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: structure
268 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Structure, Feb 24, 2015
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY KIA SORENTO BEGINNING IN 2013 TWO OF MY DOORS IN THE CAR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE INSIDE. THE DOORS WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE MOST RECENT DOOR THAT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH IS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE INSIDE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MY POWER WINDOWS. LAST YEAR THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW BROKE AND NOW THIS YEAR THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW IS BROKEN. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO KIA NUMEROUS OF TIMES B/C BEING LOCKED OUT OF YOUR CAR IS A SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE HAD REALLY STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING WITH MY KIA THAT'S REALLY UNHEARD OF. I HAVE ALSO ASKED KIA TO LOOK INTO IF MY CAR IS POSSIBLY ONE OF THEIR LEMONS. *JS
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
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 12, 2014, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON LIGHT, NEW SNOW MY CAR HAD SUDDENLY SKIDDED SLIGHTLY, NO OVER-CORRECTING, I SIMPLY GOT THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD, STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND STARTED RACING DOWN THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET INTO THE EMBANKMENT! I HAD PULLED THE CAR TO THE LEFT AND HAD THE BRAKES PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN (AND BOTH FEET INCLUDING ALL MY WEIGHT ON THEM) UNTIL MY CAR CRASHED COMPLETELY INTO A TREE! THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AND MY FEET WERE ON THE BRAKES! IT WAS ALSO HARD TO GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO PARK --- WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR INTO PARK I QUICKLY TOOK THE KEYS OUT. THE 2011 KIA SORENTO AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD SERIOUSLY BE LOOKED INTO. YES, I WAS INJURED AND THANKFULLY A TREE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE ELSE WAS HURT! *TR
Structure, Dec 1, 2014
NOT ABLE TO OPEN BACK DOORS ONE WEEK APART FROM OUTSIDE. *JS
Structure, Oct 27, 2014
THE LEFT SIDE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE MECHANISM QUIT WORKING. CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. HAVE TO REACH IN AND OPEN FROM INSIDE. THIS COULD BE A HAZARD DUE TO THAT I CANNOT GET TO MY CHILDREN QUICKLY. *TR
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 27, 2014
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT WOULD ONLY OPEN FROM INSIDE THE CAR. WHEN THIS ISSUE IS GOOGLED I REALIZE THIS IS A COMMON KIA PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Aug 21, 2014
AROUND THE FIRST OF THIS MONTH I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WAS UNABLE TO. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE LOCK ITSELF, BUT AFTER INVESTIGATING A LITTLE FURTHER I REALIZED IT IS THE DOOR HANDLE ITSELF. I ALSO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL DOOR. SOMETIMES IT OPENS WITH THE PUSH BUTTON AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. KIA HAS LOOKED AT THIS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Aug 18, 2014
FRONT DRIVER EXTERIOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR - CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM INSIDE . *TR
Structure, Jul 1, 2014
PURCHASED 2011 KIA SORENTO - NEW- FROM LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 5/13/2011. IN ONE YEAR (5/17/2012) RIGHT-REAR PASSENGER DOOR STARTED STICKING. ENDED UP BEING THE DOOR PANEL STICKING ON THE WEATHER STRIPPING, BUT THIS REQUIRED TWO SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, ON 6/6/2012 (WEATHER STRIP REPLACED) AND 9/5/2012 (DOOR PANEL REPLACED) (COVERED BY WARRANTY). THIS FINAL SOLUTION OF REPLACING THE DOOR PANEL WORKED, UNTIL 6/19/2014. SAME ISSUE, WITH THE SAME DOOR, RECURRED. THE DOOR PANEL CLIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALER SHIP OPENED A CASE WITH KIA AT OUR REQUEST AND ADJUSTED THE DOOR STRIKE PLATE. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED, BUT WITHIN TWO DAYS, WE ARE READY TO TAKE IT BACK TO RE-ADDRESS THE ISSUE. AT THIS POINT THE MILEAGE HAS PLACED THE CAR OUT OF WARRANTY, THUS THE CURRENT COST OF THE PART (THE DOOR PANEL) BEING $675, PLUS LABOR, IS ON US TO BEAR AND LIKELY, BASED ON THE PREVIOUS RECORD WILL NOT BE THE FINAL REPAIR REQUIRED FOR THIS ROUND. WE FULLY EXPECT THIS SAME DOOR TO FAIL IN ANOTHER TWO YEARS. WE FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR, FORGETTING IT IS BROKEN, AND DOES NOT PUSH HARD TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED. THERE IS AN OPEN CASE WITH KIA DIRECTLY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM (K2738522). THEY ONLY MENTIONED ASSISTING WITH THE REPAIR, NOT REPAIRING IT AT THEIR COST, FOR WHAT IS LIKELY A QUALITY AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND DOOR. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE LIMITED TO THE 2011 MODEL YEAR AS I DID FIND ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON A 2012 MODEL IN THE WILD: HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/KIA/SORENTO/2012/CONSUMER-REVIEWS/REAR-PASSENGER-DOOR-WON'T-OPEN.HTML?STYLE=101388024&SUB=&REVIEWID=964955855. *TR
