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: power train
265 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 9, 2011
WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE DOWN-SHIFTED HARD AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND P0748- PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID "A" ELECTRICAL FAULT. THEY PERFORMED A REPROGRAM OF TSM PER TSB# TRA038. DROVE OFF LOT AND IT SHIFTED HARD THREE TIMES ON WAY HOME. DEALER SAID IT WOULD TAKE 100 MILES FOR THE COMPUTER TO RE-LEARN MY DRIVING FOR BEST FUEL MILEAGE. DROVE TO WORK (SHIFTED HARD 5 TIMES) AND DROVE TO RUN ERRANDS. WHILE ON ERRANDS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN HARD AND ENGINE SPUTTERED WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THEN, WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE AND PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE RPM/ TACH WENT UP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO. AFTER STEPPING BACK ON THE BRAKE AND WAITING 2-3 SECONDS I TRIED TO MOVE AGAIN AND IT DID. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER DIRECTLY AND WHILE STOPPING TO TURN INTO DEALER IT SHIFTED HARD, ENGINE SPUTTERED AND IT AGAIN WOULD NOT MOVE ( ONLY ENGINE RPM'S TURNED UP). IT DID FINALLY MOVE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT. NOW THE MANUFACTURER IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE TO THEIR ADMISSION THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NEARLY STRANDED ON A FIVE LANE 35 MPH ROAD COULD BE PHYSICALLY DANGEROUS BUT A HIGHWAY COULD BE FATAL. AN EVASIVE MANEUVER WITH THIS VEHICLE, REQUIRING STOPPING AND STARTING QUICKLY IS NOT AN OPTION IF YOU CAN'T DRIVE DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS STOPPING AND STARTING.
Power train, May 26, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING DIFFERENT SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AND LOSE POWER. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT) BUT THE DEALER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,820.
Power train, May 22, 2011
BOUGHT MY KIA APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO ON 05/31/2010 IT IS A 2011 4CYL. WHILE DRIVING (SPEED DOESN'T MATTER) (THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES)THE VEHICLE WILL LOOSE POWER AND ALL GAUGES WILL GO UNFUNCTIONAL, PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR WILL NOT PROVIDE RESPONSE, VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE BUT ENGINE IS RUNNING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP ON 05/12/2011 AND DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FIXED IT. HAD VEHICLE HOME FOR LESS THAN 1 WEEK WHEN WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 (ON 05/22/2011) AND VEHICLE AGAIN LOST POWER AND ALL CONTROLS. HAD TO FIGHT VEHICLE WITH NO POWER AND CONTROLS AND ROLLED TO A STOP.....ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT NO CONTROLS OR POWER WORKING....HAD MY 3 KIDS AND MY WIFE....VERY SCARY....VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE SERIOUSLY ADDRESSED....KIA DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2011
POWERTRAIN ISSUE ON MY KIA SORENTO LX 2011, 4L, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE HIGHWAY WITH ALL MY FAMILY ON IT. THIS CAUSES ME CONCERN BECAUSE WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE I HEARD SOME UNPLEASANT, LOUD AND REPETITIVE CLICKING NOISES UNDER MY CAR WHICH EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY AFTER A MINUTE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR 2 WEEKS AGO. I HAD TO CALL KIA AND WAS ADVISED ME TO GO TO ANY KIA AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WITHIN MY AREA TO GET IT FIX, BUT THEY DIDN'T OFFERED ME AN CAR LOAN OPTION WHILE HYPOTHETICAL REPAIR TAKES PLACE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS ABOUT THE SECURITY OF MY FAMILY AND RISK OF CRASH. ALSO I WAS SHOCKED WHEN KIA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME MY CAR WASN'T LISTED FOR A RECALL. WHEN I HAVE ALL THE FORE-MENTIONED SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V258000. *TR
Power train, Apr 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,200.
Power train, Apr 22, 2011
DRIVING APPROX 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND NOISE THEN THE CAR STARTED GRINDING AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. NO GEARS, CAR LOCKED UP AND CAME TO A HALT. COULD NOT GO BACKWARD OR FORWARD WHEN PUT INTO GEAR, JUST HAD A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. SOUND WAS SO LOUD I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FALLEN OUT. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A WHILE THEN STARTED AND PUT INTO REVERSE THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND, ALMOST AS IF YOU HAD TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR WITHOUT PUTTING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE FIRST AND IT WOULD LEAP INTO GEAR.
