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.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 27, 2011
CRUISE CONTROL BROKEN FOR 3RD TIME. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK, HAS ALREADY HAD CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH REPLACED ONCE. TAKING INTO DEALER FOR THIRD TIME AND IRONICALLY, THE DAY WE PICKED 2011 KIA SORENTO UP TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL FIXED FOR THE SECOND TIME, IT DID NOT WORK WITH DEALER STATING "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S CONCERN." WHAT IF WE ALL DID OUR JOB THAT WAY? IS THIS SITE, PAID FOR BY US CITIZENS, JUST FOR BLOGGING OR DOES THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAVE ANY TEETH? ITS ABOUT TIME FOR A RECALL ON THE 2011 KIA SORENTO FOR TRANSMISSION, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING - PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AND OTHER PROBLEMS THE 2011 KIA SORENTO HAS THAT ARE DANGERS TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2011
TRANSMISSION BROKEN FOR THIRD TIME. WE CAN NOW DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY BY PARKING ON AN INCLINE, PUTTING THE 2011 KIA SORENTO IN DRIVE AND ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF, THE VEHICLE GRINDS AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. WE ARE TAKING VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR THE 4TH TIME. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO GRIND AND SURGE FORWARD, ONCE CAUSING WIFE TO NEARLY JUMP PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK WITH HER MOTHER IN VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Mar 24, 2011
AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK MY DAUGHTER SAID HER CAR WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. SHE ASKED ME TO TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE TO SEE IF I COULD TELL WHAT WAS WRONG. AFTER STARTING THE CAR I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE. AT THAT POINT I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE AND FELT A STRONG BUMP. AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND NOTICED THE SAME NOISE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED AS I STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION I NOTICED THE NOISE AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT A MILE I WENT TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, FELT A BUMP, AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ANY WHERE. WE WERE ABLE TO COST TO A SAFE LOCATION ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Mar 20, 2011
TRANSMISSION FAILED ON A 2011 KIA SORENTO WITH 22K MILES ON IT. WE WERE PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE ONLY WARNING THAT I HAVE SEEN IN REFERENCE TO A POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR IDLES HIGH (AT ABOUT 3500 RPM) IN THE MORNING. THIS WAS REPORTED TO KIA BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. AS OF NOW, THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2011
I WAS TRAVELING FROM COLUMBUS OHIO TO TOLEDO OHIO ON A BUSINESS TRIP. THE TRIP STARTED OUT NORMALLY, BUT WHEN I ARRIVED IN TOLEDO AND PULLED OFF AT AN I-75 EXIT, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS EXITING. DID NOT HAVE ANY FORWARD MOTION AT THE EXIT AND HEARD ONLY GRINDING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE. ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I'M HEARING A STRANGE WHINE COMING FROM THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS A RECALL FROM KIA. *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 KIA SORENTO FROM ARKANSAS TO INDIANA. I STOPPED OFF TO GET GAS AND FELT LIKE SOMEONE BUMPED ME IN THE REAR END WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. I LOOKED BEHIND ME AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN THE CAR BEHIND ME AND MYSELF. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS SO I DIDN'T REALLY THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT AND WENT ON MY WAY. THE NEXT TIME I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND STOPPED, IT DID IT AGAIN. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT MY SORENTO FROM AND MADE AN APPT TO TAKE IT IN THE FOLLOWING DAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE NEXT DAY. AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE (THANKFULLY AT MY EXIT) THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I THEN HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE. I WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL CAR UNTIL THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETE. THE THING WAS I WAS ONLY IN TOWN FOR A LONG WEEKEND AND HAD TO GET BACK TO ARKANSAS. THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD DRIVE THE RENTAL CAR BACK TO ARKANSAS BUT WOULD HAVE TO COME GET THE SORENTO WHEN IT WAS READY. (THEY WOULD NOT SHIP THE SORENTO TO ME) IT DID END UP WORKING OUT OK, MY MOTHER AND FATHER INLAW PICKED UP THE SORENTO WHEN IT WAS FIXED AND I DROVE ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES DOWN TO ARKANSAS. THEY BROUGHT THE SORENTO DOWN TO ME ON THEIR VACATION. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I DON'T THINK THAT I WILL EVER FEEL TOTALLY SAFE DRIVING IT AGAIN. I'M ALWAYS GOING TO BE WONDERING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. *TR
