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, Jun 7, 2013, crash
VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE IN PARK, WENT ACROSS A TWO LANE STREET INTO THE NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY ONLY BEING STOPPED BY THEIR VEHICLE PARKED IN THEIR DRIVEWAY. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I GOT TO THE VEHICLE IT WAS IN PARK. AFTER GETTING IN THE VEHICLE YOU COULD PUT IT IN GEAR WITHOUT HAVING THE KEY IGNITION OR YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Power train, Jun 3, 2013
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. ONCE STOPPED, SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL. IN ORDER TO GET PAST NEUTRAL, HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. *TR
Power train, Jun 2, 2013
TRAVELING AT 70MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGE, A LARGE "THUD" WAS FELT IN THE CABIN AS IF SOMETHING HAD BEEN HIT. PULL OFF SIDE OF HIGHWAY TO EXAMINE FOR DAMAGE. NO DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WAS NOTED. UPON LEAVING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ACCELERATION WAS SLUGGISH AND AT HIGHWAY SPEED RPM WAS 4500, NOT NORMAL. PULLED OFF THE SIDE IF THE HIGHWAY AGAIN AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. THIS RESET THE CAR. PULL OFF THE SHOULDER AGAIN AND TRANSMISSION OPERATED NORMALLY AGAIN. *TR
Power train, May 14, 2013
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. ONCE STOPPED, COULDN'T GET THE SHIFTER TO GO INTO PARK. HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART. ONCE I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET INTO PARK, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AND I COULDN'T GET IT TO GO BACK INTO ANY GEAR. *TR
Power train, May 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,200. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 7, 2013
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL. IN ORDER TO GET PAST NEUTRAL, HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. *TR
Power train, Apr 15, 2013
DRIVING AT 65MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET; WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A VIOLENT JERK/HESITATION, AND AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG, AS THOUGH I HAD HIT SOMETHING. STOPPED ON SIDE OF THE ROAD, VEHICLE NOT MAKING ANY DIFFERENT NOISE OR RUNNING DIFFERENT, PLACED WITHOUT A PROBLEM INTO PARK. CHECKED AROUND VEHICLE NOTHING OUT OF ORDER, NO FLUIDS RUNNING UNDER VEHICLE, TIRES OK, UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. IT SEEMED LIKE A MISS OR SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION, DIDN'T NOTICE LIGHTS OR ANY THING ABNORMAL ON WARNING SYSTEM. GOT BACK IN CAR AND CONTINUED ON NO ABNORMAL NOISE, SHIFTED WITH OUT INCIDENT, NOT SURE BUT I AM WONDERING ABOUT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 3, 2013
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO GO INTO/OUT OF GEAR. WHEN STARING IN THE MORNING, I OFTEN HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES, OR TURN CAR OFF AND RE-START IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE INTO REVERSE. ON ONE OCCASION, IT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO PARK. WHILE THIS HASN'T CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS/INJURIES, IT COULD HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. HAD MY TEENAGED DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING IT AT ANY OF THE TIMES THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T COOPERATE AND MOVE OUT OF DRIVE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Mar 14, 2013
REVERSED CAR FROM MY DRIVEWAY. FELT AS IF I HAD CRASHED INTO SOMETHING (HEARD LOUD GRINDING SOUND). PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND CAME TO STOP. UPON PRESSING THE BRAKES, FELT AS IF THE ABS HAD ENGAGED AND GRIPPED ALL FOUR WHEELS. HEARD LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND CAR JOLTED (AS BRAKES WERE PRESSED). I HAD MY FIVE YEAR OLD AND THREE OLD SONS WITH ME; THEY SCREAMED FROM THE JOLT. I SLOWLY RELEASED THE BREAKS AND APPLIED THE BREAKS AGAIN, AND SAME THING OCCURRED ONLY WITH LESS FORCE. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED FOR TOWING. ALSO, A HOWLING WHINING NOISE IS HEARD INSIDE THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS, AND UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE FIELD ENGINEER THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE. THE HOWLING/WHINING NOISE CONTINUES. THE DEALERSHIP REALLY TRIED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE MANAGER HERSELF TEST DROVE THE CAR AND ALSO HEARD THE WHINING/HOWLING SOUND. I DID CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT FRANKLY FELT DISAPPOINTED. I HAD ASKED IF ANYONE HAS CALLED IN WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND WAS NOT GIVEN AN ANSWER. I FEEL UNSAFE AND VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR. THEY DEALERSHIP STATED THE BREAKS WERE FINE, AND THAT NO ERROR CODE WAS DETECTED. I WAS NOT GIVEN A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE BREAKS TO BEHAVE THIS WAY OR WHAT IS THE HOWLING NOISE THAT IS OCCURRING. THIS IS THE THIRD MAJOR ISSUE WE HAD WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE AN AWD VEHICLE AND THE CURRENT RECALL ONLY COVERS THE 2WD ISSUE (THAT ALSO HAS THIS HOWLING SOUND). I HAVE READ NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS IN WHICH OTHER 2011 AWD SORENTOS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE; SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. *TR
Power train, Mar 10, 2013
WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD 2 TRANSMISSIONS PUT INTO OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO. TODAY WE WERE TRAVELING HOME FROM SAN ANTONIO AND THE DBC INDICATOR AND ESC INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT DID IT SEVERAL TIMES DURING OUR TRIP. IT ALSO SOMETIMES MAKES LOUD BANG NOISES WHEN PUTTING IT INTO GEAR. I FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Mar 2, 2013
