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, Jan 28, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE AHEAD STOPPED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT 24,000 MILES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND THE DOOR WAS WORKING FINE. CAME BACK 5 MINUTES LATER AND IT NO LONGER WORKS. SAME ISSUE WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. CANNOT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE SINCE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS ENGAGED. IT IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING TO CLIMB THROUGH FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $660 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THINK THAT IS RIDICULOUS AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ IT SOUNDS LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Structure, Jan 20, 2016
THE SUPPORTS HOLDING THE TRUNK LID OPEN NO LONGER HOLD THE LID OPEN. RATHER ALLOW THE TRUNK LID TO FALL CAUSING A DANGEROUS POTENTIAL THREAT OF THE TRUNK LID FALLING ON MY HEAD!
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2016
DRIVERS DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. HAD ISSUE FIXED 2.5 YEARS AGO AT 55000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. ISSUE KEPT REOCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL NOW WHERE IT JUST WON'T OPEN.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2016
WHEN OUT TO MY KIA AND I HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON. ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. DIDN'T OPEN, SO I HIT THE UNLOCK AGAIN, STILL WOULDN'T OPEN. SO I WALKED AROUND AND OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE AND REACHED OVER, THE DOOR OPENED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR THIS DOOR. BUT I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME TO THE REAR DRIVE SIDE DOOR AND HAD TO HAVE THE DOOR HANDLE REPLACED. THE KIA WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY NOT RUNNING AND THAT DOOR DOESN'T HAVE NEAR AS MUCH USE AS SOME OF THE OTHERS. ALSO THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T GO DOWN. I AM ASSUMING THE CABLE IS BROKE. AGAIN THIS WAS NOT USED MUCH SINCE I GOT THE KIA ALMOST 4 YEARS AGO. I THINK I USED THIS FEATURE 2 TIMES AND IT WOULDN'T WORK AFTER THAT.
Structure, Jan 11, 2016
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. REPAIRED ONCE AND WITHIN A WEEK DISABLED AGAIN.
Engine, Jan 9, 2016
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A ISSUE WITH OIL CONTROL VALVES AND CVVT CONTINUOUS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING. SEEMS LIKE A KNOWN ISSUE OF KIA, I WOULD THINK KIA WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY OR OFFER SOME SORT OF CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR THE $4800 REPAIR PEORIA KIA QUOTED FOR THE JOB. 3 KIA OWNER..NOT ANY MORE!!
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 6, 2016
MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2 WEEKS. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. I HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT DUE TO A BULB ISSUE IT BURNT OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS NOT A KIA BULB. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. BULBS ARE THE SAME WATTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT WAS STUPID IT SHOULD BURN. HE SAID THE FUNNY THING WAS THE HEAD BEAM LIGHT WAS BURNT TOO AND THAT WAS A KIA BULB. THERE ARE MORE COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
Air bags, Jan 4, 2016
AFTER CHANGING THE BATTERY THE AIRBAG/SRS LIGHT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODE IS B1346. THE ARE A NUMBER OF POSTINGS ONLINE ABOUT THIS WITH VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS. KIA DID A SIMILAR RECALL UNDER: 12V014000. CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING.
Air bags, Jan 1, 2016
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS THE FAULTY CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THE SERVICE REP ALSO STATED THAT KIA HAD ALREADY ISSUED A SIMILAR RECALL ON A 2008 MODEL. IF THE AIRBAGS/SYTSEMS ARE VITAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. THEN WHY ARE THEY GOING BAD WITH-IN 3YRS OF BEING MANUFACTURED? PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE DIE TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCHES FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
Structure, Dec 22, 2015
