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, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 13, 2012, crash
MY HUSBAND WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. HE GOT IN THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP. HE HEARD A LOUD POP. HE PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AND HIS FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL THE VEHICLE GOT UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. TRYING NOT TO HIT THE HOUSE, OR THE PERSON OUTSIDE OF THE PROPERTY HE MANEUVERED THE CAR INTO THE BACK YARD. THE CAR WAS STEADILY PICKING UP SPEED AND HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. HE COULD NOT GET THE GEAR TO SHIFT OR THE BRAKES TO WORK. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE AND THAT IMPEDED THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT OF IT. *TR
Power train, Aug 12, 2012
AT COMPLETE STOP, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. 1.4 MILES LATER, ATTEMPT TO PARK . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST NEUTRAL. DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATED STEER ASSIST AND DOWNHILL PARK. DEPRESSED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF WITH GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL. RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. *TR
Power train, Aug 10, 2012
I HAD THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPEN TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN WHILE MY CAR WAS IN DRIVE. I TRIED ACCELERATING SEVERAL TIMES TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP. I HAD TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AGAIN IN ORDER TO HAVE THE CAR FUNCTION SO THAT I COULD PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I AM TERRIBLY NERVOUS I WILL BE REAR ENDED IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY CAR INTO PARK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE BUT I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. I DON'T KNOW IF THESE 2 PROBLEMS ARE RELATED TO ONE ANOTHER. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 1, 2012
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. THEN WHEN STOPPED, CAR WILL NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO PARK. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK IMMEDIATELY WHEN PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AFTER STARTED AND STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED. LOCATED SWITCH AT THE UPPER PART OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHILE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, WITH PARKING BRAKE ON, WAS ABLE TO BUMP THE SWITCH BOX AND THEN SHIFT CAR INTO PARK. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 28, 2012
THE DATE ABOVE IS THE FIRST DATE THERE WAS A INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE ACTUAL SPEED OF TRAVEL HAS VARIED. THE ISSUE IS RANDOM AND HAS AFFECTED MOST SYSTEMS AT ONE TIME OR THE OTHER. IT HAS NORMALLY BEEN A HEADACHE MORE THAN SAFETY ALWAYS GOING AWAY AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTING. TO ME IT BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE I HIT SOMETHING AND THEN MY RPMS INCREASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS. I PULLED INTO A SAFE PARKING AREA, SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND CALLED THE DEALER. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, JUST AS IT HAS EVERY TIME NO MATTER WHAT SYSTEM HAS BEEN AFFECTED. THE ISSUES HAVE RANGED FROM A CRUISE CONTROL REFUSING TO ACTIVATE, THE CRUISE CONTROL HAVING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR (OFTEN KICKING IN THE PASSING GEAR WHEN NOT REQUIRED), TOTAL ELECTRONIC PANEL SHUTDOWN (INCLUDING RADIO), TO DOORS LOCKING ON THEIR OWN WHEN OPEN, TO HEADLIGHTS NOT BEING TURNED OFF WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AFTER 2-30 SECONDS. THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE HAS BEEN THE MOST SERIOUS. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN SERVICED UNDER A SIMILAR RECALL. I HAVE NOTED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS INCLUDING A SIMILAR TRANSMISSION COMPLIANT ON KIA FORUMS. KIA ITSELF REFUSED TO GIVE THE GO AHEAD FOR A COMPUTER RESET/UPGRADE. MY DEALER DID THIS ON HIS OWN FOR ME AFTER I MADE IT CLEAR THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR. A PERSONAL CONVERSATION WITH KIA WAS NEGATIVE AND WAS NOTHING SHORT OF TALKING IN CIRCLES. I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE OF TRYING TO TRACED RANDOM PROBLEMS, BUT NOT THE FAILURE TO START AN INVESTIGATION INTO, FOR INSTANCE, POSSIBLE COMPUTER SHIELDING ISSUES MAKING OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE A POSSIBILITY. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THE COMPUTER UPDATE WORKS, BUT IT IS A ISSUE WHEN A TRANSMISSION SHUTS TOTALLY OR PARTLY DOWN. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO VERIFY MY COMPLAINTS. *TR
