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
Structure, Jan 5, 2022
Both front and rear passenger side doors do not open from the outside. Both failed within days of each other. There have been no incidents that would have caused this. This appears to be a widespread issue with Sorentos that has been going on for years.
Structure, Dec 14, 2021
Hello I would like to report that my 2011 Kia Sorento driver side door wont open from the outside and has been this way for almost a year it will cost me almost 400.00 to get this fixed myself that's a lot of money when I didn't break this ; however I looked online and this is a nationwide issue with this vehicle. This isn't safe and I just want Kia to do a recall to fix this issue I have to climb over seats to unlock from outside and I just wish they would recognize that this is definitely a world wide issue and not to overlook it. Thank you for taking the time to listen and or read what I've wrote.
Structure, Sep 13, 2021
Hood opened twice on me while I was driving.
Structure, Aug 31, 2021
One of the 2011 KIA SORENTO door can't open from outside or inside. This is really frustrating, as I couldn't open a door where my chiled seat. I have 5 year old and I have to sneak one of them into the other door. I am really frightened if what will happen if the child door is locked and child is in the car seat and I am not able to go inside my car. This is a potential hazard for my child. I heard from people is very common problem with Kia, Kia has to really step forward and replace this faulty mechanism. The cost my kia dealer estimates is $1200, I urge the Kia company to really fix this asap before someone gets hurt and/or result into fatality.
Structure, Aug 5, 2021
Paint is chipping really bad. Rust spots
Structure, Jul 31, 2021
Purchased the vehicle new and never sustained any damage to the affected areas of pearl white paint peeling.
Structure, Jul 8, 2021
I have a 2011 KIA SORENTO and the rear back door handle has stopped working on 7/7/2021. This is safety issue as I can open the door from inside but not from outside. I have a small child and another on the way and not being able to open the door to let her out of the car is unacceptable. I am really frightened if what will happen if my child is inside and I am not able to get inside my car. This is a potential hazard for my child and my future infant child. Kia has to really step forward and replace this faulty mechanism. I urge the Kia company to recall and fix this asap before someone gets hurt and/or it results in a fatality.
Structure, May 17, 2021
I have paint delaminating from many areas of my car. It is a Snow White Pearl 2011Kia Sorento.
Structure, Apr 3, 2021
THE PAINT (PEARL WHITE) ON THE VEHICLE ON THE SURFACE ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD IS DELAMINATING/PEELING. TWO DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Structure, Engine, Mar 18, 2021, fire
I DROVE MY 2011 KIA SORENTO ABOUT 9:15 AT NIGHT. BY 12:45 AM A PASSERBY HAD CALLED 911 DUE TO MY CAR BEING IN FLAMES. I WAS WOKEN UP TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVING AT MY HOUSE AND MY CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. AFTER THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED, THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND DETERMINED THAT IT HAD STARTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2017 AND IT CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 120,750 MILES ON IT. THEY INVESTIGATED IT AND DETERMINED IT HAD STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS AND IT WAS HEARTBREAKING TO WAKE UP TO THAT AT ALMOST 1:00AM. KIA NEEDS TO GET IT TOGETHER AND TAKE CARE OF MY EXPENSES.*DT
Structure, Feb 23, 2021
MY PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING IN SHEETS ON THE REAR QUARTER PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND IS COMING OFF ALL ALONG EACH SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IN SPOTS ALL ALONG THE CAR.
Structure, Nov 23, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I LOOKED THIS UP AND IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THESE KIA CARS. I AM AFRAID THAT ALL THE DOOR MIGHT DO THIS AND I WOULD NOT BE ABOUT TO GET MY GRANDKIDS OUT OR IF I HAD TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY I COULD NOT EXIT. NOW I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND REACH OUTSIDE THE DOOR TO ACTIVATE THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. MY FEAR IS THIS WILL STOP WORKING AND I WILL BE STUCK IN THE CAR. I AM AN OLDER PERSON SO CRAWLING OVER THE CONSOLE WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I BELIEVE IT IS A BROKEN DOOR LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR
Structure, Nov 11, 2020
MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT PAINT WAS COMING OFF THE ROOF OF MY KIA SORENTO 2011 MODEL AFTER THE CAR WASH. THIS WAS AROUND MID 2017. ON NOV 7, 2017, I TOOK MY CAR TO A BODY SHOP TO INQUIRE ABOUT FIXING THE PAINT DAMAGE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY KIAS SORENTOS COME IN WITH THE PEARL WHITE COLOR HAVE DELAMINATION. THEY INFORMED ME TO CHECK WITH A KIA BODYSHOP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THIS. THEY SAID THAT IT IS A FACTORY ISSUE. SO I WENT TO THE KIA BODY SHOP AND TALKED WITH THE MANAGER AND AFTER A FEW DAYS HE GOT BACK TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT KIA WOULD COVER HALF THE COST TO FIX IT. WELL I NEVER GOT IT DONE BECAUSE IF IT IS A FACTORY ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THAT KIA SHOULD COVER ALL OF IT. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY WHAT KIA WANTED TO CHARGE FOR THE PAINT JOB AND MAKE MY CAR PAYMENT AT THAT TIME. SO I WAITED AND NOW THE ROOF AND HOOD PAINT ARE CONTINUING TO COME OFF AND EVEN WORSE RUST. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE MY CAR AT THIS MOMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY CAR, BUT NOT ONLY IS IT EMBARRASSING, I WORRY ABOUT THE RUST EFFECTING AREAS AT THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD. I SEE MANY WHITE KIA SORENTOS WITH THIS ISSUE IN MY AREA AND THINK WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED AND COVERED BY KIA NATIONALLY. I FEEL KIA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR THE US CONSUMERS WHO HAVE SPENT THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THEIR PRODUCT. I DON'T FEEL THAT I AS A CONSUMER AM BEING TREATED FAIRLY BY THIS COMPANY. I FEEL THE PRODUCT AND QUALITY IS SUBPAR AND THAT CORNERS WERE CUT TO CREATE A BETTER BOTTOM LINE FOR THE CORPORATION. KIA NEEDS TO DO BETTER. YOU NEED TO DO A NATIONAL RECALL ON ALL WHITE KIA SORENTOS WITH THIS PAINT DELAMINATION ISSUE AND REPAINT THE WHOLE VEHICLE CORRECTLY.
