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 19, 2015
MY EXTERIOR DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE! HOWEVER WORKS FINE FROM THE INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $100 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT NOT FIX IT! I READ OTHER POST BELOW ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M GOING TO PIGGY OFF WHAT OTHERS STATED, AND SAY THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A 2011. I'M ALREADY LOOKING INTO TRADING MY CAR IN! A FEW MONTHS AGO MY REAR PASSENGER SEATS WILL NOT FOLD BACK UP. TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR 2012 BUT NOT THE 2011. AGAIN ANOTHER $100 JUST TO DIAGNOSIS NOT FIX IT! $200 JUST TO FOLD A SEAT BACK UP.. CRAZY! AGAIN I'M LOOKING INTO TRADING FOR A BETTER MAKE! NOT PURCHASING ANOTHER KIA!!!
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2015
CAN'T OPEN DOORS USING EXTERIOR HANDLES ON 3 OF THE FOUR DOORS, ONLY ABLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE. LOCKS WORK FINE. THE THREE DOORS THAT DON'T WORK ARE THE DRIVER DOOR, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE. THIS SUV IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2015
DRIVERS SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR, INTERIOR HANDLE WORKS FINE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2015
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE LEFT DRIVER?S DOOR HAD LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND NOW THE RIGHT DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING NOT ALLOWING PASSENGERS TO OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES WITH CONCERNS OF A KNOCKING SOUND ON THE RIGHT FRONT. I THINK THE RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE VEHICLE IS GONE, BUT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATES THAT THEY CAN?T HEAR ANYTHING WHEN DRIVING IT. AN ALIGNMENT WAS COMPLETED LAST MONTH BUT THE VEHICLE HAS A ROUGH RIDE AND I AM STILL HEARING THE KNOCKING SOUND. I NOTICED YESTERDAY THAT THERE IS A HUMMING SOUND WHEN THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AND THE ACCELERATION IS SLOW. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT PURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. *JS
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 KIA SORENTO ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING 75 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. I THOUGHT SOMEONE'S ENGINE EXPLODED, BUT THEN I SAW GLASS FLYING BEHIND MY CAR AND HEARD A LOUD WINDY WHOOSHING ABOVE ME. I REALIZED IT WAS MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF. THANKFULLY MY SUNSHADE WAS CLOSED AND NO GLASS FELL ON ME. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE PULLING OVER SO I DROVE TO THE FIRST PLACE I DID FEEL SAFE. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE, THE WHOLE GLASS TOP ABOVE THE DRIVERS SECTION WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE IMPLOSION. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS IN THE VICINITY, WEATHER WAS CLEAR, AND IT IS A NEW FREEWAY AND I WAS NOT GOING UNDER A BRIDGE. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE GLASS OR ENGINEERING OF THE SUNROOF.
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2013
WHEN I PRESS ON OR LET OFF OF THE BRAKE THERE IS A POPPING NOISE. MY EX ALSO HAS A 2012 SORENTO AND HERS DOES THE SAME.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2012
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. I AM GETTING THE SAME BUT THE KIA DEALERS ARE TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AS MINE IS AN AWD. WHEN STARTING OUT A HESITATION IS FELT WHEN PUTTING IN DRIVE AND WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A WHIRRING NOISE IS HEARD AND IT FEELS LIKE A VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE CAR. *JS
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2012
MY SORENTO WILL HESITATE TO MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND THEN SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD WITH FULL ACCELERATION FOR A BRIEF TIME. THIS IS AN ERRATIC PROBLEM. DEALERS RESPONSE IS TO WAIT UNTIL IT BECOME CONSISTENT -- MY RESPONSE, I MAY BE DEAD BEFORE THAT TIME. CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONSE IS DRIVER ERROR. MY RESPONSE IS THAT I HAVE DRIVEN FOR DECADES MANY DIFFERENT MODEL AND AGE VEHICLES AND HAVE LOGGED IN APPX 2 MILLION SAFE MILES. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE KIA IS MY FIRST PROBLEM WITH SUCH AN ISSUE. KIA DENIES ANY PROBLEM WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE, HOWEVER A GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS UP NUMEROUS SIMILAR ISSUES. I HAVE NOTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ONLY WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS SO FAR. *JS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2012
CAR WILL NOT START WITH KEY OR REMOTELY CONTROL. AFTER CAR SITS FOR A TIME, SEVERAL HOURS OR DAYS, IT MAY START. CAR HAS SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND WILL NOT START ... HAD TO BE TOWED SEVERAL TIMES. SEEMS TO HAVE A COMPUTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTION THAT DEALER CANNOT REPAIR.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2011
