Page 23 of 31 · complaints 1,101–1,150 of 1,520

2011 Kia Sorento complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →

Power Train
Filed Oct 3, 201578,000 milesGA

WE PURCHASED A USED 2011 KIA SORENTO FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. THE VEHICLE HAD ROUGHLY 19,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. WHILE LEAVING FROM A STATIONARY POSITION, ON THE INTERSTATE OR JUST MAIN ROADS, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, LURCHING, AND AT TIMES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOACAL KIA DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AT ROUGHLY 45,000 WE AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. AT 58,000 THE CAR WOULD HARDLY DRIVE SO WE TOOK IT BACK IN. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE COMPUTER WASN'T GIVING THEM ANY CODES BUT COULD TELL THERE WAS A PROBLEM. AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH, KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. NOW AT 78,000 MILES, WE'RE HAVING A O TAKE IT IN FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND THE CAR IS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES. WE TOOK IT OUT O THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD AT FIRST THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON THEY CAME BACK AND SAID OUR INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $598. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I SAW YOU THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL YEAR CARS, BUT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL. HOW CAN THEY TELL ME THAT THESE ISSUES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL FOR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT!?!? THESE FAILURES FIT THE RECALL DETAILS EXACTLY. WHY WEREN'T THE BAD SHAFTS CAUGHT AND REPLACED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED? I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD MY VIN DID NOT FIT THE RECALL. I CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN HAS NO OPEN RECALLS. BA

Power Train
Filed Sep 21, 201531,430 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. UPON SWITCHING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THERE WAS HESITATION FROM THE DRIVESHAFT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,430.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 20, 201575,100 milesVA

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT.IT IN STARTED AUG OF 2014. FRIST ONE HEADLIGHT THAN A MONTH LATER THE OTHER SIDE WOULD GO OUT. CHANGING THE BULB SEAMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD TURN OFF AND THAN BACK ON WHILE DRIVING. THEN LEFT LIGHT QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER SIX MONTHS AGO. RIGHT SIDE BULB BURNS OUT EVERY TWO MONTH. TODAY NO LIGHTS AND WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE PIGTAIL/ LIGHT SOCKET WAS HALF MELTED. THIS SEAMS TO BE A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THERE IS FIVE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SAFERCAR.GOV SITE ABOUT THIS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THIER LIGHT AT NIGHT AND ARE HURT.

Seats
Filed Sep 14, 201553,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT ADJUSTER WAS STUCK PAST THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND FAILED TO ADJUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Wheels
Filed Sep 10, 201550,622 milesPA

VIBRATION, KNOCKING AND THUMBING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE AND BOTH FRONT WHEELS. DEALER VERIFIED THUMBING NOISE AS LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE,REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINT. VIBRATION, KNOCKING AND THUMBING NOISE CONTINUES. RETURNED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED REAR MOTOR MOUNT. PROBLEMS STILL REMAINS. I PHONED DEALER, STATING VIBRATION, KNOCKING AND THUMBING STILL REMAINS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION TO THE VIBRATION, KNOCKING AND THUMBING NOISES... INSIDE THE CAR, UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD (GLOVE COMPARTMENT) CAUSING HUGE AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR.

Structure › Body › Door1 injured
Filed Sep 9, 201588,200 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME ON THE DOOR HANDLE WAS PEELING AND CAUSED A PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN CUTS TO THE HAND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHICH DOOR HANDLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,200. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE, WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. UPDATED 11/05/15.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 201594,300 milesMD

I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERS A WEEK LATER AND WAS TOLD THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A SHORTAGE AND IT WILL COST APPROX. $450 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS SERVICE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *CN

Electrical System
Filed Sep 8, 201549,800 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,800.

Seats
Filed Sep 3, 201538,197 milesTX

THE PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTABLE REAR SEAT BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW. FINALLY IT BECAME STUCK TO THE EXTENT THAT IT COULD NOT BE MOVED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS OCCURRED ONE MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 2, 2015105,000 milesDE

THIS ISSUE IS ONGOING AND LOOKING AT THE REPORTS ON THIS SITE, NEEDS IMMEDIATE RECALL CONSIDERING THE DEALERSHIPS WANTS TO CHARGE OVER 500.00 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. I HAVE HAD MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM BULB REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE WIRE CONNECTION IS OVER HEATING. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS OUT. I CAN NOT AFFORD THESE 1000.00 ISSUE THAT APPARENTLY IS WIDE SPREAD. KIA NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THIS ASAP. I AM ONLY DRIVING DURING THE DAY. IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS NEEDED.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 1, 201598,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AT THE TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 1, 201588,800 milesFL

