Page 27 of 31 · complaints 1,301–1,350 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 →

Engine
Filed Nov 24, 201223,000 milesLA

PUT KEY IN IGNITION, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON AS NORMAL, RADIO CAME ON AS NORMAL, ENGINE DID NOTHING, MADE NO SOUND WHATSOEVER. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CRANK VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED. AFTER THE 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENING I TOOK IT TO ALL STAR KIA OF BATON ROUGE (THE ONLY KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES ON A GOOD DAY FROM MY HOME). VEHICLE WAS THERE ONLY 30 MINUTES WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY BATTERY, WHICH I KNEW WAS INCORRECT BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS A DEAD BATTERY WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED MY RADIO AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO COME ON, BUT I ALLOWED THE TO GIVE ME A NEW BATTERY WITHOUT QUESTION. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AND QUITE FRANKLY AM TIRED OF WASTING MY TIME AND GAS MONEY ON THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUSE BLOCK, SAID ALL KINDS OF OTHER GARBAGE THAT DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO THE AVERAGE INTELLIGENT PERSON. DID NOT HAVE THE CAR BACK 2 DAYS AND THE SAME THING, WONT START. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL HAVE IT TOWED MONDAY AGAIN. DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE FIXED, THE MECHANICS AT THIS DEALERSHIP DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT VEHICLES OR WHAT MAKES THEM CRANK, RUN, AND GO. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 19, 201225,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A BUSY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO VARIOUS PARTS OF HER BODY AND LATER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT OF UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THEY WOULD PERFORM A WARRANTY CHECK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPDATED 1/9/2013 *JS

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 201233,500 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, CAUSING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO GO BLACK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE GLOW PLUG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AN ENGINEER WAS REQUESTED TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD A SPONGY FEEL TO IT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V599000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

WheelsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 15, 201224,000 milesTX

WHEEL ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO HAVE COMPLETELY GIVEN OUT. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ~35MPH WHEN IT ROSE SLIGHTLY THEN GAVE OUT. VEHICLE HIT SIDE OF PARKED CAR AND FLIPPED ON TO SIDE AND INTO RETAINING WALL - FULL SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY VACANT. EVERYTHING LAYING ON STREET INCLUDING SUSPENSION SPRINGS. WITNESS TO SUPPORT EVENTS. VEHICLE UNDER 25K MILES (2011 MODEL, INCIDENT 2012). VEHICLE TOTALED BY INSURANCE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 11, 201218,000 milesNY

MY BRAKES WILL GO TO THE FLOOR EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, SOMETIME THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING AND I JUST PRESS THE PEDAL TO START THE CAR, OTHER TIME THE CAR IS MOVING ALL I HAVE TO DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IS PUMP THE BRAKE 1 TIME AND EVERYTHING IS FINE AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME THIS IS THE ANSWER I GOT.(KIA TECHLINE STATES THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE PETAL TO TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES. TECHLINE STATES THAT AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WILL HOLD STILL AND WILL STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THIS IS NORMAL. PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEEMS GOOD. I HAVE CALL KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I AM WAITING FOR A REPLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 9, 201233,309 milesFL

ATTEMPTED TO PARK CAR WHILE WAITING FOR A RELATIVE TO GET OFF WORK. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT TO REVERSE OR PARK- NO FURTHER THAN NEUTRAL. WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BRAKE TO STOP CAR. AFTER DROPPING RELATIVE OFF AT HOME (HAD TO STOP CAR IN SAME MANNER AS ABOVE), HAD TO STOP IN A NEAR EMPTY PARKING LOT, AS I STILL WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR PARK. CONTACTED KIA DEALERSHIP BY PHONE AND WAS TOLD BY REPRESENTATIVE TO PUMP THE BREAK SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE CAR TO NEUTRAL/PARK. DID NOT WORK. WAS TOLD BY REP THAT THE BRAKING "SOLENOID" ? (SPELLING?) HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT I SHOULD USE SOMETHING LIKE A SMALL SCREWDRIVER TO PUSH DOWN A BUTTON IN A SMALL BOX AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THE SHIFTER. FURTHER STATED THAT THIS WOULD RELEASE THE BREAK SO THAT THE CAR COULD BE PUT IN PARK. WAS TOLD THAT CAR WOULD NOW BE UNABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK UNLESS THE SAME PROCESS WAS REPEATED. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE JUST OVER 3 MONTHS. CERTIFIED PER-OWED. LESS THAN 34000 MILES. WILL ATTEMPT TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. UNAWARE IF SERVICE CENTER WILL REPAIR ON SATURDAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT IT WAS QUICKLY REMEDIED WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE UNTIL TODAY. SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY 2006. THIS IS MY 3RD KIA. 1ST VEHICLE WITH AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 2, 201210 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 2, 201222,000 milesPA

THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE, BUT GIVEN THE ISSUE SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT..... DRIVING UP HILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT 50 MPH. MY VEHICLE LOST POWER ( AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE ) MY BODY WENT FORWARD AND WAS STOPPED BY THE SEATBELT. MY HEAD WHIPPED DOWNWARD. THEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. MY HEAD AND BODY SLAPPED BACK INTO THE SEAT. IT WAS SO ABRUPT AND VIOLENTLY. IT WILL SCARE YOU TO DEATH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR TO COUNT. I HAVE TRIED TO DOCUMENT THE EVENTS IN A JOURNAL BECAUSE THE DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT ONLY ONCE. SOME DAYS IT CAN HAPPEN UP TO 3 TIMES A DAY FOR WEEKS ON END. SOME TIMES I CAN DUPLICATE IT DRIVING UP HILL AND SOMETIMES NOTHING. THE WORST TIMES ARE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND ME. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL HURT ANOTHER MOTORIST OR A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. A TERM CALLED " LIMP MODE " HAS BEEN SAID TO ME. WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A HI GEAR TO PROTECT IT FROM DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE STILL DOES THIS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 14 TIMES. THE TRANNY WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO AND A BACKFIRE CODE WAS FOUND RECENTLY. A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DIDN'T HELP WAS THE LAST THING DONE IN OVER A YEAR, UNLESS YOU COUNT PAYING FOR RENTAL VEHICLES DOING SOMETHING. THERE IS ALSO A SUSPENSION/STEERING ISSUE. A HARD PULLING LEFT/RIGHT AND BUMP STEER. THE VEHICLE WILL PULL THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HAND IN TURNS AND VEERS AS IT HITS BUMPS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 22, 201239,000 milesSC

AFTER START UP WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT VIOLENTLY AND WILL PRODUCE THE SAME REACTION IF YOU TRY TO SHIFT IT BACK INTO PARK. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND OTHERWISE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS NORMALLY. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONCE THIS OCCURS IT FEELS UNDERPOWERED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN A HIGHER GEAR AND THERE IS NO ECO INDICATION OR INDICATION OF WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ON 10/13/12 AND PICKED IT UP ON 10/15/12 AND WERE TOLD THAT THE SOFTWARE HAD BEEN UPGRADED TO PREVENT THIS. SINCE THIS UPGRADE THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR TWICE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN YOU SHIFT BACK INTO PARK IT PRODUCES THE SAME VIOLENT SHIFT. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY ARE COMING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/23/12 SINCE THE LAST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS CONCERN DID NOT WORK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 19, 201210,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

Seats1 injured
Filed Oct 18, 2012AZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROL COVER WAS FRACTURED. THE SEAT COVER PLASTIC BECAME HOOKED ONTO THE CONTACT'S PANTS AND CAUSED HER TO FALL TO THE GROUND, INJURING HER KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE SEAT COVER CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 5, 201215,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING IN THE PARK POSITION BUT SHE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BE PUT INTO THE PARK POSITION AND THEN BECAME STUCK IN THAT POSITION. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OVER THE PHONE THAT HER BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MORE COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLED AND STATED THIS FALLS UNDER THE LEMON LAW. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON WHO TO CONTACT NEXT AND ANY ATTORNEY INFORMATION. UPDATED 11/20/2012 *JS

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 3, 201224,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE ACCELERATOR FAILED. THE CONTACT STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT SLOWED TO A STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE ACCELERATOR RESPONDED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 201225,000 milesCA

WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, VEHICLE CLUNKS AND THEN JOLTS FORWARD. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE,VEHICLE WHINES, DOESN'T MOVE AND SO I THEN SHIFT BACK INTO PARK WHICH RESULTS IN CLUNKING NOISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP ON 8/28/12 AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. I WAS ADVISED TO KEEP A LOG OF WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHICH IS OFTEN BUT INTERMITTENT. JUST RECENTLY VEHICLE LOST POWER AT A STOP SIGN (HAD PLENTY OF GAS IN TANK) AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO KEEP IT RUNNING IT JOLTED FORWARD AND RAN FINE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 201221,439 milesMO