Power train, Jul 25, 2012
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I WENT TO LUNCH 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. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 10 TIMES. TODAY, IT TOOK OVER 20 MINUTES UNTIL IT WOULD MOVE INTO PARK. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST NIGHT. I'M GETTING REALLY AGGRAVATED BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'M GOING TO BE STUCK AGAIN. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND GET THIS FIXED OR GIVE US A NEW VEHICLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2012
AUTOMATIC, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE THIS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES IN 1 DAY. -PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, NOTICED THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL TO GET INTO PARK. AFTER A MINUTE OR SO OF TRYING TO GET IT TO PARK (WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL ALONG) IT FINALLY RELEASED AND WENT TO PARK. -THE CAR SAT FOR 2 AND A HALF HOURS. -ON MY WAY HOME I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND PUMPED GAS. WENT TO LEAVE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF PARK, THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS ONCE AGAIN ILLUMINATED. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OR SO, WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT RELEASED AND WENT INTO DRIVE. -THE THIRD TIME THAT SAME DAY, I GOT HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND AGAIN THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL TO PARK. ONCE AGAIN, AFTER A MINUTE OR SO WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE WHOLE TIME, IT FINALLY RELEASED AGAIN AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. I HAVE YET TO DRIVE MY CAR AGAIN, AND AM ACTUALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT THIS POINT, NOT KNOWING WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPENED. I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Jul 8, 2012
ESC AND CBC LIGHTS CAME ON COULDN'T SHIFT INTO PARK. *TR
Power train, Jun 20, 2012
THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MY SORENTO THAT IS LISTED IN OD10459049. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK FROM THE DRIVE POSITION. THE DBC AND ESC DASH LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPEND 3 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. *JS
Power train, Jun 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,500.
Power train, May 20, 2012
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WENT TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND WOULD NO GO INTO REVERSE OR PARK. HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN LAST TWO DAYS. THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS WERE ON AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON. I WENT ON A KIA FORUM AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING WITH CARS THAT HAVE EVEN LESS MILEAGE THAN MINE. *TR
Power train, Apr 30, 2012
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO FEB. 2012 (17,450 MILES) WHEN IT WENT "CLUNK" AND LOST POWER; THE ENGINE RAN AS NORMAL BUT NO/LITTLE POWER FROM TRANSMISSION. SHE WAS ON A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY AND DAMAGED THE CAR TRYING TO BACK UP TO A SAFER SPOT. SORENTO WAS TOWED, DEALER KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS AND SAID THEY'D FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT KIA SAID THE BODY DAMAGE WAS OUR PROBLEM. TODAY, APRIL 30, I WAS DRIVING WHEN IT WENT "CLUNK" - (APPROX 21,500 MILES AT 47 MPH) ENGINE RAN BUT NO/LITTLE POWER FROM TRANSMISSION; I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER A MINUTE OR SO - I AM HOME AND THE CAR IS GOING TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR SCARES ME - IF THIS HAPPENS IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES I SEE THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HOW DO I REPORT THIS PROBLEM? OTHER THAN TRADING IT (AND GIVING THE DANGER TO SOMEONE ELSE), WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? THIS IS OUR SECOND DANGEROUS INCIDENT . . . I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE AT KIA REALLY CARES. *JS
Power train, Apr 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM DRIVE TO PARK BUT THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Mar 24, 2012
