2011 Kia SORENTO: complaints, problems and recalls

TOOK POSSESSION OF 2011 KIA SORRENTO ON 2-18-2010. SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAVE BEEN 14 INSTANCES WHEN THE CAR HESITATED ALMOST DYING OUT AND THEN SURGING FORWARD. AT ONE TIME IT DIED COMPLETELY OUT AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED WHILE BEING IN THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TWICE IT HESITATED AND SURGED AHEAD 4 - 5 CONSECUTIVE TIMES BEFORE SETTLING DOWN, ONCE WHILE CROSSING OVER A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY CLAIM WE DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOU…

Owner-reported narrative. 169 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317167 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PUSH BUTTON START/SMART KEY. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER SHIFTED INTO PARK BUT DUE TO THE PUSH BUTTON/SMART KEYS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE TO USE THE SMART KEY AND SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO BEHAVE THAT WAY AN…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326989 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND LET THE VEHICLE COAST, IT SEEMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BREAKING DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A 23 MILE DRIVE AND THAT ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE DID OCCUR, IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HE COULD POSSIBLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329032 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING IN VERY SUNNY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE SUN WOULD REFLECT OFF OF THE CHROME AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND BLIND THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A REPAIR DID NOT EXIST FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH DUE TO HIS VISION BEING OBSTRUCTED BY THE BLINDING CHROME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10330122 at NHTSA ↗

2011 KIA SORENTO [XXX], HAVING ISSUES WITH VEHICLE PULLING OFF TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON VARIOUS ROADS/HIGHWAYS. SAID VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK AT ALIGNMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT'S WORK RESULTED IN VEHICLE ALIGNMENT WORSE THAN BEFORE. RETURNED VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, HAD SEVERAL (DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR, DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER, KIA DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER) ALL LOOK AT AND DROVE VEHICLE AND NOTICED ISSUE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT HE DROVE SEVERA…

Owner-reported narrative. 854 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330761 at NHTSA ↗

2011 KIA SORENTO 4-CYL EX ALIGNMENT ISSUE: PURCHASED AUTO 3/27/10 AND NOTICED THE NEXT DAY THAT THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. WAS TOLD TO WAIT 30 DAYS (OR 1000 MILES) FOR BREAK-IN PERIOD. THE DEALERSHIP DID AN ALIGNMENT ON 5/5/10; THEY THEN STRAIGHTENED THE STEERING WHEEL ON 5/6/10; AND TIGHTENED THE SPECS ON 5/7/10. THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER KIA DEALERSHIP IN AKRON ON 5/19/10, AND THEY ROTATED THE FRONT TIRES AND DID ANOTHER ALIGNMENT--THEY COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. THE CAR STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. I AM W…

Owner-reported narrative. 85 miles reported. Look up ODI 10334297 at NHTSA ↗

SOMETHING LOOSE ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF MY 2011 KIA SORENTO. THERE IS A CLUNKING SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG. KIA CLAIMS THEY ARE ALL LIKE THAT BUT A NEW CAR SHOULD NOT FALL APART AFTER 3000 MILES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10334935 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A LOUD, UNUSUAL CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS NOT COMPLETING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST BEFORE THE STARTER WOULD ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. THE CURRENT IS 6,983 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 725. THE CONSUMER STATED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 725 miles reported. Look up ODI 10339299 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-08-31 (August 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.

Consequence: WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2010-11-24 (November 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2011-04-25 (April 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.

Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2013-04-01 (April 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2015-10-06 (October 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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2023-12-21 (December 21, 2023)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.