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, Engine, Sep 20, 2016
2011 SORENTO SHIFT REALLY HARD, SOMETIMES I HAVE TO FORCE IT TO SHIFT BY LOWERING SPEED, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WANT TO SHIFT AT ALL AND THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND WANTS TO STOP ON ME AS I AM DRIVING. SOMETIMES AT A LIGHT IT DOES DIE, BUT THEN START BACK UP. ONE TIME IT WOULD NOT GO EVEN WITH PUSHING THE GAS ALL THE WAY DOWN.
Power train, Aug 16, 2016
HAVING TROUBLE WITH SERVICE DEPT OF LOCAL DEALER REGARDING DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE AS IT ENTERS THE DRIVERS SIDE TRANSMISSION CASE. DEALER TELLS ME IT'S NORMAL FOR THIS AMOUNT OF "PLAY" - THEY SAY IT IS DESIGNED THIS WAY FOR GOING OVER BUMPS - DON'T BELIEVE THEM AT ALL AS I KNOW THAT THE CV JOINT HANDLES THE BUMPS. I KNOW THAT THE SHAFT AND THE BEARING ARE A VERY PRECISE FIT AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY PLAY. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND A FLUTTERING/CLICKING NOISE WHEN I POP THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AT ABOUT 50 MPH (THIS IS PROBABLY THE SPLINES ON THE END OF THE SHAFT NOT MATING INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL CORRECTLY - MISALIGNED - BECAUSE THE BEARING HAS FAILED). DEALER KEEPS TELLING US IT'S EITHER OUR BRAKES OR TIRES. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES ALREADY AND FOUND NOTHING BUT THEY DO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GRINDING NOISE IS STILL THERE. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AS THE SYMPTOMS KEEP GETTING WORSE. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS TIME FOR 6 DAYS ALREADY. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 KIA DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY (VEHICLE HAS 91,000 MILES ON IT). I HAVE SENT THE VIDEO ALONG WITH THIS SAME NOTE TO NHTSA.WEBMASTER@DOT.GOV. WOULD LIKE YOUR OPINION OF WHAT THE AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT SIGNIFIES ON THE AXLE AS SHOWN IN THE VIDEO - PRETTY SURE IT IS EVIDENCE OF A FAILED BEARING (WHICH HAS LED TO FURTHER DAMAGE WITHIN TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SHAFT SPLINES). THANK YOU! *TR
Power train, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RESTARTED, IT FAILED TO ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Power train, Engine, May 12, 2016
AT 68,000 MILES THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR (PART #94750-37100) FAILED AND CAUSED A SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL. IN THE HALF MILE IT TOOK US TO SAFELY PULL OVER THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ACTIVATED AND THE DIP STICK READ BONE DRY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA'S, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO REPLACE THE PART WITH A BETTER ENGINEERED VERSION. HAD WE NOT BEEN ALERT / AWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON THE ENGINE COULD HAVE SEIZED AND ALL POWER COULD HAVE BEEN LOST WHILE IN MOTION.
Power train, May 7, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ALONG A RURAL ROAD AT 50 TO 55 MPH, ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS, OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO HAS SUDDENLY AND HARSHLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM SIXTH GEAR TO ABOUT FOURTH GEAR. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE JAR IS SIMILAR TO HAVING HIT A LARGE ANIMAL IN THE ROAD AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN AFTER THIS EVENT AND STAYS IN THAT LOWER GEAR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THEN TURNED BACK ON. AFTER DOING SO, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, TWO OF WHICH THERE WERE NO CODES SHOWING FROM TRANSMISSION OPERATION. A TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, WITH NO FURTHER EVENTS FOR OVER A YEAR. THE LATEST EPISODE DELIVERED A CODE P0748 AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN COMPLETED A TSB038 TCM UPGRADE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 27,000 MILES.
Power train, Engine, Apr 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR IN GEAR, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUILD UP OF SLUDGE NEAR THE AXLE AND IT WAS UNCERTAIN WHAT TYPE OF FLUID MAY HAVE BEEN RELEASING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Feb 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO ANY GEAR, IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IN NEUTRAL OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS PLACED ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED IT WAS REPAIRED. AS SOON AS THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Power train, Nov 22, 2015
THE SORENTO LURCHES AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IT APPEARS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. AT HIGHER SPEEDS IT DOES NOT OCCUR. THE CODE FROM THE ENGINE LIGHT ANALYSIS IS P0713 (TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE SENSOR). KIA FORUM SHOWS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Nov 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AND GOING IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED AND DID NOT MOVE DUE TO THE SHIFTER NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED BY SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND GOING BACK INTO REVERSE. THE ABS SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,078. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE WENT TO THE DEALER FOR A FAILED TRANSMISSION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SENSORS ON THE REAR WHEEL HUBS. UPDATED 03/31/16.*JB
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 18, 2015
THE ABS,ESC, AND DBC LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN I START CAR AND DRIVE IT AT ALL SPEEDS.
Power train, Nov 5, 2015
STARTED NOTICING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON ON OCCASION. NOTICED CHUGGING AS I CHANGED GEARS. P CODE P0711 WAS FOUND.
Power train, Oct 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 02/01/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO BE REPAIRED. *JS
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 26, 2015
2011 KIA SORENTO AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OUT THE BLUE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED EITHER DEFECTIVE PASSANGER AIRBAG OR THE SENSOR FOR PASSENGER SEAT. WOULD HAVE TO PAY $$$ TO PUT ON DIAGNOSTIC. CAR JERKS FORWARD WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. ALSO, CAR JUST ACCELERATED BY ITSELF.. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT JERKS FORWARD. ITS JERKS SO HARD I COULD GET WHIPLASH.LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP.SCARRIEST THING EVER. I AM REALLY CONCERNED HOW SOMETIMES I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO PUT IN GEAR. LAST, WENT TO CHANGE HEADLIGHT, RIGHTSIDE EXTREMELY JOT AND COULD HEAR BOILING LIKE SOMETHING COOKING.
