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:
3 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,198 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 2 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #195

Aug 262022

Sorento

  • miles

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

My headlights are randomly going off and back on while driving. It was just happening under the auto setting while turning, then on auto only at anytime. Remained on in the -€œon-€ mode. Last night went off on the highway under the ON mode so getting worse.

- Wood River, IL, USA

problem #194

Jul 072022

Sorento

  • miles
Headlights either blink on and off or turn off for about 5 seconds and then will go back on. It also will blink when using the directional. It does this while driving and parked. Also, the horn has just stopped working.

- Port Charlotte , FL, USA

problem #193

Apr 042022

Sorento

  • miles
Part failure. Electronic control module for air bag. Air bag warning lamp illuminated and remain lit on dash. Local autopartsO-€™reilleys on board diagnostic tool reads two codes. B1620 internal fault- replace SRSCM and B1764 body sensor MAT defect. This Kia Sorento has had several repairs done via KIA recall and safety campaigns. 2017 clean and seal and or replace rear wheel speed sensor housing -€¦ could AND did illuminate ESC ABS and HILL Climb on dash-€¦ vehicle operated in southern Louisiana. Air Bag warning lamp. 10/10/2019, 147716 miles. Code found at Kia performing clock spring assembly warranty extension code for high resistance. Replaced clockspring and cleared code. High resistance is Key at this time. Also the cruise control began to function properly after the lamp turned off. May 28 kia letter concerning newly developed computer software for ECU, engine control unit. Repaired July 28 2021. June 2016, August 2019, Kia Sorento airbag clock spring assembly warranty extension. Air bag illumination. These letters state the warranty extension will be 15 years and subsequent air bag illumination will be diagnosed at no charge for 15 years. Yet I have two codes, return to Kia to validate and am charged for diagnostic as well, the air bag lamp still illuminated. Explained I need NEW SRS module at cost of estimated $1200. Vehicle does not communicate with SRSCM. Recommend replace the airbag control module I ask, is it ossicle with NEW updated ECu as well as prolonged Air bag illuminated due to HIGH resistance from clock spring malfunctioning, could this feedback and prolonged exposure cause the airbag co trip module to malfunction ? Airbags are a safety issue. The electronics should not falter.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #192

Jun 052019

Sorento 6-cyl

  • miles

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

On 06/05/2019 my Kia Sorrento 2011 vin [XXX] EX V6 2WD engulfed in flames yards from my home as my family barley escaped as it exploded. My husband in shock across the street video taped and took pictures of this horrific event. This is not a accident incident no other vehicle or object involved. Kia complaint filed #[XXX] accident millage: 99,000 Police report filed w Missouri Hwy Patrol Corporal Kline #[XXX] Vehicle was "inspected" post fire by a Kia inspector reported due to fire undetermined cause?! Vehicle purchased at World Kia in Joliet 2525 W. Jefferson Joliet, IL 60435 on 10/01/2015 registered Certified Manufactured warranty purchase Vehicle # [XXX] administration address: 175 W. Jackson Chicago, IL 60604 Extended Warranty purchased at the time of sale. Warranty extension program letter dated 11/07/2016 received to me purchaser: [XXX] current address: [XXX] [XXX] Please contact me with any additional documents, pictures, or statements My insurance didn't cover the full financed balance... I appreciate any information you have, Thank you, [XXX] Kia did not honor any warranty's INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Orrick, MO, USA

problem #191

Apr 202022

Sorento

  • miles
Intake manifold runner control actuator on 2.4L engine has an inherent defect. The plastic coupling that connects the runner male connection on the side of the intake manifold to the runner control actuator has cracked twice, requiring several replacements of the runner control actuator at a cost of approximately $300 (part and labor) each repair. The coupling can't cost more than 25 cents to manufacture but once it cracks, you can't just buy the plastic coupling; you have to replace the entire runner control actuator. Suggest Hyundai/Kia manufacture the coupling from a metal capable of high temperature application and make just the coupling available for purchase.

- Marlboro, NJ, USA

problem #190

Mar 222022

Sorento

  • 192,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at 35 MPH, the a white smoke began to emit from the vehicle the oil and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. A fellow motorist then alerted her that her vehicle was on fire and urged to to pull over and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. Her granddaughter called the authorities as the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed; no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was a case was filed. The fire department determined that the cause of the fire was electrical. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E041000 (Equipment) which she linked to her failure. The failure mileage was a approximately 192,000.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #189

Oct 082021

Sorento

  • miles

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

Passenger low beam kept burning out. I kept replacing. This morning, on my way home from work (I work nights on an ambulance) I could smell burning, and saw that the light was out once again. Got home, and the entire connector/wiring to the bulb was completely melted and sizzling, with a small flame at the base of the plastic connector. This is outrageous. There were recalls for this EXACT issue for other Sorentos, but mine was not included. This could have started a major vehicle fire, and I cannot afford a vehicle electrician. Kia should be replacing this.

- Franklin, IN, USA

problem #188

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 #187

Feb 012019

Sorento

  • 95,000 miles
The control option functions on the steering wheel fail. Cruise control, radio, and phone buttons all have failed.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #186

Feb 132021

Sorento

  • miles
My alternator went out and Kia replaced it, I was still under warranty within 15 months the second alternator went out on the freeway traveling at 70 M hr the car with no warning the car completely died on the inside lane no brakes, no gas, no lights, this was such a dangerous we could have been killed I had to pay over $900 to get this replaced, I'm constantly having to replace batteries and alternators I'm know for the 3rd time having to have this done again

- Bellingham, WA, USA

problem #185

Jan 132021

Sorento

  • 111,550 miles

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

Instrument panel warning lights all come on during driving. Shut vehile off and restart after several hour, restart and the warning lights are all off. They will all come back on again after a while when driving.this has been intermitent for two months

- Parishville, NY, USA

problem #184

Dec 242020

Sorento

  • 117,000 miles
The headlights will go off at sporadic times while driving. This condition is frightening, particularly at night since we live in a rural area with no street lights on many of the roads. It is extremely dangerous to find yourself in total darkness on country roads that have deep ditches on either side.

- Greenville, PA, USA

problem #183

Nov 182020

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that keyfob failed to unlock any of the doors on the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to napleton river oaks Kia (1951 river oaks dr, calumet city, il 60409) where a diagnostic test was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

- Dolton, IL, USA

problem #182

Oct 282020

Sorento

  • 155,000 miles
The driver side front door will not open from the outside of the vehicle. It is like the door is locked, however it is not locked. If I am in an accident or need to be taken out of the vehicle, no one will be able to open the door to get me out. It remains this way at all times; including when the car is stationary and in park. There is a warranty extension offered by Kia, but they are telling me this does not apply to all the VIN's!

- Everson, PA, USA

problem #181

Oct 102020

Sorento

  • 60,000 miles
Car has bucked or stalled on an intermittent basis for the last 60,000 miles (car now at 110K), to the degree that I wouldn't let my kids use the vehicle. As with other issues dealership claimed 'unable to recreate' leaving me with no fix for a potentially fatal safety issue. Car had shut down on I-84 in hartford ct, luckily I was able to do a restart quickly. Sorento model year 2011 has voluntary recall for computer issue that sounds similar but was told only certain vins were applicable, which should be explained as to why that would be. See attached pdf. Bucking on highway can be severe, engine light blinks but leaves no code. Dangerous and many instances on internet!

- Vernon, CT, USA

problem #180

Aug 032020

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
Doors fail to open from the outside of vehicle. Headlight wiring harness will melt wiring for the light bulb and kill the lightbulb. Driver seat feels loose, however the bolts are as tight as they will go.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #179

Aug 122020

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
Left blinker is fast after replacement and dim. Right headlight replaced and works temporarily if you unplug it ABS plug in.

- Westampton, NJ, USA

problem #178

Aug 142018

Sorento

  • 63,496 miles
Headlights dont work. Kept teplacing bulbs and still dont work. Brake lights same issue, teplace bulbs and lights dont work. Vehicle has had multiple problems with electrical. Ive had to replace the radio 3 times, the enginition had to be replaced. Since ive owned this vehicle I've had back to the garage multiple times for repairs and kept telling them there is an electrical problem but they dont want to admit it.

- Mcmurray, PA, USA

problem #177

Jul 272020

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
While driving the car it will lose power and completely shut off it has happened on the highway, on regular streets, and when going up hills.. I am not able to do anything except hope that no one hits me and I can get it pulled off to the side of the road, and hope it will start again. Now the car started making a whining noise and has completely died and had to be towed because it will not start again. Everything is good battery, alternator, starter, relays/fuses.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #176

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

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