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, Dec 17, 2018
WENT TO GET IN VEHICLE AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM OUTSIDE USING KEY FOB OR USING KEY ENTRY. I HAD TO CRAWL FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO ENTER VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD!
Power train, Air bags, Structure, Dec 14, 2018
(1)TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN 2ND GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION WOULD "JUMP" EVERY TIME THE CAR HIT 50MHP. COULD NOT REPLICATE AFTER SITTING IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. (2)ABS LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON-TOLD IT IS A CLOCK SPRING. KIA NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT. (3) DOORS STICK-DRIVERS DOOR WILL LOCK ITSELF AND CANNOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED 3X WHILE CAR IS RUNNING AND I EXITED TO GET MAIL. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT CLOSE- HAVE TO KNOCK HANDLE TO CLOSE. (4)BACKUP CAMERA INTERMITTENT. (5)BLUETOOTH DOES NOT PAIR WITH PHONE-INTERMITTENT. (6) GAS DOOR STICKS- MUST HIT RELEASE BUTTON DOZENS OF TIMES BEFORE IT OPENS. (7) TIRE PRESSURE GUAGES BROKEN.
Structure, Nov 23, 2018
DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER WORKS. THERE IS A PLASTIC PIECE ON THE ACTUATOR THAT BREAKS VERY EASILY. THIS COULD CAUSE DANGER TO PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CAR AS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Structure, Nov 1, 2018
DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 22, 2018
MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKE. I NEED TO REPLACE 3 OF THEM. THIS ISN'T NORMAL AT ALL. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. THE PAINT KEEPS PEELING OFF. I REPAINTED 1 X ON AN AREA, KIA IS AWARE. I TOOK TO THEM AND THEY SAID KIA WASN'T RESPONSIBLE (BUT , I DISAGREE). I PAID OVER 30,000 FOR THIS KIA.. , BODY SHOP COULDN'T GUARANTEE DUE TO THE PAINT JOB KIA DID ON MY AUTOMOBILE. NOW THE PAINT IS PEELING ON OTHER SPOTS.
Structure, Oct 19, 2018
REAR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR. ONLY CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Oct 5, 2018, fire
VEHICLES CAUGHT FIRE, HAD PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS FLAMES HAD ERUPTED AND FRONT END OF CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ARRIVED. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
Structure, Sep 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE SOME PACKAGES FROM THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE EXTERIOR HANDLE WAS PULLED AND A PIECE OF THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY DETACHED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED TO THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Structure, Engine, Sep 10, 2018, fire
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP(STOPPED) AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN WITHIN MINUTES THE ENGINE WAS IN COMPLETE FLAMES. PRIOR TO THIS THERE WHERE NEVER ANY SIGNS OF THE CAR RUNNING OR DRIVING LIKE THERE WHERE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES AT ALL ASIDE FROM THIS INCIDENT. THIS HAS COME COMPLETELY OUT OF NOWHERE UNEXPECTEDLY.
Structure, Sep 8, 2018
THE REAR DOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jul 28, 2018, fire
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 6 MILES TO A LOCAL STORE NEARBY AND BACK HOME AS I PULLED MY CAR INTO MY PARKING SPOT BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF WAITED UNTIL THE SMOKE STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF I COULD TELL WHAT WAS SMOKING. EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE AND I MADE SURE TO CHECK ALL OF MY FLUID LEVELS AND OIL WHICH WERE ALL FULL. LATER THAT DAY MAYBE 4 HOURS LATER I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES TO MY SISTERS HOUSE AND AGAIN AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR THE BLACK SMOKE STARTED AGAIN FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PROCEEDED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AGAIN AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARED. LESS THAN 5 MINUTES LATER THE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND BY THE TIME I RAN OUTSIDE TO SEE THE ENTIRE FRONT PART OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES HOWEVER THE WINDOWS WERE UP SO THE FLAMES WERE CONTAINED INSIDE THE CAR AND UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME MINUTES LATER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED DUE TO THE FRONT TIRES MELTING FROM THE FIRE. I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I'D PURCHASED IT ONLY 5 MONTHS BEFORE AND LET THEM AND FINANCING COMPANY KNOW. NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED LIKE A BOMB WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF. I'M REPORTING THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT I BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD DEFINITELY BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE.
Structure, Jun 20, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH OUTSIDE HANDLE. YOU CAN OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE.
Structure, Jun 18, 2018
MY DRIVER-SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE WHEN UNLOCKED.
Structure, Jun 2, 2018
DOOR LOCKS ARE BROKEN AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK
Structure, May 25, 2018
FRONT DOOR HANDLE LATCH ASSEMBLY CONSTANTLY BREAKING AND I AM UNABLE TO OPE THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE
Structure, May 23, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE BUT WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, May 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (BILLION AUTO KIA IN SIOUX CITY, IOWA) DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE DOORS NEEDED ACTUATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Structure, May 8, 2018
MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE.
Structure, Apr 5, 2018
THE HOOD LATCH WILL NOT OPEN THE HOOD
Exterior lighting, Structure, Engine, Mar 23, 2018
2011 KIA SORENTO 116,000. REGULARLY MAINTAINED.THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, THAT HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. NOW, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, RECENTLY MY CAR HAS JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING; FOOT ON THE GAS AT IT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING (NO ENGINE LIGHT). WE PARK IT, SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART AND IT WILL WORK FINE FOR A WHILE. THERE IS SOME SORT OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM. I CAN STOP AT STOP SIGN AND LIGHTLY INCREASE MY SPEED AND IT WILL TUG LIKE ENGINE. NO ACCIDENTS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN WITH HAVING 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY CHILD OUT OF THE BACK. IF I WAS IN ACCIDENT, SOMEONE COULDN'T HELP ME OR MY CHILDREN. THIS TO ME IS VERY SERIOUS! SEPT 2017 DATE OF BACK DOOR ISSUE NOT OPENING FROM OUTSIDE. 3/22/18 DRIVERS DOOR NOT OPENING FROM OUTSIDE. CAR SHUTTING OFF AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY AS BEEN SINCE ABOUT JAN/2018. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH HEADLIGHTS TOO. SINCE 1/2017, BULBS ARE GOOD BUT THEY JUST WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN ONE OR THE OTHER STOPS WORKING OUT OF NOWHERE.
Structure, Mar 20, 2018
PASSENGER DOOR FRONT AND REAR DON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. SAFETY CONCERN IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAN'T GET OUT. THIS WAS NOTICED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.
Structure, Mar 14, 2018
DOOR LATCHES -BOTH BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, 1 WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. NOW THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. ITS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE CAR JUST PASSED THE 100K MILES SO WARRANTY IS USELESS. THERE WAS A RECALL THAT REPLACED THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES FOR COSMETIC REASONS ON THE FRONT, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A BIGGER PROBLEMS. MY LOCAL BODY SHOP COULDN'T EVEN FIGURE IT OUT AND TOLD ME TO GO TO DEALER WHO IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME $110 JUST TO DIAGNOSE IT. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS.
Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 10, 2018
DOOR HANDLES NOT OPENING BRAKES NOT WANTING TO STOP OR GRABING ESC ABS DOWNHILL ON AND PASSGER AIR BAG
Structure, Mar 2, 2018
DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE
Structure, Mar 1, 2018
TAKATA RECALL THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR AND THIS WAS REPAIRED BY KIA AS THERE WAS A RECALL.