Power train, Apr 19, 2011
IN OCTOBER OF 2010, I WAS DRIVING MY 9 MONTH OLD 2011 KIA SORENTO. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HEARD A VERY LOUD BOOM SOUND. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I TRIED TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND IT MADE A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO KIA AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY GONE INCLUDING THE DRIVE SHAFT. THEY HAD TO TOTALLY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT. TODAY IS APRIL 19, 2011 AND FOR THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS MY CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING LIKE I AM RUNNING OUT OF GAS, AT SOME POINTS THE CAR ACTUALLY JERKS. I AM TAKING THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICED TODAY. *TR
Power train, Apr 16, 2011
2011 KIA SORENTO EX V6 PURCHASED 04-10.OCCASIONAL LOUD NOISE AND JOLT FORWARD DURING START.WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED SOMETIMES VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN FOR SECOND OR TWO AND THEN SURGES FORWARD. *TR
Power train, Apr 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL BUT PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE RECALL SPECIFICS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 05/31/11
Power train, Apr 8, 2011
I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH IN CLEAR LANE ON HIGHWAY ON 04/08/11 WHEN A VERY LOUD "BANG" WAS HEARD IN ENGINE, SUV LURCHED VIOLENTLY AND ENGINE WHINED NOTICEABLY. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOSING ACCELERATION POWER AND I PULLED OVER. WHEN STOPPED, I PUT SUV INTO PARK AND NOTICED IT LURCHED. THE VEHICLE LURCHED WHENEVER THE SHIFTER WAS MOVED FROM P TO R TO N TO D AND BACK. IT WAS READILY APPARENT THE VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. 2011 KIA SORENTO WAS PURCHASED NEW, AND HAD 10,000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF OCCURRENCE. VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT OR DRIVE CORRECTLY AFTERWARDS. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2011
AFTER STOPPING TO PAYING BRIDGE TOLL, HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FEEL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO. FROM THAT POINT ON THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY COAST. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC WERE MERGING AND LUCKILY THERE WAS A PARKING LOT JUST BEFORE GETTING ON THE BRIDGE. WE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED. A RENTAL CAR WAS PROVIDED, BUT IS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS...THE REPAIR IS SUPPOSED TO ONLY TAKE A WEEK...NOT SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE VEHICLE NOW.....THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL... *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2011
TRANSMISSION BROKEN FOR THIRD TIME. WE CAN NOW DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY BY PARKING ON AN INCLINE, PUTTING THE 2011 KIA SORENTO IN DRIVE AND ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF, THE VEHICLE GRINDS AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. WE ARE TAKING VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR THE 4TH TIME. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO GRIND AND SURGE FORWARD, ONCE CAUSING WIFE TO NEARLY JUMP PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK WITH HER MOTHER IN VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Mar 24, 2011
AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK MY DAUGHTER SAID HER CAR WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. SHE ASKED ME TO TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE TO SEE IF I COULD TELL WHAT WAS WRONG. AFTER STARTING THE CAR I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE. AT THAT POINT I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE AND FELT A STRONG BUMP. AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND NOTICED THE SAME NOISE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED AS I STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION I NOTICED THE NOISE AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT A MILE I WENT TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, FELT A BUMP, AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ANY WHERE. WE WERE ABLE TO COST TO A SAFE LOCATION ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Mar 20, 2011
TRANSMISSION FAILED ON A 2011 KIA SORENTO WITH 22K MILES ON IT. WE WERE PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE ONLY WARNING THAT I HAVE SEEN IN REFERENCE TO A POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR IDLES HIGH (AT ABOUT 3500 RPM) IN THE MORNING. THIS WAS REPORTED TO KIA BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. AS OF NOW, THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2011
I WAS TRAVELING FROM COLUMBUS OHIO TO TOLEDO OHIO ON A BUSINESS TRIP. THE TRIP STARTED OUT NORMALLY, BUT WHEN I ARRIVED IN TOLEDO AND PULLED OFF AT AN I-75 EXIT, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS EXITING. DID NOT HAVE ANY FORWARD MOTION AT THE EXIT AND HEARD ONLY GRINDING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE. ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I'M HEARING A STRANGE WHINE COMING FROM THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS A RECALL FROM KIA. *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 KIA SORENTO FROM ARKANSAS TO INDIANA. I STOPPED OFF TO GET GAS AND FELT LIKE SOMEONE BUMPED ME IN THE REAR END WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. I LOOKED BEHIND ME AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN THE CAR BEHIND ME AND MYSELF. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS SO I DIDN'T REALLY THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT AND WENT ON MY WAY. THE NEXT TIME I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND STOPPED, IT DID IT AGAIN. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT MY SORENTO FROM AND MADE AN APPT TO TAKE IT IN THE FOLLOWING DAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE NEXT DAY. AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE (THANKFULLY AT MY EXIT) THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I THEN HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE. I WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL CAR UNTIL THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETE. THE THING WAS I WAS ONLY IN TOWN FOR A LONG WEEKEND AND HAD TO GET BACK TO ARKANSAS. THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD DRIVE THE RENTAL CAR BACK TO ARKANSAS BUT WOULD HAVE TO COME GET THE SORENTO WHEN IT WAS READY. (THEY WOULD NOT SHIP THE SORENTO TO ME) IT DID END UP WORKING OUT OK, MY MOTHER AND FATHER INLAW PICKED UP THE SORENTO WHEN IT WAS FIXED AND I DROVE ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES DOWN TO ARKANSAS. THEY BROUGHT THE SORENTO DOWN TO ME ON THEIR VACATION. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I DON'T THINK THAT I WILL EVER FEEL TOTALLY SAFE DRIVING IT AGAIN. I'M ALWAYS GOING TO BE WONDERING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. *TR