Power train, Oct 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT UNINTENTIONALLY SWITCHED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Power train, Oct 15, 2015
VEHICLE FALLS OUT OF GEAR WHEN I'M SLOWLY BACKING UP IN REVERSE GEAR OR SLOWLY STARTING TO DRIVE FORWARD AT JUST ABOUT 2 MPH. I TRY TO ACCELERATE BUT MY VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE. ALSO, ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE CLUNKED/JERKED BACKWARD OR FORWARD VERY AGGRESSIVELY (FEELING LIKE IT HIT ANOTHER CAR WHEN NOTHING IS NEARBY) WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO FEAR HITTING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO RECOGNIZE WHEN IT IS IN GEAR.
Power train, Oct 3, 2015
WE PURCHASED A USED 2011 KIA SORENTO FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. THE VEHICLE HAD ROUGHLY 19,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. WHILE LEAVING FROM A STATIONARY POSITION, ON THE INTERSTATE OR JUST MAIN ROADS, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, LURCHING, AND AT TIMES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOACAL KIA DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AT ROUGHLY 45,000 WE AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. AT 58,000 THE CAR WOULD HARDLY DRIVE SO WE TOOK IT BACK IN. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE COMPUTER WASN'T GIVING THEM ANY CODES BUT COULD TELL THERE WAS A PROBLEM. AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH, KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. NOW AT 78,000 MILES, WE'RE HAVING A O TAKE IT IN FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND THE CAR IS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES. WE TOOK IT OUT O THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD AT FIRST THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON THEY CAME BACK AND SAID OUR INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $598. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I SAW YOU THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL YEAR CARS, BUT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL. HOW CAN THEY TELL ME THAT THESE ISSUES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL FOR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT!?!? THESE FAILURES FIT THE RECALL DETAILS EXACTLY. WHY WEREN'T THE BAD SHAFTS CAUGHT AND REPLACED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED? I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD MY VIN DID NOT FIT THE RECALL. I CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN HAS NO OPEN RECALLS. BASICALLY AGAIN MY "VIN" WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. ALL THE EXACT SAME ISSUES, BUT THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL 2011 RECALL. KIA/HYUNDAI ARE THE ONLY CAR MANUFACTURERS THAT DO NOT TRANSFER THEIR 100,000 MILE 10 YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO A 2ND OWNER UNLESS IT'S PURCHASED THROUGH A DEALERSHIP. IT'S FRUSTRATING THAT A LARGE CAR MANUFACTURER WILL NOT JUST DO THE RIGHT THING.
Power train, Sep 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. UPON SWITCHING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THERE WAS HESITATION FROM THE DRIVESHAFT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,430.
Power train, Aug 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, MAKING A LEFT TURNED AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, A RIDDLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,700. MA 10/2 *CN
Power train, Jul 30, 2015
MY 2011 SORENTO LOST ALL POWER AFTER A HIGH PITCHED WHIRLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING ON A 55 MPH HIGHWAY. WE HAD IT TOWED AND LEARNED THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN APART, THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN, WARPED AND OBVIOUSLY IN NEED OF REPAIR. QUICK RESEARCH ON YOUR SITE AND KIA'S SITE SHOWED THE RECALL CONCERNING RIGHT SIDED DRIVE SHAFT LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF AND THE MADE ON DATES WHICH INCLUDED MY CAR'S DATE (MARCH 16, 2010). MY CALLS TO KIA MOTORS, MY LOCAL DEALER, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER ONLY UNCOVERED THAT MY WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. I HAVE EXPLAINED TO EVERYONE I AM WELL AWARE OF THIS BUT WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE WITH A MARCH 16, 2010, BORN ON DATE, WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE DRIVE SHAFT THAT LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A 55 MPH HIGHWAY JUST AS THE RECALL STATES (ALMOST TO A T) WAS NOT COVERED. NO ONE AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN TO ME WHY IT IS NOT COVERED.
Power train, Jul 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE ABNORMAL NOISE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. MA 10/22/2015 UPDATED 12/05/2017*CN
Power train, Jul 16, 2015
WHEN SLOWING DOWN, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BANG FORWARD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL THE TIME THE CAR'S SPEED IS REDUCED. WE HAVE COMPLAINT TO DEALER MANY TIMES. THE LAST TIME WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HE SAID HE ADJUSTED IT BACK TO FACTORY START, WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM TO THIS DAY.
Power train, Jun 30, 2015
STARTED VEHICLE AND PUT INTO REVERSE, ONCE IN REVERSE I BEGAN TO BACK UP, THE GEAR SLIPS OUT OF REVERSE INTO NEUTRAL. IF PLACED BACK INTO GEAR PARK, REVERSE OR DRIVE IT PAUSES FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN SHIFTS HARD WITH A CLANK SOUND. IF YOU PROCEED TO DRIVE IT SHIFTS LIKE IT IS GOING FROM FIRST TO THIRD GEAR. IT WILL NOT CORRECT ITSELF ONCE DRIVING. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT WORKS FINE WITH NO SLIPPING OR SHIFTING PROBLEMS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. HOWEVER TODAY IT WILL NOT CORRECT ITSELF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. UPDATED 11/02/2017*CN
Power train, Apr 7, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO TWO HEADSTONES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Power train, Mar 11, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THERE WAS AN WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Power train, Structure, Engine, Jan 20, 2015, crash
A VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED TO TURN LEFT AND I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID REAR-ENDING IT RESULTING IN HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A UTILITY POLE. *TR