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, Service brakes, Nov 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, CAUSING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO GO BLACK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE GLOW PLUG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AN ENGINEER WAS REQUESTED TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD A SPONGY FEEL TO IT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V599000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Nov 15, 2012, crash
WHEEL ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO HAVE COMPLETELY GIVEN OUT. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ~35MPH WHEN IT ROSE SLIGHTLY THEN GAVE OUT. VEHICLE HIT SIDE OF PARKED CAR AND FLIPPED ON TO SIDE AND INTO RETAINING WALL - FULL SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY VACANT. EVERYTHING LAYING ON STREET INCLUDING SUSPENSION SPRINGS. WITNESS TO SUPPORT EVENTS. VEHICLE UNDER 25K MILES (2011 MODEL, INCIDENT 2012). VEHICLE TOTALED BY INSURANCE. *TR
Service brakes, Nov 11, 2012
MY BRAKES WILL GO TO THE FLOOR EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, SOMETIME THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING AND I JUST PRESS THE PEDAL TO START THE CAR, OTHER TIME THE CAR IS MOVING ALL I HAVE TO DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IS PUMP THE BRAKE 1 TIME AND EVERYTHING IS FINE AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME THIS IS THE ANSWER I GOT.(KIA TECHLINE STATES THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE PETAL TO TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES. TECHLINE STATES THAT AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WILL HOLD STILL AND WILL STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THIS IS NORMAL. PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEEMS GOOD. I HAVE CALL KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I AM WAITING FOR A REPLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 9, 2012
ATTEMPTED TO PARK CAR WHILE WAITING FOR A RELATIVE TO GET OFF WORK. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT TO REVERSE OR PARK- NO FURTHER THAN NEUTRAL. WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BRAKE TO STOP CAR. AFTER DROPPING RELATIVE OFF AT HOME (HAD TO STOP CAR IN SAME MANNER AS ABOVE), HAD TO STOP IN A NEAR EMPTY PARKING LOT, AS I STILL WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR PARK. CONTACTED KIA DEALERSHIP BY PHONE AND WAS TOLD BY REPRESENTATIVE TO PUMP THE BREAK SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE CAR TO NEUTRAL/PARK. DID NOT WORK. WAS TOLD BY REP THAT THE BRAKING "SOLENOID" ? (SPELLING?) HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT I SHOULD USE SOMETHING LIKE A SMALL SCREWDRIVER TO PUSH DOWN A BUTTON IN A SMALL BOX AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THE SHIFTER. FURTHER STATED THAT THIS WOULD RELEASE THE BREAK SO THAT THE CAR COULD BE PUT IN PARK. WAS TOLD THAT CAR WOULD NOW BE UNABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK UNLESS THE SAME PROCESS WAS REPEATED. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE JUST OVER 3 MONTHS. CERTIFIED PER-OWED. LESS THAN 34000 MILES. WILL ATTEMPT TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. UNAWARE IF SERVICE CENTER WILL REPAIR ON SATURDAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT IT WAS QUICKLY REMEDIED WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE UNTIL TODAY. SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY 2006. THIS IS MY 3RD KIA. 1ST VEHICLE WITH AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Nov 2, 2012
THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE, BUT GIVEN THE ISSUE SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT..... DRIVING UP HILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT 50 MPH. MY VEHICLE LOST POWER ( AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE ) MY BODY WENT FORWARD AND WAS STOPPED BY THE SEATBELT. MY HEAD WHIPPED DOWNWARD. THEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. MY HEAD AND BODY SLAPPED BACK INTO THE SEAT. IT WAS SO ABRUPT AND VIOLENTLY. IT WILL SCARE YOU TO DEATH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR TO COUNT. I HAVE TRIED TO DOCUMENT THE EVENTS IN A JOURNAL BECAUSE THE DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT ONLY ONCE. SOME DAYS IT CAN HAPPEN UP TO 3 TIMES A DAY FOR WEEKS ON END. SOME TIMES I CAN DUPLICATE IT DRIVING UP HILL AND SOMETIMES NOTHING. THE WORST TIMES ARE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND ME. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL HURT ANOTHER MOTORIST OR A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. A TERM CALLED " LIMP MODE " HAS BEEN SAID TO ME. WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A HI GEAR TO PROTECT IT FROM DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE STILL DOES THIS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 14 TIMES. THE TRANNY WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO AND A BACKFIRE CODE WAS FOUND RECENTLY. A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DIDN'T HELP WAS THE LAST THING DONE IN OVER A YEAR, UNLESS YOU COUNT PAYING FOR RENTAL VEHICLES DOING SOMETHING. THERE IS ALSO A SUSPENSION/STEERING ISSUE. A HARD PULLING LEFT/RIGHT AND BUMP STEER. THE VEHICLE WILL PULL THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HAND IN TURNS AND VEERS AS IT HITS BUMPS. *TR