Structure, Oct 23, 2020
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WHERE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHAT IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN TO ALL 4 DOORS WITH A KID IN THE CAR?
Structure, Sep 29, 2020
PAINT DELAMINATING CAUSING RUST ON HOOD AND ROOF OF VEHICLE, GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE.
Structure, Sep 26, 2020
DOORS ON RECENTLY BOUGH SORENTO WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND YET KIA HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL AND THAT LEAVES CONSUMERS STUCK WITH REPAIR COSTS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTIES.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 27, 2020, fire
I WAS LEAVING MY MOM HOUSE AROUND TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. AS I WAS FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM MY APARTMENTS MY CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I STOP MY CAR AND PUT IT UN PARK AND I SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOOD. I GET OUT THE CAR AND GRAB MY SON AND , I KNOCK ON SOMEONE'S DOOR FOR HELP AND AFTER THAT FIRE STARTS. I CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME IN ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES AND THEY FORCED MY HOOD OPEN DUE TO MY HOOD LATCH MISSING . AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT I FOUND PIECES OF METAL ON THE GROUND FROM MY KIA.
Structure, Aug 26, 2020
THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAS LOCKED IT'S SELF SHUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT IT'S A SENSER THAT'S GOING TO COST $300.00 TO GET IT OPEN
Structure, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2020
PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL TANK CORROSION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS EATEN UP WITH RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNIT BODY AS WELL AS SEVERAL STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OF THE VEHICLE. HAVE SPOKEN WITH KIA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT IS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2020
DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN THROUGH OUTSIDE HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR.THIS COULD BE DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY WELL BEING AS I COULD BE PULLED FROM CAR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER..I AM ALMOST 60 AND THIS IS VERY HARD ON ME TO CLIMB FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO DRIVERS SIDE ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN OR DARK PARKING LOT WITH ALL THE CRIME GOING ON THESE DAYS. *TR
Structure, Feb 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Structure, Feb 18, 2020
I WAS DRIVING 35MPH ON A 40MPH STRAIGHT ROAD FROM MY GROCERY STORE TO MY HOME. HALFWAY INTO MY DRIVE, THE HOOD OF MY CAR UNLATCHED AND SMACKED INTO MY WINDSHIELD. IT DID NOT FALL BACK DOWN IT STAYED COVERING THE WINDSHIELD AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A BUSINESS BY LOOKING THROUGH THE BOTTOM WHERE THE HOOD CURVES. AFTER PULLING OVER I PUSHED THE HOOD DOWN TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT USING A BUNGEE TO SECURE THE HOOD. I THEN DROVE HOME GOING ROUGHLY 15MPH BEHIND A FRIEND DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME. I AM UNSURE OF THE LAST TIME MY HOOD WAS MANUALLY OPENED. ROUGHLY 3-4 WEEKS AGO I TOOK MY KIA INTO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO A LETTER I RECEIVED TO FIX AN AIRBAG RECALL/WARRANTY. I AM ASSUMING THEY OPENED THE HOOD DURING THIS FIX BUT NOT CERTAIN. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE AND CURRENTLY HAVE MY KIA AT A COLLISION BODY SHOP THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. ATTACHED IS THE ESTIMATE IS GIVEN BY THE INSURANCE BASED ON THE PHOTOS I GAVE THEM. THE BODY SHOP ASSESSED DAMAGE TO MY ROOF AS WELL BUT I DO NOT HAVE THEIR ESTIMATE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2020
REAR PASSAGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN
Structure, Jan 3, 2020
CLEAR COAT PEELING ALL OVER ROOF AND SIDES OF RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER DOORS AND SOME ON FENDER AND ON HOOD
Structure, Dec 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,400.