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: other or unspecified
213 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2017
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. ONLINE RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM & DESIGN FLAW THAT KIA REFUSES TO RECALL. EXTENSIVE LABOR IS REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM (BROKEN PLASTIC CLIP INSIDE THE DOOR), RESULTING IN EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2017
CANNOT OPEN DRIVERS OR FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I HAVE TO CRAWL IN MY BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS DANGEROUS NOT TO MENTION VERY INCONVENIENT. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. DEALERSHIPS CHARGING A FORTUNE TO REPLACE THE OUTSIDE LOCK. I SIMPLY CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH KIA.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, CAR IS MAKING A WHINNING NOISE WHEN IN IDLE ALSO WHEN EXCELLERATING. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE INTERMEDIATE DRIVESHIFT WHICH IS RECALLED ON SOME CARS BUT NOT MINE. IT DOES SEEM TO BE EFFECTING THE TRANSMITTION SOMETIMES.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2017
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR NO LONGER OPENS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2017
MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR JUST STOPPED WORKING FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT UNLOCKS, BUT THE HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THIS IS SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE, NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY ISSUE. I SEARCHED AND SEE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING, BUT NO RECALL. I AM SO SURPRISED AT KIA FOR NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
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?
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2017
HELLO, IT SEEMS THAT THE RECALL SC 089 THAT WAS DONE ON MY KIA DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. KIA SHOULD COME UP WITH THE BETTER SOLUTION CAUSE THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH OUR TRANSMISSION AS DESCRIBED ON SC 089 AND ALMOST CRASHED ON THE HIGHWAY. KIA DEALER SAID IT IS NOT THEIR ISSUE CAUSE THE REPAIR WAS DONE. SO EVEN KIA AFTERSALES PROCESSES DO NOT WORK AS THEY KEEP THE DANGERS CARS ON THE ROAD.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2017
WE ALMOST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY TODAY! WE WERE TURNING TO HIGHWAY WE STOPPED AND AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR MOVED ONLY 3 YARDS AND STOPPED. MECHANIC SAYS IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RECALL SC 089 WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY OR NEVER DONE BEFORE EVEN KIA DEALER SAYS OTHERWISE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2017
THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE COVER/CAP AS COME OFF THE CAR. SEEMS IT WOULD BE SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT BOTH HANDLES WOULD COME OFF. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ONLY ABOUT $15 BUT THE DEALER WANTS $100+ TO INSTALL THE REPLACEMENT. ONE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN OCTOBER 2016 AND THE OTHER CAME OFF THIS LAST WEEK IN JANUARY 2017. I DON'T MIND PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART BUT NOT THE INSTALLATION COSTS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2017
WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY DETACHED, FLEW OFF, AND SHATTERED LEAVING A GAPING HOLE IN THE ROOF. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN DRIVING BEHIND ME, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THE BODY SHOP THAT REPLACE THE SUNROOF EXPLAINED THAT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSED THE FAILURE. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO KIA, BUT KIA WAS UNINTERESTED. I'M REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I FEAR THAT SOMEONE COULD BE HARMED OR KILLED IF THEIR ARE OTHER SORENTOS WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2016
IN THE LAST WEEK, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING 70MPH - THE CAR SHUT OFF AND DROPPED TO 50MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED BUT IT STARTED BACK UP. TWENTY MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING 25MPH ON A SIDE ROAD, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. AND THEN AGAIN WHILE IN A DRIVE THRU LINE. THIS HAS SINCE HAPPENED TWICE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE DOES START BACK UP AGAIN BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2011-2013 MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT TO BRING IT IN AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016 TO HAVE SEVERAL OTHER RECALL ITEMS CORRECTED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2016, crash
FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLORE. ACCIDENT 12/1/16. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RENDERED THE VEHICLE A TOTALED LOST. ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS CROSSING A INTERSECTION (CITY STREET) AND STUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE MIDSECTION.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2016
BOTH DOORS LOCKED ON LEFT SIDE. CAN NOT ENTER CARE ON LEFT SIDE. RUNNING OR NOT. I'M LOCKED OUT. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AT TIME I ASK THEM TO FIX IT. STILL NOT FIXED.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2016
AFTER OUR PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE CANCEL BUTTON WOULD GET STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE BUTTON. THEREFORE NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM COMPLETELY. WITHOUT THE BRAKE SWITCH IT COULD CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO NOT DISENGAGE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2016
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2011 BY 2013 THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL, DRIVER SIDE WONT OPEN FROM OUT SIDE. THEN 2014 ABS LIGHT ON, CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL FOR PHONE, CRUISE AND VOLUME DON'T WORK. SHIFTING TO PARK OR DRIVE ISN'T CATCHING ALL THE TIME, AND DOOR LOCKS CLICK OPEN & CLOSE RANDOMLY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2016
AC EVAPORATOR REPLACEMENT
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2016
LEFT LOW BEEM LIGHT IS OUT IN MY CAR IT IS A NEW BULB.THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED ALSO THE LIGHTS GO OUT FOR NO REASION I WILL BE DRIVING AND THEY GO OUT, I HAVE TO USE THE ON AND OFF LEVER FLICK IT MULTIPAL TIMES TO GET THEMTO COME BACK ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALLER 4 TIMES THEY CANT FIND OUT WHY IT DOSE IT ALSO LAST NIGHT FOR SOME RESION MY RIGHT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUT SIDE NOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS OF LAST NIGHT ?????????
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2016
IN THE PAST 3 YEARS I'VE HAD TWO OF MY EXTERNAL DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF WITHOUT EXPLANATION OR INCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2016
THE SUNROOF OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE INTERSTATE
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2016
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUT SIDE. THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED AND THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A HAZARD AND A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ ON MANY BLOGS WITH OTHER KIA SORENTO OWNER HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE A BABY, AND HAVING TO OPEN MY DRIVER DOOR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE CRAWLING THROUGH THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2016
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AS I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON THE 605 FRY AROUND 6:00 AM ON 8/31/16. I WAS NO PASSING UNDER ANY OVERHEAD BRIDGES NOR DID I EXPERIENCE ANY DEBRIS HITTING THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. I OWN A 2011 KIA SORENTO. MY BACK DOOR HANDLE (ON THE DRIVERS SIDE) WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLE HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 2015. TODAY, AUGUST 28, 2016, MY PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CREATED THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2016
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WORKED FINE ONE MINUTE, AND THE NEXT I COULDN'T OPEN IT. I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN OR LEAVE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOWN AND REACH IN TO OPEN. MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ALREADY.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
ALREADY FILED COMPLAINT ABOUT 2 DOORS THAT YOU CANNOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN UNLOCKED, NOW I HAVE A 3RD DOOR THAT WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE WHILE UNLOCKED. GONNA HAVE TO CLIMB IN FROM THE HATCHBACK PRETTY SOON. THEY ALL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, NOT THE OUTSIDE. SO NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS OPEN ALL THE TIME, HOPEFULLY MY 3 YR OLDS WON'T PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE AND FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. ALL THIS WITHIN THE LAST 3 WEEKS. I'M GUESSING SOMEBODY HAS TO DIE BEFORE THIS WILL BE RECALLED. GOING TO CALL DEALER TODAY TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2016
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 15V-626 RECALL DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2015 FAILED TO CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS RECALL.