SINGLE CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER DECELERATING, WHICH WAS VERIFIED BY KIA SERVICE ADVISOR AT NY KIA DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Power train, Dec 13, 2012
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TODAY, THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE OR PARK AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE INTO THAT POSITION. FINALLY, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Nov 15, 2012, crash
WHEEL ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO HAVE COMPLETELY GIVEN OUT. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ~35MPH WHEN IT ROSE SLIGHTLY THEN GAVE OUT. VEHICLE HIT SIDE OF PARKED CAR AND FLIPPED ON TO SIDE AND INTO RETAINING WALL - FULL SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY VACANT. EVERYTHING LAYING ON STREET INCLUDING SUSPENSION SPRINGS. WITNESS TO SUPPORT EVENTS. VEHICLE UNDER 25K MILES (2011 MODEL, INCIDENT 2012). VEHICLE TOTALED BY INSURANCE. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 9, 2012
ATTEMPTED TO PARK CAR WHILE WAITING FOR A RELATIVE TO GET OFF WORK. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT TO REVERSE OR PARK- NO FURTHER THAN NEUTRAL. WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BRAKE TO STOP CAR. AFTER DROPPING RELATIVE OFF AT HOME (HAD TO STOP CAR IN SAME MANNER AS ABOVE), HAD TO STOP IN A NEAR EMPTY PARKING LOT, AS I STILL WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR PARK. CONTACTED KIA DEALERSHIP BY PHONE AND WAS TOLD BY REPRESENTATIVE TO PUMP THE BREAK SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE CAR TO NEUTRAL/PARK. DID NOT WORK. WAS TOLD BY REP THAT THE BRAKING "SOLENOID" ? (SPELLING?) HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT I SHOULD USE SOMETHING LIKE A SMALL SCREWDRIVER TO PUSH DOWN A BUTTON IN A SMALL BOX AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THE SHIFTER. FURTHER STATED THAT THIS WOULD RELEASE THE BREAK SO THAT THE CAR COULD BE PUT IN PARK. WAS TOLD THAT CAR WOULD NOW BE UNABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK UNLESS THE SAME PROCESS WAS REPEATED. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE JUST OVER 3 MONTHS. CERTIFIED PER-OWED. LESS THAN 34000 MILES. WILL ATTEMPT TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. UNAWARE IF SERVICE CENTER WILL REPAIR ON SATURDAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT IT WAS QUICKLY REMEDIED WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE UNTIL TODAY. SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY 2006. THIS IS MY 3RD KIA. 1ST VEHICLE WITH AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Nov 2, 2012
THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE, BUT GIVEN THE ISSUE SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT..... DRIVING UP HILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT 50 MPH. MY VEHICLE LOST POWER ( AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE ) MY BODY WENT FORWARD AND WAS STOPPED BY THE SEATBELT. MY HEAD WHIPPED DOWNWARD. THEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. MY HEAD AND BODY SLAPPED BACK INTO THE SEAT. IT WAS SO ABRUPT AND VIOLENTLY. IT WILL SCARE YOU TO DEATH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR TO COUNT. I HAVE TRIED TO DOCUMENT THE EVENTS IN A JOURNAL BECAUSE THE DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT ONLY ONCE. SOME DAYS IT CAN HAPPEN UP TO 3 TIMES A DAY FOR WEEKS ON END. SOME TIMES I CAN DUPLICATE IT DRIVING UP HILL AND SOMETIMES NOTHING. THE WORST TIMES ARE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND ME. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL HURT ANOTHER MOTORIST OR A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. A TERM CALLED " LIMP MODE " HAS BEEN SAID TO ME. WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A HI GEAR TO PROTECT IT FROM DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE STILL DOES THIS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 14 TIMES. THE TRANNY WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO AND A BACKFIRE CODE WAS FOUND RECENTLY. A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DIDN'T HELP WAS THE LAST THING DONE IN OVER A YEAR, UNLESS YOU COUNT PAYING FOR RENTAL VEHICLES DOING SOMETHING. THERE IS ALSO A SUSPENSION/STEERING ISSUE. A HARD PULLING LEFT/RIGHT AND BUMP STEER. THE VEHICLE WILL PULL THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HAND IN TURNS AND VEERS AS IT HITS BUMPS. *TR
Power train, Oct 22, 2012
AFTER START UP WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT VIOLENTLY AND WILL PRODUCE THE SAME REACTION IF YOU TRY TO SHIFT IT BACK INTO PARK. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND OTHERWISE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS NORMALLY. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONCE THIS OCCURS IT FEELS UNDERPOWERED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN A HIGHER GEAR AND THERE IS NO ECO INDICATION OR INDICATION OF WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ON 10/13/12 AND PICKED IT UP ON 10/15/12 AND WERE TOLD THAT THE SOFTWARE HAD BEEN UPGRADED TO PREVENT THIS. SINCE THIS UPGRADE THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR TWICE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN YOU SHIFT BACK INTO PARK IT PRODUCES THE SAME VIOLENT SHIFT. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY ARE COMING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/23/12 SINCE THE LAST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS CONCERN DID NOT WORK. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Sep 30, 2012
WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, VEHICLE CLUNKS AND THEN JOLTS FORWARD. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE,VEHICLE WHINES, DOESN'T MOVE AND SO I THEN SHIFT BACK INTO PARK WHICH RESULTS IN CLUNKING NOISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP ON 8/28/12 AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. I WAS ADVISED TO KEEP A LOG OF WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHICH IS OFTEN BUT INTERMITTENT. JUST RECENTLY VEHICLE LOST POWER AT A STOP SIGN (HAD PLENTY OF GAS IN TANK) AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO KEEP IT RUNNING IT JOLTED FORWARD AND RAN FINE. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 12, 2012
AT COMPLETE STOP, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. 10 MILES LATER, ATTEMPT TO PARK . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST NEUTRAL. DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATED STEER ASSIST AND DOWNHILL PARK. I FINALLY DROVE AROUND UNTIL IT ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD DID THE SAME THING. MADE IT TO WORK AND SHUT CAR OFF. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2012
ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2012 I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. KIA MOTORS WILL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2012
INCIDENT #1 WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH CAR LURCHED, AND GAS PEDAL WAS NON-RESPONSIVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT NO RESPONSE. ONLY FORWARD MOTION WAS "IDLE" SPEED WHICH WAS NOT ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE IT UP HILL. STOPPED CAR IN MEDIAN. TOWED CAR BACK O DEALER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED A RECALL BRAKE SWITCH, AND SAID AS THERE WAS NO COMPUTER CODE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX. RESET THE COMPUTER TO CLEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. INCIDENT #2 LESS THAN 50 MILES (24 HOURS) AFTER TAKING THE CAR - AT 60MPH SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED & DROVE BACK TO DEALER. AFTER STARTING/STOPPING ABOUT 4 TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. CAR SEEMED TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE MERGING, ON A BRIDGE, OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR. *TR
Power train, Sep 6, 2012
ON SEVERAL OCCASION DURING THE LAST TWO (2) WEEKS, I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS (E.G. INTO DRIVE, INTO NEUTRAL, INTO REVERSE, ETC); GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK. ONLY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES WAS I ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Sep 6, 2012
THE OTHER DAY,I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH IN MY 2011 KIA SORENTO WHEN I HEARD A HORRIBLE SOUND AND FELT A TERRIBLE JERK. IT FELT LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING OR HAD BEEN HIT, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD. MY RPMS WENT UP TO ABOUT 4,000 AND STAYED THERE. I COULD HEAR AN UNUSUAL SOUND BUT COULDN'T PUT MY FINGER ON WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, THEN REVERSE, THEN DRIVE. EACH TIME, THE CAR JERKED AND I HEARD A SORT OF CLUNKING SOUND. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER, WHICH IS WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT. WE WERE TOLD THE FOLLOWING DAY THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND WAS NOT GOING TO PICK IT UP UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED INVOLVING THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS. WE CALLED KIA OF AMERICA 2 DAYS AGO AND WERE TOLD THAT OUR VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. WE WERE GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD THAT WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS. WE ALSO SPOKE TO THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF THEY CAN RECREATE THE PROBLEM. WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM EITHER PLACE. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 29, 2012
VEHICLE STUCK IN DRIVE WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE BUT ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, I MANAGED TO FORCE IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CURB MAINTAINED MY CAR STATIONARY SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK. BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, IT IDLED IN NEUTRAL UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED (20 MIN LATER) BY WHICH TIME IT HAD BEGUN TO OVERHEAT. THE INCLINE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT I WAS NOT ON AN INCLINE. THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHY SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. I ALSO CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE IN THE MAINTENANCE DEPT. WHO DIRECTED ME TO REPEATEDLY PUMP ON MY BRAKES AND AT THE SAME TIME TO KEEP TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK BUT THE TRACTION LIGHT AND THE INCLINE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER INCIDENT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, WHEN I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 35,000. I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON HWY 281 S HEADING TO SAN ANTONIO WHEN MY ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA. THEY WORKED ON IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF BUT SINCE THEN I'VE EXPERIENCE ODD THINGS SUCH AS THE CAR JUMPING OR POPPING WHEN IT CHANGES GEARS. ALSO, IT TENDS TO OVERHEAT WHEN THE CAR IDLES FOR MORE THAN 10 MIN. AS WELL AS CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED MY KIA SORENTO AND I TRULY FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Power train, Aug 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER WHICH WAS WORKING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,800.