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.
Engine, Jan 17, 2019
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH ENGINE STALL OR WONT START THEN OIL IS GOING SOMEWHERE AND NO CLUE WHERE. I THOUGHT I HAD A GREAT VEHICLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT DIDNT KNOW THERE WAS ANY ISSUES WITH IT. BUT I AM AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE IT THAT SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN WHILE I AM OUT WITH THE GRANDBABY AN FAMILY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2019, fire
I WAS GOING TO MY SISTER-IN-LAWS HOUSE TO PICK UP MY SON. WHILE GOING ABOUT 55MPH DOWN A RURAL ROAD I SEEN A FLASH ON THE ROAD THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND REALIZED MY KIA HAD CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IMMEDIATELY RAN TO THE NEAREST HOUSE FOR HELP. IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF SECONDS AND MY WHOLE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.
Power train, Jan 16, 2019
TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT I NEED TO PAY OVER 4K IN REPAIRS THE REPAIR LISTING CONSISTED OF INTERMEDIATE BEARINGS (WHICH LATER WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T NEED TO BE REPAIRED AFTER I FUSSED ABOUT THE COST. HAD TO GET MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH 2 CV SHAFT FRONT SUSPENSIONS. WITH LABOR AND PARTS 4K. MY REBUILT TRANSMISSION WARRANTY WAS UP IN AUGUST 2018.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 15, 2019
MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. MY TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND WAS REPAIRED A LITTLE AFTER A YEAR THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY WENT OUT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ALSO STOPS ACCELERATING. THE SORRENTO SEEM LIKE A HAZARDOUS VEHICLE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO RECALLS ON CERTAIN ISSUES. I HAVE READ OTHER ISSUES AND I'M SEEING I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2019
HORN STOPPED WORKING.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2019
LOUD NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ONCE VEHICLE IS IN PARK ON SIDE OF ROAD. NO INDUCATOR LIGHTS LIGHTS SHOW IN DASH.
Service brakes, Jan 1, 2019
MY REAR CALIPER HAS FAILED SHORTLY AFTER REPLACING ALL 4 ROTARS, AND BRAKE PADS. NOW I AM FACING A RATHER EXPENSIVE BILL THAT I CANNOT AFFORD ON A LIMITTED INCOME AS I AM DISABLED. I AM ALSO LUCKY THAT THIS MALFUNCTION DID NOT CAUSE ME TO CRASH THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED MY GAS MILEAGE HAD SIGNIFICANTLY GONE DOWN, AND THE REAR OR THE VEHICLE WAS DRAGGING, AND I ALSO HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING ON THE GROUND UND ERDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED A GROOVE BEING DUG INTO MY ROTAR BY THE BRAKE PADS LOCKED IN THE ON POSITION.
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2018
THE DRIVER'S DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB WENT OUT. WENT TO REPLACE BULB AND THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED
Suspension, Wheels, Service brakes, Dec 20, 2018
WHILE DIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE GEAR BOX SHATTERED.
Structure, Dec 17, 2018
WENT TO GET IN VEHICLE AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM OUTSIDE USING KEY FOB OR USING KEY ENTRY. I HAD TO CRAWL FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO ENTER VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD!
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2018
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SOCKET KEEPS MELTING AFTER REPLACING. FIRE HAZARD
Power train, Air bags, Structure, Dec 14, 2018
(1)TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN 2ND GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION WOULD "JUMP" EVERY TIME THE CAR HIT 50MHP. COULD NOT REPLICATE AFTER SITTING IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. (2)ABS LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON-TOLD IT IS A CLOCK SPRING. KIA NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT. (3) DOORS STICK-DRIVERS DOOR WILL LOCK ITSELF AND CANNOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED 3X WHILE CAR IS RUNNING AND I EXITED TO GET MAIL. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT CLOSE- HAVE TO KNOCK HANDLE TO CLOSE. (4)BACKUP CAMERA INTERMITTENT. (5)BLUETOOTH DOES NOT PAIR WITH PHONE-INTERMITTENT. (6) GAS DOOR STICKS- MUST HIT RELEASE BUTTON DOZENS OF TIMES BEFORE IT OPENS. (7) TIRE PRESSURE GUAGES BROKEN.
