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, Oct 27, 2011
I WAS DRIVING ON THE X-WAY AT ABOUT 65MPH AND FELT A HUGE JOLT AND HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE SAME TIME AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE CONTROL A BIT. I WORKED THE SHIFT GEAR TO TRY TO REGAIN CONTROL AND GOT OFF THE X-WAY, AND TURNED AROUND TO SEE WHAT I HAD HIT OR RUN OVER. NOTHING WAS IN THE ROAD. I MADE IT HOME AND MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. I BARELY DROVE FOR 3 DAYS UNTIL THE APPOINTMENT ON TUESDAY, 10/25/11. DURING THAT TIME WE FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION RECALL ON THE NHTSA SITE (KIA SAFETY RECALL #SC089) THAT IS RELATED TO THE 2WD AUTOMATIC SORENTO. HOWEVER, THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS I EXPERIENCED ON MY AWD VEHICLE. KIA DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM DIDN'T PRESENT FOR THEM, THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG AND TO TAKE IT HOME. THE KIA SERVICE TEAM DIDN'T SEEM TO BE AWARE OF THE NHTSA RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA BY PHONE AND ALSO BY E-MAIL IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED. I AM WAITING ON A RESPONSE. I DON'T HAVE A BACK-UP CAR, AND I NEED TO DRIVE EVERY DAY TO KEEP MY JOB, ETC. PLEASE EXPAND THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11010 - KIA SAFETY RECALL # SC089 TO INCLUDE THE 2011 AWD KIA SORENTO MODELS AND HELP ME GET THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED WHILE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND BEFORE A CRASH TAKES MY LIFE OR THAT OF SOMEONE ELSE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Power train, Oct 23, 2011
BRAND NEW KIA SORENTO (4,000 MILES) NEEDS TO HAVE A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Power train, Oct 16, 2011
TRANSMISSION ISSUES. DRIVING AT 30MPH WHEN I NOTICE SUDDENLY THE TRACTION CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSISTANCE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I TRIED TO TURN IT OFF BUT I COULDN'T, IT JUST WOULD GO AWAY. AT THE NEXT STOP SIGN I PUT THE CAR ON PARK WHEN IT FOR MY SURPRISE IT GOT STUCK, WOULD NOT GO FW OR REVERSE. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT TO WORK. THE TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK A FEW TIMES BEFORE AND WHEN I INQUIRED THE DEALERSHIP THEY RAN SOME TESTS AND SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON ISSUE ON 2011 KIA SORENTO. SEVERAL CUSTOMERS HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE, TWICE AND EVEN 3/4 TIMES AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN OVER AND OVER. IT SEEMS TO ME KIA DOES NOT CARE, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A RIP OFF FOR A $25K CAR WITH LESS THAN 17K MILES. *TR
Power train, Oct 9, 2011
I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT, AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE, AND VEHICLE SEIZED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS A LOUD GEAR GRINDING NOISE WHEN GEAR WAS ENGAGED, BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. CAR STARTED FINE AFTERWARD, BUT SAME GEAR GRINDING OCCURRED WHEN PLACED IN GEAR, WITH NO VEHICLE MOTION. *TR
Power train, Oct 6, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL WHEN IT WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO BUSHES. BOTH CHILDREN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED TO ITS SPECIFICATIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT ALL VEHICLES MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER COULD BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK IN THE SAME MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Sep 20, 2011
PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE RESULTED IN A LOUD "CLUNK" FELT IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (ABOUT 4 MINUTES). AFTER ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A MUCH LARGER "CLUNK" FORM THE TRANSMISSION AREA, FOLLOWED BY A METALLIC WHINING/WHIRRING NOISE FORM THE SAME AREA, AND LOSS OF SPEED. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE MAIN ROAD, AND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING THE CAR INTO THE "PARK" GEAR SO I COULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 18, 2011
