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.
Power train, May 14, 2013
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. ONCE STOPPED, COULDN'T GET THE SHIFTER TO GO INTO PARK. HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART. ONCE I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET INTO PARK, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AND I COULDN'T GET IT TO GO BACK INTO ANY GEAR. *TR
Power train, May 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,200. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 7, 2013
STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL. IN ORDER TO GET PAST NEUTRAL, HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. *TR
Visibility, Apr 21, 2013
MY HUSBAND AND I WALKED OUT OF HOUSE ABOUT NOON TODAY (21APR13) AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT CAR AND SAID "WTF , LOOK AT CAR". SUN ROOF IS SHATTERED. WE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT LOCAL KIA WHICH IS 32 MILES AWAY AND THEY ARE CLOSED. CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WHO CAN NOT HELP US OUT UNTIL KIA OPENS ON MONDAY AND THEY HAVE TO SEND US TO A DEALER THAT IS 75 MILES AWAY FROM US FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AND THEN DETERMINE REPAIR COSTS. I LOOKED ONLINE TO CHECK FOR RECALL AND AM STILL SEARCHING ALSO LOOKING TO SEE IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE AND FOUND ONE ENTRY FROM 2010. NOT SURE HOW THIS HAPPENED TO A PARKED CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WITH NO TREES AROUND OR LOOSE OBJECTS. HAVE OTHER VEHICLE IN DRIVE WITH NO DAMAGE SO RULED OUT RAIN. HOPING FOR FAIR WEATHER UNTIL WE CAN GET THE CAR TO DEALER (I HOPE IT WILL BE TOMORROW). HAVING A TODDLER WHO LIKES TO HAVE THE VISOR OPEN SO HE CAN LOOK OUT OF SUNROOF WINDOW AT SKY, THE FACT THIS SHATTERED , WHAT IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND IT SHATTERED WITH VISOR OPEN AND LITTLE ONE IN CARSEAT? *TR
Power train, Apr 15, 2013
DRIVING AT 65MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET; WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A VIOLENT JERK/HESITATION, AND AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG, AS THOUGH I HAD HIT SOMETHING. STOPPED ON SIDE OF THE ROAD, VEHICLE NOT MAKING ANY DIFFERENT NOISE OR RUNNING DIFFERENT, PLACED WITHOUT A PROBLEM INTO PARK. CHECKED AROUND VEHICLE NOTHING OUT OF ORDER, NO FLUIDS RUNNING UNDER VEHICLE, TIRES OK, UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. IT SEEMED LIKE A MISS OR SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION, DIDN'T NOTICE LIGHTS OR ANY THING ABNORMAL ON WARNING SYSTEM. GOT BACK IN CAR AND CONTINUED ON NO ABNORMAL NOISE, SHIFTED WITH OUT INCIDENT, NOT SURE BUT I AM WONDERING ABOUT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 8, 2013
I WAS DRIVING 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN MY CAR STALLED OUT. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE MAIN FUSE PANEL AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID ONE SHORTED THE OTHER OUT AND THAT IT WAS A FLUKE. ON 4/7/2013, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AGAIN, CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. NOBODY, CAN TELL ME WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND I AM REALLY NERVOUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN.. IF THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. KIA IS SAYING THEY HAVEN'T HEARD THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER VEHICLES, HOWEVER, AFTER COMING TO THIS SITE, IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING WITH REGULARITY. HELP. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?? *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 3, 2013
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO GO INTO/OUT OF GEAR. WHEN STARING IN THE MORNING, I OFTEN HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES, OR TURN CAR OFF AND RE-START IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE INTO REVERSE. ON ONE OCCASION, IT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO PARK. WHILE THIS HASN'T CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS/INJURIES, IT COULD HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. HAD MY TEENAGED DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING IT AT ANY OF THE TIMES THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T COOPERATE AND MOVE OUT OF DRIVE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Mar 14, 2013
