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.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2019
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT GO OUT .
Air bags, Structure, Seats, Jul 20, 2019
MY CAR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY AND DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THE DRIVER SEAT LOWER BACK ADJUSTING CUSHION DOES NOT FUNCTION ANYMORE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UMLOCK DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE OR INSPECT AND ORDER THE DOOR HANDLE BASE MECHANISM PART, THEN CHARGE FOR THAT AND INSTALLATION.
Air bags, Jul 19, 2019
INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF. HAS SINCE CAME BACK ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
Structure, Jul 18, 2019
5XYKT3A15BG[XXX], DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WANT OPEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Exterior lighting, Jul 18, 2019
MY KIA SORENTO'S BRAKELIGHTS WILL NOT LUMINATE. I CHANGED THE BULBS AND THEY STILL WILL NOT LUMINATE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IN 2013, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2011 KIA SORENTOS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS FAULTY. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONES RECALLED.. I HAD NO IDEA MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING UNTIL I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE CITY. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE
Steering, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jul 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH LEE JOHNSON KIA (425-827-0521, LOCATED AT 11845 NE 85TH ST, KIRKLAND, WA 98033). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 159,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2019
DOOR'S FAIL TO OPEN- MODULAR THAT CONTROLS OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS HAS FAILED ENTRY DOORS CANNOT OPEN OR CLOSED DOORS I HAVE ONE DOOR TO GET INTO THE CAR AND OUT THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2019
SRS/AIRBAG LIGHTS RANDOMLY CAME ON AMD SHUT OFF ALSO DOOR STOPPED OPENING
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 17, 2019
.MY AND DOWN HILL LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT ALL ON HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALL IT OF PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM.....HAD AUTO SHOP HOOK UP NO CODES SHOW ING
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Jul 5, 2019
FIRST ISSUE BEGAN WHEN CAR STARTED PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS ON HIGHWAY. TOOK TO SHOP; PAID FOR NEW BRAKES INCLUDING PADS, ROTORS, FRONT CALIPERS PLUS FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT REPLACED. BALL JOINT RUSTED OUT SO BAD IT CRUMBLED TO PIECES WHEN TIRE WAS TAKEN OFF. NOT OUT OF SHOP FOR EVEN A FULL DAY WHEN THE CAR STARTED PULLING AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS A HARD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY AND IN TOWN. THIS TIME THE PULL WAS SO STRONG THE CAR WENT OFF ROAD. THIS TIME IT FELT LIKE STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. SO BACK TO SHOP TO FIND OUT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT WAS ALSO SHOT AND NEEDED REPLACED. CAR BEEN OUT OF SHOP BARELY 2 WKS; NOW FRONT END IS MAKING A HARD CLUNKY NOISE WHEN TURNING AND GOING OVER JUST THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS. THE CAR FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING OVER BOULDERS AND SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. SO BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH. READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THESE SAME ISSUES? IM PRETTY SURE I'LL BE PAYING FOR STRUTS, SHOCKS AND/OR COMPLETE REPAIR OF FRONT END SUSPENSION AFTER ALREADY PUTTING $800 IN TO IT. HOW HAS THIS CAR NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR SUCH ISSUES?
Engine, Jul 3, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS FLAGGED DOWN BY ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO ALERTED HER THAT FLAMES AND SMOKE WERE VISIBLE UNDER THE VEHICLE NEAR THE TAILPIPE. THE CONTACT IMMINENTLY PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA CAR INSURANCE BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2019
TAKATA RECALL BOTH OF MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE COMPLETELY COME OF NOT ALLOWING ME TO OPEN MY DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Power train, Jun 30, 2019
WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF ABOUT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT HARD. THE FEELING YOU GET IS THAT YOU HAVE DRIVEN OVER A CURB. HAVE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND REPROGRAMMED TRANSMISSION. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE AN ISSUE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS INTERMITTENT.
Engine, Jun 29, 2019
TWICE, WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY AND PREPARING TO STOP THE ENGINE REVS FAST IN ATTEMPT TO RACE ON FORWARD ALTHO I AM SLOWING DOWN AND PREPARING TO PARK VEHICLE. I AM FORCED TO REACT BY RUSHING & PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE RACING OF THE ENGINE.
Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2019
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT PASSENGER HIGH AND LOW BEAM REPLACED TWICE AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR WITHIN 6 MONTHS
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2019
DOOR HANDLES. FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE NEXT HANDLE TO BREAK, SAME ISSUE, WAS THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE ONE. NOW, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE THE DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR HEALTH EMERGENCY, AND AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE MOST RECENT HANDLE BROKE ON JUNE 16, 2019. THE FIRST HANDLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, BROKE IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE SECOND DOOR HANDLE BROKE LATER THAT YEAR.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 25, 2019
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY HOOD FLEW UP CAUSING HEAVY HOOD DAMAGE AND THE TOP OF THE SUV
Exterior lighting, Structure, Engine, Jun 25, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, KEEPS STALLING OUT AT A STOP OR WHEN TURNING, SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING BURNING, NOW MAKING A ROUGH GRINDING NOISE FROM MOTOR. KEEPS GOING THROUGH OIL, PUTTING TWO QUARTS OF OIL IN EVERY OTHER DAY. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IN BACK WONT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS BLOWING OUT, THE TIRES ON THE FRONT END KEEP GOING BOLD.
Exterior lighting, Jun 25, 2019
HEAD LIGHT BURN OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS PASSENGER SIDE. REPALCED HEAD LAMP DOZEN TIMES ALREADY.
Service brakes, Jun 21, 2019
A FEW MONTHS AGO MY REAR BRAKES SUDDENLY STARTED MAKING NOISE. I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES VERY WELL SO I WAS SURPRISED IT HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY TOLD ME THE CALIPERS HAD SLIPPED AND MY BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. I NOTICED A LEAK IN MY GARAGE AS WELL. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL OR WARNING NOTICE FROM KIA. WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THIS UNTIL I WAS LOOKING FOR A RECALL 9N A DIFFERENT ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2019
TOWED A BOAT IN JULY OF 2018, STOPPED AT A STORE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PUT CAR IN PARK, HAD TO LOOK AT OWNER MANUAL TO FIND OUT HAD TO PUSH A LITTLE BUTTON BY THE PARKING GEAR FOR IT TO SHIFT INTO PARK OR DRIVE. AFTER WE UNHOOKED BOAT WENT BACK TO WORKING NORMAL.
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2019
THE VOLUME CONTROL ON STEERING WHEEL, AND OTHER ELECTRONICS WILL RANDOMLY MALFUNCTION. HAD WHERE I WOULD HAVE CRUSIE CONTROL ON AND TURN THE TURN SIGNAL ON AND IT WOULD SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL (ONLY THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD CAUSE THIS). THE VOLUME ON STEERING WHEEL, YOU WOULD GO TO TURN IT UP AND IT WOULD TURN IT DOWN INSTEAD, LIGHTS ON DASH SUCH AS THE STEEP DECLINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON AND IT IS NOT EVEN BEING USED.
Engine, Jun 20, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD WHINNING SOUND CONSTANTLY, START UP, DRIVING, AND WHILE SITTING STILL. AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WILL FEEL LIKE THE CAR SKIPS (LIKE THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, IT ALSO WILL NOT SHIFT THROUGH GEARS, SOMETIMES IT WILL SIT AT THE RPM OF 3 AND DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF GEARS. THIS IS WHILE USING BOTH THE AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL DRIVING.
Engine, Jun 19, 2019
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS. HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY THAN WHEN FIRST STARTED
Air bags, Jun 18, 2019
STARTED ENGINE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS