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:
1 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,707 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 contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local service center which determined that the cam shaft sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The cam shaft sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 169,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal clunking sound had emitted from the vehicle. The contact then heard parts falling out of the engine as white smoke began to release from the vehicle's hood. The check engine warning light was also illuminated on the instrument panel as the contact pulled over. The contact lifted that hood and saw flames coming from undeath the vehicle. The contact immediately shut the hood as smoke continued to discharge from the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the fire had dissolved on its own. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that a rod had blown in the engine resulting in engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and was initially informed that her vehicle would be repaired under an extended warranty; however, the manufacturer later denied the warranty extension since she failed to have a manufacturer campaign performed on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at 25 mph, a UPS truck veered off into her lane causing the contact to crash her vehicle into a curb. The contact stated that the next morning, she saw that her vehicle was leaking an immense amount of oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and the contact saw smoke emerging from the engine compartment. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact opened the hood to fire behind the engine. There were no injuries. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted but did not extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed back to the repair shop. The repair shop informed the contact that they do not specialize in fires and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was then diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The failure mileage was 132,685. The consumer stated the dealer was ceased by Federal Agents for selling vehicles with damaged parts and finance companies fraudulent withdrawal money from the consumer and other accounts.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, the vehicle shut-off with the engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled off the road and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed her that the radiator was blown and that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that since the software update was not performed on the vehicle, they could not assist her with the failure. The dealer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,407.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40 mph, the engine seized without warning. Cooper Kia (5056 commercial dr, yorkville, NY) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution. The contact was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Air conditioning not cooling properly.drain and recharge system by dealership, still not cooling properly.dealer ordered a new compressor.dealer installed new compressor and recharge system.
Found this on another web site: www.topclassactions.com (see below for description) very interesting: Apparently this defect has been going on since 2002!! well it's still happening I have the 2011 6 cyl AWD and found out it's still a defect in the 2012 and 2013. Nothing more to say but 'shame on Kia motors' your lack of taking ownership for this defect is just discusting. NHTSA please help us.....lives need to be saved; I am bleary eyed reading all the powertrain defects for the 2011 Kia Sorento. The Kia Sorento is prone to catastrophic engine failure, according to a class action lawsuit filed in New Jersey. Plaintiffs allege in the Kia Sorento class action lawsuit that Kia motors knowingly concealed that its 2002-2009 Sorento crossovers were manufactured with a defective engine part called the crank sprocket. This alleged engine defect leads to a catastrophic chain of events that starts with severe heat buildup, the release of debris, and then leads to loss of steering control, engine failure and the potential for a hazardous accident, according to the class action lawsuit.
When trying to step on gas vehicle seems to strain. Example, when needing to get in lane, my car seems not to get much gas which I feel especially on highway, may cause an accident. My vehicle tend to ride quite rough as far as wheel suspension. I have had a wheel alignment and have had the vehicle checked. I was told nothing seemed to be wrong with it. I had the $189 service did on my car as well. I called the recall center and I was told nothing showed for my vehicle. My vehicle is not performing as it should.
My 2011 Kia Sorento downshifts while at a high rate of speed. It also gets stuck and while the rpms are racing, it will not shift up. The bluetooth does not work properly and am only able to make a call 30% of the time. Backup cameras and sensors are intermittent. Window will not work. Back drivers side door fell off hinges while I was driving with my child in the backseat. My passenger side seat overheated and would not turn off. Causing my car to fill with smoke on the expressway. Many issues with this lemon! shifter will not go from drive into park leaving me stranded in my car. Vehicle has no power....poor engine. Paint and chrome of handles are coming off. Pulls to the left and ESC light comes on all the time.
While driving the vehicle and while pressing the gas pedal the vehicle starts to come to a stop as if the gas pedal is not being applied. I have to release the gas pedal and press it again for the Sorento to respond and continue to accelerate. I took it to the dealer and they have no clue as to what is the problem. They reset the computer and released the vehicle to me but the problem persists.
While driving through a shopping plaza, going about 15mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the loss of all power assist functions and electrical operation. The electrical came back on-line right away, but the car had to be restarted. The second time it happened was in rush hour traffic, 4 days later. The car was coasting at about 25 mph when it shut down again.