Power train, Mar 14, 2011
2ND EVENT, UNCOMMANDED DOWNSHIFT FROM 6TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AT SPEED. TRANSMISSION THEN LOCKS IN 4TH GEAR UNTIL SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. VERY VIOLENT EVENT WHEN IT OCCURS, WITH AN INSTANTANEOUS BANG AND CORRESPONDING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED. *TR
Power train, Mar 10, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO 4TH GEAR UNCOMMANDED FROM 6TH GEAR. LARGE BANG AND SUDDEN DECELERATION. THINK OF HITTING A FOOT DEEP POTHOLE..WITHOUT THE POTHOLE. TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN 4TH GEAR UNTIL ENGINE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
Steering, Mar 7, 2011
THE 2011 KIA SPORTAGE COMES NEW THIS YEAR WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE CAR IS STEERED BY AN ELECTRIC MOTOR ACTIVATED BY REOSTATES WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED. THE STEERING IS VERY JERKY, DARTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON LEVEL ROADS. IN HIGH CROSS WINDS AND RAIN COVERED ROADWAYS THE CAR BECOMES HIGHLY UNSTABLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND WAS INFORMED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BUT THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION FOR IT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR AND THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE MOST UNSTABLE CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN AND FEEL IT IS A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. MARK MY WORD, LIVES WILL BE LOST AS A RESULT OF THE POOR ENGINEERING EXHIBITED IN THIS CAR. TWO MAJOR CAR MAGAZINES THAT REVIEWED THIS CAR NOTED THE STEERING WAS TERRIBLE. I ASKED THE DEALER TO GIVE ME A NUMBER TO SPEAK TO KIA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING ANYONE COULD DO. *TR
Power train, Mar 4, 2011
I HAD JUST LEFT WORK AND DROVE ABOUT TWO BLOCKS, STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, THEN PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN A GRINDING NOISE. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE SAYING I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES AS I DRIVE. THIS HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY TO 3 -4 TIMES A WEEK. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Mar 3, 2011
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY WENT OUT. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN ABRUPT STOP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT IF TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED OR ON AN INTERSTATE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, YOU HAD NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD NOT EVEN COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT CAUSED BY A BOLT FROM THE AXLE HITTING THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID THEY FORWARDED PHOTOS TO KIA CORPORATE. I CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE AND ASKED FOR A WRITTEN EXPLANATION AND ASSURANCE THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAPPEN TO US AGAIN AND THEY DECLINED TO PROVIDE ANYTHING IN WRITING. OUR PROBLEM WAS FIXED, AT LEAST FOR NOW, BUT I WANT TO KNOW THAT MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE'S DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND THEM AT 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Mar 2, 2011
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND MY TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND I STARTED LOSING SPEED. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO MANUAL SHIFTING AND RESUME MY SPEED. BUT THE TACHOMETER CONTINUED TO READ "0". *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2011
I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO PURCHASED NEW. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2011 WITH 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AND IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. I AM CONCERNED AS THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE AND THEY CANNOT GIVE ME THE ACTUAL REASON WHY A TRANSMISSION IN A NEW VEHICLE COULD FAIL. I HAD WITH ME MY 3 YEAR OLD CHILD AND AM CONCERNED REGARDING THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Feb 22, 2011
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH AND TRANSMISSION IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWN-SHIFTED INTO 4TH GEAR AND HELD THAT POSITION WITHOUT SHIFTING MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. THE SUDDEN SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE SIMILAR TO REVVING AN ENGINE IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WITH THE RPM'S VERY HIGH AND THE SENSATION WAS A LOUD THUD/THUMP SOUNDING LIKE I JUMPED A CURB, WITH A SIMILAR SENSATION FROM THE DRIVING POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE, BUT COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 4TH GEAR EVEN WHEN I STOPPED AT A SAFE LOCATION A FEW MILES UP THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN N, R AND P. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WAITED 15 SECONDS, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION AND SHIFTED FINE. NO UNUSUAL NOISES OR CHANGES WERE NOTED. I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE SALES PERSON WHO SOLD US THE VEHICLE AND HE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT HANDLES AUTOMATIC SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS APPROX 3200 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR CONCERN I HAVE EXPERIENCED. *TR
