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 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,718 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 3)

problem #41

Mar 202024

Sorento

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:?23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable time to remedy the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a complaint was filed. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #40

Nov 142023

Sorento

  • miles
See attached document for complaint

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #39

Feb 292024

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #38

Nov 012023

Sorento

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #37

Feb 152024

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #36

Feb 122024

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #35

Sep 062023

Sorento

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning plastic odor inside the cabin of vehicle while starting the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer and was advised that there was no fix available. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Holyoke, MA, USA

problem #34

Dec 012023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #33

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • 230,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated there was an abnormal burning odor coming entering the cabin of the vehicle. The battery warning light was blinking intermittently. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Franklin, NC, USA

problem #32

Jan 262024

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount time to repair the recall. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Brooksville, FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was?contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #30

Jan 172024

Sorento

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was sluggish and was losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that parts were not available to repair the open recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Elliston, VA, USA

problem #29

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the voltage reader indicated that the voltage was fluctuating between 11.2 and $19.20 volts. The lights within the vehicle were illuminated, the radio would turn on, and other electrical systems would suddenly activate. The contact had to unplug the negative cable for several minutes for the charging system to work correctly. The failure persisted after the repairs and had since become more consistent. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The alternator was replaced. The vehicle had not been taken to be diagnosed after the failure. The contact replaced the battery however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Kempton, IN, USA

problem #28

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • 137,513 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine light warning was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 137,513. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Williamston, NC, USA

problem #27

Feb 012023

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled a burning odor with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Loranger, LA, USA

problem #26

Dec 152023

Sorento

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while her husband was driving at various speeds, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated after driving and parking the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Monongahela, PA, USA

problem #25

Dec 292023

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while reversing out of the garage, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was out of the garage. The contact stated that the turned off the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of black smoke coming out of the engine compartment. The contact stated that he attempted to disconnect the positive battery thermal but was unable to do so. The contact stated that he applied a fire extinguisher to the engine compartment; however the smoke persisted and the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire then extended to the entire vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle had burned to the ground and remained at the residence. The vehicle was totaled. A fire department report was filed. No police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Lima, MT, USA

problem #24

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Addis, LA, USA

problem #23

Dec 192020

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the front passenger's side and driver's side door handles; however, after the repair, the front passenger's side door handle fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front passenger's side door handle was replaced at the contact's expense. Additionally, the contact stated that the front and rear passenger's side doors, and the rear driver's side door failed to open from the outside while pulling the doors handles. The contact stated that the steering control buttons, and the cruise control mode had become inoperable. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact also stated that while shifting into park (P), the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound and the gear shifter moved beyond the park (P) position. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that the interior lights of the vehicle failed to turn off. The ABS, TPMS, traction control, check engine, air bag warning lights, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Maple Valley, WA, USA

problem #22

Nov 302023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Acworth, GA, USA

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