Engine, Nov 2, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Power train, Oct 22, 2012
AFTER START UP WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT VIOLENTLY AND WILL PRODUCE THE SAME REACTION IF YOU TRY TO SHIFT IT BACK INTO PARK. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND OTHERWISE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS NORMALLY. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONCE THIS OCCURS IT FEELS UNDERPOWERED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN A HIGHER GEAR AND THERE IS NO ECO INDICATION OR INDICATION OF WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ON 10/13/12 AND PICKED IT UP ON 10/15/12 AND WERE TOLD THAT THE SOFTWARE HAD BEEN UPGRADED TO PREVENT THIS. SINCE THIS UPGRADE THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR TWICE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN YOU SHIFT BACK INTO PARK IT PRODUCES THE SAME VIOLENT SHIFT. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY ARE COMING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/23/12 SINCE THE LAST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS CONCERN DID NOT WORK. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Seats, Oct 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROL COVER WAS FRACTURED. THE SEAT COVER PLASTIC BECAME HOOKED ONTO THE CONTACT'S PANTS AND CAUSED HER TO FALL TO THE GROUND, INJURING HER KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE SEAT COVER CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING IN THE PARK POSITION BUT SHE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BE PUT INTO THE PARK POSITION AND THEN BECAME STUCK IN THAT POSITION. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OVER THE PHONE THAT HER BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MORE COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLED AND STATED THIS FALLS UNDER THE LEMON LAW. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON WHO TO CONTACT NEXT AND ANY ATTORNEY INFORMATION. UPDATED 11/20/2012 *JS
Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE ACCELERATOR FAILED. THE CONTACT STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT SLOWED TO A STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE ACCELERATOR RESPONDED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Sep 30, 2012
WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, VEHICLE CLUNKS AND THEN JOLTS FORWARD. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE,VEHICLE WHINES, DOESN'T MOVE AND SO I THEN SHIFT BACK INTO PARK WHICH RESULTS IN CLUNKING NOISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP ON 8/28/12 AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. I WAS ADVISED TO KEEP A LOG OF WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHICH IS OFTEN BUT INTERMITTENT. JUST RECENTLY VEHICLE LOST POWER AT A STOP SIGN (HAD PLENTY OF GAS IN TANK) AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO KEEP IT RUNNING IT JOLTED FORWARD AND RAN FINE. *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 19, 2012
THE INCLINE CONTROL LIGHT & THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. I WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE ON A FLAT SURFACE AND WHEN THESE LIGHTS WERE ON I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK OR REVERSE. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THEN HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE CONTROL AND TRACTION LIGHTS WERE NOT ON AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I MADE THE PURCHASE FROM AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE LINE WHERE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE LINE THAT CAUSES THE COMPUTER TO THINK THE BREAK IS NOT PRESSED DOWN ENOUGH, THEREFORE CONFUSING THE COMPUTER INTO THINKING IT SHOULD APPLY THE INCLINE AND TRACTION CONTROL AND PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM BEING PUT IN REVERSE OR PARK. I WAS TOLD THAT BY TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IN NEUTRAL LIKE I DID WILL SOMETIMES RESET THE COMPUTER. I WAS TOLD THERE IS ALSO A LITTLE BOX THAT HAS A VERY SMALL SLIT IN IT AND IF I COULD FIND SOMETHING TO FIT INTO IT THAT WOULD GO DOWN ABOUT 6 INCHES, THAT WOULD ALSO RESET IT. HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF WHAT ONE WOULD USE TO DO THAT WITH. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO NEED TO FIX THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY MESS UP THE DRIVE SHAFT, COMPUTER SYSTEM, OR TRANSMISSION AND WAS ASSURED IT WOULD NOT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 13, 2012
2011 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING DOWN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, AS HE APPROACHED THE ROAD. THERE WAS A SLIGHT SHIFTING MOTION AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO THE MAX OF 8000 RPM'S. HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE, SO HE PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. HE THEN RE-STARTED THE ENGINE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 13, 2012
