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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,518

Of the 2011 reports, 42 involved a crash and 62 involved a fire. 50 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine284 reports · 19% of complaints
Owner complaints1,518Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship8 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine284
  2. Structure268
  3. Power train265
  4. Electrical system246
  5. Other or unspecified213
  6. Air bags183
  7. Service brakes132
  8. Exterior lighting102

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  1. Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2015

    A BANG/THUD HAPPENS WHEN GAS IS APPLIED. SOUND APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT ENGINE AREA. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP RODE WITH ME BACK IN 2013, HEARD SOUND, BUT LATER STATED IT WAS "NORMAL". INVOICE STATES NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE, ONLY ITS LOUDER NOW, WITH NO SOLUTION. I AM GETTING MORE FRUSTRATED. THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I PLAN TO TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP.

  2. Electrical system, Structure, Jul 1, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,050.

  3. Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2015

    DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY. IT CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BUT NOT THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN RELATION TO IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND I CANNOT GET MYSELF FREE, NO ONE FROM THE OUTSIDE CAN GET ME OUT EITHER. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST REPORT OF A DOOR HANDLE NOT WORKING ON THIS BRAND OF SUV MODEL.

  4. Power train, Jun 30, 2015

    STARTED VEHICLE AND PUT INTO REVERSE, ONCE IN REVERSE I BEGAN TO BACK UP, THE GEAR SLIPS OUT OF REVERSE INTO NEUTRAL. IF PLACED BACK INTO GEAR PARK, REVERSE OR DRIVE IT PAUSES FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN SHIFTS HARD WITH A CLANK SOUND. IF YOU PROCEED TO DRIVE IT SHIFTS LIKE IT IS GOING FROM FIRST TO THIRD GEAR. IT WILL NOT CORRECT ITSELF ONCE DRIVING. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT WORKS FINE WITH NO SLIPPING OR SHIFTING PROBLEMS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. HOWEVER TODAY IT WILL NOT CORRECT ITSELF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. UPDATED 11/02/2017*CN

  5. Air bags, Jun 24, 2015

    AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND AFTER "RESETTING" THE SENSOR LIGHT THREE TIMES THEY NEEDED TO TAKE MORE DIAGNOSTICS. THEY CAME BACK THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THIS REPAIR FOR PART AND LABOR IS $500. I COULDN'T GET IT FIXED TODAY SO IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVERS AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.

  6. Structure, Jun 17, 2015

    DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WONT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. IF WINDOW IS DOWN CAN REACH IN AND HIT INNER PANEL AND IT WILL OPEN. INNER PANEL GETTING HUNG UP ON STRIPPING SO WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN DOOR IT PULLS CLIPS FROM PANEL BREAKING THEM.

  7. Structure, Jun 16, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

  8. Air bags, Jun 15, 2015

    AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WILL NOT GO OFF HAVE AN APT WITH DEALERSHIP TOMORROW THEY SAY 45.00 TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. AND IT IS NOT COVERED SO WE WILL SEE ABOUT A COST I DON'T FEEL SAFE NOT KNOWING IF MY AIR BAGS ARE NOT GOING TO WORK..UPDATED 07/13/15 *BF

  9. Engine, Jun 15, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

  10. Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2015

    THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. ONLY THE INSIDE. NOW A FEW DAYS LATER, THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. NOT OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONLY THE INSIDE.

  11. Air bags, Jun 10, 2015

    THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON WHEN I STARTED CAR AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS.

  12. Service brakes, Jun 10, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  13. Structure, Jun 8, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR, BUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO THE DOOR PANEL BECOMING WARPED FROM THE OUTSIDE HEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

  14. Exterior lighting, Jun 2, 2015, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE WIRES AROUND BOTH HEAD LIGHTS MELTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

  15. Structure, May 28, 2015

    DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE BUT CAN OPEN FROM INSIDE.

  16. Structure, May 26, 2015

    ON JANUARY, 29TH, 2015 THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE REFUSED TO WORK. ON JANUARY, 30TH, 2015 THE REAR PASSENGER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. ON MAY 24TH, 2015 THE DRIVER DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE REFUSED TO WORK.

  17. Other or unspecified, May 21, 2015

    I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR AND THE HANDLE SNAPPED CLEAN OFF THE DOOR. IT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REACH MY SON BECAUSE THE DOORS CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED.

  18. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, May 19, 2015

    THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT QUIT WORKING TOOK TO A MECHANIC, HE LOOKED INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND SAID THAT ALL THE WIRES HAD MELTED TOGETHER. THIS PROBLEM COULD AFFECT ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE TRUCK. ALSO OF NOTE IS THAT THE TRUCK INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWING THAT THE TRUCK IS OPEN, EVEN WHEN ITS NOT. SO FAR NO FIRE HAS STARTED. COST TO FIX PER THE MECHANIC IS OVER $1000, OR MORE.