EVER SINCE BOUGHT NEW (SORENTO SX 6CYL.) IN APRIL 2011, THERE HAS BEEN A INTERMITTANT ISSUE WITH NO ENGINE RESPONSE FROM STOP FOR 2-3 SECONDS. RPM'S STAY AT IDLE SPEED, THEN IT SUDDENLY TAKES HOLD AND RUNS FINE. ONLY HAPPENS FROM STOP, AND ONLY ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE EVERY 2-3 DAYS. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, NO CODES. DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. I CANNOT DUPLICATE IT UNDER ANY DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. ALSO, IF I APPLY BRAKE DURING THIS "HESITATION" THERE IS NO ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE I HOLD THE BRAKE. I FEEL SURE IT IS IN THE "FLY BY WIRE" SYSTEM, BUT DEALER HAS NO CLUE. I HAVE TO "FEATHER" THE ACCELERATOR FROM STOP WHENEVER I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TT
Power train, Sep 14, 2011
THIS 2011 KIA SORENTO LX IS A V6, KEY START WITH 13,000 MILES PURCHASED NEW IN DECEMBER 2010. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS A CLICKING NOISE OCCURRING BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. THEN THE CLICKING BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE. IT DID NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT ENOUGH TO BE ANNOYING AND CAUSING CONCERN OF WHAT THE NOISE MEANT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ASKED ME TO SHOW THEM THE PROBLEM. THE NOISE WAS ESPECIALLY LOUD BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE. THEY REPLACED A DEFECTIVE SHIFTER. THIS FIXED THE CLICKING. *KB
Power train, Sep 11, 2011
DELAY IN ACCELERATION AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS FROM A DEAD START AND ALSO WHILE MOVING. ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP A GRADE. (EX.) WHILE BACKING UP A GRADE SUCH AS A DRIVEWAY TO THE GARAGE I BACK UP AND THEN HIT MY BRAKE TO STOP. I THEN REALIZE I NEED TO BACK UP A LITTLE FARTHER. I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND PUSH THE ACCELERATOR. INSTEAD OF GOING BACKWARDS I DRIFT FORWARD. IN MY MIND I AM THINKING I DON'T HAVE THE ACCELERATOR PUSHED DOWN SO I PUSH HARDER AND ABOUT THAT TIME THE ACCELERATOR KICKS IN AND I GO FLYING BACKWARDS TOWARD THE GARAGE DOOR. (EX.2) I AM TRYING TO BACK A BOAT INTO THE RIVER. I BACK UP AND HOLD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I NEED TO PULL BACK OUT OF THE WATER SOME SO I QUICKLY RELEASE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND PUSH THE ACCELERATOR. NOW INSTEAD OF GOING FORWARD THERE IS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND I DRIFT FURTHER INTO THE RIVER. (SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT) MULTIPLY THIS OCCURRENCE AT EVERY STOP SIGN. ESPECIALLY WHERE THERE IS A GRADE INVOLVED. IN MY OPINION I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN IN THE COMPUTER FOR WHAT EVER REASON AND IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ONE. *TR
Power train, Sep 6, 2011
VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWN SHIFTS USUALLY AT APPROX. 65 MPH. TIRES SQUEAL SENDING ME LURCHING FORWARD. WHIPLASH! RPM SHOOTS UP TO 6000 AND STAYS THERE UNTIL I EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND SLOW DOWN BELOW 40MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE 4 MONTHS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. ONCE I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE! I HAD RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC COMING AT ME FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MY FAMILY IS GOING TO BE VERY WEALTHY WHEN I DIE IN THIS DEATH TRAP. *TR
Power train, Aug 28, 2011
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 KIA SORENTO FROM KIA. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY AND SUDDENLY I FELT LIKE I HIT A BRICK WALL AND A MY SORENTO RPM GUAGE JUMPED TO 6000 RPM. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR ANY VISUAL DAMAGE WHICH I COULD NOT FIND, I THEN PROCEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 1ST GEAR. AGAIN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY I YEAR OLD. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANT FOR THE 1ST TIME IN MY LIFE AFTER OWNING OVER 20 NEW CARS. MY CAR WAS TOWED AND MY FAMILY WAS STUCK OUT OF TOWN WITH NO VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS. THE DEALER LOOKED AT MY CAR AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. OF COURSE NOT! I CALL KIA CORP AND THE JUST TOOK MY NAME AND PROVIDED ME WITH A CASE #. WHAT ABOUT BEING STRAINDED WITHOUT A CAR FOR 2 DAY AND LUCKLY I HAD FAMILY NEAR BY FOR A PLACE TO STAY. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP INFORMING ME THAT KIA HAD ISSUED A TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE UPGRADE, SO AFTER THE UPDATE MY CAR WAS DRIVING LIKE NEW AGAIN. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER ON MY WAY TO WORK I FELT THAT SAME FEELING LIKE HITTING A BRICK WALL. THE DEALER STILL HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE CONCERN AND THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS WILL BE MY SECOND KIA THAT I HAVE OWNED AND THE LAST!!!! 6YR 100,000WARRANTY IS NOT WORTH THE DRAMA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Power train, Aug 17, 2011
