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.
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2013
KEYLESS START WOULD NOT WORK. NOW THIS HAS BECOME A REGULAR PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THAT BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Sep 14, 2013
PROBLEMS WITH REMOTE KEY FOB,WONT LOCK VIA REMOTE KEY FOB.VEHCILE WON'T LOCK VIA KEY. VEHICLE WON'T START VIA KEYLESS PUSH BUTTON START WITHOUT KEY FOB IN THE CONSOLE RECEPTACLE. WITH VEHICLE RUNNING,IF KEY IS REMOVED-VEHICLE REMAINS RUNNING AND WON'T SOUND BELL OR SHUTOFF ENGINE SAME PROBLEM IN SUMMER/2012 DEALER REPLACED BATTERY THEN,WITH 22,500 MILES ON VEHICLE. AT DEALERSHIP NOW 9/14/13 WAITING FOR FIX WITH 35,500 MILES ON KIA SORENTO. DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS ALSO SOME KIND OF ECM REFLASH THAT IS DUE FOR MY VEHICLE,NOW. STILL WAITING 2HRS NOW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 14, 2013
AIR CONDITIONING NOT COOLING PROPERLY.DRAIN AND RECHARGE SYSTEM BY DEALERSHIP,STILL NOT COOLING PROPERLY.DEALER ORDERED A NEW COMPRESSOR.DEALER INSTALLED NEW COMPRESSOR AND RECHARGE SYSTEM. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2013
KEYLESS ENTRY NOT WORKING,ROUGH STARTING-BATTERY REPLACED BY DEALER. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 14, 2013
PURCHASED NEW VEHICLE WITH 0 MILES,DROVE 134 MILES ON 2ND DAY AND VEHICLE BROKE DOWN-FUEL PUMP FAILURE.VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER-AFTER 10 DAYS,VEHICLE WAS READY TO DRIVE HOME. *TR
Power train, Sep 13, 2013
2 DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING HEARD LOUD SOUND, WHOA, COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED IT. THIS MORNING IN MY GARAGE STARTED FOR DAILY DRIVE, WHEN I PUT CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE WAS LOUD CLUNK SOUND. PUT BACK IN PARK DID THIS 3 OR 4 TIMES LOUD CLUNKING WITH JOLTING SEEM TO LUNGE FORWARD. VIOLENT SOUND AND FEEL. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED.MY HUSBAND GOT IN CAR, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME. I CALLED KIA SERVICE, THEY TOLD ME TO CALL ROADSIDE FOR TOW. HE TOLD ME THEN IT WOULD BE A 1 DAY JOB. HE SEEMED FAMILIAR WHAT I DESCRIBED. TOWED TO DEALER, THEY CALLED ME LATER OF COURSE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE EXPLAINED OVER THE PHONE IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING DUE TO LOUD SOUNDS, CLUNKING METAL SOUND, COULD NOT PUT IN GEAR. THEY KEPT THE CAR OVER NIGHT, TO TRY AGAIN IN THE MORNING, THEY ARE CONTACTING KIA MANUFACTURING FOR ADVICE. NOW I AM READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, SOME SOUND EXACTLY LIKE MY EXPERIENCED. I HAVE NO RECALL LETTER OR NOTIFICATIONS. FROM KIA LOSING FAITH IN KIA AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 11, 2013
STARTED VEHICLE 7AM. SHIFTED FROM P TO R. ENGINE REVVED ON ITS OWN. SHIFTED BACK TO P. OBSERVED CLUNK SOUND FROM TRANSMISSION. SHIFTED BACK TO R AND OBSERVED CLUNK SOUND. REVERSED TO STREET. SHIFTED TO D. VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT DEPRESSION ACCELERATOR TO 20 MPH. PULLED OVER. SHIFTED TO P. TURNED OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED VEHICLE. CLUNK SOUND OR SUDDEN ACCELERATION NOT OBSERVED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE HOWEVER, THE SHIFTER COULD NOT BE MOVED FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO WOULD SPORADICALLY POWER ON INDEPENDENTLY AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Power train, Seat belts, Engine, Sep 7, 2013
FROM POINT OF PURCHASE (NOVEMBER 2010) THE VEHICLE ALWAYS HAD A HARD START, THE SEAT BELT WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AND THE GAS LID FAILS TO OPEN WITHOUT MANUAL PRODDING. IN APRIL 2012 THE ENGINE FAILED TO START, AND THEN THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES THEREAFTER. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE BATTERY AND SERVICE THE VEHICLE. IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS A SERIES OF ISSUES CONTINUED, WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP STOPPED WORKING, FAILURE START, LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE WHILE IDLE AND DRIVING, AND THEN THE CAR STARTED TO STALL AND THRUST HARD FORWARD. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AGAIN, OIL CHANGED, THE CHANGED THE PUMP AND FILTERS, ALL REPORTED PROBLEMS PERSISTED THROUGH 2013. FOR THREE MONTHS THE CAR REMAINED IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE SHOP WHERE THE ENGINE WAS SERVICED, AND SOME ?TAPPETS? WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP CRACKED THE ENGINE COVER, REPLACED IT, WITHOUT INFORMING ME. ALL ENGINE, FAIL START, AND WINDSHIELD PUMP ISSUES CONTINUES TO PERSIST TO DATE (SEPTEMBER 2013) DESPITE MULTIPLE SERVICES.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 3, 2013