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2018
WIRING IS BAD FOR HEADLIGHTS, MELTED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. REPLACED THAT AND THEN IT MELTED THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE HEADLIGHTS.
Electrical system, Dec 13, 2018
SINCE PURCHASE, ON THREE OCCASIONS DO REAR DOORORS LOCKED IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE FRONT 2 DOORS AND THE REAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. EACH FRONT DOOR WAS FIXED BY KIA WITH NO EXPENSE TO OWNER. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THIS REAR DOOR STATING IT WILL COST THE OWNER APX. $ 1,800. THIS IS A REAL DANGER SINCE PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEATS CANNOT EXIT CAR IN AN EMERGENCY. DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED UNDER ANY CONDITIONS.
Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2018
MY REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE A FEW MONTHS AGO - CHILD LOCK IS NOT ON. YESTERDAY, MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE KIA SORENTO. WHAT WOULD I DO IF I WAS IN ACCIDENT AND CAN'T PHYSICALLY GET IN CAR TO GET MY CHILD OUT. THIS IS BEYOND DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. A RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 10, 2018
RECALL!!!WHEN ACCELERATING MORE THAN 60-80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ECO SENSOR LIGHT POPS ON AND MY SUV JERKS BACK THEN PICKS UP SPEED CAUSING THE BACK OF MY HEAD TO HIT YOUR HEAD RESTRAINT. IT IS VERY SCARY!!!!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR, DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS A PART OF A RECALL ISSUE BUT WAS NEVER FIXED. LAST MONTH MY ENGINE LOCKED UP ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, UPON MY HUSBAND AND POLICE GETTING THERE TO ASSIST, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN MY RESERVOIR, MY HUSBAND BOUGHT OIL ONLY TO RETURN AND NOTICE THAT DRAIN PLUG WAS NOT IN PLACE, ENGINE IS BURNT UP AND MY INSURANCE NEITHER DEALERSHIP WHERE TRUCK WAS SERVICED WANTS TO ASSIST ME WITH COST! I DON'T HAVE $7,752 FOR A NEW ENGINE!
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE IT CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE CAR
Exterior lighting, Nov 26, 2018
THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE PASSANGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS MELTING. I HAVE REPLACED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
Steering, Nov 23, 2018
THE WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY PUDDLES. I CAN NOT BAKE ANY TURNS DURING THIS LOCKING AND HAVE TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION.
Structure, Nov 23, 2018
DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER WORKS. THERE IS A PLASTIC PIECE ON THE ACTUATOR THAT BREAKS VERY EASILY. THIS COULD CAUSE DANGER TO PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CAR AS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 22, 2018
WHEN THE LEFT BLINKER IS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS, AND LIGHTING OF INTERIOR DRIVER PANEL), TURN OFF. THIS OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. I HAVE TO TAP THE BLINKER ARM TO GET THE LIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN DRIVING DOWN DARK STREETS AT NIGHT. IN ESSENCE, I'M DRIVING "BLIND" AND IT CAUSES CONFUSION TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2018
I SAW ON NEWS MEDIA ABOUT THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S CATCHING ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING NOW THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR 24/7 AND I DO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO VISIT FAMILY. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO MENTION OR RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM? I FEEL AS THOUGH I'M DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2018
MY 2011 KIA SORENTO IS ACCIDENT-FREE. WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS AT ABOUT 85,000, THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ONE DAY, AND HAS STAYED LIT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING EVER SINCE. AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" LIGHT IS SOMETIMES LIT WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER, AND IT IS SOMETIMES NOT LIT WHEN NO PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FROM WHAT I READ ONLINE, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX (THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY AND THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT OR ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT). IT LOOKS LIKE KIA HAD A RECALL ON THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THE 2007-8 KIA RONDO AND THE 2006-8 KIA OPTIMA; THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE 2011 KIA SORENTO. I WILL GET THIS REPAIR COMPLETED SINCE IT IS AN OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE DEFECT - I READ MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR BAGS FAILING TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.