THE INCLINE CONTROL LIGHT & THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. I WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE ON A FLAT SURFACE AND WHEN THESE LIGHTS WERE ON I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK OR REVERSE. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THEN HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE CONTROL AND TRACTION LIGHTS WERE NOT ON AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I MADE THE PURCHASE FROM AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE LINE WHERE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE LINE THAT CAUSES THE COMPUTER TO THINK THE BREAK IS NOT PRESSED DOWN ENOUGH, THEREFORE CONFUSING THE COMPUTER INTO THINKING IT SHOULD APPLY THE INCLINE AND TRACTION CONTROL AND PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM BEING PUT IN REVERSE OR PARK. I WAS TOLD THAT BY TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IN NEUTRAL LIKE I DID WILL SOMETIMES RESET THE COMPUTER. I WAS TOLD THERE IS ALSO A LITTLE BOX THAT HAS A VERY SMALL SLIT IN IT AND IF I COULD FIND SOMETHING TO FIT INTO IT THAT WOULD GO DOWN ABOUT 6 INCHES, THAT WOULD ALSO RESET IT. HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF WHAT ONE WOULD USE TO DO THAT WITH. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO NEED TO FIX THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY MESS UP THE DRIVE SHAFT, COMPUTER SYSTEM, OR TRANSMISSION AND WAS ASSURED IT WOULD NOT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 13, 2012KY

2011 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING DOWN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, AS HE APPROACHED THE ROAD. THERE WAS A SLIGHT SHIFTING MOTION AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO THE MAX OF 8000 RPM'S. HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE, SO HE PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. HE THEN RE-STARTED THE ENGINE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT.

Engine
Filed Sep 13, 201275 milesFL

WHEN ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED THE ENGINE WILL OCCASIONALLY BOG DOWN OR HESITATE AND ALMOST DIE. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC ESP ONTO A HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 12, 201255,000 milesTX

AT COMPLETE STOP, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. 10 MILES LATER, ATTEMPT TO PARK . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST NEUTRAL. DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATED STEER ASSIST AND DOWNHILL PARK. I FINALLY DROVE AROUND UNTIL IT ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD DID THE SAME THING. MADE IT TO WORK AND SHUT CAR OFF. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 11, 201220,566 milesGA

ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2012 I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. KIA MOTORS WILL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 10, 201231,900 milesKY

INCIDENT #1 WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH CAR LURCHED, AND GAS PEDAL WAS NON-RESPONSIVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT NO RESPONSE. ONLY FORWARD MOTION WAS "IDLE" SPEED WHICH WAS NOT ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE IT UP HILL. STOPPED CAR IN MEDIAN. TOWED CAR BACK O DEALER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED A RECALL BRAKE SWITCH, AND SAID AS THERE WAS NO COMPUTER CODE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX. RESET THE COMPUTER TO CLEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. INCIDENT #2 LESS THAN 50 MILES (24 HOURS) AFTER TAKING THE CAR - AT 60MPH SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED & DROVE BACK TO DEALER. AFTER STARTING/STOPPING ABOUT 4 TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. CAR SEEMED TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE MERGING, ON A BRIDGE, OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 7, 201213,951 milesRI

ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, LAST TIME WAS ALMOST IN ACCIDENT 1/23/12 @40 MPH, 3/06/12 @ 50 MPH, 5/24/12 @35 MPH, 9/4/12 @55 MPH. HAVE DEALERSHIP SERVICE RECORDS FOR FIRST THREE INCIDENTS. NEW THROTTLE BODY INSTALLED 3/06/1 IN FLORIDA AT SUNSET KIA IN VENICE. PER MATT JARVIS BALD HILL KIA IN WARWICK RI, THE REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE (KIA GOT A BAD LOT OF THROTTLE BODIES FOR A WHILE.] REPLACED AGAIN 9/6/12. DEALERSHIP HAD KNOWLEDGE OF POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE PART BEFORE LAST STALLING. I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON RT 24 IN MIDDLETOWN RI IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN THE CAR STALLED, GAS PEDDLE UNRESPONSIVE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AND HAD TO WEAVE THOUGH TRAFFIC TO GET THROUGH THE DRIVING LANE THEN ON TO THE GRASS. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I MADE IT TO SAFETY. WHY DID DEALERSHIP NOT RECALL DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODIES. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 6, 201219,200 milesIL

