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, May 30, 2017
VEHICLE STATIONARY, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED TO OPEN. WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY AND NOT AT ALL THE NEXT. IT IS THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. INSIDE STILL WORKS. I REMOVED THE DOOR PANEL AND INNER DOOR PANEL AND CHECKED ALL LINKAGE. THE FAILURE IS AN ELECTION SOLENOID IN THE ACTUAL LATCH ITSELF. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS ON OTHER DOORS ON THESE VEHICLES, WHICH IF THEY HAVE A CHILD LOCK LEAVES THE DOOR INOPERABLE AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE A CHILD IN AN EMERGENCY.
Structure, May 27, 2017
MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE, SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, OTHER TIME WAS FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN I NOTICED PROBLEM.
Structure, Mar 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPERATE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW WITH THE INSIDE HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS AND DOOR HANDLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000.
Structure, Mar 26, 2017
ONE DAY THE DRIVERS DOOR JUST WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT BROKE FROM THE INSIDE I HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE THAT COULD AFFECT THE DOOR AT ALL AND I'VE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL.
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 19, 2017
DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE WONT OPEN DOOR.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2017
OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLES ON THIS 2011 KIA SORENTO. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, IVE FOUND ITS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT KIA REFUSES TO RECALL. THIS IS ABSURD. THE FRONT TWO DOORS ON THE KIA WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT WILL FROM THE INSIDE. ONE OF THE BACK DOORS HAS A HANDLE THAT HAS BROKEN OFF AFTER LITTLE USE. IVE READ HUNDREDS OF STORIES OF THIS HAPPENING AND KIA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. THE EXTENSIVE LABOR IT TAKES INTO REMOVING THE DOOR HANDLE IS THE PROBLEM FOR THE PRICE. MOST SERVICE DEALERS WANT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX A PLASTIC DOOR LATCH/ACTUATOR AND THAT IS A RIP OFF. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY REASONS. IF A CRASH WERE TO HAPPEN, AND THE INSIDE ALSO QUITS WORKING, HOW WOULD YOU EXIT THE VEHICLE?
Structure, Feb 21, 2017
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Structure, Feb 17, 2017
CHROME CRACKING ON DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CAUSING SEVERE CUT ON HAND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN VEHICLE DOOR.
Structure, Feb 16, 2017
YOU SAY YOU WANT ME TO REPORT IT WHEN THE MANUFACTURER FAILS TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK, BUT YOU HAVE NO WAY FOR ANYONE TO DO THAT. YOU ARE AS BAD AS THE MANUFACTURER WHO FAILED ME. I CAN'T COUNT ON YOU TO DO ANYTHING, YOU'VE MADE THAT VERY APPARENT.
Structure, Feb 5, 2017
REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. NO IMPACT OR DAMAGE.DOOR HANDLE JUST STOPPED WORKING.