Power train, Feb 18, 2011
2011 KIA SORENTO. PUSH BUTTON START. INTERMITTENTLY YOU HEAR A THUD AND SOMETIMES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. ALSO HAVE NOTICED WHEN I TURN VEHICLE OFF A SHUTTERING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE CAR. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE ALSO. HAD TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE MY COMPLAINT. *LN
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 14, 2011
I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. DURING THIS TIME IT HAS 5 TIMES COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND ONCE WHILE I WAS CHANGING LANES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Feb 13, 2011
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND HAS SINCE DAY ONE. DEALER STATES "WE CANT DUPLICATE YOUR CONCERN", YET WHEN WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE (FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL BREAKING, THE VEHICLE AGAIN PULLED TO THE RIGHT. WE DID NOT SAY MUCH AFTER UNTIL READING ABOUT DOZENS OF OTHER VEHICLE OWNER WHOM EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN WILL THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? *TR
Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Interior lighting, Feb 10, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE VEHICLE THEN SHUTTERED, STALLED AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING, BUT COULDN'T ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE FAILED AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWO MORE TIMES SINCE FILING THE COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CLAIMING THERE WERE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK AND ALSO THE DOME LIGHT WASN'T WORKING. THE DEALER FOUND THE DOOR LOCKS WERE DISABLED AND THE DOME LIGHT CONNECTOR WAS NOT CONNECTED. UPDATED 03/30/11
Steering, Suspension, Feb 8, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2011 SORENTO EX IN 2/2010. I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THE STEERING, WHEN IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT, WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF SUSPENSION. I DEALT WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME. THEN, I NOTICED ONE DAY A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT IN RIGHT AWAY, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY REAR SHOCK WENT OUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE BACK LEFTSIDE WAS ALMOST GONE AS WELL. SO, THEY ORDERED THE NEW ONES. WHILE THEY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS, I ASKED THEM TO DO AN ALIGNMENT BUT TOLD ME THAT I WAS PAST 12K MILES, AND WOULDNT BE COVERED UNER WARRANTY. I CALLED KIA AFFAIRS AND THEY COVERED THE REPAIR UNDER THE WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE PULLING (AFTER THE ALIGNMENT) IS STILL THE SAME. I ALSO MENTIONED A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING. IT IS NOT NORMAL,BUT DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS... THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. BUT, ANY PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE HEARS IT AND SAYS SOMETHING IS WRONG. I AM WAITING FOR EITHER MY STEERING TO GO OUT OR MY BRAKES TO NOT WORK ON DAY AS I KNOW THERES AN ISSSUE. THERE IS ALSO A CLANKING NOISE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THAT? IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND HELP CONSUMERS! PLEASE. I WILL ALSO FOLLOW UP WITH KIA AFFAIRS, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO INTERVENE. THE SAME ISSUES AER BEING EXPERIENCED BY MANY PEOPLE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL RELATING TO THE STEERING, SUSPENSION, CLUNKING ENGINE NOISE WHEN STARTING...BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS. THESE ARE JUST A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN UP, BUT ALL ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE, AND THERE MUST BE MANY MORE WHO HAVE NOT COMPLAINED. ! THANK YOU. *TR
Structure, Feb 6, 2011
SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY OPENING THE SUNROOF AND IT SHATTERED ON ME AND MY FAMILY, THE GLASS FELL ON ME AND MY WIFE. THE SEATS WERE SCRATCHED AS WELL AS THE DASH, I ALSO HAD SCRACHES ON MY FOREHEAD AS I WAS LOOKING AT THE SWITCH. THE CAR HAD APROX 400 MILES. THE DEALER FIXED THE ROOF REPLACED THE SCRATCHED PANNELS, THE CAR ALSO HAS A SLIGHT PULL TO THE RIGHT THEY SAID THEY COULDNT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK APROX 12 DAYS TO GET THE CAR BACK. TWO DAYS AFTER RECIEVING THE CAR BACK WE TOOK A TRIP AND WITH 914 MILES A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WIND SHIELD AT APROX 55 TO 60 MPH AND IT CRACKED ABOUT 9 INCHES LONG. DOES KIA USE AN INFERIOR GLASS IN THERE VEHICLES AND WHY THE PULL TO THE RIGHT? *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Interior lighting, Equipment, Feb 3, 2011