REVERSED CAR FROM MY DRIVEWAY. FELT AS IF I HAD CRASHED INTO SOMETHING (HEARD LOUD GRINDING SOUND). PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND CAME TO STOP. UPON PRESSING THE BRAKES, FELT AS IF THE ABS HAD ENGAGED AND GRIPPED ALL FOUR WHEELS. HEARD LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND CAR JOLTED (AS BRAKES WERE PRESSED). I HAD MY FIVE YEAR OLD AND THREE OLD SONS WITH ME; THEY SCREAMED FROM THE JOLT. I SLOWLY RELEASED THE BREAKS AND APPLIED THE BREAKS AGAIN, AND SAME THING OCCURRED ONLY WITH LESS FORCE. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED FOR TOWING. ALSO, A HOWLING WHINING NOISE IS HEARD INSIDE THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS, AND UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE FIELD ENGINEER THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE. THE HOWLING/WHINING NOISE CONTINUES. THE DEALERSHIP REALLY TRIED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE MANAGER HERSELF TEST DROVE THE CAR AND ALSO HEARD THE WHINING/HOWLING SOUND. I DID CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT FRANKLY FELT DISAPPOINTED. I HAD ASKED IF ANYONE HAS CALLED IN WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND WAS NOT GIVEN AN ANSWER. I FEEL UNSAFE AND VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR. THEY DEALERSHIP STATED THE BREAKS WERE FINE, AND THAT NO ERROR CODE WAS DETECTED. I WAS NOT GIVEN A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE BREAKS TO BEHAVE THIS WAY OR WHAT IS THE HOWLING NOISE THAT IS OCCURRING. THIS IS THE THIRD MAJOR ISSUE WE HAD WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE AN AWD VEHICLE AND THE CURRENT RECALL ONLY COVERS THE 2WD ISSUE (THAT ALSO HAS THIS HOWLING SOUND). I HAVE READ NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS IN WHICH OTHER 2011 AWD SORENTOS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE; SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. *TR
Power train, Mar 10, 2013
WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD 2 TRANSMISSIONS PUT INTO OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO. TODAY WE WERE TRAVELING HOME FROM SAN ANTONIO AND THE DBC INDICATOR AND ESC INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT DID IT SEVERAL TIMES DURING OUR TRIP. IT ALSO SOMETIMES MAKES LOUD BANG NOISES WHEN PUTTING IT INTO GEAR. I FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE PUSH START IGNITION FAILED TO OPERATE ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES FOR BOTH DEFECTS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 04/02/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SING, TURNING TO SLOW DOWN, OR DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A PARKING LOT.
Suspension, Power train, Mar 2, 2013
SINGLE CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER DECELERATING, WHICH WAS VERIFIED BY KIA SERVICE ADVISOR AT NY KIA DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Vehicle speed control, Traction control system, Engine, Jan 23, 2013
WHILE DRIVING (USUALLY STEADY STATE SPEED ON HIGHWAY - WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED) CAR EXPERIENCES A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ACCOMPANIED BY A JOLT (AS IF BRAKES HAD BEEN ABRUPTLY AND BRIEFLY ENGAGED, OR AS IF FUEL SUPPLY SUDDENLY SHUT OFF), TACHOMETER DIPS SUDDENLY, CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATES FOR A SECOND OR TWO, AND THEN THINGS RETURN TO NORMAL. SOMETIMES AN INDICATOR LIGHT - OR MORE THAN ONE- FLASHES MOMENTARILY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT,THESE INCLUDE THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND/OR THE KEY IMMOBILIZER LIGHT - SOMETIMES NO INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES AT ALL. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A DEAD STOP - SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD MOMENTUM W/ A JOLT. I AM AFRAID I WILL GET REAR-ENDED AS THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS BUT BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED, AND A CAR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REACT IN TIME. IF CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED AT TIME OF INCIDENT IT BECOMES DISENGAGED AND HAS TO BE RESET. THIS SOMETIMES WILL NOT OCCUR IN AN HOUR OF DRIVING, BUT SOMETIMES WILL OCCUR AS OFTEN AS 10 TIMES IN A 20 MILE DRIVE WITH NO DISCERNIBLE PATTERN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND GROWN MORE FREQUENT OVER TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS IN A RAIN STORM AND I SUSPECTED THE ESC WAS SENSING SLIPPAGE AND FIRING THE BRAKES, HOWEVER IT HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WEATHER OR ROAD SURFACE AND NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE FOR MORE THAN A FEW MILES ON FREEWAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN EVALUATED BY KIA SERVICE MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED - BATTERY AND ABS MODULE WERE REPLACED WITHOUT SUCCESS. CONCERN IS OF SAFETY OF VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND ME. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2013
THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT ONCE PER MONTH. WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION FOLLOWING A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE MOMENTARILY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. IT THEN LOSES POWER OR COASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS BEFORE POWER IS RESUMED. DURING THE TIME PERIOD OF COASTING, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE LINE OF TRAFFIC AND SUBJECT TO BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND NO COMPUTER ERROR CODES ARE RECORDED, THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE AND REFUSES TO "THROW A PART AT IT". THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO SUGGESTION AS TO WHAT MAY BE FAILING. KIA IS EITHER UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE RECORDED IN THEIR DATABASE. THEIR ONLY RESPONSE IS TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 14, 2013
I WAS DRIVE EASTBOUND ON I-70 IN COLORADO IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR THE EISENHOWER TUNNEL AT 2:40PM. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME ON THE ROAD. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 DEGREES F. I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND PULLED OVER. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE FRONT SUNROOF ON MY KIA SORENTO EXPLODED OUTWARD. GLASS WAS POINTING UPWARDS. NOTHING HIT MY CAR. IT JUST HAPPENED. GLASS WAS IN A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. LUCKILY THE INSIDE SHADE WAS CLOSED, OTHERWISE GLASS WOULD HAVE FALLEN ALL OVER ME AND MY SON (IN THE BACK SEAT). I CLEANED UP THE GLASS AS BEST AS I COULD. WE CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT ENDED UP DRIVING TO THE NEXT TOWN AND GETTING SOME CARDBOARD TO TEMPORARILY KEEP THE WIND OUT, AND DROVE HOME. WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IF KIA WILL COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 11, 2013
THIS IS APPROXIMATE FOR THE DATES BUT IF FURTHER PROOF IS NEEDED THEN I AM ON TOP OF IT! NOW MATTER AT HAND...I DROPPED MY 20011 KIA SORENTO BASE XL, AKA MS SILVIA, OFF TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, ORIGINAL OWNERS OF MS SILVIA, FOR THE 2ND (SECOND) TIME FOR BRAKE ISSUES. 1ST (FIRST) TIME, AROUND 10-12 MS SILVIA GOT NEW CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER AND THE DATE WAS ABOUT 2 (TWO) MTHS BEFORE THIS TIME, WHICH MS SILVIA HAS BEEN IN THE KIA HOSPITAL/SERVICE DEPT SINCE 12-21-12 FOR THE 2ND (SECOND) TIME FOR THE VERY SAME REASON... CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SAYS, "...BAD PARTS...." I AM VERY WORRIED SINCE A RECALL WAS ISSUED THROUGH YOUR ORGANIZATION BACK IN NOV 2010 FOR CALIPERS FOR THIS VERY MAKE, MODEL & YR, THIS WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, BY THE DEALERSHIP, TILL I DID SOME SNOOPING THIS TIME ON MY OWN. AND WOW... ALL I WANT IS A DEPENDABLE & SAFE VEHICLE TO CONDUCT MY LIFE. I AM IN FEAR THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND WONDERING IF OTHERS ARE SUFFERING IN SILENCE AND IF THIS NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED AGAIN...PLEASE HELP ME IN THE MEAN TIME I AM LETTING MY CAR INSURANCE CARRIER KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALSO, JUST IN CASE MS SILVIA CAN'T DO WHAT'S REQUIRED OF HER FOR ME ON A DAILY BASES AND MAYBE INVOLVES OTHERS OF INNOCENCE.... I AM SCHEDULED TO PICK UP MS SILVIA UP TODAY...CROSSING MY FINGERS THAT MS SILVIA IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER....HELP PLEASE... *TR
Service brakes, Jan 9, 2013, crash
I BOUGHT MY 2011 KIA SORENTO PREOWNED CERTIFIED CAR ON 12/07/2012, THE NEXT EVENING 12/08/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN AND ABOUT ONE BLOCK BEFORE I GOT TO MY RESIDENCE I HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I THEN TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I BEGAN TO COME TO A STOP I REALIZED I HAD NO BRAKES IN TURN HITTING ANOTHER PERSONS CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. 911 WAS CALLED BECAUSE MY SON AND MYSELF WERE INJURED, AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE CAR HE FOUND ON THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL THAT MOST OF THE BRAKE HAD FALLEN APART, THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW ALSO, LATER ONE OF THE BRAKE PADS WAS FOUND ON THE ROAD NOT FAR FROM MY DRIVEWAY NONE OF THE OTHER MISSING PARTS WERE FOUND. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO KIA AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE NOR HAVE THEY TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AFTER A SOLID MONTH. TODAY WHEN I WAS LOOKING UP A PHONE # FOR YET ANOTHER KIA DEPT I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2011 KIA SORENTO FOR THE EXACT SAME THING WITH MY CAR. KIA'S "PREOWNED CERTIFIED" PROGRAM GUARANTEES THAT THE CAR WENT THROUGH A 150 POINT INSPECTION BRAKES BEING A TOP PRIORITY. ALL THEY WILL SAY IS THEY CAN FIX MY SMASHED CAR AND THATS IT, I WAS LEAD BELIEVE I WAS BUYING A "CERTIFIED 150 POINT INSPECTED" CAR WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE I WANT WHAT I WAS TOLD I WAS BUYING. THANK YOU *TR
Service brakes, Jan 9, 2013, crash
