CarComplaints.com Notes: Kia really changed the design of the Sorento in the 2011 model year. Instead of a truck-like body-on-frame more capable of offroad adventures, the newest Sorento is a unibody construction and is much more crossover than sport utility. The changes brought a whole slew of problems, including a frustrating problem where the door that won’t open. Is it too late to go back?
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 29
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,750 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The engine showed signs of overheating and smoke emissions. The vehicle was taken to a authorized Kia dealership where the recall components: KSDS software, and one other out of the three recall components was replaced. The KSDS software failed to activate and the engine overheated several days later, the vehicle was taken to a dealership where the engine recall replacement order was refused and instead was given a cost estimate of $10,000 USD to replace.
Exhaust system flex pipe was repaired and the next day the exhaust muffler/ resonator failed at the seam, causing hot gases to escape into the undercarriage and melt the lower bumper cover assembly on the right passenger side. See photos attached.
While driving on the freeway, the car began to lose power. As I struggled to maneuver to the right lane to pull over, something under the hood caught on fire and black smoke came billowing out. We were able to get out of the car before a young man traveling in he opposite direction saw us and turned around to help. With his help we were able to get my grand kids out and into his car. Thank God that he was not criminally minded. I then called AAA who towed the car back to our home. This happened in July 2023. In October, I received a safety recall notice warning of a possible fire happening. I contacted the local Kia dealership and was told that there was nothing they could except wait and that it could take up to a year or receive the part to remedy the problem. I then contacted Kia Headquarters and was told the same thing. It is now January 2024, and still no remedy and no operable vehicle.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was sluggish and was losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that parts were not available to repair the open recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
- Elliston, VA, USA
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As I was backing into my driveway on Thursday 1/18/2024 @ 5:25 pm. I was on my way home from work. As I was backing into my driveway I lost power, the ABs and the MIL light both came on, the abs went off but the MIL began to flash and I lost all power in the car. I shut it off immediately and we pushed my car the rest of the way into the driveway. I had received a KIA Safety recall notice that said if this happens, Call KIA, immediately to request a tow to the nearest Authorized dealership. Was told they cannot perform this task and that I need to wait till tghe figure out the recall before they will help me. I have no vehicle to get back and forth to work now and KIA is refusing to help me.
I was driving my car to work when my check engine light came on and starting flashing. I made it to work just unable to go over 30MPH because it felt like it was in fail safe mode. That afternoon I spoke with KIA Affairs and the lady advise me to go to autozone and get it diagnosed after work. Well after work I went to go to autozone and barely made it half a mile before it felt like it was going to die. so i turned to go back to turn around to back to work in the parking lot next door. When I turned it felt like i had no control over where my car was going like i had no traction control even though i did not hit any patches of ice.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine light warning was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 137,513. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I was driving. Without any warning or any noticeable prior issues my car was smoking very bad from the hood. Once parked I opened the hood but can not tell where it is coming from. When I crank it the smoke starts again.
i was driving home from work on 12/22/23 when all of my dashboard lights came on and my engine died. I was in motion when this happened. I put the hazards on and put the car in park and tried to restart it. As I was doing that I was hit from behind by another vehicle. I suffered a concussion that lasted almost 2 weeks. My car being totaled not due to the damage from the accident but the diagnosis that the engine "blew". My insurance company had it towed from a body shop to a salvage yard. I have kept the maintenance completely up to date and put close to $4000 into it last year for normal use items. There was an oil leak that ruined my starter - that was repaired. I am now without a vehicle.
The ABS, downhill assist, and engine light stay on constantly, even though the clock spring has been replaced and multiple car repair shops are unable to diagnose a -??problem.-?? When driving, the vehicle seems like the engine is getting extremely hot and starts to sputter and even cuts off at times. There are currently recalls on 2011 Sorentos for fire risk while parked and fire risk while driving. However, my VIN is not included in the recall for fire risk while driving, but I believe it should be based on the inability to diagnose a problem with my engine. Vehicle is well maintained. Thank you.
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while reversing out of the garage, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was out of the garage. The contact stated that the turned off the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of black smoke coming out of the engine compartment. The contact stated that he attempted to disconnect the positive battery thermal but was unable to do so. The contact stated that he applied a fire extinguisher to the engine compartment; however the smoke persisted and the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire then extended to the entire vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle had burned to the ground and remained at the residence. The vehicle was totaled. A fire department report was filed. No police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on the interstate, the RPM dropped to 0. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while pulling off the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
I'm supposed to park my 2011 Sorento outside and away from structures, and not drive it until Kia comes up with a part/solution to fix the engine compartment fire issue relating to NHTSA Recall # 23V652000 (manufacturer recall # SC284XM). This warning was issued Sept 25th, 2023. It's now been over 3 months. Am I supposed to walk everywhere, use a Ride Share service, or take public transportation"?" If Kia won't fix it, they should give me another vehicle to drive....or purchase the vehicle back from me for what I paid for it in 2022, less 1 year's depreciation.
Was driving on highway doing 85 and all sudden no warning no lights no nothing my car started loosing power and dropped speed as I'm trying to give it gas it is loosing speed almost caused me to wreck got to side of highway and it just died and the are saying my engine needs replaced had no warning
While driving, the front end of the car made a thud sound and vibrated, the lights on the panel came on, the engine light, battery light, key light, and the steering wheel locked up. This happened 3 times in a week. If we had been going faster it could have caused an accident because of car suddenly slowing down and loss of steering. After turning off and then back on it worked again but never know when it could happen again. Yes my car is available upon request. No codes come up when our mechanic diagnosed it, hasn't been to a Kia dealership yet, can't get in until Nov. 6. Refer to article "2011 Kia Sorrento's problems with sudden surging and engine stalls led to 7 investigations, 6 recalls." My mechanic referred us to this article as he thinks our car has a related problem. This problem happened without any warning.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine made an abnormal knocking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 152,250.
When I started out with the car it drove alright then I had to take it back and forth for the wiring smelling like it was burning ??"? but have never caught on fire thank goodness had to get a tuneup spark plugs ??"? and it still doesn-??t work right
On 4 l-??âne Highway travelling the 70 miles per hour speed limit. My car felt like it ran over something in the road - there was a big jolt and my car shook. It was the engine / transmission slipping. There was NO WARNING. Very SCARY and DANGEROUS especially at 70 miles per hour. Immediately the CHECK Engine light illuminated. This engine / transmission problem is all over the Internet for the 2011 Kia Sorento. Kia has not taken responsibility for the issue with this year-??s model. Yes - it has been duplicated e we hen i was driving around town - same jolt. The service center has stated that the engine / transmission is probably failing. Not fair for a consumer who takes good care of their car and my car is in very good condition.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Raleigh, NC, USA