2011 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD DOWN SHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY AND THEN JERK AND JOLT. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND FOR A SHORT PERIOD BEFORE THE VEHICLE REVVED UP AND ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THERE WAS A BAD GRINDING/RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH SPONGY BRAKES WHICH WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THE BACK-UP CAMERA STOPPED WORKING. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 24, 2011, crash
ON JAN 12,2011 I WAS COMING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES AND IT FELT LIKE THEY WEREN'T WORKING. THE DRIVEWAY WAS ICE COVERED SO I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THE ICY ROADS. THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE CAR WAS SLIDING TOWARDS THE EDGE OF THE HILL, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO AVOID GOING OVER THE HILL AND THE TAIL OF THE CAR WENT OVER AND THEN WE ROLLED. IT ROLLED PROBABLY TWICE AND CAME TO REST ON ITS TOP. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAD FELT THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER THE WRECK I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR AND THEN I THOUGHT, MAYBE IT WASN'T MY IMAGINATION AFTER ALL. *TR
Power train, Jan 24, 2011
I HAVE HAD MY KIA SORENTO FOR 10 MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. ON THE THIRD TIME THAT IT WENT BACK, THEY DECIDED TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT. IT WORKED FOR THREE MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM KY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED LEAKING. THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A NEW TRANSMISSION. ARE THERE OTHER ISSUES WITH OTHER CARS??? *TR
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2011
WHEN TAKEN TO A SPEED OVER 35 MPH FELT A DRIFT TO THE RIGHT IN THE STEERING. WHEN TAKEN TO HIGHER SPEEDS, IT BECAME PHYSICALLY NECESSARY TO HOLD STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY IN ORDER TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM GOING TO THE RIGHT. STEERING SEEMED EXTREMELY TIGHT AND SOMEWHAT JERKY WHEN CORNERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET A SMOOTH TURN. STEERING WHEEL DID NOT SIT STRAIGHT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. FRONT WHEELS NOT POINTING AT SAME ANGLE WHEN PARKED. NOTICED ODOR AFTER DRIVING 15 MILES THAT CAN ONLY BE EXPLAINED AS A "BURNING BRAKES" ODOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REPAIR DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT; HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND WE WERE THEN TOLD THAT KIA WAS SAYING NEW TIRES WOULD FIX THIS KIA KNOWN ISSUE. THE TIRES WERE ORDERED AND PUT ON WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, BUT REPLACING THE TIRES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AT THIS TIME, WE WERE MADE AWARE THAT OUR LOAN HAD NOT ACTUALLY FUNDED YET, SO WE ASKED FOR A CONTRACT RECESSION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WAS A KNOWN, NON REPAIRABLE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED CONTRACT RECESSION. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD BE CONTACTED IF KIA CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP 2 DAYS LATER TELLING THEM TO CALL US WHEN IT WAS FIXED. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED 2 DAYS AFTER WE DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF THE SECOND TIME TO LET US KNOW THAT NEW SPRINGS WERE NEEDED, HAD BEEN ORDERED, AND WOULD BE AT THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY. THAT WAS NEARLY A WEEK AGO AND WE HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM ANYONE ABOUT THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOW DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE IS PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD BE, EVEN THOUGH IT STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. TURNING TO THE RIGHT FEELS NORMAL, WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT FEELS AS IF I AM FIGHTING TO KEEP THE WHEEL FROM SNAPPING BACK TOWARDS THE RIGHT. KIA WILL NOT LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM ANY FURTHER ON THIS VEHICLE.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2011
AFTER COMPLETEING THE SECOND NHTSA COMPLAINT #10377110 LAST EVENING ON OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO, MY SPOUSE CAME HOME FROM DRIVING THE 2011 KIA SORENTO (WITH TWO PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS) AND INFORMED MYSELF THE VEHICLE NOW ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN!!! MY SPOUSE STATED "THE ENGINE STARTED REVING ALL BY ITSELF" SO I HIT THE BRAKES. SHE STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES DID IN FACT STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENCE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE KIA SORENTO BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. WE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR ANY REASON. *LN