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:
19 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
22 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,799 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2011 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 2 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #157

Apr 012020

Sorento

  • 140,000 miles

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

Drive side airbag light came on and now steering controls are not working. Kia dealer stated its the air bag control module that is faulty

- North Providence, RI, USA

problem #156

Sep 102020

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle's airbag sensor comes on and doesn't go off.

- Timberlake, NC, USA

problem #155

Nov 132019

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while on route to bald hill Kia located at 1021 bald hill rd, warwick, ri 02886 to have an unstated recall repair performed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage 90,000.

- Slatersville, RI, USA

problem #154

Jul 022020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 156,345 miles

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

Air bag light came on for no reason and will not shut off. I did troubleshoot according to the manual that came with my vehicle. The light still did not shut off. My guess is that it has malfunctioned. Looking on line other people with the same year Kia are having the same problem. Vehicle was stationary when it came on as well as when I was driving on the highway and city streets.

- Holland, OH, USA

problem #153

May 012020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The air bag light is on and will not go off. There is nothing in the passenger seat and it does not go away when turning the car off and back on. This means that+S the airbags will not deploy in the casebook of an accident which is a hazard.

- Miami, FL, USA

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problem #152

Sep 192019

Sorento

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that at vehicle start-up, the air bag waring light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to serra trussville Kia located at (5009 brooke's crossing blvd, birmingham, al 35235) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger's side seat sensor and read driver's side impact sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #151

Feb 032020

Sorento

  • 220,000 miles

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

My ABS, airbag light is on before. After replacing the clock spring the lights are still on, and also both my back seat belts will not go down. The car has not been in any accidents

- Baker, LA, USA

problem #150

Sep 032018

Sorento

  • 76,000 miles
There was a replacement of the passenger cv axle. It was aftermarket and not oem. I had to replace the front low beam wiring harness and bulbs at my own cost twice. Once in Florida and another in my home state. Also the passenger side airbag light isn't working properly. They sent me the recalls on both. Then proceeded to say that the recall for the airbag light is under recall. Also if I could not get or find my receipts from the mechanic shop. I would not get reimbursed. Kia has been knowing about this problem for years! on top of the cv axle this is too much. It is damaging my transmission as we speak. My brakes are very spongey.

- New Iberia, LA, USA

problem #149

Jan 232020

Sorento

  • 162,197 miles
Airbag light for passenger is on. Also the back right passenger door won't open from the outside or inside. Door not locked and child lock is off.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #148

Dec 282019

Sorento

  • 135,000 miles
The airbag light came on when the vehicle was in motion. When able to safely pull over to the a parking lot the vehicle was shut off and turned back on. The light stayed on.

- Tolland, CT, USA

problem #147

Dec 132019

Sorento

  • 188,000 miles

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

All steering wheel function have stop working including horn. Radio, cruise and blue tooth controls. During a trip on the high way

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #146

Aug 012019

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
My airbag light came on and never went out. It is my understanding that while this light is lit, my airbags will not deploy. I see that this is a common problem with Kia vehicles. Please issue a recall!!

- Coal Township, PA, USA

problem #145

Nov 202017

Sorento

  • 87,600 miles
My air bag light is on with code B1764. Air bag light is on all the time. This means that I have no air bag deployment in case of an accident leaving my family in danger of injury or death in case of an accident. This is a safety issue that has a considerable amount of complaints and should be recalled.

- Lanexa, VA, USA

problem #144

May 012019

Sorento

  • 123,000 miles
OCS may defected. Had it scanned and code B1764

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #143

Feb 042018

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
Clock spring malfunction causing airbag light to illuminate on dash. Steering wheel controls do not work. This is a constant and daily issue. It happens while driving as well as parked. Low beam socket melted. Since been replaced by me. Both issues are under a recall but my VIN is not listed. My vehicles year make and model are listed in a current recall but my VIN does not fall within it.

- East Boston, MA, USA

problem #142

Oct 012019

Sorento

  • 133,000 miles
The airbag light is on and the steering wheel controls for volume and bluetooth do not work.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #141

Oct 092018

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
Air bag light has come on and will not go off. All of the controls on the steering wheel have stopped working, and the fuel door button has also stopped working.

- Wyandotte, OK, USA

problem #140

Jul 012019

Sorento

  • 68,100 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of a technical service bulletin under NHTSA id number: 10164382 (air bags, equipment). The vehicle was taken to taylor Kia of toledo (6300 central ave, toledo, oh 43615, (419) 842-8811) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the warranty because the occupant classification sensor mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,100.

- Waterville, OH, USA

problem #139

Aug 022019

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
I brought my vehicle into Kia for several recalls. One was the door locks being faulty. I said I had no problems but they decided to replace them anyway. Now my rear door lock is broken. The other issue is when accelerating the engine revs. It only happened a couple of times at first, but now it happens every time I drive. It seems like the pedal is getting stuck. My last issue is the air bag. I was rear ended on the highway and pushed into the car in front of me. The whole front end was banged up and the airbag never opened.

- Hicksville, NY, USA

problem #138

Jul 162019

Sorento

  • miles
Front passenger seat occupant airbag sensor mat failed. The airbag light came on without cause. Took the car to the dealership and they diagnosed the problem. My research shows that this is a systemic problem with Kia's. many Kia's have already been recalled. It does not appear that this model has been recalled as of yet. Please advise.

- Asheville, NC, USA

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