I BOUGHT MY 2011 KIA SORENTO PREOWNED CERTIFIED CAR ON 12/07/2012, THE NEXT EVENING 12/08/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN AND ABOUT ONE BLOCK BEFORE I GOT TO MY RESIDENCE I HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I THEN TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I BEGAN TO COME TO A STOP I REALIZED I HAD NO BRAKES IN TURN HITTING ANOTHER PERSONS CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. 911 WAS CALLED BECAUSE MY SON AND MYSELF WERE INJURED, AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE CAR HE FOUND ON THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL THAT MOST OF THE BRAKE HAD FALLEN APART, THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW ALSO, LATER ONE OF THE BRAKE PADS WAS FOUND ON THE ROAD NOT FAR FROM MY DRIVEWAY NONE OF THE OTHER MISSING PARTS WERE FOUND. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO KIA AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE NOR HAVE THEY TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AFTER A SOLID MONTH. TODAY WHEN I WAS LOOKING UP A PHONE # FOR YET ANOTHER KIA DEPT I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2011 KIA SORENTO FOR THE EXACT SAME THING WITH MY CAR. KIA'S "PREOWNED CERTIFIED" PROGRAM GUARANTEES THAT THE CAR WENT THROUGH A 150 POINT INSPECTION BRAKES BEING A TOP PRIORITY. ALL THEY WILL SAY IS THEY CAN FIX MY SMASHED CAR AND THAT'S IT, I WAS LEAD BELIEVE I WAS BUYING A "CERTIFIED 150 POINT INSPECTED" CAR WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE I WANT WHAT I WAS TOLD I WAS BUYING. THANK YOU *TR
Air bags, Seats, Jan 2, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DOWNHILL IN ICY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE HEADREST PREVENT WHIPLASH, AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND REQUIRED PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND STATEDT THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY OPERATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Steering, Suspension, Dec 22, 2012
BOUGHT CAR ON 4-12-12 HAD 22531 MILES ON IT. FROM TIME OF PURCHASE IT WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT SEVERELY. WE HAD KIA DEALERSHIP CHECK OUT STEERING PROBLEM. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY CHARGED US FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND SAID CAR SHOULD STIR FINE. ALIGNMENT DO NOTHING TO FIX STEERING PROBLEM,STILL PULLS SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT AT ANY SPEED. *TR
Power train, Dec 13, 2012
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TODAY, THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE OR PARK AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE INTO THAT POSITION. FINALLY, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Dec 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT AND PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A SENSOR FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A SAFETY SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Air bags, Nov 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE OSC MAT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DAMAGED BY WATER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 24, 2012
PUT KEY IN IGNITION, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON AS NORMAL, RADIO CAME ON AS NORMAL, ENGINE DID NOTHING, MADE NO SOUND WHATSOEVER. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CRANK VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED. AFTER THE 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENING I TOOK IT TO ALL STAR KIA OF BATON ROUGE (THE ONLY KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES ON A GOOD DAY FROM MY HOME). VEHICLE WAS THERE ONLY 30 MINUTES WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY BATTERY, WHICH I KNEW WAS INCORRECT BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS A DEAD BATTERY WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED MY RADIO AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO COME ON, BUT I ALLOWED THE TO GIVE ME A NEW BATTERY WITHOUT QUESTION. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AND QUITE FRANKLY AM TIRED OF WASTING MY TIME AND GAS MONEY ON THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUSE BLOCK, SAID ALL KINDS OF OTHER GARBAGE THAT DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO THE AVERAGE INTELLIGENT PERSON. DID NOT HAVE THE CAR BACK 2 DAYS AND THE SAME THING, WONT START. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL HAVE IT TOWED MONDAY AGAIN. DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE FIXED, THE MECHANICS AT THIS DEALERSHIP DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT VEHICLES OR WHAT MAKES THEM CRANK, RUN, AND GO. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 19, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A BUSY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO VARIOUS PARTS OF HER BODY AND LATER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT OF UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THEY WOULD PERFORM A WARRANTY CHECK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPDATED 1/9/2013 *JS