AFTER EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NOT PROPERLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING MY DOORS AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I HAD TO LITERALLY TURN OFF THE IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT 5-10 ATTEMPTS THE CAR WOULD LOCK THE DOOR AND GO INTO PARK. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOW BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NOT UNLOCKING FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS ALSO LITERALLY CUTTING MY HAND AND NOT PROPERLY OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE SC124 SHIFT ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE FEDERAL RECALL FOR THIS PART. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SA203 INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $384.92 TO REPAIR THE DOOR LOCK.. (81310-2P000) $209.70 PART COST / AND $126.88 LABOR.. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD.. THE PROBLEM IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE BROKEN, MALFUNCTIONING SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AND ANY ASSOCIATED REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED AS WELL BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD THAT AS A CONSUMER I SHOULD BE HELD FINANCIALLY LIABLE FOR REPAIR COSTS CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT OBVIOUSLY BROKE SEVERAL OTHER PARTS. NOT BEING ABLE TO PROPERLY ENTER AND EXIT MY VEHICLE IS A SAFELY ISSUE. I COULD VERY EASILY GET LOCKED INTO THIS CAR IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED AS THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTING ASSEMBLY. HOW AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE INCONVENIENCED OR PLACED IN DANGER BECAUSE A MANUFACTURER CHOOSES TO PICK AND CHOSE WHICH PARTS IT CHOOSES TO REPAIR AS A RESULT OF THEIR POORLY MANUFACTURED DEFECTIVE PARTS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Dec 21, 2015, crash
ORIGINAL OWNER '11 SORENTO 4CYL, AWD W/TOW PACKAGE & APPROX 88K MILES. PROBLEM 1ST NOTICED ABOUT 2 MOS AGO WHEN SEAT BELT LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WITH AUDIBLE CLICKING COMING FROM RELAY BEHIND DASH. IT WAS DAYTIME WHEN THIS HAPPENED 1ST FEW TIMES & I COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE SEEMED TO HAPPEN AFTER STARTING CAR & WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF DRIVING. RELEASING & RE-CONNECTING SEAT BELT HAD NO EFFECT. THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED @ NIGHT I REALIZED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS & DASH LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON & OFF ALSO. STILL COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, BUT BEING A MECHANIC I WATCHED FOR IT TO HAPPEN AND TRIED DIFFERENT THINGS TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY EFFECT ON THE ISSUE. ALWAYS WOULD BEGIN AFTER INITIALLY STARTING CAR, BUT NOT DO IT MOST TIMES. THEN 3 EVENINGS AGO, I FOUND IT HAPPENING EVERY TIME I WOULD START THE CAR & WOULD EVEN DO IT AFTERWARDS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS 70 MILES FROM HOME & TRIED TO GET BACK. IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS ON, OFF OR AUTO, IT WOULD STILL FLASH ALL LIGHTS & SEATBELT LIGHT W/CLICKING FROM RELAY. ON THE WAY HOME, WHILE DRIVING A RURAL ROAD, THE LIGHTS AGAIN STARTED BLINKING ON & OFF CAUSING ME TO HIT A METAL POLE A DRAINAGE DITCH THRU FARMER'S FENCE INTO HIS FIELD. ACCIDENT PUSHED METAL BUMPER (BEHIND BUMPER COVER) BACK ABOUT 12", TORE THE ENTIRE FRONT END &LIGHTS FROM CAR & BENT HOOD BACK 1 1/2 FEET AND BUCKLED IT UPWARD - ALL OF THIS WITHOUT EVER DEPLOYING THE AIRBAG.THESE PROBLEMS ARE PREVALENT IN THIS CAR AS I HAVE READ, BUT I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE WHICH DESPITE IT'S DAMAGE WILL NOW DUPLICATE THE LIGHTS GOING ON & OFF EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON. HAVE CONTACTED KIA CORP IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL WANT TO USE MY CAR TO GET TO THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE & FINALLY CORRECT IT. AS A MECHANIC I VERY WELL UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM TO FIND CAUSE ..... KIA NOW HAS NO EXCUSE.
Structure, Dec 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BAR ON THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Structure, Dec 19, 2015
THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT WORKS FROM THE INSIDE. I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS, JUST GOT CAR WASHED THEN WENT INTO A STORE. I CAME BACK OUT AND DOOR WOULD NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE WEATHER TEMPS WERE ABOVE NORMAL ABOUT 60 DEGREES. I HAD TO CRAWL THRU FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO PULL DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR.
Structure, Dec 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION, THE DRIVER AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2015
I NOW HAVE 3 OUT OF 4 DOORS THAT CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE ONLY DOOR THAT CAN BE OPENED IS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. KIA SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THEM WHEN THERE OBVIOUSLY IS ONE. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FROM DEALER IS $400 A PIECE. THAT IS CRIMINAL.