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND ACCORDING TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP THERE IS A MALFUNCTION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WENT OUR OF WARRANTY IN EARLY JUNE 2015 AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR(APPROX $500.00). THIS STRIKES ME AS WRONG SINCE THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE AND THUS THE AIRBAG HAS NEVER DEPLOYED. HOW CAN THEY CLAIM THAT MY AIRBAG IS BROKEN SINCE IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED/ACTIVATED? HOW CAN IT NOT BE THE MANUFACTURER"S/DEALER RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. CONSUMER EMAIL UPDATE ON SEPT 3, 2015: "THEY HAVE GIVEN US THE INFO TODAY REGARDING WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG: IT NEEDS A CLOCK-SPRING FOR THE AIRBAG THAT IS LOCATED SOMEWHERE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS, BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME." UPDATED 9/15/15*CW......UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/17/15. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Aug 27, 2015131,000 milesCA

UPON STARTING VEHICLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED. TAKEN TO MECHANIC THAT STATES IT'S A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I'VE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. IT IS SCARY TO KNOW THAT IF I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULDN'T HAVE THE SAFETY OF AIRBAGS DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES. I'VE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT 2000 TO FIX. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY SORENTO OWNERS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 25, 201544,650 milesVA

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE HANDLE, AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENT TO CAUSE IT TO BREAK AND NOT OPEN. APPARENTLY THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR (INSIDE THE DOOR COMPARTMENT) IS BROKEN. SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON COMPLAINT.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 201565,750 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF THEN COME BACK ON AFTER BEING OFF FOR APPROX 2 SECONDS. IT ALSO OCCURS SOMETIMES WHEN CHANGING LANES AND USING THE TURN SIGNALS. I FEEL THAT IT MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE TURN SIGNAL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Aug 10, 201586,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER FRONT AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH ASSEMBLY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 6, 201532,700 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, MAKING A LEFT TURNED AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, A RIDDLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,700. MA 10/2 *CN

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Jul 31, 201579,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED FRACTURES ON HER RIBS, NOSE, CERVIX, AND PELVIC BONE. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED RIGHT OPTICAL BONE AND SINUS BONE FRACTURES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A RIGHT LEG INJURY, HIP FRACTURE, AND SPINAL INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE CONTACT AND THE TWO PASSENGERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 30, 2015112,000 milesGA

MY 2011 SORENTO LOST ALL POWER AFTER A HIGH PITCHED WHIRLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING ON A 55 MPH HIGHWAY. WE HAD IT TOWED AND LEARNED THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN APART, THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN, WARPED AND OBVIOUSLY IN NEED OF REPAIR. QUICK RESEARCH ON YOUR SITE AND KIA'S SITE SHOWED THE RECALL CONCERNING RIGHT SIDED DRIVE SHAFT LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF AND THE MADE ON DATES WHICH INCLUDED MY CAR'S DATE (MARCH 16, 2010). MY CALLS TO KIA MOTORS, MY LOCAL DEALER, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER ONLY UNCOVERED THAT MY WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. I HAVE EXPLAINED TO EVERYONE I AM WELL AWARE OF THIS BUT WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE WITH A MARCH 16, 2010, BORN ON DATE, WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE DRIVE SHAFT THAT LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A 55 MPH HIGHWAY JUST AS THE RECALL STATES (ALMOST TO A T) WAS NOT COVERED. NO ONE AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN TO ME WHY IT IS NOT COVERED.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 29, 201554,000 milesMI

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT. REPAIRED. ONE MONTH LATER DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT WENT OUT. THIS TIME I EXAMINED THE LIGHT, REINSTALLED SAME LIGHT, AND IT WORKED. SHORTLY AFTER THESE INCIDENTS I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR THE SUMMER, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. I DOUBT THAT THE FIRST TWO BULBS WERE ACTUALLY BURNED OUT.