WHEN ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED THE ENGINE WILL OCCASIONALLY BOG DOWN OR HESITATE AND ALMOST DIE. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC ESP ONTO A HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 12, 2012
AT COMPLETE STOP, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. 10 MILES LATER, ATTEMPT TO PARK . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST NEUTRAL. DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATED STEER ASSIST AND DOWNHILL PARK. I FINALLY DROVE AROUND UNTIL IT ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD DID THE SAME THING. MADE IT TO WORK AND SHUT CAR OFF. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2012
ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2012 I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. KIA MOTORS WILL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2012
INCIDENT #1 WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH CAR LURCHED, AND GAS PEDAL WAS NON-RESPONSIVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT NO RESPONSE. ONLY FORWARD MOTION WAS "IDLE" SPEED WHICH WAS NOT ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE IT UP HILL. STOPPED CAR IN MEDIAN. TOWED CAR BACK O DEALER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED A RECALL BRAKE SWITCH, AND SAID AS THERE WAS NO COMPUTER CODE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX. RESET THE COMPUTER TO CLEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. INCIDENT #2 LESS THAN 50 MILES (24 HOURS) AFTER TAKING THE CAR - AT 60MPH SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED & DROVE BACK TO DEALER. AFTER STARTING/STOPPING ABOUT 4 TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. CAR SEEMED TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE MERGING, ON A BRIDGE, OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2012
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, LAST TIME WAS ALMOST IN ACCIDENT 1/23/12 @40 MPH, 3/06/12 @ 50 MPH, 5/24/12 @35 MPH, 9/4/12 @55 MPH. HAVE DEALERSHIP SERVICE RECORDS FOR FIRST THREE INCIDENTS. NEW THROTTLE BODY INSTALLED 3/06/1 IN FLORIDA AT SUNSET KIA IN VENICE. PER MATT JARVIS BALD HILL KIA IN WARWICK RI, THE REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE (KIA GOT A BAD LOT OF THROTTLE BODIES FOR A WHILE.] REPLACED AGAIN 9/6/12. DEALERSHIP HAD KNOWLEDGE OF POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE PART BEFORE LAST STALLING. I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON RT 24 IN MIDDLETOWN RI IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN THE CAR STALLED, GAS PEDDLE UNRESPONSIVE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AND HAD TO WEAVE THOUGH TRAFFIC TO GET THROUGH THE DRIVING LANE THEN ON TO THE GRASS. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I MADE IT TO SAFETY. WHY DID DEALERSHIP NOT RECALL DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODIES. *TR
Power train, Sep 6, 2012
ON SEVERAL OCCASION DURING THE LAST TWO (2) WEEKS, I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS (E.G. INTO DRIVE, INTO NEUTRAL, INTO REVERSE, ETC); GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK. ONLY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES WAS I ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Sep 6, 2012
THE OTHER DAY,I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH IN MY 2011 KIA SORENTO WHEN I HEARD A HORRIBLE SOUND AND FELT A TERRIBLE JERK. IT FELT LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING OR HAD BEEN HIT, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD. MY RPMS WENT UP TO ABOUT 4,000 AND STAYED THERE. I COULD HEAR AN UNUSUAL SOUND BUT COULDN'T PUT MY FINGER ON WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, THEN REVERSE, THEN DRIVE. EACH TIME, THE CAR JERKED AND I HEARD A SORT OF CLUNKING SOUND. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER, WHICH IS WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT. WE WERE TOLD THE FOLLOWING DAY THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND WAS NOT GOING TO PICK IT UP UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED INVOLVING THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS. WE CALLED KIA OF AMERICA 2 DAYS AGO AND WERE TOLD THAT OUR VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. WE WERE GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD THAT WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS. WE ALSO SPOKE TO THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF THEY CAN RECREATE THE PROBLEM. WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM EITHER PLACE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 5, 2012
