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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,436 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.
Brakes feel softer, rear brake burnt smell, replaced brakes one month ago. Headlight and taillight bulbs replaced several times in last 3 months due to blinking blowing replaced and starts over again. Screen will not turn on until car has run for 45 minutes. Cannot use back until screen turns on. Leaving car parked until I can get brake system fixed. Noticed brake light on dash and car with swerve light on dash. Too scared to drive until at least brakes are fixed. Reached out to dealership. No part available for recall which most likely is failing my brakes
For awhile now the suspension seems to be worse. Almost every time I go around a corner either to the left or to the right there is a clanging clanging noise. It seems as thought the car is falling apart coming from the back of the car.
Vehicle was being operated at a speed of 35 mph when the right front strut suffered a structural failure. There was no impact, strut failed due to corrosion. Vehicle has 85500 miles on it.
2011 Kia Sorento ex 3.5 engine sport utility vehicle has randomly changed in the way its feels safe with rough instability in my suspension components.my brakes failed while driving on a random basis as well as when car is parked will randomly click in my gear shift mechanism and will fail to lock when car is parked and shut off it will click when brakes are depressed.my front lights have dimmed and both brake lights have burned out consistently as well as my steering wheel has failed with electrical components randomly.car horn is inoperable and my cruise control stop functioning. My alternator burned out on me and my car has historial proof of consistent maintenance with car fax report in hand.my gas milage has since decreased. My suspension feels unsafe to drive and really bad on bumps and average road conditions are also very unpleasant so I have parked it until it's fixed for active recalls and other potential manufacturer defects
- Palmdale, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and attempting to turn in either direction, the vehicle wobbled with an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to battleground Kia (2927 battleground ave, greensboro, nc 27408, (336) 295-1542) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver's and passenger's side front lower control arms and bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 99,200.
My vehicle is giving me random problems with my suspension and brake system it randomly feels like it is fine and then randomly does not feel safe to drive due.to brake clicking noise that you can hear where shift knob is and when I press brakes my tires lock or.sometimes feels as if there is air and.it will not brake.unless I pump brakes a couple times..my airbag light is on and my driver side door stop opening from outside to inside but works fine from inside to outside opening
My driver side door will not open from the outside. I have two small children and I'm afraid to put child lock on because this is a common problem according to my research. I haven't gotten a recall for this problem and it makes for a very dangerous maybe deathly situation. Horn doesn't work.
My tires feel as if they are going to fall off, also every small bump I hit feels as if I hit a big pothole or a object when that's not the case and my wheels pop as I turn
Transmission problems like not getting into gear or jerking when shifting and engine seem to loose power or not have enough also there is a noise the A/C making a rattling noise and vibrating.
Takata brake lights not working bought 3 since jan2019. Got brakes done in 2018 but pedal still moves at red light car moves forward. I mash breaks harder. Engine shakes or jumps. Ignition switch won't turn on car it don't crank up key was remade a yr ago. Ignition started back working well but 6months ago same problem again. Today I was stuck 3.5hrs.horrible please help my Sorento is loved by me. No one contacted me on these issues im having.
First issue began when car started pulling to right when going around corners on highway. Took to shop; paid for new brakes including pads, rotors, front calipers plus front driver side ball joint replaced. Ball joint rusted out so bad it crumbled to pieces when tire was taken off. Not out of shop for even a full day when the car started pulling again. This time it was a hard pull to the right while going straight on highway and in town. This time the pull was so strong the car went off road. This time it felt like steering went out completely. So back to shop to find out that the front passenger side ball joint was also shot and needed replaced. Car been out of shop barely 2 wks; now front end is making a hard clunky noise when turning and going over just the slightest bumps. The car feels like you are driving over boulders and sounds like the whole front end is about to fall apart. So back to the shop for third time in less than one month. Read multiple complaints online regarding these same issues" im pretty sure I'll be paying for struts, shocks and/or complete repair of front end suspension after already putting $800 in to it. How has this car not been recalled for such issues"
My Kia Sorento 2011. My problem is that my car started acting different. Every time I turn it makes a noise. I got the ball joint done. The right site. Also I got the strut done. I was told that I need new strut again..went I drive it sound like if the car gonna fall apart.
Loud noise coming from right front wheel while vehicle driving on highway and once vehicle is in park on side of road. No inducator lights lights show in dash.
I made a appointment for Kia service complaining that the front and rear suspention R making a noise. Kia replace the front right side ball joints and said the rear and left front suspention are working fine the car still sounds very loud when going over bumps.
Loud clanking noise in front driver side tire/suspension area when going over bumps new tires, and alignment, new shocks and struts, a frame bushing and sway bar replaced as well, clanking noise remains.
Coil spring from front strut on 2011 Sorento broke in three places while in motion in the city (driving straight) at a speed of approximately 20 km/hr and pierced side wall of tire on driver side. No injuries but very dangerous indeed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mcalisterville, PA, USA