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, Oct 28, 2019
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY 2011 KIA SORENTO LX WILL NOT OPEN. IF THE KEY FOB IS PRESSED AND ALL THE OTHER DOORS OPEN, THAT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I CHECKED THE CHILD PROOF LOCK TO SEE IF IT WAS ENGAGED OH, IT WAS NOT. A MERE COUPLE OF DAYS, PERHAPS A WEEK PRIOR TO FINDING THIS PROBLEM OH, I HAD THE RECALL FIXED ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I WAS INFORMED BY BOTH THE LOU FUSZ KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN ST LOUIS AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS KIA THAT THERE WERE NOT ANY RECALLS WITH REAR DOOR LOCKS.
Structure, Oct 11, 2019
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I MUST EITHER ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM ANOTHER DOOR & CRAWL INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT, REACH IN THROUGH THE WINDOW IF IT'S DOWN (WINTER IS APPROACHING...IT WONT BE DOWN) OR REACH IN FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR & OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED (OBVIOUSLY). DOOR WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY SLAMMED SHUT PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRING.
Electrical system, Structure, Oct 11, 2019
I WENT TO THE STORE AND TRIED TO OPEN THE BACK PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I THOUGHT THAT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WERE ON SO I WENT INSIDE FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND OPENED THE DOOR. STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHY I CAN'T OPEN MY DOOR THEN TODAY THE OTHER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN NOW. BOTH BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT GOD FORBID OR A FIRE AND I HAD MY CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILD IN MY VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET THEM OUT! KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS IMMEDIATELY. LOOKING BACK I CAN SEE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THIS IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU
Structure, Sep 26, 2019
DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE
Structure, Sep 24, 2019
MAJOR PAINT DEFECT ON HOOD & ABOVE WINDSHIELD. KIA REFUSES TO ISSUE RECALL AND COVER THEIR DEFECT.
Suspension, Electrical system, Structure, Sep 14, 2019
MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I'M AFRAID TO PUT CHILD LOCK ON BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT MAKES FOR A VERY DANGEROUS MAYBE DEATHLY SITUATION. HORN DOESN'T WORK.
Structure, Sep 13, 2019
KIA SORENTO 2011 DOOR HANDLES KEEP COMING APART IN OUR HANDS WHEN JUST OPENING DOORS 'NORMALLY' (I.E.- NO JERKING FORCES USED, JUST NORMAL OPENING FORCE !!!) KIA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE ABSURD 90% PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES ! THIS IS THE 3RD TIME - WE ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP PAYING KIA DEALER TO FIX HANDLES ! US GOV'T MUST GET INVOLVED IN THIS!WHAT KIND OF BOGUS DESIGN USES PLASTIC HANDLES? PLEASE MAKE THIS ISSUE KNOWN TO PROPER GOV'T AGENCIES & KIA 🧐THANK YOU
Structure, Service brakes, Aug 15, 2019
DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ON THE DRIVER REAR SIDE. ALSO I AM STARTING TO HAVE ISSUES WITH MY GEAR SHIFT. I CAN'T PUT MY VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. IF I DO GET IT OUT OF PARK, 2 OF MY DASHBOARDS LIGHTS COME ONE. I ALSO NOTICE WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE ON MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT SHOW ON THE REAR SIDE. THIS IS AM HAZARD AND MY TRUCK SLIPS FROM TIME TO TIME.
Structure, Aug 13, 2019
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DOORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE DOORS ARE INOPERABLE AND DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR AND REACH INSIDE HANDLE TO OPEN THE FRONT DOORS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I WORRY THAT EVENTUALLY ALL OF THE DOORS WILL STOP WORKING. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A PLASTIC MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME THAT FAILS AT SOME POINT. MY WIFE CONTACTED KIA CONCERNING THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED OVER $300 TO REPAIR ONE DOOR. THIS SHOULD NOT COST THE CONSUMER AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU.
