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.
Visibility, Apr 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN UPDATED 9/18/15 *JS
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2015
DRIVERS SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR, INTERIOR HANDLE WORKS FINE. *TR
Visibility, Apr 13, 2015
THE TOP BACK GLASS ROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO ROAD DEBRIS, OR ANY OTHER MATERIAL NEAR THE CAR, IN FACT THE GLASS FAILED UPWARDS! GLASS PIECES AND SMALL FRAGMENTS FELL ON TOP OF THE ROOF SCREEN. *TR
Power train, Apr 7, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO TWO HEADSTONES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 6, 2015
VEHICLE HAS HAD REPEATED HEAD LIGHT ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE. LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER THEY ARE RECOMMENDING CHANGING OUT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT AN EXCESSIVE COST. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT SEEMS THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED TO FIX. *TR
Structure, Apr 3, 2015
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH DOES NOT WORK, DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE ONLY FROM INSIDE OF CAR, REQUIRES DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE VIA PASSENGER SIDE OR LEAVING DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOWN. *TR
Engine, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE THE DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AS WELL AS SPINE AND BACK INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK ALONG WITH WHIPLASH, THE SECOND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SPINAL, NECK, AND BACK PAINS. THE THIRD PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BACK PAINS FROM THE IMPACT. ALL REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: (AIR BAGS). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON PULLING THE VEHICLE OVER, IT WAS FURTHER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD FRACTURED INTO THE ENGINE AFFECTING THE OTHER COMPONENTS CAUSED A FIRE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTONS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT FURTHER EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS WAS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V388000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Power train, Mar 11, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THERE WAS AN WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Suspension, Mar 2, 2015, crash
AT APPROXIMATELY 9 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 11TH 2014 MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON 66 FROM FRONT ROYAL VIRGINIA TO THE DULLES AIRPORT . MY BOYFRIEND [XXX] WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME AND I WAS SEATED BEHIND HIM NEXT TO OUR 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE OF 66 AT ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN OUR VEHICLE WENT WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL. WE FISHTAILED, WENT THROUGH THE RIGHT LANE OF 66 ALL THE WAY ACROSS, SLAMMING US HEAD ON INTO THE DEWEY WALL AND GUARDRAIL. I WAS VIOLENTLY JOLTED FORWARD AND SMASHED MY FACE INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT. I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO FRAQUIER CO. HOSPITAL. I SUFFERED MULTIPLE NASAL FRACTURES AND 2 ABRASIONS TO MY NOSE AND GASH ON MY KNEE. I REQUIRED A CT SCAN, STITCHES, AND MY NOSE TO BE RESET. I HAD BLACK EYES, SEVERE HEAD ACHES AND SWELLING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE AXEL IN THE REAR PASSENGER, BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE, HAD SNAPPED CLEANLY AT THE WELD. THERE WAS NO MAJOR RUST AND NO JAGGED EDGES ON THE BREAK. THERE WAS ALSO NO DENT OR DAMAGED TO THE SCRAPE PLATE AS FOUND BY AUTO REPAIR SHOP.INDICATING THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN ROUGHLY. IT IS BELIEVED BY BOTH THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND IS WRITTEN IN THE POLICE REPORT AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, LUCKILY MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS OK EVEN THOUGH SHE STILL TALKS ABOUT THE INCIDENT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT FOR MY GRANDFATHER'S FUNERAL WHICH I MISSED. MY NOSE WILL ALSO REQUIRE RHINOPLASTY TO BE COMPLETELY FIXED. I HAD A LOOK AT THE PART MYSELF AND HAVE PICTURES IN CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYES, I AM AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT AXLES OF THESE VEHICLES. THE INCIDENT HAS LEFT ME WITH SEVERE ANXIETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2015