DRIVING HOME ON RAINY DAY WHEN SUNROOF SHATTERED OUT OF NOWHERE. DID NOT RUN OFF THE ROAD NOR DID I HEAR ANYTHING HIT THE VEHICLE. I HEARD ONE LOUD POP AND NOTICED SUNROOF VISOR SAGGING SIGNIFICANTLY. CANNOT PROVE SOMETHING DIDN'T HIT IT, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF SOMETHING HITTING THE SUNROOF. CONTACTED KIA TO SEE IF ANY OTHER CASES HAD BEEN REPORTED WITH KIA REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT SHE DID NOT BELIEVE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEIR VEHICLES, BUT SHE ALSO STATED THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO LOOK BACK AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANOTHER REPORT. SHE ALSO DECLINED TO LET ME SPEAK WITH HER SUPERVISOR ON THIS MATTER. DUE TO SAFETY PURPOSES, I BELIEVE KIA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS POSSIBLE ISSUE. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE, PLEASE CONTACT KIA AND NHSTA IN ORDER TO HELP CORRECT THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2011
2001 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES ALL LATE MODELS VEHICLES SOLD IN AMERICA TODAY BY DEFAULT FLASH SIDE LIGHTS UPON EACH REPEATED DEPRESSION OF THE KEY PAD EXCEPT HIS NEW KIA SORENTO *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED FLASHING UPON FIRST DEPRESSION OF THE KEY PAD WAS INSUFFICIENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO FIND THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT IN A LARGE DIMLY LIT PARKING LOT. *JB
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2011
WHEN TAKEN TO A SPEED OVER 35 MPH FELT A DRIFT TO THE RIGHT IN THE STEERING. WHEN TAKEN TO HIGHER SPEEDS, IT BECAME PHYSICALLY NECESSARY TO HOLD STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY IN ORDER TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM GOING TO THE RIGHT. STEERING SEEMED EXTREMELY TIGHT AND SOMEWHAT JERKY WHEN CORNERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET A SMOOTH TURN. STEERING WHEEL DID NOT SIT STRAIGHT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. FRONT WHEELS NOT POINTING AT SAME ANGLE WHEN PARKED. NOTICED ODOR AFTER DRIVING 15 MILES THAT CAN ONLY BE EXPLAINED AS A "BURNING BRAKES" ODOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REPAIR DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT; HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND WE WERE THEN TOLD THAT KIA WAS SAYING NEW TIRES WOULD FIX THIS KIA KNOWN ISSUE. THE TIRES WERE ORDERED AND PUT ON WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, BUT REPLACING THE TIRES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AT THIS TIME, WE WERE MADE AWARE THAT OUR LOAN HAD NOT ACTUALLY FUNDED YET, SO WE ASKED FOR A CONTRACT RECESSION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WAS A KNOWN, NON REPAIRABLE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED CONTRACT RECESSION. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD BE CONTACTED IF KIA CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP 2 DAYS LATER TELLING THEM TO CALL US WHEN IT WAS FIXED. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED 2 DAYS AFTER WE DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF THE SECOND TIME TO LET US KNOW THAT NEW SPRINGS WERE NEEDED, HAD BEEN ORDERED, AND WOULD BE AT THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY. THAT WAS NEARLY A WEEK AGO AND WE HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM ANYONE ABOUT THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOW DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE IS PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD BE, EVEN THOUGH IT STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. TURNING TO THE RIGHT FEELS NORMAL, WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT FEELS AS IF I AM FIGHTING TO KEEP THE WHEEL FROM SNAPPING BACK TOWARDS THE RIGHT. KIA WILL NOT LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM ANY FURTHER ON THIS VEHICLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2010
7/21/10 PURCHASED KIA SORRENTO EX FWD FROM MORITZ 110 NE LOOP 820 HURST, TX 7/22 NOTICED ENGINE HESITATED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING SUFFICIENT THAT CARS PULLED AROUND ME. CONTACTED JERRY SIMPSON AND JIM CARTWRIGHT SERVICE MANAGER 7/26 TOOK SORRENTO BACK AND TO MORITZ AND RODE WITH JIM CARTWRIGHT THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. CAR EXHIBITED NO HESITATION 8/2 HAVE DRIVEN SORRENTO TO OKLAHOMA TWICE AND AROUND RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN THE METROPLEX AND NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION. 11/8 WHILE IN 8:OOAM BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC EAST BOUND ON HWY 820 IN FORT WORTH,TX AT A SLOW 15MPH (EST) ENGINE CHUGGED DOWN AND THEN CAUGHT AND THEN DIED COMPLETELY AND CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF WAY. WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND MAKE IT TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENT THEN TOOK THE SORRENTO BACK TO MORITZ KIA WHERE WE BOUGHT IT AND TOLD THEM I WANTED IT FIXED 11/11 NOT HAVING HEARD FROM MORITZ KIA I CALLED THEM AND ASKED THAT THEY DOUCUMENT WHAT THE FOUND AND WE WERE GOING TO PICK UP THE SORRENTO. WHICH WE DID