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE TO GAS PEDAL INPUT, BUT BRAKES SILL WORKED. HILL ASST AND ETC LIGHTS LIT UP ON DASH, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST NEUTRAL. TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK. CAR STARTED NORMALLY AFTER BEING SHUT OFF. *JB
Power train, Engine, Sep 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND ON AND THE CAR RESTARTED, DROVE REST OF DAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR STALLED A SECOND TIME TWO DAYS LATER. *JB
Power train, Aug 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Jul 8, 2013
VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION SENSOR FIXED IN DECEMBER 2012. VEHICLE WAS JERKING AND WOULD NOT GET INTO GEAR. SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. THIS TIME MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH A FRIEND ON A TWO WAY ROAD, THE VEHICLE STOPPED..COLD...THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN UNABLE TO GET INTO GEAR THE LAST FEW MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT TO COOL AND SHE WAS DRIVING IT TO THE DEALER. NOW BEING TOLD AT 33,000 A NEW TRANSMISSION IS BEING ORDERED. THE CAR APPARENT, STARTS IN THIRD GEAR. STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE CAR STOPPED DEAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT HAD SOMEONE BEEN BEHIND HER. PEOPLE MUST BE WARNED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 27, 2013
I CAME TO A STOP, SUDDENLY THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TURNED THE KEY A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT NOTHING HAPPENED, I TURNED OFF THE RADIO AND THEN TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED AND I DROVE IT HOME. TWO DAYS LATER THE SORENTO WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP. POSSIBLE REASON GIVEN ON THE WORKORDER FOR THE STALLING/SHUTTING DOWN WAS THAT THE GAS TANK HAD BEEN OVERFILLED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE SOLVED BY THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL, SERVICE BULLETIN 13V114000. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM RECEIVES A SIGNAL FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH FOR THE STARTING PROCESS AND, IF THE SIGNAL IS NOT RECEIVED, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH, HE STATED THAT IT COULD INTERRUPT THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE BY SENDING AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM, ACTIVATING THE "NO START" PROCESS. EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT. HE FURTHER STATED THIS RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SIGNAL SWITCH SHOULD CURE THAT PROBLEM. AFTER RUNNING A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE REP SAID THERE WERE NO STORED CODES IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MEMORY INDICATING A FAULT. SINCE SHUTTING THE MOTOR OFF DUE TO AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED IS NOT A SET FAULT CODE, THIS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RECORDED. ALSO, THE REP STATED THAT IF A FAULT HAD OCCURRED, IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE LONG ENOUGH TO RECORD A FAULT CODE. THOUGH HE DID GIVE THESE ANSWERS VERBALLY, THEY WERE NOT SPECIFICALLY INDICATED ON THE SERVICE INVOICE, AND THIS CONNECTION WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. IS THIS KIAS OFFICIAL POSITION THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL FIXES THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 17, 2013
