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
1,518 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS LIKE THE DOOR IS LOCKED, HOWEVER IT IS NOT LOCKED. IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT OR NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET ME OUT. IT REMAINS THIS WAY AT ALL TIMES; INCLUDING WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. THERE IS A WARRANTY EXTENSION OFFERED BY KIA, BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL THE VIN'S!
Vehicle speed control, Oct 26, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE TENDS TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING LIKE NOT CHANGING GEARS, GETS LOCKED, JERKS BACK AND FORTH TILL IT UNLOCKS OR CHANGES GEARS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SLOWING OR STOPPING CAR IN IT'S TRACKS. RPM GO TO 0. FEEL LIKE A TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE . SOUNDS LIKE TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2-4 TIME A YEAR SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR. THESE PAST TWO YEARS THE GEARS LOCKING IS GETTING WORSE AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN INSTANTLY FROM DRIVING ON THE FRWY 60 MPH DOWN TO 35 MPH INSTANTLY ALMOST HAVING CARS HIT ME FROM BEHIND. SAME FOR DRIVING ON THE STREET GOING 20-40 MPH DROPPING
Structure, Oct 23, 2020
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WHERE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHAT IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN TO ALL 4 DOORS WITH A KID IN THE CAR?
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 15, 2020
CAR HAS BUCKED OR STALLED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS FOR THE LAST 60,000 MILES (CAR NOW AT 110K) , TO THE DEGREE THAT I WOULDN'T LET MY KIDS USE THE VEHICLE. AS WITH OTHER ISSUES DEALERSHIP CLAIMED 'UNABLE TO RECREATE' LEAVING ME WITH NO FIX FOR A POTENTIALLY FATAL SAFETY ISSUE. CAR HAD SHUT DOWN ON I-84 IN HARTFORD CT, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO DO A RESTART QUICKLY. SORENTO MODEL YEAR 2011 HAS VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR COMPUTER ISSUE THAT SOUNDS SIMILAR BUT WAS TOLD ONLY CERTAIN VINS WERE APPLICABLE, WHICH SHOULD BE EXPLAINED AS TO WHY THAT WOULD BE. SEE ATTACHED PDF. BUCKING ON HIGHWAY CAN BE SEVERE, ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS BUT LEAVES NO CODE. DANGEROUS AND MANY INSTANCES ON INTERNET!
Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2020
HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAMS) SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. OFTEN SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN USING SIGNAL OR AFTERWARDS. LIGHTS OTHER TIMES MIGHT JUST GO OFF BRIEFLY, OR REQUIRE DRIVER TO PUT HIGH BEAMS ON THEN TOGGLE DOWN TO LOW BEAMS. OCCURS OFTEN ON HIGHWAY AND SECONDARY ROADS. MANY SIMILAR REPORTS ON INTERNET. THERE HAD BEEN A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR LOW BEAM WIRE HARNESS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ASSOCIATED, HOWEVER ANY LOSS OF LIGHTS DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. KIA HAS A HISTORY OF MINIMIZING ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE SAFETY RECALLS. DEALERSHIP SERVICE AREA CONTINUALLY STATES THEY CANNOT RECREATE ISSUE, OF COURSE THEY ATTEMPT DURING THE DAY LIGHT HOURS.
Power train, Engine, Oct 15, 2020
I WAS HEADED TO WORK A 10 MIN ROUTE FOR ME ABOUT 3 MILES IN TRAVELING AT APPROX 55 MPH ENGINE STALLED OUT HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR.THIS HAPPEN TWICE IN A WEEK SPAN.
Air bags, Oct 2, 2020
DRIVE SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW STEERING CONTROLS ARE NOT WORKING. KIA DEALER STATED ITS THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE THAT IS FAULTY
Engine, Oct 1, 2020
IN 2018, WHILE DRIVING, MY 2011 KIA SORENTO WITH 101,000 MILES, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED WITH ZERO WARNING. IT WAS DEEMED AN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE AND WHILE KIA HAD A KNOWN ENGINE ISSUE, THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VIN IN THE RECALL. I PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE KIA DEALER INSTALL A KIA SUPPLIED ENGINE. 2 YEARS LATER, WITH 20,000 MILES, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND GOOD SAMARITANS STOPPED TO HELP PUSH ME OUT OF HARMS WAY. AGAIN, KIA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. FORTUNATELY I COULD SMELL THE HOT ENGINE AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR A TOW RATHER THAN TRY TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AFTER LEARNING THE ENGINES BURST INTO FLAMES.