I was driving about 40 mph, when the vehicle appeared to miss/skip gears! it felt as if the vehicle was going to stop altogether, and I definitely lost acceleration ability. Next the malfunction indicator light came on and it has not gone off. I am going to take the vehicle in to the dealer on 12/17/2011 to see what may be causing a problem like this.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated upon restarting. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several occasions and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but could not offer any assistance without having a diagnosed failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 5,000 and the current mileage was 22,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact was driving 50 mph when she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the filter place in the engine was not up to standards and the engine would need to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 12,000.
While driving down the expressway, without warning, there was a catastrophic engine failure causing one or two of the connecting rods to blow through the oil pan and start a fire from the front of the vehicle to the back underneath the carriage. The flames came up the sides and back of the car. Needless to say it was extremely frightening. Looking at the damage of the car I never expected them to attempt to repair this car yet they did. The car was down for almost two months, the second engine and power steering failed before we even drove the repaired car off the lot. Kia still did not want to do anything but repair the car again. They said, "these things happen thats why you have a warranty". these things have never happened to me or anyone I know in the 30 years I have been driving. You buy a new car to avoid such problems. The car has now been returned to me and it is still not right. I just took it in for them to blow out the vents and filters. There was still remnants of the fire extinguisher coming out when you turned on the air. This car is defective and should have a salvaged title. I was forced to put in a law suit.
When accelerating from a stop or slow speed the engine will occasionally bog down and almost die. This is extremely dangerous when pulling into traffic or across oncoming lanes of traffic. It has occurred numerous times. Sometimes from a full stop and sometimes from low speed (less than 10 mph). I have taken the car to the dealer three times. The first two times they claimed to have repaired the vehicle and turned it back over to us without any comment. The third time, after I complained about it not being fixed the two times before, they finally admitted there was nothing they could do. They claim to have driven another 2011 Sorento which did the same thing and they claim to have contacted Kia who told them if there was no code on the computer (there was not) there was nothing they could do. This is very dangerous and needs to be corrected. And by the way, your system will not accept my E-mail, I guess because it has a dash (-) in it so I am using my wife's E-mail.
Ever since bought new (Sorento sx 6cyl.) in April 2011, there has been a intermittant issue with no engine response from stop for 2-3 seconds. RPM's stay at idle speed, then it suddenly takes hold and runs fine. Only happens from stop, and only about once or twice every 2-3 days. Dealer cannot duplicate problem, no codes. Dangerous situation when pulling out into traffic from a stop. I cannot duplicate it under any driving circumstances. Also, if I apply brake during this "hesitation" there is no engine acceleration while I hold the brake. I feel sure it is in the "fly by wire" system, but dealer has no clue. I have to "feather" the accelerator from stop whenever I am concerned about oncoming traffic.
After the first dealer oil change I began getting lifter noise on engine start up that would last for minutes. The problem has gotten worse. Dealer refuses to aknowledge the problem and now I have put a non-op on my brand new 2011 Sorento because of this problem. Tried to get this resolved with a lawyer and the company refused to take the car back. I have been forced to retain a lemon law attorney to get this resolved. Kia motors does not stand behind their warranty. My car was in and out of different dealerships with an array of problems. The interior cloth around the rear hatch is coming apart and the car was in the shop 3 times for it and it was never fixed. The last dealer said that they have to get "special permission" to fix this even though the car is under factory warranty. The brakes are getting very spongy, and they are still not fixed. The car has been in the shop for over 70 days on and off with most of my complaints being ignored. One of my original complaints was a glare off the instrument cluster that blinds the driver on sunny days. I almost hit another car when I was momentarily blinded by the "chrome rings" around the cluster while flashed in the eyes as I was going around a curve. They said that they could not correct this problem because it was an "engineering" problem. The bluetooth still does not work correctly, and I am still getting warning lights that go on and off, including low tire pressure (when the tires are fine) as well as an emissions light and a check engine light. There are many problems with this car and it is parked because of them. The car is not safe to drive, and I submit that the company knows a lot more about these problems than they are letting on.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gary, IN, USA