Power Train
Filed Jul 22, 201550,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE ABNORMAL NOISE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V258000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. MA 10/22/2015 UPDATED 12/05/2017*CN

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 201568,000 milesNE

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED COMING ON BY THEMSELVES. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AS THE VEHICLE STOPPED 6 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE OF HUNDRED FEET. I COULD FEEL THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WORKING AS THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP, THEN THE BRAKES WOULD RELEASE AND I WOULD START MOVING AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE THE BRAKES COME ON BY THEMSELVES AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A SENSOR WAS REPLACED REGARDING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS WORKED FINE SINCE, BUT ITS ONLY BEEN 5 DAYS SINCE IT WAS REPAIRED.

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 201532,414 milesFL

ON 06/15/2015, DROVE MY CAR TO THE BARN, THEN IT WILL NOT START. I THOUGHT IT'S BATTERY PROBLEM. BATTERY IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD. SO I CHARGED THE BATTERY. DIDN'T WORK. SO I JUMPED IT, IT HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY FOR IT. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER, GOT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS.TOOK IT TO KIA SERVICE. THEY SAID OIL RING HAS SLOW LEAK. DEALER CHANGED O RING, AND THEN SEVERAL DAYS, IT HAD ISSUES STARTING. THE DEALER KEPT MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO LISTEN AND FIX THE KNOCKING NOISE. FINALLY ON FRIDAY 06/27/15, IT WON'T START AT ALL. IT HAS THIS GRINDING, HARD START. I CALLED THE # 800-333-4542. SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY HAD MY CAR TOWED FOR FREE, AND DEALER GAVE ME A LOANER CAR. I CALLED KIA AT # 678-385-8540 AND ASK WHAT'S GOING ON AS THE DEALER SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR KIA SUPPORT TEAM APPROVAL TO TEST THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO WEEKS, KIA CALLED AND TOLD DEALER TO TEST ENGINE. IT HAS ISSUES WITH LOW COMPRESSION ON 2 CHAMBERS AND FINALLY THE DECISION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ON 7/11/2015, DEALER SUBMITTED AN ORDER TO HAVE KIA SHIP ENGINE. I WAS TOLD, NEXT WEEK, I SHOULD HEAR FROM THEM. NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED THE 678 # AGAIN, AND WAS TOLD BY MS. KUSHELL THAT SHE'S CONTACTING THE REGIONAL MANAGER TO GIVE PRIORITIES TO MY CASE.THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BETWEEN 7/20 TO 7/25. THIS MORNING, 7/17/15, I GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER THAT THE ETA FOR ENGINE ARRIVAL WILL BE 7/31/2015, AS THERE ARE NO ENG

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 201532,414 milesFL

ON 06/15/2015, DROVE MY CAR TO THE BARN, THEN IT WILL NOT START. I THOUGHT IT'S BATTERY PROBLEM. BATTERY IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD. SO I CHARGED THE BATTERY. DIDN'T WORK. SO I JUMPED IT, IT HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY FOR IT. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER, GOT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS.TOOK IT TO KIA SERVICE. THEY SAID OIL RING HAS SLOW LEAK. DEALER CHANGED O RING, AND THEN SEVERAL DAYS, IT HAD ISSUES STARTING. THE DEALER KEPT MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO LISTEN AND FIX THE KNOCKING NOISE. FINALLY ON FRIDAY 06/27/15, IT WON'T START AT ALL. IT HAS THIS GRINDING, HARD START. I CALLED THE # 800-333-4542. SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY HAD MY CAR TOWED FOR FREE, AND DEALER GAVE ME A LOANER CAR. I CALLED KIA AT # 678-385-8540 AND ASK WHAT'S GOING ON AS THE DEALER SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR KIA SUPPORT TEAM APPROVAL TO TEST THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO WEEKS, KIA CALLED AND TOLD DEALER TO TEST ENGINE. IT HAS ISSUES WITH LOW COMPRESSION ON 2 CHAMBERS AND FINALLY THE DECISION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ON 7/11/2015, DEALER SUBMITTED AN ORDER TO HAVE KIA SHIP ENGINE. I WAS TOLD, NEXT WEEK, I SHOULD HEAR FROM THEM. NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED THE 678 # AGAIN, AND WAS TOLD BY MS. KUSHELL THAT SHE'S CONTACTING THE REGIONAL MANAGER TO GIVE PRIORITIES TO MY CASE.THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BETWEEN 7/20 TO 7/25. THIS MORNING, 7/17/15, I GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER THAT THE ETA FOR ENGINE ARRIVAL WILL BE 7/31/2015, AS THERE ARE NO ENG