Structure, Feb 4, 2017
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO AWD LX THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Structure, Jan 30, 2017
I HAVE TWO DOORS THAT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT SEE A RECALL. I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FORCE KIA TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 19, 2017
ON 1/16/2017 I WENT TO A DR APPOINTMENT. WHEN I CAME OUT I UNLOCKED THE CAR AND THE OUTSIDE HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T WORK. THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED BUT THE HANDLE WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD TO GO INTO THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS WAS NOT EASY AS I AM A SHORT 67 YEAR OLD WOMAN. TOOK THE CAR INTO A MECHANIC AND HE HAD TO ORDER THE ENTIRE LATCH ASSEMBLY $243.50. I CHECKED ON THE NHTSA SITE AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER CARS THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAFETY ISSUE ALSO. IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING A BIGGER PROBLEM AS OUR CARS AGE. HOPEFULLY MY OTHER DOORS WON'T BREAK ALSO AS WAS THE CASE FOR SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS EXTREMELY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND HAVE KIA ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 17, 2017
DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY 2011 KIA SORENTO STOPPED WORKING YESTERDAY,. WOULD NOT OPEN BY REMOTE OR KEY. I HAD TO CLIMB IN AND CRAWL OVER TO DRIVERS DOOR TO GET INTO CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR INJURY TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS DURING A VERY COMMON EVENT IN HOUSTON - FLOODING. IF I WAS PINNED IN MY CAR GOING UNDER WATER AND NO ONE COULD OPEN THE DOOR BY ANY MEANS THEN I WOULD DROWN. JUST HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO U NEED TO HAVE TO RECALL YOUR OBVIOUS DEFECT? I HAVE SEEN AN ALARMING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED TO YOU ON THE SAME BUT NO ACTIONS ARE TAKEN BY KIA TO REMEDIATE THIS DANGEROUS DEFAULT. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED UP TO $900 TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THEIR SHODDY COST SAVING CHEAP DOOR ONLY TO HAVE THE OTHER DOOR(S) ON THEIR CAR GO OUT WITHIN WEEKS. IN OTHER WORDS, WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE READY FOR THIS MUCH REPORTED SAFETY HAZARD! IT IS GOING TO FLOOD IN HOUSTON TOMORROW...HOPE I AM NOT TRAPPED IN MY CAR DUE TO YOUR NEGLIGENCE. OH AND THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER ISSUES THAT COULD HAPPEN, UNABLE TO GET MY GRANDCHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR IN A HOUSTON SUMMER! *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 01/23/2017*CT UPDATED 7/10/18*JB
Structure, Nov 11, 2016
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Structure, Oct 20, 2016
MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I CAN OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE, BUT NOT THE OUTSIDE. IT IS NOT LOCKED AND SEEMS TO BE A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE OTHER SORENTO OWNERS AND COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. I'M TERRIFIED...WHAT IF A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION OCCURS AND THE ONLY DOOR I CAN USE IS THE DRIVERS SIDE AND IT WON'T OPEN? NOTHING HAPPENED TO MY DOOR TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I CAME OUT TO THE GARAGE ONE MORNING AND IT WOULDN'T WORK.
Structure, Oct 18, 2016
RECALL : THE HANDLE ON MY 2011 KIA WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE< WE PAID AND GOT THAT FIXED, NOW THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING, THE PANEL IS CRACKED NOW FROM TRYING TO GET IT ON.LOOK MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH HAVE CANCER AND CANT AFFORD ALL THIS
Structure, Oct 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Structure, Oct 11, 2016
FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS NOT OPENED FROM OUTSIDE. ONLY OPENED FROM INSIDE.
Structure, Oct 10, 2016
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE PRESENTING A SAFETY ISSUE IF AN EMERGENCY WERE TO TAKE PLACE AND A RESCUE WAS NEEDED FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED, THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OTHER SIDE. ONCE AGAIN, A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Structure, Sep 28, 2016
DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE THE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN ON TWO OF MY DOORS, THE PASSENGER FRONT AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR. THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IF YOU GET THEM FIXED, WITH ORIGINAL KIA PARTS, THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS CLEARLY IS A SAFETY PROBLEM.
Structure, Sep 28, 2016
I JUST BOUGHT A 2011 KIA SORENTO LAST WEEK WITH 39,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I WENT TO GET IN THIS MORNING TO GO TO WORK MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I CAN ONLY OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. I TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING IT AND NOTHING. IT STILL DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Structure, Sep 14, 2016
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND THE KIA DEALERS ARE REPLACING THOSE THAT ARE UNDER WARRANTY, AND BRAND NEW ONES (DOOR ACTUATOR PROBLEM). IT IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT, YET KIA WON'T ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE DOOR ACTUATOR. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE MY BACK SEAT. ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IF MY FAMILY IS IN THE BACK SEAT.
Structure, Sep 5, 2016
DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES NO LONGER OPEN DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. REAR DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT DUE TO ENGAGED CHILD LOCK