CAR BEGAN TO ACT LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO CRANK. ONCE I GOT TO DESTINATION, RADIO WENT OFF FIRST, THEN EVERYTHING STARTED DIMMING, THEN IT SHUT OFF. TRIED TO JUMP IT OFF, GOT IT DOWN THE ROAD 1/2 A MILE THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN. TOOK BATTERY OUT AND TRIED TO CHARGE IT BUT IT WAS DEAD. BOUGHT ANOTHER FULLY CHARGED BATTERY, DROVE THE CAR HOME. TRIED TO CRANK NEXT MORNING, WOULDN'T CRANK AGAIN. CHARGED IT UP TOOK IT TO 2 DIFFERENT PLACES..IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. ACCORDING TO A SERVICE BULLETIN #SA061, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHERE THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE ALTERNATORS NOT TO CHARGE. THIS WAS THE SAME ISSUE MINE WAS DOING..THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS SHOWING BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE ALTERNATOR. THIS IS THIRD BATTERY IN 3 YEARS FOR THIS CAR! AFTER LOOKING AROUND EVERYWHERE WITH NO ALTERNATORS IN STOCK AND NO ONE KNOWING HOW TO RE-BUILD THEM, THE KIA DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $443 FOR AN ALTERNATOR AND ANOTHER $300 TO PUT IT IN! NOT TO MENTION I WOULD HAVE TO PROBABLY TOW IT OVER THERE! THAT IS CRAZY! THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR! MY SUNROOF, BACK-UP CAMERA, RIGHT FRONT LIGHT, RADIO KNOB HAS FELL OFF, PASSENGER HEAD REST HAS FELL OFF, OIL PAN SEAL ISSUES....LIST GOES ON AND ON! IT IS RIDICULOUS! THIS SERVICE BULLETIN COVERED DATES 07/12/10 - 09/18/10. MY ALTERNATOR WAS BUILT IN 10/04/10. WOW,,,,IT MIRACULOUSLY GOT FIXED!! THERE WAS NOOOO WAY!!! THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO MINE!!! BUT...KIA WANTS ME TO PAY FOR IT!!! IT IS INSANE!!! I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE OUT OF THIS VEHICLE FROM DAY 1. *JS
Visibility, Structure, Feb 24, 2015
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY KIA SORENTO BEGINNING IN 2013 TWO OF MY DOORS IN THE CAR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE INSIDE. THE DOORS WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE MOST RECENT DOOR THAT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH IS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE INSIDE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MY POWER WINDOWS. LAST YEAR THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW BROKE AND NOW THIS YEAR THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW IS BROKEN. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO KIA NUMEROUS OF TIMES B/C BEING LOCKED OUT OF YOUR CAR IS A SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE HAD REALLY STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING WITH MY KIA THAT'S REALLY UNHEARD OF. I HAVE ALSO ASKED KIA TO LOOK INTO IF MY CAR IS POSSIBLY ONE OF THEIR LEMONS. *JS
Engine, Feb 24, 2015
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE WHEN MY GAS WAS LOW AND WHEN I FILLED UP IT WENT OFF. THAT HAPPENED FOR TWO WEEKS. THE THIRD WEEK IT CAME ON AGAIN, BUT MY GAS TANK WAS FULL SO I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. TURNS OUT MY VCM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN AT SOME POINT. LUCKILY I WAS UNDER 60,000 WHEN I TOOK IT IN, OTHERWISE I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED. *JS
Exterior lighting, Feb 21, 2015
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WORKS SOMETIMES ONLY. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT, THE BULB STARTED WORKING AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTOR FOR THE BULB HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER THE CONNECTOR AND THE WIRING IN THE NEW PART HAD TOO DISINTEGRATED. LEADING UP TO THE DISINTEGRATION ON THE REPLACEMENT, I WOULD SMELL AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS GROUNDING OUT, BUT THEY COULD NOT TELL FROM WHERE. MY CONCERNS ARE 1. THE AREA WHERE WIRING IS FAILING MAY CAUSE A FIRE. 2. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHT/S MAY GO OUT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ONCOMING DRIVERS TO SEE MY VEHICLE. SOME OF THE AREAS WHERE I DRIVE ARE NOT WELL LIT AND/OR REFLECTORS ARE USED AS GUIDANCE ALONG THE ROAD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 19, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE GOING 75MPH WHEN MY RPM'S SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY UP AND THEN DOWN, PAST 0. THE CAR MADE A HUGE JOLT BUT THEN KEPT DRIVING WITH NO TACHOMETER. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE LATER I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO GET OFF HIGHWAY AND THEN MERGE ONTO ANOTHER INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND TOTALLY SHUT OFF. I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES W FIXING IT AT KIA. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR 2X AS WELL AS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. IT CONTINUES TO VIOLENTLY JERK DAILY, TYPICALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 40 MPH AND AGAIN STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE LAST WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE CAR IS RUNNING AS DESIGNED BUT I JUST HAVE A STEADY FOOT AND THE ENGINE ISN'T SURE WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE I WHEN I'M GOING 40MPH. *TR
Visibility, Feb 19, 2015