  19. Air bags, May 19, 2015, crash

    GOOD AFTERNOON, I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. I PAID TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIX LAST FALL. HOWEVER, LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT IN KIA CARS. WHY HAVENT KIA REPORTED THIS ISSUE? I WAS REAR ENDED RECENTLY AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IM WONDERING IF KIA IS HIDING THIS ISSUE. THE PERSON AT THE SHOP TOLD ME A CLOCK SPRING SHOULD NOT GO BAD ON A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. KIA IS RIPPING OFF CAR OWNERS BECAUSE THEY WONT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM PUBLICLY. HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/76352-AIR-BAG-LIGHT-CLOCK-SPRING.HTML I HOPE SOMEONE WILL INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. PLEASE COPY AND PAST THE ABOVE URL TO SEE WHAT KIA OWNERS HAVE TO SAY. UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN

  20. 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!!!

  21. 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.

  22. Suspension, May 4, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE SUSPENSION WAS ALIGNED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

  23. Structure, Apr 29, 2015

    PARKED CAR AT LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER WITH WIFE AND RETURNED TO CAR TO FIND OUT I CAN'T OPEN PASSENGER DOOR FROM EXTERIOR HANDLE. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK THE EXTERIOR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE HAS SAME PROBLEM. NOW A MONTH LATER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR ALSO HAS SAME PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE THREE DOORS THAT WON'T OPEN FROM EXTERIOR HANDLES. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET WITH OWNERS OF KIA SORENTO MODELS TO DATE FROM INCEPTION OF 2011 MODELS. *TR

  24. Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 24, 2015

    ON 04/16/15 PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK OR REVERSE. PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WARNING LIGHTS ON DIDN'T MAKE SENSE., ACCESSORIES WOULD NOT TURN OFF. CAR ROLLED W/O HARD DEPRESS TO BRAKE. BRAKE WOULDN'T FULLY ENGAGE (WOULDN'T PLUNGE ALL THE WAY). PUT INTO NEUTRAL, COULD NOT FULLY SHUT OFF. CAR WARNING SIGNAL BLASTING. COULD NOT SECURE CAR, LOCK CAR OR OR TURN CAR OFF. COULD ONLY DRIVE FORWARD SLOWLY WITH DRAG WHEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF PARKING SPOT. DROVE FORWARD TO GET OUT OF PAKING LOT BEFORE TRAPPED IN THERE AGAIN AND REVERSE ROLLING OCCURRED. WENT TO SIDE OF ROAD FOR TOWING. HUGE DRAG WHILE DRIVING SLOW 5MPH APROX. IGNITION FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER PUTTING INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN. WARNING SOUND FINALLY WENT AWAY BUT ACCESSORIES STILL WERE ON. PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOW ENGAGE. CAR NOT DRIVABLE OR FULLY FUNCTIONING. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. .DIAGNOSED- FAILURE OF RECALL PART PUT IN AT TIME OF RECALL TO FIX HAD FAILED. RESOLUTION: REPLACED DEFECTIVE RECALL FIX PART WITH SAME RECALL PART THAT JUST FAILED, NO ACCIDENT RESULTED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE BUT I COULD NOT PROPERLY, DRIVE, SECURE, CAR. LEFT STRANDED WITH MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILD WITH LIMITED CELLULAR RECEPTION. CONCERN: DRIVING UNSAFE CAR WITH KNOWN FAILURE PART THAT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT DO TO SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE POSTED BY KIA. KIA RESOLUTION WAS TO PUT SAME PART IN THAT IS KNOW TO FAIL AND WAS PART OF A FIX FOR VOLUNTARY RECALL DUE TO KNOW SERIOUS RESULTS OF PART FAILURE. I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT IS ON IT'S THIRD RECALL WHICH IS PROVEN TO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS MEDICALLY FRAGILE SON WOULD NOT HAVE HAD IMMEDIATE MEDICAL EMERGENY SERVICES IF FAILURE HAPPENED WHERE THERE WAS NO SIGNAL. LACK OF BRAKE LIGHTS COULD RESULT IN COLLISION RESULTING IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. SUMMARY, DRIVING CAR WITH KNOW SAFEY ISSUES BY KIA WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR

  25. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2015

    WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE REVS UP & WON'T STOP UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY & HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES TO MY KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN SERVICED SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2010. THEY STATE THEY HAVE NOTED THIS PROBLEM BUT SINCE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR