCE THE BODY WAS BEING CHANGED THEY MADE NO 2010 SORENTO'S AT THE GEORGIA PLANT. SINCE I SAW THE STALL PROBLEMS ON THESE 2009 MODELS WOULDN'T THAT MEAN IT WOULD APPLY TO MY ENGINE? VERY CONFUSING. I HOPE YOU CAN CHECK THIS OUT FOR ME.