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:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,280 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.

2011 Kia Sorento lights problems

lights problem

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2011 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #93

Nov 162023

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Kia Sorento 2011 in November 2023 started having the instrument cluster warning lights flashing, abs warning light, tire pressure light and sometimes the check engine light. There is also a very strong burning or melting smell when the car is on. I was very scared to drive my car and have had to find ways to get to work when I received the notice from Kia that there was a recall SC284. About HECU fuse that many Kia Sorento 2011 owners are having issues with the engines catching fire while driving or parked. And the symtoms before a fire occurs are the same as I have experienced with the instrument cluster illuminating and the strong burning smell as well. Its April 2024 and I haven't had a car since November 2023 because the recall has yet to be remedied. This is completely unacceptable I cannot drive I cant take my car to emmissions and might eventually get my car towed due to not being able to it not passing emissions and cant pass for registration. There needs to be compensation for this inconvenience and for this recall not being a priority.

- Bristol , CT, USA

problem #92

Aug 012023

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #91

Dec 072023

Sorento

  • miles
2011 Kia Sorento headlights come on during the bright part of the day and also turn off while driving at night in the auto mode. It is dangerous to be driving while at night when headlights just go out at any time and all the other inside dash lights go dim. It also happens that the headlights come on during the afternoon when it is bright outside also and causes the inside dash lights to go dim. Have seen several Kia owners complaining about this same issue. Very, very dangerous to drive at night. No warning of this is going to happen. This is putting us and others at risk of a life threatening situation. No dealership or auto repair shop can address the problem unless they are there when it actually happens. It is available for inspection at anytime to fix this problem.

- Surfside Beach, SC, USA

problem #90

Dec 012023

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both low beam headlight out at same time with no indication or warning. On dash it showed lights operational

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #89

Sep 012022

Sorento

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" HEADLIGHTS How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" NO Started a while ago. Haven-??t driving it since fall.

- Mabel , MN, USA

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problem #88

Aug 262022

Sorento

  • miles
My headlights are randomly going off and back on while driving. It was just happening under the auto setting while turning, then on auto only at anytime. Remained on in the -??on-?? mode. Last night went off on the highway under the ON mode so getting worse.

- Wood River, IL, USA

problem #87

Aug 152022

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My headlights are randomly turning off when driving at night. This is a serious safety issue and possibly a defect. Also have sensors (down hill assist) that have failed.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #86

Sep 042018

Sorento

  • miles
Kia Sorento 2011 LX 2.4L Oil disappears weekly, I have to check it often and/or refill. I use the required oil it calls for on the engine oil cap. Vehicle jolts while driving. I've been parked with vehicle off, turned it on, reversed from parking spot and about an tenth of a mile vehicle stalled, put it in park, and restarted. While driving headlights flicker Tapping/knocking noise from engine area, checked oil and its full, mechanic can't seem to find issue. Some forums have suggested throttl control module?

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #85

Jul 072022

Sorento

  • miles
Headlights either blink on and off or turn off for about 5 seconds and then will go back on. It also will blink when using the directional. It does this while driving and parked. Also, the horn has just stopped working.

- Port Charlotte , FL, USA

problem #84

Aug 212021

Sorento

  • miles
Headlights you can't leave them on automatic the lights will stay on and kill your battery. The lights blink off and on sometimes when use turn signal, and sometime goes completely out while driving at night have a fear of running into someone or off hwy. No inspections. No lamp warning messages. I bought the Vehicle used May of 2021 and notice problems about a couple of months later.

- Lowndesboro, AL, USA

problem #83

Dec 312021

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights go on and off while driving at night, especially when using turn signals. We cannot use Kia Sorento at night. All bulbs are

- Sebastian, FL, USA

problem #82

Apr 012021

Sorento

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at nighttime, the front headlights turned off independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Niceville, FL, USA

problem #81

Oct 152021

Sorento

  • miles
My 2011 Kia Sorento headlights blink on and off when I-??m drinking it-??s very scary driving at night because I don-??t know when it may happen it-??s been happening on and off

- Northport , AL, USA

problem #80

Oct 082021

Sorento

  • miles
Passenger low beam kept burning out. I kept replacing. This morning, on my way home from work (I work nights on an ambulance) I could smell burning, and saw that the light was out once again. Got home, and the entire connector/wiring to the bulb was completely melted and sizzling, with a small flame at the base of the plastic connector. This is outrageous. There were recalls for this EXACT issue for other Sorentos, but mine was not included. This could have started a major vehicle fire, and I cannot afford a vehicle electrician. Kia should be replacing this.

- Franklin, IN, USA

problem #79

Sep 182021

Sorento

  • miles
Tail light continues to blow. Changed both bulbs twice in a week. The left socket has burn mark, and light blows immediately after replacing bulb. This has been continously over the past 2 years.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #78

Aug 222021

Sorento

  • miles
When driving at night my headlights flicker off and on for about 3 seconds, also when I attempt to use my turn signal, the lights will blink out and I have to jiggle the handle to get the lights to come back on. Sometimes when I turn the corner the head lights will blink off and then come back on and this takes about 3 scary seconds. Unable to drive in an unfamiliar or dark area because the lights are subject to go out. There is no warning light, message or other symptom to address the problem. I was told that there might be a recall on this issue. Is there any technical service bulletin addressing this issue. Please advise as this can be a very dangerous situation

- N. Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #77

Feb 082021

Sorento

  • 153,000 miles
My headlights keep going out. A few weeks ago, I left for work at 5am, traveling on an unlit road when my headlights completely flicker off. I had to wait until daylight to get to work. When I got back in after my shift, the headlights worked again. A few days later, the passenger side headlight went out. I replaced it. A few days later, it went out again. My husband checked it and found the part that the bulb goes in was melted. Nothing seems to work, changed bulbs multiple times, tried ceramic parts, even rewired it. Mechanics tell me it's an electrical issue, but then they can't find the problem when they look at my car. I've since found out that this is a common problem with the Kia Sorento. This is a major safety issue for anyone traveling at night. Why isn't this a recall issue?

- Rocky Top, TN, USA

problem #76

Mar 152014

Sorento

  • 65,000 miles
General complaint-the material enclosing vehicle front lighting became increasingly difficult to allow sufficient light to pass through. All attempts to clean the surface failed, as it appeared (to a layman) that the material was changing chemically. Dealer replacement was excessively expensive. I purchased and installed an after-market replacement-too soon to evaluate over time, but initial results show excellent performance with no apparent change.

- Aldie, VA, USA

problem #75

Jul 102020

Sorento

  • miles
My door handle or door latch will not open from the outside on my drivers side door and also my left back door will not open from the outside or inside. It is dangerous for and my kids. Also, my headrest has fallen off. I have issues with my lights, they will not work for the interior.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #74

Oct 102020

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
Headlights (low beams) shut off while driving. Often seem to occur when using signal or afterwards. Lights other times might just go off briefly, or require driver to put high beams on then toggle down to low beams. Occurs often on highway and secondary roads. Many similar reports on internet. There had been a warranty extension for low beam wire harness that may or may not be associated, however any loss of lights due to a known problem is clearly a safety hazard. Kia has a history of minimizing issues that should be safety recalls. Dealership service area continually states they cannot recreate issue, of course they attempt during the day light hours.

- Vernon, CT, USA

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