MY 2011 KIA SORENTO DOWNSHIFTS WHILE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. IT ALSO GETS STUCK AND WHILE THE RPMS ARE RACING, IT WILL NOT SHIFT UP. THE BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND AM ONLY ABLE TO MAKE A CALL 30% OF THE TIME. BACKUP CAMERAS AND SENSORS ARE INTERMITTENT. WINDOW WILL NOT WORK. BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF HINGES WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT. MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OVERHEATED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. CAUSING MY CAR TO FILL WITH SMOKE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. MANY ISSUES WITH THIS LEMON! SHIFTER WILL NOT GO FROM DRIVE INTO PARK LEAVING ME STRANDED IN MY CAR. VEHICLE HAS NO POWER....POOR ENGINE. PAINT AND CHROME OF HANDLES ARE COMING OFF. PULLS TO THE LEFT AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 16, 2012
1ST PROBLEM: I BOUGHT THE CAR, DROVE IT OFF THE LOT, DEALERSHIP DID NOT GET IT INSPECTED SO I HAD TO TAKE IT AT 10 MILES TO GET AN INSPECTION STICKER ON IT! 2ND PROBLEM: IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUYING THE CAR, I NOTICED ALL THE WINDOWS AND DOORS RATTLED. TOOK IT TO KIA IN KINGWOOD 5 TIMES AND THEY COULD NEVER HEAR THE SOUND AND/OR FIXED OTHER THINGS ON THE CAR THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE FIXED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. 3RD PROBLEM: ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, 3 VISITS LATER, I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, AT 13,000 MILES..SOMETHING WRONG WITH SENSOR THAT MEASURES FLUIDS?? 4TH PROBLEM: TAKING BACK AT 14,500 MILES ON MONDAY(3/18/12) TO GET DOORS CHECKED OUT NOW ELECTRONICS ARE MESSED UP AND LOUD NOISE EVERYTIME I LOCK OR ROLL DOWN WINDOWS. ALSO, CANT GET KEY TO TURN IN IGNITION ALOT!! WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Power train, Mar 8, 2012
SOMETIME IN OCT. 31, 2011, MY KIA SORENTO 2011 FAILED TO START UP. IT TOOK ME TO DIAL MY CELL AND CALL KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. AND NOW, MARCH 6, 2012, ANOTHER PROBLEM, WORSE THAN THE FIRST, OCCURRED. IT WAS TUESDAY MORNING, WHILE I'M EXCITED TO REPORT TO WORK EARLY FOR A SCHEDULED POST CONFERENCE WITH THE ASST. PRINCIPAL, ONE OF MY EVALUATORS, I JUST CAN'T WORK AND GET THE POST CONFERENCE DONE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF MY KIA SORENTO 2011 TO MOVE VIA D SHIFT. I WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT HAPPEN BUT I DON'T SEE ANY OUTSIDE TROUBLE UNTIL ANOTHER DRIVER ASKED ME WHAT'S WRONG AND HEARD SOMETHING UNDERNEATH FROM MY KIA SORENTO 2011 THEN HE SAID --- TRANSMISSION. I CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAITED FOR ALMOST THREE HOURS UNTIL WE GET THERE AT ORR KIA-MITSUBISHI DEALER SHREVEPORT (SAME DEALER WHERE I GOT MY KIA SORENTO 2011). I WAS TOLD TO RENT A CAR FOR 2 - 3 DAYS SINCE THEY CAN'T PROVIDE ME A DEALER'S TEMPORARY CAR TO KEEP ME GOING AND DO WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO. AFTER 2 DAYS, I CALLED AND WAS TOLD THAT INDEED TRANSMISSION IS THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE FROM STOPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 9, 2012
02/23/2011 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH. 10/14/2011 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. 11/14/2011 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION SHIFTER. 01/05/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, STARTED AFTER BATTERY JUMP. 01/29/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; CALLED FOR TOW; VEHICLE STARTED AFTER 40 MINUTES OF NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. 02/07/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; VEHICLE STARTED AFTER 30 MINUTES OF NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. 02/09/2012 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; TOWED TO DEALER. SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THESE PUSH-BUTTON STARTERS! 5 TOWS WITHIN ONE YEAR PLUS OTHER NON-START TIMES?! KIA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM! *TR
Power train, Feb 6, 2012
WHILE ON VACATION IN SOUTH FLORIDA, I WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN MY 2011 KIA SORENTO SX (6 CYL, AUTO TRANS), WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN RACING (BUT NOT ACCELERATING), AND I FELT A HEAVY THUMP IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, AS IF IT HAD BEEN STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR ME, AND NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER, 2010 AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE PROBLEM IN 12,000 MILES OF USE. I TELEPHONED MY KIA DEALER IN PENNSYLVANIA AND WAS TOLD THAT IF NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNLESS IT WERE DUPLICATED DURING A TEST DRIVE. THEY DID TELL ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 16, 2012