Power train, Mar 14, 2011
2ND EVENT, UNCOMMANDED DOWNSHIFT FROM 6TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AT SPEED. TRANSMISSION THEN LOCKS IN 4TH GEAR UNTIL SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. VERY VIOLENT EVENT WHEN IT OCCURS, WITH AN INSTANTANEOUS BANG AND CORRESPONDING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED. *TR
Power train, Mar 10, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO 4TH GEAR UNCOMMANDED FROM 6TH GEAR. LARGE BANG AND SUDDEN DECELERATION. THINK OF HITTING A FOOT DEEP POTHOLE..WITHOUT THE POTHOLE. TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN 4TH GEAR UNTIL ENGINE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
Power train, Mar 4, 2011
I HAD JUST LEFT WORK AND DROVE ABOUT TWO BLOCKS, STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, THEN PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN A GRINDING NOISE. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE SAYING I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES AS I DRIVE. THIS HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY TO 3 -4 TIMES A WEEK. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Mar 3, 2011
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY WENT OUT. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN ABRUPT STOP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT IF TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED OR ON AN INTERSTATE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, YOU HAD NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD NOT EVEN COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT CAUSED BY A BOLT FROM THE AXLE HITTING THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID THEY FORWARDED PHOTOS TO KIA CORPORATE. I CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE AND ASKED FOR A WRITTEN EXPLANATION AND ASSURANCE THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAPPEN TO US AGAIN AND THEY DECLINED TO PROVIDE ANYTHING IN WRITING. OUR PROBLEM WAS FIXED, AT LEAST FOR NOW, BUT I WANT TO KNOW THAT MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE'S DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND THEM AT 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Mar 2, 2011
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND MY TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND I STARTED LOSING SPEED. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO MANUAL SHIFTING AND RESUME MY SPEED. BUT THE TACHOMETER CONTINUED TO READ "0". *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2011
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO PURCHASED NEW. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2011 WITH 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AND IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. I AM CONCERNED AS THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE AND THEY CANNOT GIVE ME THE ACTUAL REASON WHY A TRANSMISSION IN A NEW VEHICLE COULD FAIL. I HAD WITH ME MY 3 YEAR OLD CHILD AND AM CONCERNED REGARDING THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Feb 22, 2011
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH AND TRANSMISSION IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWN-SHIFTED INTO 4TH GEAR AND HELD THAT POSITION WITHOUT SHIFTING MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. THE SUDDEN SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE SIMILAR TO REVVING AN ENGINE IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WITH THE RPM'S VERY HIGH AND THE SENSATION WAS A LOUD THUD/THUMP SOUNDING LIKE I JUMPED A CURB, WITH A SIMILAR SENSATION FROM THE DRIVING POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE, BUT COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 4TH GEAR EVEN WHEN I STOPPED AT A SAFE LOCATION A FEW MILES UP THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN N, R AND P. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WAITED 15 SECONDS, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION AND SHIFTED FINE. NO UNUSUAL NOISES OR CHANGES WERE NOTED. I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE SALES PERSON WHO SOLD US THE VEHICLE AND HE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT HANDLES AUTOMATIC SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS APPROX 3200 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR CONCERN I HAVE EXPERIENCED. *TR
Power train, Feb 18, 2011
2011 KIA SORENTO. PUSH BUTTON START. INTERMITTENTLY YOU HEAR A THUD AND SOMETIMES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. ALSO HAVE NOTICED WHEN I TURN VEHICLE OFF A SHUTTERING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE CAR. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE ALSO. HAD TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE MY COMPLAINT. *LN
Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Interior lighting, Feb 10, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE VEHICLE THEN SHUTTERED, STALLED AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING, BUT COULDN'T ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE FAILED AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWO MORE TIMES SINCE FILING THE COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CLAIMING THERE WERE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK AND ALSO THE DOME LIGHT WASN'T WORKING. THE DEALER FOUND THE DOOR LOCKS WERE DISABLED AND THE DOME LIGHT CONNECTOR WAS NOT CONNECTED. UPDATED 03/30/11