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, Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2018
CAR SHIFTER IS NOT ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO PLACE CAR IN PARK. THIS ISSUES WAS A RECALL BEFORE HOWEVER; THE FIX DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND KIA HAS NOT OFFERED A NEW FIX. ALSO, AIR BAG LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATING AFTER RECALL FIX. AGAIN KIA REFUSE TO FIX AND ISSUE COULD CAUSE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, BACK REAR PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Power train, May 1, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY JUMPS FORWARDS AND I FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHILE ROLLING DOWN A HILL OR SLOWING DOWN WITH OR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BREAKS. IT FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO SHIFT AND SOMETHING IS HOLDING IT BACK FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. ON SPORTS MODE, WHEN MANUALLY SHIFTING FROM 2 TO 3 I CAN EXPERIENCE THE SAME RESPONSE. ON GEAR 5 SPORTS MODE, YOU FEEL THE SUDDEN JERK. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE MORE SIGNIFICANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLDER. I NOTICED THE HESITATION LASTED LONGER BEFORE THE JERK IN THE WINTER. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY MECHANIC SHOPS AND THEY TELL ME THE CAR IS SHIFTING FINE AND THAT THEY AREN'T TO FULLY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HOPE THIS ADDS TO THE MILLIONS OF COMPLAINTS AND GETS KIA TO DO SOMETHING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTENT FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.
Power train, Mar 23, 2018
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE READ ABOUT WITH THE 2011 2.4 ENGINE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, STALLING UPON ACCELERATION, JERKING MOTION AND A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK, HARD SHIFTS FROM 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND A CONSTANT WHIRRING NOISE IN THE MOTOR WHILE DRIVING, NOT WHILE IN PARK. I BELIEVE THE SAME DEFECT THAT AFFECTED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 4 CYLINDER ENGINES NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED ON THE V6 ENGINES.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 15, 2018
WAS DRIVING MY KIA AND SUDDENLY COULD NO LONGER DRIVE PULLED OVER N TRAFFIC AND COULD ONLY PUT THE E BRAKE ON. NOTHING ELSE WOULD GO IN TO GEAR DRIVE REVERSE AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SO PUT THE E BRAKE ON AND CALLED TOW TRUCK..TOOK IT TO MADE IN AMERICA MADE IN JAPAN..AND THE SAY ITS THE INPUT SHAFT..EXACTLY DESCRIBED ON RECALL FOR MY VIN # [XXX] . MANUFACTURE CALL#SC124. NHTSA# 15V626 .THIS HAPPENED ON 225 PLACERVILLE RD FOLSOM ON FRIDAY 1/5/2017 .ITS CURRENTLY STILL AT MADE IN AMERICA MADE IN JAPAN..PLEASE CONTACT. ME A.S.A.P [XXX] . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Nov 1, 2017
THE CAR HAS A NO-STAR CONDITION, UNEVEN ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. WHENEVER DRIVING AND IF I WANT TO SUDDENTLY SPEED TO AVOID AN OBJECT OR TO ADJUST TO TRAFFIC SPEEDS THE CAR HESITATES FOR A SECOND OR TWO. I ALMOST CRASH TODAY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, PUTTING AT RISK MY WHOLE FAMILY... I BELIEVE THERE A SOME RECALLS ON SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST YET
Power train, Sep 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (ARCHER KIA, 11614 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX, 77031), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE FOR THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Sep 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). WHILE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEARS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Aug 18, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT LOSES POWER , I START TO SMELL BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID SO I TAKE IT TO EAGLES TRANSMISSION HERE IN MCKINNEY TX. TO FIND OUT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING. WHIS IS COSTING ME $2100 THAT INCLUDES NEW TRANSMISSION & PRICE OF LABOR. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM ON 2011 KIA TO SEE IF IT'S A RECALL BUT UNFORTUNATELY ITS NOT BUT IT WAS FOR THE 2011 KIA SORENTO 4 , CYLINDER. BUT IT'S A LOT OF TOPICS ON OUR 2011 KIA V6 ENGINE BUT NEVER BECAME A RECALL
Power train, Aug 13, 2017
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND TURNING A CORNER THE CAR MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND THEN STOPPED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD. TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS BUT ENGINE JUST REVED UP BUT WOULD GO. HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING. FINALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OFF THE STREET. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 11V258000 AND GROUP SERVICE CAMPAIGN NUMBER SC 082 [REV 5] SO HE CALLED THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TO CONFIRM. DESPITE MY CAR FITTING MAKE/MODEL/YEAR/MANUFACTURE DATE THEY SAID THIS VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HE SUGGESTED THAT I DO FURTHER RESEARCH.
Power train, Aug 12, 2017
CAR JOLTS/SHUDDERS/ SLIGHTLY JERK WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL FOR MORE POWER. CAR SUDDENLY JERKS FORWARD WHEN GOING FROM 60 TO 65 MPH.
Power train, Aug 8, 2017
I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON FLAT ROADS AND THE CAR WENT TO SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR AND CLUNK THE TRANSMISSION FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO BREAK. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I AM GOING 40 AND GETTING READY TO SPEED UP. PLEASE HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SAFTEY OF OTHERS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2017
MY NEIGHBOR BUMPED THE BACK OF THE KIA WITH HIS BUICK NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO EITHER CARS BUMPERS THE KIA WAS IN PARK NO ONE WAS IN IT THE KIA IT THEN STARTED MOVING DOWN THE STREET IT ROLLED ABOUT 400 YARDS WENT THRU SOME HEDGES AND THEN STOPPED IN A NEIGHBORS YARD NO INJURYS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE WHOLE TIME ,I TOOK THE KIA TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER THEY HAD THE VEHICLE 4 DAYS AND COULDN'T REPLICATE WHAT HAPPENED I TOLD THEM I HAD READ ABOUT A RECALL WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM THEY SAID MY VIN # WASN'T PART OF IT I FEEL KIA SHOULD ADRESS THIS IT WASN'T IMAGINED THERE WERE 3 OR 4 NEGHBORS THAT SAW THE EMPTY VEHICLE JUST ROLLING DOWN THE STREET A RESPONCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED THANK YOU
Power train, Engine, Jun 17, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE ABOVE 35 MPH UPON SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR DOWNSHIFTING THE CAR JOLTS A LOUD BANG/POP IS HEARD THE CAR LUNGES YOU FORWARD IT'S QUITE VIOLENT I'VE TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER 10 TIMES AND THEY JUST SAY THEY NOTICE THE POPPING BUT NOTHING IS WRONG THEY ALSO SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE TO TEST THE UNBELIEVABLY HARD DOWN SHIFT . I WATCHED THEM THEIR TEST DRIVE WAS FROM THE FRONT OF THE PARKING LOT TO THE REAR . THEY NEVER WENT ABOVE 25 MPH SO THEY NEVER TESTED THE DOWN SHIFT IT'S HAPPENED FOR A VERY LONG TIME NOW AND THEY JUST KEEP DENYING IT I ALSO HAD THE TOP END OF THE MOTOR GO OUT AT 5000 MILES AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE JUST AVOIDING IT BEING A LEMON.
Power train, Air bags, May 11, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING, AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS UNDECIDED IF THE EXACT PART WAS THE PISTON AND THE LOWER RACKET ARM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,388. UPDATED 06/22/17*LJ
Power train, Mar 21, 2017
FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, ALMOST EVERY DAY, WHEN ACCELERATING AT 35-40 MPH THERE IS A HESITATION AND THEN A JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, WHEN FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO DIE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY AND THE HIGHWAYS. I TOLD THE DEALER EVERY TIME I WENT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE. INFORMED DEALER LAST WEEK AND I WAS TOLD I STILL HAD TIME (WARRANTY).
Power train, Mar 1, 2017
A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION/DRIVE SHAFT AREA WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 20 M.P.H., GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD' ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A KIA DEALER AND A SEARCH DOES NOT SHOW THAT NHTSA ACTION # PE11010 WAS EVER DONE. CAMPAIGN ID# IS11V258000. PLEASE ADVISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Power train, Feb 12, 2017
THE TRANSMISSION IS BANGING EVEN WHEN NOT SHIFTING. I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A BANG AND A JOLT, I THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND ME. IT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN. I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A BUNCH OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT APPEARS IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Service brakes, Feb 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE LOCK FAILED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 156260000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Power train, Jan 30, 2017
TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR WHILE DRIVING I CAN GO IN REVERSE AND FORWARD BUT WHEN I GO FORWARD IT IS STUCK IN 4TH. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 27, 2017
I WAS INFORMED BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. ELECTRIC STABILITY CONTROL IDIOT LIGHT SHOWED UP ON DASHBOARD RIGHT BEFORE BEING INFORMED. CAR IS ALSO NOT SHIFTING INTO PARK OR REVERSE. DRIVE GEAR SEEMS OK.
Power train, Dec 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR, A LOUD POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Power train, Dec 1, 2016
VEHICLE STARTED GRINDING WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES AT A STOP SIGN. WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. TOWED TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAD BROKEN. FOUND PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON OTHER 2011 KIA SORENTO 2 WHEEL DRIVE 4 CYLINDER MODELS, THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS OUR OWN. CALLED KIA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS INDEED A RECALL, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT IN EFFECT FOR MY VIN. THE SAME MODEL, YEAR, EVERYTHING. JUST NOT MY VIN. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT WILL LIKELY REQUIRE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. KIA IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THESE INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS AND IS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRING THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. *TR
Power train, Oct 22, 2016
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE TURNING OUT OF CHURCH PARKING LOT. APPLYING ACCEL PEDAL BARELY POWERED THE VEHICLE BUT MADE METALLIC GRINDING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, BUT PARK DID NOT STOP VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWNHILL. PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED UNTIL VEHICLE COULD BE TOWED HOME. ON INSPECTION, RIGHT DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION OUTPUT GEAR WERE BOTH FOUND TO HAVE WORN. THERE WAS A RECALL AND SERVICE HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THIS FAILURE (RC079-SORENTO (XM) INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPAIR (2WD VEHICLES).
Power train, Exterior lighting, Sep 30, 2016
HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS ARE BURNING OUT AT THE RATE OF ONE (1) TO TWO (2) WEEKS. THE LEFT BULB BURNED OUT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO BOTH OF THE LOW BEAM BULBS BURNED OUT AT NIGHT WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH. SHE ALMOST WRECKED BEFORE SHE TURNED THE LIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM. SINCE THEN THE LEFT SIDE BULB HAD BURNED OUT TWICE. I HAVE REPLACE THESE BULBS AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $15.00 EACH. I AM AFRAID THAT THE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO GO OUT WHEN DRIVING WHEN IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE TO HIGH BEAM. THE LAST BULB BURNED OUT JUST LAST NIGHT WHEN IT WAS DARK.