Engine, Oct 1, 2020
AT 103,000 MILES, MY 2011 KIA SORENTO HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS DEEMED TO BE AN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE, KNOWN BY KIA, HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VIN IN THE RECALL. I PAID 2700 FOR A REPLACEMENT THROUGH THE KIA DEALERSHIP. 2 YEARS LATER, AT 1240,000 MILES, THE SECOND ENGINE FAILED. AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS, SIMPLY DRIVING FORWARD AT 60MPH WHEN IT STOPPED. KIA REFUSES TO COVER ANYTHING AGAIN.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
DOORS FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS WILL MELT WIRING FOR THE LIGHT BULB AND KILL THE LIGHTBULB. DRIVER SEAT FEELS LOOSE, HOWEVER THE BOLTS ARE AS TIGHT AS THEY WILL GO.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2020
REAR CAMERA GOES BLACK OCCASIONALLY WHEN PUT IN REVERSE
Engine, Sep 29, 2020
CAR MAKES A BAD NOISE WHEN STARTING UP. SEEMS TO BE THE TIMING CHOSEN. KIA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND MADE A REPAIR BUT HAS TO BE REPAIRED AT OWNERS COST. THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT SINCE THEY PUT OUT BAD PRODUCT
Structure, Sep 29, 2020
PAINT DELAMINATING CAUSING RUST ON HOOD AND ROOF OF VEHICLE, GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE.
Engine, Sep 28, 2020
ENGINE STARTED CLICKING AND SMOKING WHILE IN MOTION GOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. MY ENGINE BLEW AT 158,000 MILES. I HAD NORMAL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. MY MECHANIC DID REGULAR OIL CHANGES.
Structure, Sep 26, 2020
DOORS ON RECENTLY BOUGH SORENTO WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND YET KIA HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL AND THAT LEAVES CONSUMERS STUCK WITH REPAIR COSTS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTIES.
Air bags, Sep 11, 2020
MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SENSOR COMES ON AND DOESN'T GO OFF .
Exterior lighting, Sep 10, 2020
THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS THAT THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SYSTEM WILL SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING. ITS SPONTANEOUS WHEN IT DOES IT BUT IT SOMETIMES COMES BACK ON. THIS CAUSES ME TO BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT WITH NO WAY OF SEEING OR OTHERS TO SEE ME. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHEN THEY REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS ON THE VEHICLE.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE HOWEVER, OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 2, 2020
LEFT BLINKER IS FAST AFTER REPLACEMENT AND DIM. RIGHT HEADLIGHT REPLACED AND WORKS TEMPORARILY IF YOU UNPLUG IT ABS PLUG IN.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 27, 2020, fire
I WAS LEAVING MY MOM HOUSE AROUND TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. AS I WAS FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM MY APARTMENTS MY CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I STOP MY CAR AND PUT IT UN PARK AND I SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOOD. I GET OUT THE CAR AND GRAB MY SON AND , I KNOCK ON SOMEONE'S DOOR FOR HELP AND AFTER THAT FIRE STARTS. I CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME IN ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES AND THEY FORCED MY HOOD OPEN DUE TO MY HOOD LATCH MISSING . AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT I FOUND PIECES OF METAL ON THE GROUND FROM MY KIA.
Structure, Aug 26, 2020
THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAS LOCKED IT'S SELF SHUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT IT'S A SENSER THAT'S GOING TO COST $300.00 TO GET IT OPEN
Structure, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2020
PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL TANK CORROSION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS EATEN UP WITH RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNIT BODY AS WELL AS SEVERAL STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OF THE VEHICLE. HAVE SPOKEN WITH KIA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT IS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 21, 2020
WHEN TURNING ON THE LIGHTS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, THEY WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN I TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS, THE SAME THING HAPPENS. AFTER THIS BACK AND FORTH, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY UNTIL THE NEXT NIGHT. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT NOW. MY MECHANIC IS RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM ON LINE. I HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT A RECALL YET.
Engine, Aug 17, 2020
CAR HAS AN ENGINE KNOCKING SOUND FROM A BAD ROD. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE REPAIR WILL COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH.
Engine, Aug 13, 2020
ONE DAY HEARD UPPER MOTOR TAPPING SOUND.ASSUMED LOW IN OIL.WE HAVE HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND WERE DO FOR ANOTHER SHORTLY.WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO ADD FLUIDS.DROVE THE CAR AROUND THE BLOCK TO GET OIL WARM.CHECKED OIL .FOUND ENGINE COMPLETELY OUT IF OIL!! CAR DOES NOT LEAK.NO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.THE VEHICLE HAS NO PROBLEM TELLING ME IT NEEDS AIR!! BUT A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE THAT IT DOESN'T INDICATE!! FILLED ENGINE TO MANUFACTURED SPECS.ENGINE HAS NO POWER!! TOP OF ENGINE TAPPING BOTTOM OF ENGINE KNOCKING. JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR CAR WITH ONLY 90K MILES.