Air Bags
Filed Jul 20, 201595,511 milesNY

DASH LIGHT WITH THE AIRBAG LOGO CAME ON AS I WAS STARTING UP TODAY, AND STAYED ON. WENT STRAIGHT TO KIA DEALERSHIP, THE ONE WE ALWAYS USE. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE'S SEEN A LOT OF THEM, SAME PROBLEM. HE AGREED THAT $2,000 WAS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS MALFUNCTION DISABLES ALL THE AIRBAGS. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, WE ARE TOAST. KELLY BLUE BOOK RATES THIS VEHICLE AT A VALUE OF $9500, IN MINT CONDITION, WHICH THIS IS. 21% OF THE VALUE FOR A REPAIR? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR SO MANY ( I DID CHECK THE INTERNET, IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM) AND NO ONE CHOOSES TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. WE JUST WENT AROUND WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, AND FINALLY THEY REPLACED THAT ON A RECALL, BUT WE HAD A BLOWOUT ON I-81 AT 70 MPH THAT COULD'VE ENDED OUR LIFE.....SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS. I APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 18, 201593,000 milesLA

THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS IS FROM THE INSIDE. FIRST IT WAS DRIVERS SIDE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER IT WAS THE BACK DRIVERS PASSENGER DOOR. NOW IT'S THE FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR. MAKES NO SENSE I HAVE ONE DOOR TO GET INSIDE MY CAR. PLEASE HELP.

Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 20153,500 milesPA

WHEN SLOWING DOWN, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BANG FORWARD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL THE TIME THE CAR'S SPEED IS REDUCED. WE HAVE COMPLAINT TO DEALER MANY TIMES. THE LAST TIME WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HE SAID HE ADJUSTED IT BACK TO FACTORY START, WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM TO THIS DAY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 12, 201543,151 milesFL

A BANG/THUD HAPPENS WHEN GAS IS APPLIED. SOUND APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT ENGINE AREA. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP RODE WITH ME BACK IN 2013, HEARD SOUND, BUT LATER STATED IT WAS "NORMAL". INVOICE STATES NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE, ONLY ITS LOUDER NOW, WITH NO SOLUTION. I AM GETTING MORE FRUSTRATED. THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I PLAN TO TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jul 1, 201564,050 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,050.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 30, 2015LA

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY. IT CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BUT NOT THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN RELATION TO IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND I CANNOT GET MYSELF FREE, NO ONE FROM THE OUTSIDE CAN GET ME OUT EITHER. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST REPORT OF A DOOR HANDLE NOT WORKING ON THIS BRAND OF SUV MODEL.

Power Train
Filed Jun 30, 2015AZ

STARTED VEHICLE AND PUT INTO REVERSE, ONCE IN REVERSE I BEGAN TO BACK UP, THE GEAR SLIPS OUT OF REVERSE INTO NEUTRAL. IF PLACED BACK INTO GEAR PARK, REVERSE OR DRIVE IT PAUSES FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN SHIFTS HARD WITH A CLANK SOUND. IF YOU PROCEED TO DRIVE IT SHIFTS LIKE IT IS GOING FROM FIRST TO THIRD GEAR. IT WILL NOT CORRECT ITSELF ONCE DRIVING. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT WORKS FINE WITH NO SLIPPING OR SHIFTING PROBLEMS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. HOWEVER TODAY IT WILL NOT CORRECT ITSELF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. UPDATED 11/02/2017*CN

Air Bags
Filed Jun 24, 201580,000 milesFL

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND AFTER "RESETTING" THE SENSOR LIGHT THREE TIMES THEY NEEDED TO TAKE MORE DIAGNOSTICS. THEY CAME BACK THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THIS REPAIR FOR PART AND LABOR IS $500. I COULDN'T GET IT FIXED TODAY SO IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVERS AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 17, 201582,592 milesOH

DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WONT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. IF WINDOW IS DOWN CAN REACH IN AND HIT INNER PANEL AND IT WILL OPEN. INNER PANEL GETTING HUNG UP ON STRIPPING SO WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN DOOR IT PULLS CLIPS FROM PANEL BREAKING THEM.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 16, 201595,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 15, 201560,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 15, 201589,400 milesGA

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WILL NOT GO OFF HAVE AN APT WITH DEALERSHIP TOMORROW THEY SAY 45.00 TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. AND IT IS NOT COVERED SO WE WILL SEE ABOUT A COST I DON'T FEEL SAFE NOT KNOWING IF MY AIR BAGS ARE NOT GOING TO WORK..UPDATED 07/13/15 *BF

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 11, 201594,455 milesMD

THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. ONLY THE INSIDE. NOW A FEW DAYS LATER, THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. NOT OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONLY THE INSIDE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 10, 2015FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 10, 201566,000 milesCA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON WHEN I STARTED CAR AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 8, 201595,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR, BUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO THE DOOR PANEL BECOMING WARPED FROM THE OUTSIDE HEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Jun 2, 201580,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE WIRES AROUND BOTH HEAD LIGHTS MELTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Structure › Body
Filed May 28, 2015160,000 milesCA

DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE BUT CAN OPEN FROM INSIDE.

Structure › Body
Filed May 26, 201589,549 milesOR

ON JANUARY, 29TH, 2015 THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE REFUSED TO WORK. ON JANUARY, 30TH, 2015 THE REAR PASSENGER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. ON MAY 24TH, 2015 THE DRIVER DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE REFUSED TO WORK.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 21, 2015FL

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR AND THE HANDLE SNAPPED CLEAN OFF THE DOOR. IT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REACH MY SON BECAUSE THE DOORS CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 19, 2015MO

MY EXTERIOR DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE! HOWEVER WORKS FINE FROM THE INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $100 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT NOT FIX IT! I READ OTHER POST BELOW ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M GOING TO PIGGY OFF WHAT OTHERS STATED, AND SAY THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A 2011. I'M ALREADY LOOKING INTO TRADING MY CAR IN! A FEW MONTHS AGO MY REAR PASSENGER SEATS WILL NOT FOLD BACK UP. TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR 2012 BUT NOT THE 2011. AGAIN ANOTHER $100 JUST TO DIAGNOSIS NOT FIX IT! $200 JUST TO FOLD A SEAT BACK UP.. CRAZY! AGAIN I'M LOOKING INTO TRADING FOR A BETTER MAKE! NOT PURCHASING ANOTHER KIA!!!

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 19, 201591,000 milesDC

GOOD AFTERNOON, I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. I PAID TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIX LAST FALL. HOWEVER, LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT IN KIA CARS. WHY HAVENT KIA REPORTED THIS ISSUE? I WAS REAR ENDED RECENTLY AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IM WONDERING IF KIA IS HIDING THIS ISSUE. THE PERSON AT THE SHOP TOLD ME A CLOCK SPRING SHOULD NOT GO BAD ON A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. KIA IS RIPPING OFF CAR OWNERS BECAUSE THEY WONT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM PUBLICLY. HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/76352-AIR-BAG-LIGHT-CLOCK-SPRING.HTML I HOPE SOMEONE WILL INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. PLEASE COPY AND PAST THE ABOVE URL TO SEE WHAT KIA OWNERS HAVE TO SAY. UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN

Electrical System
Filed May 19, 201561,000 milesCO

THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT QUIT WORKING TOOK TO A MECHANIC, HE LOOKED INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND SAID THAT ALL THE WIRES HAD MELTED TOGETHER. THIS PROBLEM COULD AFFECT ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE TRUCK. ALSO OF NOTE IS THAT THE TRUCK INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWING THAT THE TRUCK IS OPEN, EVEN WHEN ITS NOT. SO FAR NO FIRE HAS STARTED. COST TO FIX PER THE MECHANIC IS OVER $1000, OR MORE.

Structure › Body
Filed May 9, 201589,000 milesGA

CAN'T OPEN DOORS USING EXTERIOR HANDLES ON 3 OF THE FOUR DOORS, ONLY ABLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE. LOCKS WORK FINE. THE THREE DOORS THAT DON'T WORK ARE THE DRIVER DOOR, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE. THIS SUV IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD.

Suspension
Filed May 4, 201556,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE SUSPENSION WAS ALIGNED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 29, 2015185,500 milesNY

PARKED CAR AT LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER WITH WIFE AND RETURNED TO CAR TO FIND OUT I CAN'T OPEN PASSENGER DOOR FROM EXTERIOR HANDLE. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK THE EXTERIOR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE HAS SAME PROBLEM. NOW A MONTH LATER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR ALSO HAS SAME PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE THREE DOORS THAT WON'T OPEN FROM EXTERIOR HANDLES. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET WITH OWNERS OF KIA SORENTO MODELS TO DATE FROM INCEPTION OF 2011 MODELS. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2011 Kia Sorento → · Every Sorento year → · How the figures are calculated →