ON 9/19/2012 AT 12:17 PM I TOOK A FRANTIC CALL FROM MY WIFE. SHE HAD JUST STOPPED TO FILL UP WITH GAS, GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT AROUND 75 MPH. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. SHE SHUT OFF THE CRUISE AND WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PULL OVER WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT WAS ALREADY GOING OVER 80 MPH WHEN SHE CALLED. I TOLD HER TO STAND ON THE BRAKES-NO EFFECT. I TOLD HER TO PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND TO PUSH AND HOLD THE START BUTTON FOR 10 SECONDS-NOTHING (THAT IS THE OVERRIDE TO GET THE CAR STARTED WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS-WE HAD JUST HAD IT REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS PRIOR). I TOLD HER TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL-THE SHIFTER IS LOCKED IN DRIVE. I TOLD HER TO SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR-IT WON'T MOVE. AFTER 4 MINUTES THE CAR WAS GOING OVER 85 MPH-I TOLD HER TO HANG UP & CALL 911 AS SHE COULD TELL THEM WHERE SHE WAS MUCH BETTER THAN I COULD. A FEW MINUTES LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE HIGHWAY PATROL-THEY HAD 2 CRUISERS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH HER TRYING TO CLEAR TRAFFIC AHEAD OF HER. I ASKED IF THEY COULD GET A CRUISER AHEAD OF HER AND LET HER NOSE UP BEHIND IT AND THEN USE THE CRUISER TO STOP HER. EVIDENTLY THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT IDEA OR IT IS AGAINST POLICY BECAUSE THEY NEVER DID TRY THAT. THE DISPATCHER HAD TO HANG UP TO CONCENTRATE ON THE SITUATION AT HAND. I NOW HAD THE DISPATCHER'S NUMBER SO I COULD CALL HER BACK. AT ONE POINT I CALLED BACK AND SUGGESTED THAT SHE ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND TRY TO SLOW THE CAR WITH IT. MY WIFE DOES NOT REMEMBER EVER TRYING THIS. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AT SPEEDS UP TO 119 MPH. AT THE END ONE OF THE OFFICERS TOLD HER TO PUT HER LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PULL UP ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH HER RIGHT FOOT AT THE SAME TIME. SHE WENT FROM OVER 100 MPH TO UNDER 50 MPH INSTANTLY, LET GO OF THE PEDALS. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 29, 2012
VEHICLE STUCK IN DRIVE WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE BUT ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, I MANAGED TO FORCE IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CURB MAINTAINED MY CAR STATIONARY SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK. BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, IT IDLED IN NEUTRAL UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED (20 MIN LATER) BY WHICH TIME IT HAD BEGUN TO OVERHEAT. THE INCLINE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT I WAS NOT ON AN INCLINE. THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHY SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. I ALSO CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE IN THE MAINTENANCE DEPT. WHO DIRECTED ME TO REPEATEDLY PUMP ON MY BRAKES AND AT THE SAME TIME TO KEEP TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK BUT THE TRACTION LIGHT AND THE INCLINE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER INCIDENT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, WHEN I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 35,000. I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON HWY 281 S HEADING TO SAN ANTONIO WHEN MY ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA. THEY WORKED ON IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF BUT SINCE THEN I'VE EXPERIENCE ODD THINGS SUCH AS THE CAR JUMPING OR POPPING WHEN IT CHANGES GEARS. ALSO, IT TENDS TO OVERHEAT WHEN THE CAR IDLES FOR MORE THAN 10 MIN. AS WELL AS CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED MY KIA SORENTO AND I TRULY FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 28, 2012
WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35MPH AND NOTICED A VEHICLE TURNING IN FRONT OF ME. I BRAKE TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN AT LEAST. THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, NO BRAKES, DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. IT WAS LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM WAS TRYING TO WORK, BUT WORKED FAULTY, ALMOST IN A REVERSE FASHION. I PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL, LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING, BUT NOTHING TO SLIP ON. LONG STORY SHORT I ENDED UP GOING IN THE DITCH TO AVOID RUNNING INTO THE VEHICLE. PREVIOUS TO THIS ABOUT 2MONTHS THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO THE PARK POSITION, NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED, THANKFULLY I WAS NEAR THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE CONTROLLER AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I GO AROUND A CORNER AT A REASONABLE SPEED THE ENGINE KILLS POWER FOR A SPLIT SECOND, AND THE ANTI-SWAY LIGHTS KICK ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE MORE OF A SAFETY CONCERN THAN A SAFETY FIX. I FEEL HAVING 3 SERIOUS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS MERITS FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MODEL OF KIA, BEFORE IT LITERALLY IS KILLED IN ACTION, KIA. I RECENTLY WATCH THE NEWS AND SAW A STUCK ACCELERATOR PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL AS WELL, HOPE YOU WILL TAKE ACTION. *TR
Power train, Aug 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER WHICH WAS WORKING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,800.