MY KIA SORENTO 2011 MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHILE WE DRIVING OR COMING OUT OF A FULL STOP BUT THIS IS RANDOM, SHES BEEN AT THE DEALER ON 4 OCASIONS BUT THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHATS WRONG, THE COMPUTER DID NOT ADVISE OF ANY PROBLEM SO WE CONTINUE USING THE CAR AND MAKE NOTES OF WHEN IT HAPPENS THE DEALER TOLD US WHEN IT HAPPEND MORE OFTEN THEN TAKE HER BACK, SO IF ANYBODY HAS AN IDEA OF WHAT IT CAN BE WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU, THANKS. *KB
Power train, Aug 8, 2011
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS ON SHOW UPSHIFTS, INTERMITTENTLY. BEGAN @ 3500 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CODE INITIALLY READ AS "TRANSMISSION TEMP LIGHT FLUID". DEALER RESET CODE, COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RECURRED WITH SAME CODE FOR "TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE SENSOR". CONTINUED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH SLUGGISH UPSTARTS AT LOW SPEEDS AND HARD SHIFTS INTO GEAR. INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYING FOR 24 HOURS AND THEN DISAPPEARING WITHOUT STORING CODE. DEALER REPLACING TRANSMISSION @ 4800 MILES
Power train, Aug 7, 2011
TRANSMISSION BROKEN FOR 4TH TIME. VEHICLE TOWED FOR 4TH TIME. ONE NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED IN NOV 2010. ON 04 AUG 2011, WHILE AT BANK, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE, WITH MY SPOUSE, A US NAVAL VETERAN AND (DISABLED), WHEN SHE COULD NOT PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, NEUTRAL, OR REVERSE. AS SHE SAT CRYING FOR THE 4TH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS LET HER DOWN, SHE GOT THE ATTENTION OF 2 WOMEN WHOM CAME OVER AND NOTED THE PROBLEMS AND TOOK PHOTOS FOR WHEN THE DEALERSHIP "CROWN KIA" IN TYLER TEXAS SAYS "WE CANT DUPLICATE YOUR CONCERN." WE ARE NOW WRITING OUR SECOND DEMAND LETTER AND WILL TAKE KIA TO CIRCUIT COURT TO GET OUR MONEY BACK AND GET AWAY FROM THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT HAS LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED FOR THE 4TH AND LAST TIME DUE TO GROSS NEGLEGENCE AND VIOLATION OF THE MAGNUSSON MOSS WARANTY ACT AND THE STATE OF TEXAS LEMON LAWS. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES AND IS STILL BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT SINCE PURCHASE. THE KIA SORENTO HAS LEFT MY SPOUSE STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS INCLUDING AN OUT OF STATE TRIP TO FT. BRAGG NC WHILE ATTEMPTING TO VISIT ACTIVE DUTY SON HOME FROM IRAQ. AND THE ICING FOR ALL POTENTIAL/FUTURE KIA OWNERS, THIS IS OUR 7TH KIA. YES, THIS IS HOW KIA REWARDS CUSTOMER LOYALTY. *TT
Power train, Aug 4, 2011
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I TOOK MY 2011 KIA SORENTO IN BECAUSE I FELT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I DRIVE IT, IT FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THE RPM'S WOULD GO UP TOO HIGH BEFORE IT WOULD SHIFT GEARS. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC. THEY SAID THEY DROVE IT BUT DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME. TODAY I DROVE IT AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT IT IN PARK IT WOULD NOT GO BEYOND NEUTRAL. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT IN. THEY WERE VERY VAGUE ABOUT WHAT IT COULD BE AND JUST SAID THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT CONCERNS ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I SEE WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE 2011 KIA SORENTOS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED ANY HAVING THE PROBLEM OF BEING ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE? *TR
Power train, Jul 26, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, CAR SUDDENLY JOLTED LIKE I HIT SOMETHING. IT JERKED VERY HARD AND DECELARATED. THE RPMS ALSO WENT UP MUCH HIGHER LIKE IT SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. PULLED ONTO SHOULDER OF ROAD AND TURNED CAR OFF. SAME THING HAPPENED 2 DAYS PRIOR WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 71 MPH. FIRST TIME, WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR AND CONTINUE THE 20 MILE DRIVE TO WORK. TODAY, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO HAVE TOWED. WHEN ARRIVED AT DEALERSHIP, CAR STARTED WITHOUT ISSUES. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY HOOKED UP THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. THE TECHNICIAN DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 30 MILES AND WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM.