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON MONDAY JAN. 9TH GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY. THEN THE CAR LOST POWER I HAD TO PULL OVER IT WOULD NOT DRIVE, I WAS PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. ALSO THE TACH QUIT WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO CALLED AND SCHEDULED SERVICE WITH OUR LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. ON MY WAY HOME IT DONE THE SAME EXACT THING I HAD TO PULL OVER AGAIN, LUCKILY BOTH TIMES THERE WAS NOT A CAR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE PICKED IT UP ON SUNDAY THINKING EVERYTHING WAS FINE, WE MADE IT HOME AND WENT TO THE STORE. ON THE WAY BACK COMING ACROSS THE POMEROY MASON BRIDGE IT JERKED AGAIN VERY HARD AND WE HAD TO COME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC! WE CALLED TO SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THURSDAY JAN. 19. ON MY WAY TO WORK TODAY JAN. 16 IT DONE THE SAME EXACT THING! I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR
Power train, Jan 14, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT APROX. 65 MPH AND FELT A SEVERE JOLT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER LIKE EITHER OF MY KIDS TO LOOSE CONTROL. I INITIALLY THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR. THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY OTHER VEHICLES CLOSE ENOUGH TO HAVE HIT ME, SO I PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER TO SEE IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING. EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE SO I PROCEEDED TO GET BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND THEN NOTICED IT WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. AS I CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE RPM CONTINUED TO CLIMB SO I HAD TO DRIVE BELOW 45MPH.WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS MOVED TO THE MANUAL SIDE IT WAS IN 4TH GEAR. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER AGAIN AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIVE A FEW TIMES BUT IT WOULD ALWAYS GO BACK TO 4TH GEAR WHEN IN DRIVE. I HAD TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY, ABOUT 20 MILES AT A SLOWER SPEED WITH THE FLASHERS ON. THIS MORNING I CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND IT WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. I WILL BRING THE VEHICLE TO KIA, BUT WILL NOT LET OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVE THE CAR UNLESS I AM CERTAIN IT IS CORRECTED. I NOW SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON EDMONDS. COM. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? I COULD NOT FIND ONE ON YOUR WEB-SITE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 17, 2011
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO MISS/SKIP GEARS! IT FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP ALTOGETHER, AND I DEFINITELY LOST ACCELERATION ABILITY. NEXT THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND IT HAS NOT GONE OFF. I AM GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER ON 12/17/2011 TO SEE WHAT MAY BE CAUSING A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. *TR
Power train, Dec 9, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING 2 MPH OVER A DITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14,980.
Power train, Nov 24, 2011, crash
MY 2011 KIA SORENTO 2.4 L W/ AUTO TRANNY FWD WAS FIXED ON RECALL ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO.AFTER DRIVING 26 DAYS I HAD BAD ACCIDENT. FROM MY HOUSE TO WORK I STOPPED AT MCDONALD REST. TO BUY BREAKFAST. I GOT ON, STARTED MY VEHICLE, STEP ON MY BRAKES TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE START SHAKING, REVERSED, SPAN 360 DEGREES, HIT THE RAILINGS AND RAMP OF THE RESTAURANT AND DRIVE FORWARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT. IT STOP BECAUSE THE TWO CONTROL ARM/AXLES WERE DAMAGED. I WAS SHAKEN AND IT WAS HARD TO REMEMBER WHAT REALLY HAPPENED WHAT I EXPLAINED WAS THE SAME AS WHAT THE WITNESS SAW WHILE LINING UP ON THE DRIVE THRU TO ORDER HER BREAKFAST. THE WITNESS CAME OVER AND HELPED ME. THE DAMAGED WAS SO EXPENSIVE THAT I HAVE TO FIX THE DAMAGE THRU MY INSURANCE. I HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED BY RELIABLE SHOP NOT BY KIA DEALERSHIP IN ORDER FOR ME TO VERIFY IF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE RECALL REPAIR. I ALMOST FORGOT THAT ON THE EARLY MORNING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE REVERSED FROM MY GARAGE @ UNREASONABLE SPEED THAT I HAVE TO CONTROL BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR SOME PARTS FROM KIA. DO I HAVE TO NOTIFY KIA WHAT HAPPENED OR WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN. WHAT IS YOUR ADVISE. AS OF NOW I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE PHOBIA EVERYTIME I BACK UP, AT LEAST I AM AWARE WHAT HAPPENED. THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Nov 6, 2011
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE/PARK AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE MUST BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED IN ORDER TO SHIFT INTO PARK/REVERSE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER. THE SERVICE TEAM STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE ERROR. *TR