FOUND THIS ON ANOTHER WEB SITE: WWW.TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM (SEE BELOW FOR DESCRIPTION) VERY INTERESTING: APPARENTLY THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2002!! WELL IT'S STILL HAPPENING I HAVE THE 2011 6 CYL AWD AND FOUND OUT IT'S STILL A DEFECT IN THE 2012 AND 2013. NOTHING MORE TO SAY BUT 'SHAME ON KIA MOTORS' YOUR LACK OF TAKING OWNERSHIP FOR THIS DEFECT IS JUST DISCUSTING. NHTSA PLEASE HELP US.....LIVES NEED TO BE SAVED; I AM BLEARY EYED READING ALL THE POWERTRAIN DEFECTS FOR THE 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE KIA SORENTO IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN NEW JERSEY. PLAINTIFFS ALLEGE IN THE KIA SORENTO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT KIA MOTORS KNOWINGLY CONCEALED THAT ITS 2002-2009 SORENTO CROSSOVERS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE PART CALLED THE CRANK SPROCKET. THIS ALLEGED ENGINE DEFECT LEADS TO A CATASTROPHIC CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT STARTS WITH SEVERE HEAT BUILDUP, THE RELEASE OF DEBRIS, AND THEN LEADS TO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, ENGINE FAILURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS ACCIDENT, ACCORDING TO THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR
Power train, Jun 17, 2013
CHAPTER 2. NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10519967 THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SATURDAY 6/15, DEALERSHIP CLOSED. CALLED DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR RIGHT IN. LEFT THE CAR ALL DAY AND THEN RECEIVED THE NEWS, THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE INCIDENT. SO OF COURSE NOTHING WAS REPAIRED. SO I DROVE HOME IN THE 'DEATH WISH' CAR AND PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME. THE CAR IS A 2011 KIA SORENTO 6 CYL AWD MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST 11, 2010. I HAVE SEARCH THE INTERNET NIGHTLY AND I AM FINDING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXACT ISSUE AS I EXPERIENCED. THIS IS MAKING ME SICK KNOWING THAT KIA CORP KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND IS NOT TAKING ACTION TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT. HOW DO WE GET THEIR ATTENTION THAT THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. DO WE HAVE TO CHECK OFF THE FATALITY BOX ON THIS FORM BEFORE KIA PAYS ATTENTION TO US. PLEASE IF SOMEONE HAS HAD A GOOD RESULT WITH THEIR DEALERSHIP AS FAR AS GETTING A REPAIR DONE WITHOUT REPRODUCING THE ERROR CODE, PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH THAT INFORMATION. THE LEMON LAW IN MY STATE IS 5 ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM AND NO RESOLVE...I ONLY HAVE 4 MORE TO GO! KIA HELP US PLEASE...THIS DEFECT IS IN YOUR 2011, 2012 AND 2013 KIA SORENTO....SOMETHING IS EXTREMELY WRONG WITH YOUR POWERTRAIN IN THESE CARS. TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE DEFECT AND SAVE OUR LIVES. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 16, 2013
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2011 KIA SORENTO IN MY GARAGE WHEN THE DOWNHILL ASSIST AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT BEYOND NEUTRAL. I HAD TO SHUT OFF CAR WHILE IN 'DRIVE' AND TURN BACK ON, WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO SHIFT TO PARK. HUGE PROBLEM AND HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES THE PAST TWO DAYS! I'LL BE CALLING DEALERSHIP FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING. *TR
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jun 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 KIA SORENTO IT JUST LOST POWER, IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND ALL THE DASHBOARD IDIOT LIGHTS LIT UP. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH NO ONE BEHIND ME OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED IF THIS HAPPENED DRIVING ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO AND THERE WAS NO STEERING RESPONSE. I TURNED OFF THE KEY TO KILL THE ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY DESTINATION AND PARK. I CHECKED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE BY SEARCHING KIA SORENTO STALLING AND FOUND A DOZEN OR MORE VIDEO'S FROM PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THAT I JUST EXPERIENCED. SOME OF THE DRIVERS FOUND THAT IF YOU USE THE CAR IN THE MANUAL SHIFT MODE THE STALLING DID NOT SEEM TO HAPPEN. THIS IS A REAL POTENTIAL DISASTER. YOU LOOSE POWER AND HAVE NO WAY OF MOVING THE CAR TO GET OUT OF THE WAY WHEN YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY...LIKE RIDING IN A 'DEATH WISH CAR'. THE VIDEO'S ALSO STATING THAT THEY EXPERIENCED THE STALLING MANY TIMES AND ONCE IT STARTED IT GOT WORSE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT