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.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the engine produced a loud knocking noise when the vehicle was started. Also, while driving 35-48 mph, a deer jumped out into the street. The contact swerved and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to fuccillo Kia (3900 state St, schenectady, NY 12304, (518) 847-0800) where the mechanic stated that the contact should have the vehicle serviced at the dealer's collision shop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have the body damage repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 50,000.
My vehicle stalls at take off often and also my horn onluy sounds when I turn my steering wheel a certain position. My airbag light remain on also.this is a very dangerous situation. This malfunction happen in the street also.
Last week the airbag light came on in my car and apparently it is the coil spring in the steering wheel. From what we have done our research on, this is common for this vehicle but is not a recall. I do believe that if the is occuring in several of these models, it should be a recall. This is dangerous because the airbags may not deploy if the car is wrecked. I would appreciate proper change for this to be a recall.
The airbag light came on randomly and has not shut off for several years. I was told by a dealership that it could cost a few thousand dollars to fix. This is obviously very dangerous and that terrifying that it could be set off at any time for no reason or even worse not at all. After seeing so many complaints about this issue why hasn't this been addressed or recalled?
- Linthicum, MD, USA
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I have been a Kia customer for over 7 years and are on our third vehicle from them. Traded my Kia forte for 2011 Sorento in 2016. It has had a lot of issues with the electrical system and it cost $1,200 to fix it. Recently on Jan 25th my timing chain broke and also ruined the engine. Now told that I need new engine for $5.100. I have learned of many recalls on Sorento engine motor but starting for the year 2012.
(1)transmission got stuck in 2nd gear while driving on the highway. Transmission would "jump" every time the car hit 50mhp. Could not replicate after sitting in driveway overnight. (2)ABS light is constantly on-told it is a clock spring. Kia not worried about it. (3) doors stick-drivers door will lock itself and cannot open from outside. This happened 3X while car is running and I exited to get mail. Front passenger will not close- have to knock handle to close. (4)backup camera intermittent. (5)bluetooth does not pair with phone-intermittent. (6) gas door sticks- must hit release button dozens of times before it opens. (7) tire pressure guages broken.
Air bag light has been on for about a year, dealership did not know how to fix problem and told me it was a part of a recall issue but was never fixed. Last month my engine locked up on me while driving on highway, upon my husband and police getting there to assist, I was informed that there was no oil in my reservoir, my husband bought oil only to return and notice that drain plug was not in place, engine is burnt up and my insurance neither dealership where truck was serviced wants to assist me with cost! I don't have $7,752 for a new engine!
My 2011 Kia Sorento is accident-free. When the mileage was at about 85,000, the air bag light turned on when I started the car one day, and has stayed lit when the car is running ever since. Around the same mileage, I noticed that the passenger air bag "off" light is sometimes lit when there is an adult passenger, and it is sometimes not lit when no passenger is in the passenger seat. From what I read online, this is a known issue that is expensive to fix (the clock spring electrical assembly and the passenger occupant sensor mat or entire passenger seat needs replacement). It looks like Kia had a recall on this same issue for the 2007-8 Kia rondo and the 2006-8 Kia optima; this should be a recall for the 2011 Kia Sorento. I will get this repair completed since it is an obviously unsafe defect - I read many consumer complaints about air bags failing to deploy in an accident.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bag might deploy. The vehicle was taken to balise Kia (located at 603 riverdale St, West springfield, MA 01089, (413) 316-1500) where it was diagnosed that the passenger seat air bag sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 12933624. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Air bag light stays on all the time it seams there are numerous complaint about this issue ive already read about 20 posted on the internet. The safety issue is when the light is on the air bag system is not functional. The light turns on when I star the car then goes of for 2 seconds and stays on all the time until I shut down the car. Ive done all the quick checks like lose connections to no avail. On line the most common problem seams to in the passenger side sensor mat. I problem that cost around $2000 to have fixed. I feel the problem is safety related and the manufacturer is responsible for this issue
SRS light on, replace entire passenger seat $3000. No accident air bags never deployed, car stationary light comes on yet passenger in seat sensor works
"takata recall" my air bag light will not shut off even when I have my seat belt buckled! I'm so worried over this! it's my only vehicle that I drive around with my children in it! why isn't this being recalled!? doesn't matter of I'm driving or in park. Noticed around 75000 miles
Air bag light stays on all the time it seams there are numerous complaint about this issue ive already read about 20 posted on the internet. The safety issue is when the light is on the air bag system is not functional. The light turns on when I star the car then goes of for 2 seconds and stays on all the time until I shut down the car. Ive done all the quick checks like lose connections to no avail. On line the most common problem seams to in the passenger side sensor mat. I problem that cost around $2000 to have fixed. I feel the problem is safety related and the manufacturer is responsible for this issue
At 106,000 miles, the airbag alert light came on. Took it to be looked at. Code reader stated that the OCS mat on the passenger side was bad. Quotes $2,000 to completely replace seat.
ABS light came on around 120,000 miles. Believe it is causing issues for steering wheel controls. Light will not turn off. Clock spring sensor bad. Repairs estimated at $2,000. This is a safety issue, will air bags deploy at all"??? why is this not recalled??" read many complaints of the same issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Canada Hairy, NY, USA