AS I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED/SHATTERED ABOVE MY HEAD SENDING MILLIONS OF GLASS FRAGMENTS AND NUMEROUS LARGER SHARDS RAINING DOWN ON MY HEAD AND THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY FLYING DEBRIS NOR STRIKING A POTHOLE. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES PRESENT IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME AND IT WAS A VERY SMOOTH STRETCH OF ROADWAY. HAD I NOT BEEN WEARING A PEAKED CAP AND LEANING TO MY LEFT AT THE TIME I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE SUFFERED FACIAL INJURIES FROM THE FALLING GLASS. THE GLASS APPEARS TO HAVE EXPLODED OUTWARDS WHICH, I BELIEVE, COMPLETELY RULES OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF DEBRIS BEING THE CAUSE. *TR
Steering, Feb 19, 2015
THE TEMPERATURE WAS MINUS 3 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE PAVED ROAD WAS DRY. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I CROSSED THE INTERSECTION AND WAS GOING ABOUT 25 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT QUICKLY. I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF TWO LANES. I COULD NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING. I USED THE BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WENT OVER A CURB WHERE I WOULD HAVE HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, SO IT WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES WERE FINE. THE SERPENTINE BUILT WAS FINE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS NOT LOW. KIA SERVICE TECHNICIANS REPORTED THAT THE STEERING RACK FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE STEERING PUMP. *TR
Power train, Structure, Engine, Jan 20, 2015, crash
A VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED TO TURN LEFT AND I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID REAR-ENDING IT RESULTING IN HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A UTILITY POLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 13, 2015
MY SON WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-5 NEAR SALEM, OR WHEN HIS CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR HAD A 50,000 MILE AND $1000.00 SERVICE 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I DID ON LINE RESEARCH AND SAW SEVERAL INSTANCES OF KIA SORENTOS STOPPING SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY. KIA OFFERED $400.00 TO COMPENSATE OUR INCONVENIENCE BUT I THINK THE US CONSUMER SAFETY IS WORTH MUCH MORE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THIS INCIDENCE. THANK YOU, [XXX] THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility, Jan 7, 2015
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,620. DJR
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2015
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE LEFT DRIVER?S DOOR HAD LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND NOW THE RIGHT DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING NOT ALLOWING PASSENGERS TO OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES WITH CONCERNS OF A KNOCKING SOUND ON THE RIGHT FRONT. I THINK THE RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE VEHICLE IS GONE, BUT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATES THAT THEY CAN?T HEAR ANYTHING WHEN DRIVING IT. AN ALIGNMENT WAS COMPLETED LAST MONTH BUT THE VEHICLE HAS A ROUGH RIDE AND I AM STILL HEARING THE KNOCKING SOUND. I NOTICED YESTERDAY THAT THERE IS A HUMMING SOUND WHEN THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AND THE ACCELERATION IS SLOW. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT PURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. *JS
Air bags, Dec 28, 2014, crash
MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MILES AND HOUR AND A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND I T- BONED HIM. MY CAR WENT UP ONTO THE 2 FRONT WHEELS AND THEN SKIDDED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AT ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR. MY CAR IS TOTALED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED DURING EITHER IMPACT AND I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE. I HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW THE CONDITION OF THE CAR...UPDATED 01/21/15 */BF UPDATED 01/26/15*JB
Air bags, Dec 17, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND FACE LACERATIONS DUE TO AN OBJECT EJECTED FROM THE AIR BAG WHEN IT DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 12, 2014, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON LIGHT, NEW SNOW MY CAR HAD SUDDENLY SKIDDED SLIGHTLY, NO OVER-CORRECTING, I SIMPLY GOT THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD, STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND STARTED RACING DOWN THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET INTO THE EMBANKMENT! I HAD PULLED THE CAR TO THE LEFT AND HAD THE BRAKES PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN (AND BOTH FEET INCLUDING ALL MY WEIGHT ON THEM) UNTIL MY CAR CRASHED COMPLETELY INTO A TREE! THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AND MY FEET WERE ON THE BRAKES! IT WAS ALSO HARD TO GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO PARK --- WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR INTO PARK I QUICKLY TOOK THE KEYS OUT. THE 2011 KIA SORENTO AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD SERIOUSLY BE LOOKED INTO. YES, I WAS INJURED AND THANKFULLY A TREE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE ELSE WAS HURT! *TR