KIA DEALERSHIPS WERE OF LITTLE HELP SINCE THEY NEED TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING AND SINCE IT'S JUST RANDOM THAT IS NOT EASY. THE VIDEOS WERE TAPED WHEN THE ISSUE WAS ACTUALLY TAKING PLACE AND SHOWED THE TACH AT ABOUT 15 RPM'S ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS LIT BUT NO STEERING RESPONSE OR POWER TO MOVE THE CAR. I AM HOPING THIS CAN BECOME A RECALL AND KIA WILL FIX THIS STALLING PROBLEM AND KEEP THE PEOPLE IN THESE KIA SORENTO'S SAFE! IF THIS IS A COMPUTER PROBLEM THEN THERE SHOULD BE AN ERROR LOG TO SHOW WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER FOR NO REASON. KIA NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS DEFECT AND FIX THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Jun 7, 2013, crash
VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE IN PARK, WENT ACROSS A TWO LANE STREET INTO THE NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY ONLY BEING STOPPED BY THEIR VEHICLE PARKED IN THEIR DRIVEWAY. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I GOT TO THE VEHICLE IT WAS IN PARK. AFTER GETTING IN THE VEHICLE YOU COULD PUT IT IN GEAR WITHOUT HAVING THE KEY IGNITION OR YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER, PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCHES FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Power train, Jun 3, 2013
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. ONCE STOPPED, SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL. IN ORDER TO GET PAST NEUTRAL, HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. *TR
Power train, Jun 2, 2013
TRAVELING AT 70MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGE, A LARGE "THUD" WAS FELT IN THE CABIN AS IF SOMETHING HAD BEEN HIT. PULL OFF SIDE OF HIGHWAY TO EXAMINE FOR DAMAGE. NO DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WAS NOTED. UPON LEAVING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ACCELERATION WAS SLUGGISH AND AT HIGHWAY SPEED RPM WAS 4500, NOT NORMAL. PULLED OFF THE SIDE IF THE HIGHWAY AGAIN AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. THIS RESET THE CAR. PULL OFF THE SHOULDER AGAIN AND TRANSMISSION OPERATED NORMALLY AGAIN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 1, 2013
I WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 AND SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN (SOUNDED AS IF SOMEONE HAD FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL). I TAPPED THE BRAKE AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE DASH MULTIPLE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE LIT. AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK. I CAME TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER- AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. TRIED TO RESTART AFTER FEW MINUTES AND IT WOULD NOT START. A FEW MINUTES LATER IT DID START BUT SOUNDED BAD. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND A REGIONAL KIA REP WOULD INVESTIGATE MY VEHICLE (WHAT THAT MEANS, I DON'T KNOW QUITE YET). *TR
Electrical system, May 19, 2013
CAR WOULDN'T START WHEN I PUSHED IT TO START, THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED. ON 1/4/2012 DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE CAR DID RESTART BUT SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. RESTARTED AND HAD IT TOWED TO KIA. THEY HAD THE CAR UNTIL 1/9/12. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUSE BLOCK. THEY REPLACED EMS BLOCK CONTROL HARNESS. ON JANUARY 30,2012, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO KIA. THEY KEPT THE CAR AND ON 2/1/12 AND 2/2/12 THE CAR DIDN'T START FOR THEM. I WAS TOLD THEY MOVED AROUND THE COMPUTER AND THEN THE CAR STARTED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESSURE THAT TIME. THEY REPLACED PCM. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA GARAGE ON 4/26/13 FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THAT DAY GOT THE CAR BACK AND HAD OIL LEAKING ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. TOOK THE CAR BACK 2 TIMES FOR OIL LEAK. DURING THE TIME IT WAS IN THE GARAGE I WAS TOLD THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED, AFTER BEING REPLACED I WAS TOLD THERE WAS TO MUCH VOLTAGE GOING TO THE SENSOR AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY. CURRENTLY I AM TOLD THE CARS COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE CAR BACK. *TR