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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,202 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 4)

problem #64

Feb 022024

Sorento

  • miles

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

Brakes feel softer, rear brake burnt smell, replaced brakes one month ago. Headlight and taillight bulbs replaced several times in last 3 months due to blinking blowing replaced and starts over again. Screen will not turn on until car has run for 45 minutes. Cannot use back until screen turns on. Leaving car parked until I can get brake system fixed. Noticed brake light on dash and car with swerve light on dash. Too scared to drive until at least brakes are fixed. Reached out to dealership. No part available for recall which most likely is failing my brakes

- Mcalisterville, PA, USA

problem #63

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • miles
I'm supposed to park my 2011 Sorento outside and away from structures, and not drive it until Kia comes up with a part/solution to fix the engine compartment fire issue relating to NHTSA Recall # 23V652000 (manufacturer recall # SC284XM). This warning was issued Sept 25th, 2023. It's now been over 3 months. Am I supposed to walk everywhere, use a Ride Share service, or take public transportation"?" If Kia won't fix it, they should give me another vehicle to drive....or purchase the vehicle back from me for what I paid for it in 2022, less 1 year's depreciation.

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #62

Mar 182023

Sorento

  • miles
Item- Down hill accent light came on, traction control light came on, Not sure if caused by brake stop lamp switch defective. Item- bugler alarm will not shut off. resetting the alarm failed three different ways. The battery cable was removed to reset alarm, the fuse was removed, and procedure using the key fob to reset alarm also failed to deactivate system. This happened same time as above. Vehicle is non-moveable at present because of the anti-theft system cannot be shut off. Item-driver side seat belt buckle will not latch or must be repeatably latched to be engaged. This vehicle is equipped with Kia remote start accessory. See this NHTSA SC098

- Cana, VA, USA

problem #61

Nov 202021

Sorento

  • miles

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

ABS light stays on, had brakes replaced and lines checked, always have a constant burning smell, but can not find the source of the problem

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #60

Jul 242021

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving on the freeway, my car just stopped, it wouldn't start I had to have it towed.

- Willoughby, OH, USA

problem #59

Aug 142011

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
2011 Kia Sorento ex 3.5 engine sport utility vehicle has randomly changed in the way its feels safe with rough instability in my suspension components.my brakes failed while driving on a random basis as well as when car is parked will randomly click in my gear shift mechanism and will fail to lock when car is parked and shut off it will click when brakes are depressed.my front lights have dimmed and both brake lights have burned out consistently as well as my steering wheel has failed with electrical components randomly.car horn is inoperable and my cruise control stop functioning. My alternator burned out on me and my car has historial proof of consistent maintenance with car fax report in hand.my gas milage has since decreased. My suspension feels unsafe to drive and really bad on bumps and average road conditions are also very unpleasant so I have parked it until it's fixed for active recalls and other potential manufacturer defects

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #58

Dec 022020

Sorento

  • 164,000 miles

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

On December 2, 2020 my Kia Sorento started making a knocking noise. No engine warning lights came on. I went to go head home from work on the interstate and I heard a clank while I was driving my brakes locked in traffic then all the lights on my dash came on and my engine shut off in the middle of traffic. My car would not turn back on and I had to call my insurance company geico to have my car towed home. Very scary and very dangerous. It still doesn't not turn on whatso ever. I have videos but not in the right format to open.

- Summerdale, AL, USA

problem #57

Dec 032020

Sorento

  • 122,004 miles
There is brake fluid leaking into my car, the fluid is coming from the brake system leaking down the brake peddle and onto my floor mat. The car was parked overnight, I noticed it this morning and I drove the car and the fluid leaked on my shoe.

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #56

Nov 212020

Sorento

  • 210,000 miles
When driving on the highway, the vehicle will shut-off without warning. This has happened about five times in the last four months.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #55

Jul 282020

Sorento

  • 153,000 miles
Have to replace brakes and rotors 2-3 year;. brake caliper twice; replace headlights and taillights several times per year; back door won't open from inside or out.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #54

Jun 232020

Sorento

  • 155,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle jerked and pulled to the left and right occasionally. Additionally, the vehicle loss power with the ABS and emergency automatic braking warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the brake pedal failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.

- Santafe, TX, USA

problem #53

May 152020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Sc098xm recall has been completed on my vehicle but the site says 'incomplete'. how can I get it changed? I am military stationed in italy, I'm going to ship the vehicle back to the states but all recalls must be completed for that to happen.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #52

Aug 232018

Sorento

  • 160,000 miles
My vehicle is giving me random problems with my suspension and brake system it randomly feels like it is fine and then randomly does not feel safe to drive due.to brake clicking noise that you can hear where shift knob is and when I press brakes my tires lock or.sometimes feels as if there is air and.it will not brake.unless I pump brakes a couple times..my airbag light is on and my driver side door stop opening from outside to inside but works fine from inside to outside opening

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #51

Oct 012018

Sorento

  • miles
We have replaced the brakes several times and the calipers as well. Now we are having issues again with them. We see that there has been a recall for this issue. This happened in 2017, 2018, and now again in 2019. Two out of four of our doors will not open from the outside, we see there is also a recall for this issue. Please advise us how we go about getting these recalls for our vehicle as we are tired of putting out money when we shouldn't have to repeatedly.

- Williamsport, OH, USA

problem #50

Mar 142019

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
My tires feel as if they are going to fall off, also every small bump I hit feels as if I hit a big pothole or a object when that's not the case and my wheels pop as I turn

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #49

Aug 212019

Sorento

  • 115,000 miles
Ffelt like tires skidded then slowed down to 30 miles an hour an 4wheel drive ani lock brake symbowl came on was running about 50 had to pull over an cut off engine then restart

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #48

Jul 202019

Sorento

  • miles
Door will not open from the outside on the driver rear side. Also I am starting to have issues with my gear shift. I can't put my vehicle out of park. If I do get it out of park, 2 of my dashboards lights come one. I also notice when these lights are on my brake lights do not show on the rear side. This is am hazard and my truck slips from time to time.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #47

Jul 152019

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
My car has stalled plenty of times within 3 months. Two of which I could have been killed on the hwy!. car stalls, no power then shuts off. I would shut it off for a bit then turn it back on. I did take it in to the shop and they found nothing else but was charged for throttle and new sparks.oh, and no lights on dash. Same thing happened. Lots of money spent. I still owe on it so I can't afford to get another car. Don't know what to do next.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #46

Jul 272019

Sorento

  • 20 miles
Takata brake lights not working bought 3 since jan2019. Got brakes done in 2018 but pedal still moves at red light car moves forward. I mash breaks harder. Engine shakes or jumps. Ignition switch won't turn on car it don't crank up key was remade a yr ago. Ignition started back working well but 6months ago same problem again. Today I was stuck 3.5hrs.horrible please help my Sorento is loved by me. No one contacted me on these issues im having.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

problem #45

Jan 292019

Sorento

  • 78,000 miles
A few months ago my rear brakes suddenly started making noise. I maintain my vehicles very well so I was surprised it happened so suddenly. When I took it in they told me the calipers had slipped and my brakes and rotors needed replacing. I noticed a leak in my garage as well. Never received a recall or warning notice from Kia. When I entered my VIN my vehicle doesn't fall under the recall even though that's exactly what happened to my vehicle. I didn't even realize this until I was looking for a recall 9N a different issue.

- Appleton, WI, USA

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