Power train, Jul 25, 2011
*ALTERED MILEAGE , * DRIVE AND EMISSIONS, CHECKED ENGINE LIGHT ON, FUEL CAP REPLACED, 2 JOURNAL PREFIXES, REPAIR KIT WIRING, BRACE ADDED FOR WIRES TO KEEP FROM TOUCHING TAIL PIPE, TRANSMISSION GEARS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MY VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR, AND GETTING STUCK IN GEARS KEEPING ME FROM BEING MOBILE IN TRAFFIC. MY WINDOWS GET STUCK IN POSITIONS ALL THE TIME WHEN LEAVING DRIVE THRU WINDOWS ETC. AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER,STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART A COUPLE OF TIMES. *ALTHOUGH SHIFT GEARS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, MY VEHICLE (WITH MY FAMILY IN IT THANK GOD AT SAFE SPEEDS) WILL NOT SHIFT/GO TO THE NEXT GEAR, BECOMING IMMOBILE. IF PARKING AT A STORE, WORK ETC. OFTEN I CAN NOT PUT MY VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT REMAINS STUCK IN DRIVE OFTEN MAKING ME LATE FOR APPOINTMENTS. MY DASHBOARD/CLUSTERS WERE REPLACED BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AREA DUE TO SIGNAL LIGHTS NOT WORKING. MY ODOMETER WAS REPLACED ON MY KIA SORENTO ALTERING THE ACTUAL MILEAGE (MY 'SPEEDOMETER REPLACEMENT RECORD' ON THE INSIDE WAS FILLED IN BY AN AUTHORIZED KIA DEALER). NOW WE HAVE YET ANOTHER RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR ADDING FRONT SPRING PROTECTION RECALL # SC091. I'M SURE I HAVE LEFT OFF A COUPLE OF REPAIRS, BUT THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO I COULD AVOID CONSTANT WAITING AT VEHICLE REPAIR/SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. I REALLY WISH THEY WOULD JUST REPLACE MY 2011 VEHICLE; I DO NOT WANT TO BE CUT SHORT WHEN TRADING MY VEHICLE SOME YEARS FROM NOW DUE TO AN INACCURATE ODOMETER READING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COOL IN ORDER TO PROCEED WITH DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Power train, Jul 20, 2011
DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH, DRY, CLEAR CONDITIONS. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, HEARD A LOUD THUD AND FELT A SHARP JARRING. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO SAFETY OR "LIMP" MODE. DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. VEHICLE RESET WHEN RESTARTED. *KB
Power train, Jul 11, 2011
MY 2011 KIA SORENTO IS STUCK IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO MANIPULATE THE BRAKE, AND KEY TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT. TODAY I LEFT FOR WORK, MADE A QUICK STOP AT THE STORE AND MY KIA WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. I WAS AE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF APPLIED THE ER BRAKE GOT WHAT I NEEDED. RETURNED TO THE CAR AND STARTED IT. WAS STILL UNABLE TO SHIFT TO P, OR R. I WAS IN NEUTRAL AND LUCKILY ON A SLIGHT SLOPE SO THE CAR ROLLED BACK ENOUGH TO AVOID HITTING THE BUILDING. PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE AND WENT ON TO WORK. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT GO IN TO ANYTHING BUT N AND D THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND DOWN SLOP LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. AFTER A WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR IN PARK. I THEN LEFT FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF P. GIGGLED THINGS AROUND AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO BACK UP AND DRIVE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY APPOINTMENT THE KIA WOULD NOT GO INTO R OR P AND IT REMAINED THAT WAY. I HAD TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL APPLY ER BRAKE. AFTER WORK I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE GEAR SHIFT ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GET IT TO GO INTO REVERSE. I HEARD LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. BACKED UP SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY. PUTTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE I HEARD MORE LOUD NOISES. I THEN PROCEEDED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND LEFT IT FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. I'M EXTREMELY AGGERVATTED THAT I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR UNLOCKED ALL DAY WITH THE KEY IN THE EMISSION AND ER BRAKE APPLIED. I HOPE THIS HELPS WITH THE INVESTIGATION OF THE BAD TRANSMISSIONS IN THE KIA. *TT