Air bags, Structure, Seats, Jul 20, 2019
MY CAR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY AND DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THE DRIVER SEAT LOWER BACK ADJUSTING CUSHION DOES NOT FUNCTION ANYMORE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UMLOCK DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE OR INSPECT AND ORDER THE DOOR HANDLE BASE MECHANISM PART, THEN CHARGE FOR THAT AND INSTALLATION.
Structure, Jul 18, 2019
5XYKT3A15BG[XXX], DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WANT OPEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2019
SRS/AIRBAG LIGHTS RANDOMLY CAME ON AMD SHUT OFF ALSO DOOR STOPPED OPENING
Exterior lighting, Structure, Engine, Jun 25, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, KEEPS STALLING OUT AT A STOP OR WHEN TURNING, SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING BURNING, NOW MAKING A ROUGH GRINDING NOISE FROM MOTOR. KEEPS GOING THROUGH OIL, PUTTING TWO QUARTS OF OIL IN EVERY OTHER DAY. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IN BACK WONT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS BLOWING OUT, THE TIRES ON THE FRONT END KEEP GOING BOLD.
Structure, May 17, 2019
REAR DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE BROKEN DOOR HANDLE RENDERS THAT DOOR USELESS, AND IN AN EMERGENCY, THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY/ PARKED WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE WITH THE KIA SORRENTO. THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP, WHEN ASKED, STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN, BUT THERE IS NOT YET A RECALL. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DOOR "LATCH", WHICH DID NOT COVER THE HANDLE ITSELF. A RECALL OF A DOOR "LATCH" SHOULD INCLUDE THE HANDLE, IF BROKEN.
Electrical system, Structure, May 10, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCKED, UNABLE TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE MANUALLY OR WITH REMOTE. PREVIOUSLY DOOR WAS REPAIRED DUE TO RECALL, DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF ALSO DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING. VEHICLE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION WONT OPEN. PLEASE ADVISE.
Structure, May 3, 2019
MY BACK PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I PUT MY TWO GRANDSONS IN THE VEHICLE ONE ON EACH SIDE PUT THE SAFETY LOCKS ON THE NEXT DAY THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE
Structure, Apr 27, 2019
DOOR LATCH PROBLEM, WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE, AND THEN WON'T OPEN ON OUTSIDE. IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS KIA, FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUES. YOU UNLOCK THE DOOR AND DOOR LATCH WON'T UNLOCK THE DOOR . IT WILL NOT OPEN. SO YOU HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE TO OPEN . THE SECOND SIMILAR PROBLEM. DOOR UNLOCKED, BUT YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR, THIS SAME ISSUES HAPPENED ON DRIVER'S SIDE!
Structure, Apr 24, 2019
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. YOU CAN REACH ACROSS THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND OPEN.
Structure, Apr 22, 2019
THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER THE OUTSIDE NOR THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN ISSUE WAS NOTICED.
Structure, Apr 18, 2019
DOORS ARE NOT OPENING FROM THE INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE. DOOR HANDLE BROKE ON ONE DOOR WHEN OPENING.
Structure, Apr 4, 2019
CAN NOT OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAD THE SAME ISSUE LAST YEAR WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR.
Structure, Mar 24, 2019
DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. CHILD LOCK IS ON AND NOW I CANNOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE EITHER.
Structure, Mar 22, 2019
FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLES CHROME PEAL OFF CAUSING CUTS ON HANDS.
Structure, Feb 17, 2019
MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TO REACH ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE AND PULL THE INTERIOR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN IT.
Structure, Feb 3, 2019
IN 2017 MY DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR REAR DOOR HANDLE WAS BEING OPENED BY MY 98 LBS DAUGHTER AND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. CAR WAS IN PARK THEN IN 1018. THE PASSENGER EXTERIOR REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF BY THE SAME 98 LB DAUGHTER. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES. IF I WAS IN A CAR WRECK AND PASSED OUT. YOU WOULDNT BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE BACK SEAT.