THE OTHER DAY,I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH IN MY 2011 KIA SORENTO WHEN I HEARD A HORRIBLE SOUND AND FELT A TERRIBLE JERK. IT FELT LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING OR HAD BEEN HIT, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD. MY RPMS WENT UP TO ABOUT 4,000 AND STAYED THERE. I COULD HEAR AN UNUSUAL SOUND BUT COULDN'T PUT MY FINGER ON WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, THEN REVERSE, THEN DRIVE. EACH TIME, THE CAR JERKED AND I HEARD A SORT OF CLUNKING SOUND. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER, WHICH IS WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT. WE WERE TOLD THE FOLLOWING DAY THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND WAS NOT GOING TO PICK IT UP UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED INVOLVING THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS. WE CALLED KIA OF AMERICA 2 DAYS AGO AND WERE TOLD THAT OUR VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. WE WERE GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD THAT WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS. WE ALSO SPOKE TO THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF THEY CAN RECREATE THE PROBLEM. WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM EITHER PLACE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 6, 201252,500 milesLA

ON SEVERAL OCCASION DURING THE LAST TWO (2) WEEKS, I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS (E.G. INTO DRIVE, INTO NEUTRAL, INTO REVERSE, ETC); GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK. ONLY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES WAS I ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AGAIN. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 201248,000 milesIA

ON 9/19/2012 AT 12:17 PM I TOOK A FRANTIC CALL FROM MY WIFE. SHE HAD JUST STOPPED TO FILL UP WITH GAS, GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT AROUND 75 MPH. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. SHE SHUT OFF THE CRUISE AND WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PULL OVER WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT WAS ALREADY GOING OVER 80 MPH WHEN SHE CALLED. I TOLD HER TO STAND ON THE BRAKES-NO EFFECT. I TOLD HER TO PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND TO PUSH AND HOLD THE START BUTTON FOR 10 SECONDS-NOTHING (THAT IS THE OVERRIDE TO GET THE CAR STARTED WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS-WE HAD JUST HAD IT REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS PRIOR). I TOLD HER TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL-THE SHIFTER IS LOCKED IN DRIVE. I TOLD HER TO SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR-IT WON'T MOVE. AFTER 4 MINUTES THE CAR WAS GOING OVER 85 MPH-I TOLD HER TO HANG UP & CALL 911 AS SHE COULD TELL THEM WHERE SHE WAS MUCH BETTER THAN I COULD. A FEW MINUTES LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE HIGHWAY PATROL-THEY HAD 2 CRUISERS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH HER TRYING TO CLEAR TRAFFIC AHEAD OF HER. I ASKED IF THEY COULD GET A CRUISER AHEAD OF HER AND LET HER NOSE UP BEHIND IT AND THEN USE THE CRUISER TO STOP HER. EVIDENTLY THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT IDEA OR IT IS AGAINST POLICY BECAUSE THEY NEVER DID TRY THAT. THE DISPATCHER HAD TO HANG UP TO CONCENTRATE ON THE SITUATION AT HAND. I NOW HAD THE DISPATCHER'S NUMBER SO I COULD CALL HER BACK. AT ONE POINT I CALLED BACK AND SU

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 29, 201238,800 milesTX

VEHICLE STUCK IN DRIVE WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE BUT ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, I MANAGED TO FORCE IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CURB MAINTAINED MY CAR STATIONARY SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK. BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, IT IDLED IN NEUTRAL UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED (20 MIN LATER) BY WHICH TIME IT HAD BEGUN TO OVERHEAT. THE INCLINE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT I WAS NOT ON AN INCLINE. THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHY SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. I ALSO CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE IN THE MAINTENANCE DEPT. WHO DIRECTED ME TO REPEATEDLY PUMP ON MY BRAKES AND AT THE SAME TIME TO KEEP TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK BUT THE TRACTION LIGHT AND THE INCLINE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER INCIDENT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, WHEN I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 35,000. I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON HWY 281 S HEADING TO SAN ANTONIO WHEN MY ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA. THEY WORKED ON IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF BUT SINCE THEN I'VE EXPERIENCE ODD THINGS SUCH AS THE CAR JUMPING OR POPPING WHEN IT CHANGES GEARS. ALSO, IT TENDS TO OVERHEAT WHEN THE CAR IDLES FOR MORE THAN 10 MIN. AS WELL AS CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED MY KIA SORENTO AND I TRULY FEEL IT IS A

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 201234,000 milesMO

WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35MPH AND NOTICED A VEHICLE TURNING IN FRONT OF ME. I BRAKE TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN AT LEAST. THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, NO BRAKES, DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. IT WAS LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM WAS TRYING TO WORK, BUT WORKED FAULTY, ALMOST IN A REVERSE FASHION. I PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL, LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING, BUT NOTHING TO SLIP ON. LONG STORY SHORT I ENDED UP GOING IN THE DITCH TO AVOID RUNNING INTO THE VEHICLE. PREVIOUS TO THIS ABOUT 2MONTHS THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO THE PARK POSITION, NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED, THANKFULLY I WAS NEAR THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE CONTROLLER AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I GO AROUND A CORNER AT A REASONABLE SPEED THE ENGINE KILLS POWER FOR A SPLIT SECOND, AND THE ANTI-SWAY LIGHTS KICK ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE MORE OF A SAFETY CONCERN THAN A SAFETY FIX. I FEEL HAVING 3 SERIOUS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS MERITS FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MODEL OF KIA, BEFORE IT LITERALLY IS KILLED IN ACTION, KIA. I RECENTLY WATCH THE NEWS AND SAW A STUCK ACCELERATOR PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL AS WELL, HOPE YOU WILL TAKE ACTION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 22, 2012300 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER WHICH WAS WORKING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,800.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 201219,600 milesTX

THIS CAR SOMETIMES AFTER THE KEY IS INSERT IN THE IGNITION AND TURN WITH THE INTENTION OF OF STARTING THE CAR IT DOES NOT START. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD COME ON BUT IT DOES NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL TRAYS BY STEPING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL TURN THE WHEEL AND MOVE THE SPEED SHIFT IT STARTS. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Aug 13, 201234,000 milesTX

MY HUSBAND WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. HE GOT IN THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP. HE HEARD A LOUD POP. HE PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AND HIS FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL THE VEHICLE GOT UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. TRYING NOT TO HIT THE HOUSE, OR THE PERSON OUTSIDE OF THE PROPERTY HE MANEUVERED THE CAR INTO THE BACK YARD. THE CAR WAS STEADILY PICKING UP SPEED AND HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. HE COULD NOT GET THE GEAR TO SHIFT OR THE BRAKES TO WORK. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE AND THAT IMPEDED THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT OF IT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 201237,000 milesSC

AT COMPLETE STOP, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. 1.4 MILES LATER, ATTEMPT TO PARK . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST NEUTRAL. DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATED STEER ASSIST AND DOWNHILL PARK. DEPRESSED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF WITH GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL. RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 10, 201217,000 milesMN

I HAD THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPEN TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN WHILE MY CAR WAS IN DRIVE. I TRIED ACCELERATING SEVERAL TIMES TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP. I HAD TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AGAIN IN ORDER TO HAVE THE CAR FUNCTION SO THAT I COULD PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I AM TERRIBLY NERVOUS I WILL BE REAR ENDED IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY CAR INTO PARK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE BUT I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. I DON'T KNOW IF THESE 2 PROBLEMS ARE RELATED TO ONE ANOTHER. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 1, 20127,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 1, 201223,000 milesGA

STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. THEN WHEN STOPPED, CAR WILL NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO PARK. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK IMMEDIATELY WHEN PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AFTER STARTED AND STABILITY CONTROL AND DOWNHILL ASSIST LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED. LOCATED SWITCH AT THE UPPER PART OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHILE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, WITH PARKING BRAKE ON, WAS ABLE TO BUMP THE SWITCH BOX AND THEN SHIFT CAR INTO PARK. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 201213,650 milesCA

VEHICLE UNABLE TO START, EVEN WITH KEY IN 'HOLSTER' IN GLOVE BOX. VEHICLE BRAKE APPEARED TO BE PRESSED DOWN ALREADY AND NO REACTION WHEN START BUTTON WAS PUSHED. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER A 3 DAY PERIOD. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OVER TWO DAYS, THE VEHICLE STARTED. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHO DETECTED NOTHING AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SITUATION. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 28, 20125,000 milesMO

THE DATE ABOVE IS THE FIRST DATE THERE WAS A INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE ACTUAL SPEED OF TRAVEL HAS VARIED. THE ISSUE IS RANDOM AND HAS AFFECTED MOST SYSTEMS AT ONE TIME OR THE OTHER. IT HAS NORMALLY BEEN A HEADACHE MORE THAN SAFETY ALWAYS GOING AWAY AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTING. TO ME IT BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE I HIT SOMETHING AND THEN MY RPMS INCREASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS. I PULLED INTO A SAFE PARKING AREA, SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND CALLED THE DEALER. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, JUST AS IT HAS EVERY TIME NO MATTER WHAT SYSTEM HAS BEEN AFFECTED. THE ISSUES HAVE RANGED FROM A CRUISE CONTROL REFUSING TO ACTIVATE, THE CRUISE CONTROL HAVING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR (OFTEN KICKING IN THE PASSING GEAR WHEN NOT REQUIRED), TOTAL ELECTRONIC PANEL SHUTDOWN (INCLUDING RADIO), TO DOORS LOCKING ON THEIR OWN WHEN OPEN, TO HEADLIGHTS NOT BEING TURNED OFF WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AFTER 2-30 SECONDS. THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE HAS BEEN THE MOST SERIOUS. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN SERVICED UNDER A SIMILAR RECALL. I HAVE NOTED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS INCLUDING A SIMILAR TRANSMISSION COMPLIANT ON KIA FORUMS. KIA ITSELF REFUSED TO GIVE THE GO AHEAD FOR A COMPUTER RESET/UPGRADE. MY DEALER DID THIS ON HIS OWN FOR ME AFTER I MADE IT CLEAR THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR. A PERSONAL CONVERSATION WITH KIA WAS NEGATIVE AND WAS NOTHING SHORT OF TALKING IN CIRCLES. I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE OF TRYING TO TRA

Power Train
Filed Jul 25, 201234,000 milesIL

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I WENT TO LUNCH TODAY THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE OR PARK AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE INTO THAT POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 10 TIMES. TODAY, IT TOOK OVER 20 MINUTES UNTIL IT WOULD MOVE INTO PARK. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST NIGHT. I'M GETTING REALLY AGGRAVATED BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'M GOING TO BE STUCK AGAIN. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND GET THIS FIXED OR GIVE US A NEW VEHICLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 23, 201221,750 milesFL

AUTOMATIC, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE THIS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES IN 1 DAY. -PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, NOTICED THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL TO GET INTO PARK. AFTER A MINUTE OR SO OF TRYING TO GET IT TO PARK (WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL ALONG) IT FINALLY RELEASED AND WENT TO PARK. -THE CAR SAT FOR 2 AND A HALF HOURS. -ON MY WAY HOME I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND PUMPED GAS. WENT TO LEAVE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF PARK, THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS ONCE AGAIN ILLUMINATED. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OR SO, WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT RELEASED AND WENT INTO DRIVE. -THE THIRD TIME THAT SAME DAY, I GOT HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND AGAIN THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL TO PARK. ONCE AGAIN, AFTER A MINUTE OR SO WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE WHOLE TIME, IT FINALLY RELEASED AGAIN AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. I HAVE YET TO DRIVE MY CAR AGAIN, AND AM ACTUALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT THIS POINT, NOT KNOWING WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPENED. I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 14, 201225,000 milesNJ

AS I BACK U THIS WEIRD SCRATCHY SOUND AND ALSO AS I DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 8, 201215,000 milesOH

ESC AND CBC LIGHTS CAME ON COULDN'T SHIFT INTO PARK. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 20, 2012GA

THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MY SORENTO THAT IS LISTED IN OD10459049. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK FROM THE DRIVE POSITION. THE DBC AND ESC DASH LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPEND 3 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. *JS

Power Train
Filed Jun 13, 201225,500 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,500.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 201215,235 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN PROCEEDED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,235.

Power Train
Filed May 20, 201224,785 milesVA

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WENT TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND WOULD NO GO INTO REVERSE OR PARK. HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN LAST TWO DAYS. THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS WERE ON AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON. I WENT ON A KIA FORUM AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING WITH CARS THAT HAVE EVEN LESS MILEAGE THAN MINE. *TR

Suspension
Filed May 9, 201213,225 milesLA

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 189.00 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. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 30, 201222,500 milesWA

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO FEB. 2012 (17,450 MILES) WHEN IT WENT "CLUNK" AND LOST POWER; THE ENGINE RAN AS NORMAL BUT NO/LITTLE POWER FROM TRANSMISSION. SHE WAS ON A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY AND DAMAGED THE CAR TRYING TO BACK UP TO A SAFER SPOT. SORENTO WAS TOWED, DEALER KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS AND SAID THEY'D FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT KIA SAID THE BODY DAMAGE WAS OUR PROBLEM. TODAY, APRIL 30, I WAS DRIVING WHEN IT WENT "CLUNK" - (APPROX 21,500 MILES AT 47 MPH) ENGINE RAN BUT NO/LITTLE POWER FROM TRANSMISSION; I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER A MINUTE OR SO - I AM HOME AND THE CAR IS GOING TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR SCARES ME - IF THIS HAPPENS IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES I SEE THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HOW DO I REPORT THIS PROBLEM? OTHER THAN TRADING IT (AND GIVING THE DANGER TO SOMEONE ELSE), WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? THIS IS OUR SECOND DANGEROUS INCIDENT . . . I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE AT KIA REALLY CARES. *JS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 26, 201224,300 milesNJ

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO AT AROUND 55 MPH ENTERING THE HIGHWAY WHEN SHE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. SHE TRIED TO USE BOTH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR AND FOUND THAT NEITHER OF THEM WORKED. THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 5-10MPH BEFORE EVENTUALLY STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AS SHE HAD BEEN UNABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF TRYING, SHE WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED AND DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. SHE DOES RECALL THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW APPEARED TO BE WORKING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY THE DAY AFTER THIS HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. THEY DID UPDATE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE. WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR SITUATION CLOSELY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 23, 201218,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM DRIVE TO PARK BUT THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 21, 20121,500 milesPA

AFTER USING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, ACCELERATOR HESITATES. NEED TO PUSH GAS PEDAL DOWN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ACCELERATING (IT BECOMES "DEAD"). HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IF NOT MORE. REPORTED IT TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY ATTRIBUTED IT TO THE FACT THAT IF YOU USE TWO FEET TO DRIVE (LEFT FOOT ON BRAKE - RIGHT ON GAS) AND IF THERE IS A CHANCE THAT LEFT FOOT MAY BE SLIGHTLY TOUCHING BRAKE PEDAL, THEN THE COMPUTER IS "CONFUSED". NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER. SOME PEOPLE DO DRIVE THIS WAY AND THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. IT IS A SAFETY RISK AND A NEAR RISK ON A COUPLE INSTANCES. KIA NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND ADDRESS THIS SITUATION. *JS

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 20, 20129,500 milesNY

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. I AM GETTING THE SAME BUT THE KIA DEALERS ARE TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AS MINE IS AN AWD. WHEN STARTING OUT A HESITATION IS FELT WHEN PUTTING IN DRIVE AND WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A WHIRRING NOISE IS HEARD AND IT FEELS LIKE A VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE CAR. *JS

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 19, 20123,500 milesFL

MY SORENTO WILL HESITATE TO MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND THEN SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD WITH FULL ACCELERATION FOR A BRIEF TIME. THIS IS AN ERRATIC PROBLEM. DEALERS RESPONSE IS TO WAIT UNTIL IT BECOME CONSISTENT -- MY RESPONSE, I MAY BE DEAD BEFORE THAT TIME. CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONSE IS DRIVER ERROR. MY RESPONSE IS THAT I HAVE DRIVEN FOR DECADES MANY DIFFERENT MODEL AND AGE VEHICLES AND HAVE LOGGED IN APPX 2 MILLION SAFE MILES. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE KIA IS MY FIRST PROBLEM WITH SUCH AN ISSUE. KIA DENIES ANY PROBLEM WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE, HOWEVER A GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS UP NUMEROUS SIMILAR ISSUES. I HAVE NOTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ONLY WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS SO FAR. *JS

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 →