Structure, Dec 10, 2015
ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 6TH 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00, I WAS TRAVELING IN MY 2011 KIA SORENTO EX. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH 2 PANORAMIC SUNROOFS ONE IN THE FRONT AND ONE IN THE REAR. THE FRONT SUNROOF IS ONLY MECHANICALLY FUNCTIONAL ROOF. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND HAD A FEW SHARDS OF GLASS BLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED AND THE SUNSHADE WAS PULLED FORWARD. THIS PREVENTED ME FROM BEING INJURED BY THE GLASS. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: THE MAJORITY OF THE FRONT SUNROOFS GLASS WAS MISSING FROM THE MIDDLE.THERE WAS AN APPROXIMATE 2 INCH STRIP OF GLASS THAT WAS BUCKLED UPWARD STILL ATTACHED TO THE MOUNTING RAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ONE THE PASSENGER SIDE THERE WAS A LONGER PIECE STILL ATTACHED. IT WAS TRIANGULAR IN ITS SHAPE COMING TO A POINT THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 9-10 INCHES MOVING TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. IT TOO WAS BUCKLE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY. THERE WERE SCRATCHES TO THE REAR PANORAMIC SUNROOF. THE SATELLITE RADIO ANTENNA WAS MISSING. THE REAR SPOILER HAD HUNDREDS OF SCRATCHES ON IT WITH GLASS SHARDS IMPELLED IN IT. THERE WAS MINIMAL GLASS IN THE FRONT INTERIOR AND A FEW SHARDS FOUND IN THE REAR AS WELL. I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM WORK ON THIS MORNING. I WORK AS A FLIGHT PARAMEDIC AND IN MY JOB WE HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR THE WEATHER IN OUR AREA OUT TO A 90 MILE CIRCLE FROM OUR BASE. CONDITIONS DURING THE DAY. THE SKY WAS CLEAR AND SUNNY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE MID 50'S. WINDS WERE CALM. TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. I DID NOT HAVE ANYONE IN FRONT OR BEHIND MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO OVER HANGING LIMBS FROM TREES. IN ADDITION CONDITIONS THE PRIOR EVENING AND NIGHT WERE CLEAR, WITH TEMPERATURES ONLY DROPPING INTO THE LOWER 40'S.
Structure, Dec 10, 2015
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DOOR OPENS FROM THE INSIDE AND THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE APPEARS FINE BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN.
Air bags, Dec 3, 2015
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHEN I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT I AM SEEING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY HASN'T KIA RECALLED THIS? DO THEY REALLY NEED A DEATH IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM?
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2015
THE BULBS FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN "BURNING OUT" AT THE RATE OF ONCE A MONTH. LAST MONTH, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY PLUGIN TO THE BULB WAS MELTED DUE TO "A POOR CONTACT" OR SHORT IN THE WIRING". UNFORTUNATELY THEY SAID I NEED AN ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (ABOUT A $400 PART AND $250 LABOR) AS THEY WON'T JUST SELL THE CONNECTION PLUG. FRUSTRATED I FOUND A GREAT MECHANIC WHO CUT AND SPLICED A NEW CONNECTION PLUG AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING. HOWEVER THE CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS STILL A "SHORT" IN THE WIRING AND WILL EVENTUALLY DO THE SAME THING TO THE NEW PLUG. I HAVE NOW HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE OTHER SIDE AND AM HOPING THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE OTHER COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE ANY WARRANTY. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSE AND I STILLHAVE NOT SEEN A RECALL FROM KIA. THIS IS MY 2ND KIA AND I AM RETHINKING ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER UNLESS THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2015
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO, 106,000 MILES ON IT. FIRST I SAW A HEADLIGHT HAD BURNT OUT, I BOUGHT A NEW ONE, BY THE TIME I GOT HOME, IT WAS OUT AGAIN. MY MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, SAID THE WIRES WERE MELTED. SOON AFTER, AS I AM DRIVING IN THE EARLY MORNINGS, I WOULD TURN ON THE RIGHT SIGNAL AND THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF FOR 10 SECOND, ALL THE LIGHTS, INSIDE, OUTSIDE, BUT TURN BACK ON. IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN EVERY DAY, BUT ONCE A WEEK AT LEAST. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TODAY, I TOUCHED THE BRIGHT LEVER AND THE CAR LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF, FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AS IT WAS PITCH BLACK OUT AND I COULDN'T SEE IN FRONT OR ANYWHERE AND NO ONE COULD SEE ME. I TURNED THE CORNER AND THEY AGAIN WENT OFF, THIS TIME LONGER. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET MY HAZARDS ON SO I COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD AND PEOPLE AROUND COULD SEE ME. I HIT THE BRIGHTS AGAIN AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY TO WORK (45 MINUTES) WITHOUT USING ANY TURN SIGNALS OR BRIGHTS. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO GET BACK INTO THIS CAR. I TRAVEL ALOT WITH MY 4 GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL, AS I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. THE WEBSITE DIRECTED ME TO THIS SITE. PLEASE HELP, I AM AFRAID TO GET IN THE CAR NOW, I TRAVEL IN THE DARK EVERY MORNING 45 MIN TO AN HOUR. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2011/KIA/SORENTO/EXTERIOR_LIGHTING/PROBLEM.ASPX
Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2015
MY BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE KIA SORENTO MODEL. REPLACING THE HANDLES WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AS THE DEALER MUST PULL APART THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL. A THIRD PARTY BODY SHOP WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT A VEHICLE, AND NOT KNOWING IF OTHER DOORS WILL BE AFFECTED IN THE FUTURE, IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN.
Electrical system, Interior lighting, Nov 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE AUTO POSITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,800.