Power train, Jun 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GASOLINE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE;HOWEVER, IT WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2011 BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Power train, Jun 29, 2011
I FILED THIS REPORT 6/23/11 ON KIA.COM CONSUMER CARE WEBSITE: 2011 SORENTO LX (4CYL AWD) TRANSMISSION HAS LOCKED UP MULTIPLE TIMES. AT 40 MPH DURING ACCELERATION, LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY SEVERE JERKING, (HARD DOWN-SHIFT), LOSS OF DRIVE (ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN BUT DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR), COAST TO STOP,PUT IN PARK. FIRST FEW TIMES IT DROVE OKAY AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND FROM PARK, THIS LAST TIME IT WOULD NOT SHIFT BEYOND 40 MPH. TOWED TWICE TO DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE IN THE MILEAGE THAT THEY DROVE IT. VEHICLE PURCHASED 01/30/10 WITH 24K MILES. MILEAGE AT THE LAST SERVICE WAS 33K. FIRST EVENT 5/17, OCCURS EVERY 4-5 DAYS OR APPROX 200-250 MI. CHK ENGINE LT / TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAVE NEVER COME ON, COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC DOESNT REGISTER ANY ISSUES. THE DEALER WAS VERY NICE BUT WITHOUT KIA'S APPROVAL WOULD NOT KEEP THE CAR LONG ENOUGH TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I ASKED KIA DIRECTLY TO PROVIDE A TECH TO DRIVE THE CAR LONG ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE THE ISSUE BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE IT AND HAVE ALSO STATED THAT WITHOUT VERIFICATION THEY WILL NOT APPROVE ANY REPAIRS. I AM VERY AFRAID THAT NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS IT WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO CLOSE CALLS ON THE FREEWAY 6/28: THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN 4 DAYS AGO (6/24) ON A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD WHILE ACCELLERATING AFTER A STOP SIGN (AGAIN ABOUT 40-45 MPH). THIS TIME IT LOST ALL DRIVE AND RPM'S DID NOT GO UP WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. PUT IT INTO PARK AND TRIED TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY DROVE. TODAY 6/28, AT A GAS STATION THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN AND IT DROVE OKAY OUT OF THE STATION BUT 200 YDS LATER AS I WAS ACCELERATING UP THE RAMP TO ENTER I-5 (A 6 LANE FREEWAY DURING EARLY COMMUTE) IT MADE THE SAME LOUD BANG, JERK AND THEN LOST DRIVE, COASTED TO SHOULDER. TURNED ENGINE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART, IT WAS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE BUT I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. *TR
Power train, Jun 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FURTHER WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. A KNOCKING NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED 6/29/2011. UPDATED 09/07/2011 *LN *TR
Power train, Jun 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING WHILE SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 7,200. RETURN TO DEALER 8/10/11 TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING, TOIL LEAKING, TRANSMISSION STILL STICKS. UPDATED 09/14/2011 *LN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING, AS WELL AS THE GETTING STUCK. UPDATED 12/05/11
Power train, Jun 14, 2011
PURCHASED A NEW SORENTO LX ON 5-2011, 4CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC. ON THREE OCCASIONS DURING THE FIRST MONTH I OWNED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNCOMMANDED DOWNSHIFT FROM 6TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AT SPEED. TRANSMISSION THEN LOCKS IN 4TH GEAR UNTIL SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. VERY VIOLENT EVENT WHEN IT OCCURS, WITH AN INSTANTANEOUS BANG AND CORRESPONDING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED. *TR