Structure, May 20, 2014
DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE AND THE GAS DOOR WANT OPEN. IT STARTED WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR THEN THE BACK DRIVER DOOR AND NOW DRIVER DOOR. SAFETY ISSUE WHEN CHILDREN IS STRANDED IN CAR AND PARENT CANT GET IN. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Mar 11, 2014
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. MY HUSBAND DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN SUNROOF MADE A LOUD BANG. LUCKILY THE SHADE WAS DRAWN AND PROTECTED HIM FROM FLYING GLASS. THE FLYING GLASS TOOK OUT THE ANTENNA. *TR .. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 08/25/2014 *JS
Structure, Jan 22, 2014
1ST INCIDENT 10/2010 - OUTSIDE RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE SNAPS OFF (CHILD LOCK ON INSIDE OF CAR ENGAGED SO YOU CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET A CHILD OUT OF THE CAR). 2ND INCIDENT 01/17/2014 CAR HAS 35000 MILES NOW - OUTSIDE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE SNAPS OFF (CHILD LOCK ON INSIDE OF CAR ENGAGED SO YOU CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET A CHILD OUT OF THE CAR). I THOUGHT THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WOW I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN BEFORE ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED - I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW WITH ONLY 15 MILES ON IT, IT IS GARAGE KEPT. NOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I QUESTION THE QUALITY - AND HAVE READ ONLINE OF OTHERS HAVING SAME ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER, PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCHES FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2011
DRIVING HOME ON RAINY DAY WHEN SUNROOF SHATTERED OUT OF NOWHERE. DID NOT RUN OFF THE ROAD NOR DID I HEAR ANYTHING HIT THE VEHICLE. I HEARD ONE LOUD POP AND NOTICED SUNROOF VISOR SAGGING SIGNIFICANTLY. CANNOT PROVE SOMETHING DIDN'T HIT IT, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF SOMETHING HITTING THE SUNROOF. CONTACTED KIA TO SEE IF ANY OTHER CASES HAD BEEN REPORTED WITH KIA REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT SHE DID NOT BELIEVE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEIR VEHICLES, BUT SHE ALSO STATED THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO LOOK BACK AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANOTHER REPORT. SHE ALSO DECLINED TO LET ME SPEAK WITH HER SUPERVISOR ON THIS MATTER. DUE TO SAFETY PURPOSES, I BELIEVE KIA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS POSSIBLE ISSUE. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE, PLEASE CONTACT KIA AND NHSTA IN ORDER TO HELP CORRECT THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Structure, Feb 6, 2011
SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY OPENING THE SUNROOF AND IT SHATTERED ON ME AND MY FAMILY, THE GLASS FELL ON ME AND MY WIFE. THE SEATS WERE SCRATCHED AS WELL AS THE DASH, I ALSO HAD SCRACHES ON MY FOREHEAD AS I WAS LOOKING AT THE SWITCH. THE CAR HAD APROX 400 MILES. THE DEALER FIXED THE ROOF REPLACED THE SCRATCHED PANNELS, THE CAR ALSO HAS A SLIGHT PULL TO THE RIGHT THEY SAID THEY COULDNT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK APROX 12 DAYS TO GET THE CAR BACK. TWO DAYS AFTER RECIEVING THE CAR BACK WE TOOK A TRIP AND WITH 914 MILES A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WIND SHIELD AT APROX 55 TO 60 MPH AND IT CRACKED ABOUT 9 INCHES LONG. DOES KIA USE AN INFERIOR GLASS IN THERE VEHICLES AND WHY THE PULL TO THE RIGHT? *TR
Suspension, Structure, Aug 25, 2010
CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT OF CAR WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND BANGING AROUND. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WITH NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I WILL LIST MORE LATER. *TR
Structure, Jul 28, 2010
THE CAR IS A 2011 AND IS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A CRACK AND A LOUD POP. AFTER THAT NOISE THE WHOLE SUNROOF FELL IN ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING, ALL OF THE GLASS AND METAL HOLDING THE GLASS. IT SEEMS THE GLASS HAD POPPED UP BEFORE IT FELL IN ON ME. MY BACK WAS SCRATCHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE SUNROOF WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND ALSO A GOUGED DOOR PANEL. THERE ARE STILL SMALL SCRATCHED ON THE INTERIOR AND THE ROOF OF THE CAR FROM THE GLASS. *TR
Structure, Jul 26, 2010
THE CHROME RINGS AROUND INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE VERY BLINDING ON SUNNY DAYS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR