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: exterior lighting
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 27, 2013
I CAME TO A STOP, SUDDENLY THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TURNED THE KEY A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT NOTHING HAPPENED, I TURNED OFF THE RADIO AND THEN TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED AND I DROVE IT HOME. TWO DAYS LATER THE SORENTO WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP. POSSIBLE REASON GIVEN ON THE WORKORDER FOR THE STALLING/SHUTTING DOWN WAS THAT THE GAS TANK HAD BEEN OVERFILLED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE SOLVED BY THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL, SERVICE BULLETIN 13V114000. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM RECEIVES A SIGNAL FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH FOR THE STARTING PROCESS AND, IF THE SIGNAL IS NOT RECEIVED, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH, HE STATED THAT IT COULD INTERRUPT THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE BY SENDING AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM, ACTIVATING THE "NO START" PROCESS. EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT. HE FURTHER STATED THIS RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SIGNAL SWITCH SHOULD CURE THAT PROBLEM. AFTER RUNNING A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE REP SAID THERE WERE NO STORED CODES IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MEMORY INDICATING A FAULT. SINCE SHUTTING THE MOTOR OFF DUE TO AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED IS NOT A SET FAULT CODE, THIS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RECORDED. ALSO, THE REP STATED THAT IF A FAULT HAD OCCURRED, IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE LONG ENOUGH TO RECORD A FAULT CODE. THOUGH HE DID GIVE THESE ANSWERS VERBALLY, THEY WERE NOT SPECIFICALLY INDICATED ON THE SERVICE INVOICE, AND THIS CONNECTION WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. IS THIS KIAS OFFICIAL POSITION THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL FIXES THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN? *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2011
THE DASHBOARD GAGES ARE LIGHED ALL THE TIME IN MY VEHICLE. THIS CREATES A SAFETY PROBLEM AS DUSK APPROACHES. BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES THERE IS NO CLEAR VISUAL CUE TO TURN ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. IN MY OPINION THE SIMPLE FIX IS TO DESIGN THE DASHBOARD GAGES SO THEY ARE VISIBLE DURING THE DAY WITH OUT, OR WITH MINIMAL, LIGHTING SO THAT AS DAYLIGHT WANES THE DASH BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE THEREBY PROVIDING THE DRIVER WITH A VISUAL QUE TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE'S LIGHTS. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER VEHICLE MAKES BEING OPERATED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OFF BUT THE DASHBOARD WELL ILLUMINATED (WHILE BEING PASSED ON THE HIGHWAY) IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS.