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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,418 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jul 132020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 126,101 miles

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

My vehicle shut off doing 70 mph on interstate and the dash lights all flickered

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #22

Dec 222019

Sorento

  • 89,800 miles
Numerous times over the past couple of months, both the ESC and dbc indicator lights will come on and stay on as I'm attempting to park the vehicle. This has prevented me from shifting the car into 'park' after pulling into a parking space as I can't get it to shift beyond 'neutral.' When this happens, I've had to shut the car off, and start it again. If the indicator lights go off after restarting, I can then shift the car into park. I brought the car into my local Kia dealer this morning but they were unable to replicate the issue, and since they didn't have a technician on duty to look at it, I now have to return on Monday in the hope that they can figure out and fix this issue.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #21

Jul 012019

Sorento

  • 70,020 miles
.my and down hill light and traction light all on have read several complaints all it of people having same problem.....had auto shop hook up no codes show ing

- Stuttgart, AR, USA

problem #20

Mar 052019

Sorento

  • 12,500 miles

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

I was traveling on a hey, making a left turn onto a major hey, when my car would not excellerate. I was able to turn off the hey but my car would not go over four miles per hour. I had it towed to my machanic, he said the prongs broke off the thing that plugs into the computer, due to corrosion. So I had it towed to Kia. They say I need a new computer & it will cost, $5000. This should be a recall. Why can't they install a new plug & plug back into the computer? I'm being ripped off!

- Bloomingdale, GA, USA

problem #19

Mar 112019

Sorento

  • 10,000 miles
My car just immediately started slowing down and it was extremely hard to turn the steering wheel and the brakes would not let me brake. I almost wrecked my car. Also my camera just stopped working as well.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #18

Dec 012018

Sorento

  • 99,000 miles
According to the obd code reader: Code P0335, $07E8 generic. Crankshaft position sensor a circuit. Vehicle has trouble starting. The tachometer falls to 0 as opposed to sitting at a higher idle, and does not move when pressing foot on gas pedal when stationary or in motion. When in motion, there can be temporary loss of power, the inability to shift gears, and/or the vehicle shakes and rattles. This happens on city streets and highways, when in all types of traffic and when moving at constant speeds. When this situation happens, the car does not shift gears at all and must be restarted. This has caused dangerous lane changing to highway shoulders as well as difficult attempts back onto the roadways during rush hour.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #17

May 202016

Sorento

  • 55,000 miles

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

When starting out from a stop the front brakes lock up to release the brakes or to drive this vehicle the electronic. Skid control must be switched off also when this happens and is switched off the brakes drag and the rims will burn your hand if you hed

- Orange, TX, USA

problem #16

May 012018

Sorento

  • 116,000 miles
Pulls to 1 direction when braking and driving. Sounds of axel or suspension in motion started on city streets now on highway

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #15

Sep 202017

Sorento

  • 89,000 miles
Front brakes locked up while turning onto the highway vehicle was in motion, had to shut off the automatic skid control to unlock the brakes to drive the vehicle

- Orange, TX, USA

problem #14

Jul 202017

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
For several months now, the dashboard warning lights have come on, usually four at a time as I'm driving. It seems to happen most often when it's raining. I had the Kia dealer in las cruces, nm try to determine the problem when I had the car in for a couple recalls about two years ago. They could not determine the cause of the problem. About 3 months ago I had a shop with a aaa master mechanic try to determine the problem and they also could not determine the reason the warning lights were coming on. They could not find a short in the wiring that I thought might be the cause. The lights eventually go off, usually after the car has not been driven for several hours or overnight. I'm concerned that, although I've not experienced significant problems when the dash warning lights come on, could a possible real safety issue occur if one of the systems indicated by the lights actually malfunction? for a while when the lights came on, the car's steering seemed to be effected--on windy curvy roads the car would definitely over steer on curves, as though someone else were in control. I would appreciate any information you might have on similar problems and how they were corrected. Thank you.

- Tinnie, NM, USA

problem #13

Aug 312017

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the ABS, stability control, and downhill traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to riverchase Kia (2200 us-31, pelham, al 35124 (205) 987-6518) where it was diagnosed with a defective module that needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer stated that the recall expired. The contact stated that the dealer did not provide the recall information. The dealer also stated that in may of 2017, while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change, they checked a module that controlled the warning indicators, but the module was fine and covered it in silicone. The contact was informed that he would have to pay for the repairs. The contact was also informed that a part in the rear drum needed replacement along with the module. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #12

Mar 032017

Sorento

  • 66,000 miles
Kia Sorento 2011 ESC dbs lights on dashboard and either cannot get out of park or when trying to shut vehicle down will get stuck in between neutral and drive, I shut down car but obviously cannot take keys out, wait a few minutes restart in neutral and sometimes I can get it in or out of park. Sometimes this is done several times.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #11

Jan 262017

Sorento

  • 168,000 miles
I was informed brake lights were not illuminating. Electric stability control idiot light showed up on dashboard right before being informed. Car is also not shifting into park or reverse. Drive gear seems ok.

- Monroe, NJ, USA

problem #10

Nov 272014

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 48,084 miles
While driving on light, new snow my car had suddenly skidded slightly, no over-correcting, I simply got the car back in control when the car suddenly shot forward, steering wheel seized and started racing down the opposite side of the street into the embankment! I had pulled the car to the left and had the brakes pushed all the way down (and both feet including all my weight on them) until my car crashed completely into a tree! the tires were still spinning when the car stopped and my feet were on the brakes! it was also hard to get the car out of drive and into park --- when I was able to push the car into park I quickly took the keys out. The 2011 Kia Sorento and sudden acceleration seems to be a problem and should seriously be looked into. Yes, I was injured and thankfully a tree stopped the vehicle and no one else was hurt!

- Chardon, OH, USA

problem #9

Dec 032014

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
Driving on the freeway in my 2011 Kia Sorento last night, the ABS light came on, along with three other lights (all brake related). Lights will not go out, so I took it to the dealership today. They told me it is a rear speed sensoring issue and my anti lock brakes are not working. Fixing it is not under warranty. This is not the first time my Kia has electronic issues. But these are dangerous! if your brakes don't work and you are driving on the freeway, danger about to happen.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #8

Nov 152014

Sorento

  • 89,000 miles
This is the most recent and serious electric issue; I do not know the exact dates of earlier issues. I believe all these electric issues are related. Issues began in 2010 after the purchase of the car. Was taken to the dealer for electrical issue and they repaired lose cluster array. Other electric issues from 2011-2013: When turning left the downhill brake control indicator would light would come on and prevent the car being put into park, the headlights flicker when car is at a stop, driver side low beam headlight frequently burns out. December 2013-January 2014: All dash indicator lights malfunctioned (no warning lights/gauges, including fuel, speed, turn signals, low fuel indicator, etc.). dealer found the factory cluster array to be faulty. The dealer replaced the cluster with a new one. I am reporting the following: I was traveling 65mph and turned the cruise control off, the ABS warning, downhill brake control, electronic stability control indicator and 4WD auto lock lights all illuminated. The car was operating normally. Today, all of these lights came, stayed on, then went off. Upon driving, the electronic stability control light came on and the car downshifted as I was driving. All other of indicator lights noted came back on. I am taking my car back to the dealer tomorrow. Many other Kia owners are reporting almost identical issues. This most recent incident occurred when I was traveling at a high rate of speed and follows a serious of electrical issues I have had since I owned my car, new from the dealer. Something is wrong at the manufacturing level that needs to be addressed before someone is killed.

- Maplewood, NJ, USA

problem #7

Nov 132013

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Will intermittent turn on during driving and stay on. If you stop and turn off car and then restart may or may not return on. Car as a bit of a shake to it some times. Had cruise control not turn on. Electrical seems wacky in the vehicle. Also had it been stuck in park or times could not move the shifter to park or reverse. Seriously needs to be reviewed. All these issues happen intermittent and never when near the Kia dealership. Vehicle 90% of the time has been wonderful, however there are issues that need investigated and corrected for example all the above I have listed.

- Stockton, NY, USA

problem #6

Jun 142013

Sorento

  • 59,000 miles
I was attempting to park my 2011 Kia Sorento in my garage when the downhill assist and electronic stability control lights came on. My car would not shift beyond neutral. I had to shut off car while in 'drive' and turn back on, with multiple attempts, before I could get it to shift to park. Huge problem and has occurred four times the past two days! I'll be calling dealership first thing Monday morning.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #5

May 062013

Sorento

  • miles
Stability control and downhill assist light came on while driving. When vehicle was stopped, shifter would not go past neutral. In order to get past neutral, had to turn off engine and restart.

- Clarkson, KY, USA

problem #4

Nov 092012

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 33,309 miles
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.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

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