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:
7 / 29
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,750 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #218

Jun 212023

Sorento

  • miles

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

My car is stuck in Limp mode and saying " Glow Relay Stuck On". When I googled it there's a recall for this issue for 2012-2014 Kia Sorento, but not 2011. I just wanted to make sure it was noted Incase mine was able to be added to the list.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #217

Mar 072023

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle engine chatters uses oil with out leaking and going up hills the transmission stays in 1st gear

- Steubenville, OH, USA

problem #216

Apr 092023

Sorento

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact coasted off the roadway, stopped the vehicle, and shifted to park(P). The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for five minutes before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Communication: SC106 (Engine Control Module). The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Warminster, PA, USA

problem #215

Mar 192023

Sorento

  • miles

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

Having Transmission problems. I just bought this car and have had allot of problems with it right now I-??m having as I-??m accelerating the gear gets stuck and rpm-??s rav up and suddenly the gear goes into place and the car just goes fast suddenly this is a really dangerous situation I can-??t accelerate right the fluid is good but just wanted to let you guys know of this problem

- Spencerport , NY, USA

problem #214

Feb 172023

Sorento

  • miles
When vehicle slows down to a stop, the engine fails. No check engine light is illuminating. Have taken it to a Kia dealer who does not know what is wrong with it. The car is still available for inspection. The vehicle has done it several times. The Kia dealer said it was unsafe to drive and so they have kept it. Kia is unwilling to look further because the mileage is 4,000 over warranty. There are several recalls for this problem yet, Kia states that they are not for my VIN number therefore I don't qualify. The recalls are for my year, make and model of my vehicle.

- Post Falls, ID, USA

problem #213

Feb 272023

Sorento

  • miles
I just got this car and it haseven been 30days I read the NHTSA Action Number: DP21003 and it is exactly same problem. It started with spark plugs weak and changed them out then AWD check engine light oil and the battery light came on. And the car wouldn-??t move as fast and had a code of P0336 which was the Cranckshaft sensor got that changed and I-??m still having issues with accelerating and rpm-??s going up without pressing the gas pedal hard and suddenly speeding

- Spencerport , NY, USA

problem #212

Feb 212023

Sorento

  • miles

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

This vehicle has a antifreeze in oil tank and the gasket is going. the dealer said this was fine when they sold it to us and it is not fine. i would like this fixed and i paid over 10 thousand for this car. they said they changed the oil and the 2 weeks after i got i had an oil change and it was mixed with antifreeze in the oil pan

- Macomb, IL, USA

problem #211

Jun 012022

Sorento

  • miles
Timing chain tensioner is defective and should be recalled. On cold start ups, the engine has a really loud rattling noise for a few seconds and goes away. Has been recalled on other Kia models except for the Kia Sorento why Kia chooses not to include the Kia Sorento should be of concern. Kia should be held responsible for their mistake. I have called the dealership and they do not take responsibility.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #210

Dec 152022

Sorento

  • miles
The engine will not turn over. It was leaking oil. We refilled the oil. Then it stopped running. We had to tow it to our home. All maintenance and regular scheduled repairs were kept up to date.

- Morganton , NC, USA

problem #209

Nov 032022

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
The contact's significant other owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was making abnormal rattling and knocking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure would occur upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing belt had failed and advised the contact to not drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and had released metal shavings in the engine oil, which caused the engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Kia Independent Recall Campaign Number: SC147. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as his significant other had failed to complete a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update; however, a notification was never received regarding the software update. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Edinboro, PA, USA

problem #208

Sep 242022

Sorento

  • miles

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

Time chain tensioner is faulty and camshafts have been updated the 2011 model. I just purchased a 2011 Sorrento Ex and it will cost 5000 to do the upgrade. The air bag has caused problems in the electrical systems of the horn. This cost 400 to replace airbag.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #207

Jul 152022

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle started shaking. The contact turned off the vehicle and noticed there was oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the oil seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the oil switch needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #206

Jul 132022

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The driver was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the failure recurred three years later. The contact stated that while his wife was driving the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided warranty information but never received a copy as promised. The contact was informed that there was no recall on the VIN and no further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Halethorpe, MD, USA

problem #205

Aug 182022

Sorento

  • miles
The vehicle stalls and I lose all power while driving. This starts with interior dash lights flashing and going off along with radio and all other lights. This also has happened while sitting in running car. I have replaced two alternators and 3 batteries. Please help.

- Wood River, IL, USA

problem #204

Aug 262022

Sorento

  • miles
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 -??on-?? mode. Last night went off on the highway under the ON mode so getting worse.

- Wood River, IL, USA

problem #203

Sep 042018

Sorento

  • miles
Kia Sorento 2011 LX 2.4L Oil disappears weekly, I have to check it often and/or refill. I use the required oil it calls for on the engine oil cap. Vehicle jolts while driving. I've been parked with vehicle off, turned it on, reversed from parking spot and about an tenth of a mile vehicle stalled, put it in park, and restarted. While driving headlights flicker Tapping/knocking noise from engine area, checked oil and its full, mechanic can't seem to find issue. Some forums have suggested throttl control module?

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #202

Jun 162022

Sorento

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle caught on fire without any warning. The contact's husband was able to pull over safely and the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A report was filed with both the police and the fire department. No one was injured. The vehicle was towed to Doug Auto Motor for diagnosis and they stated the rod broke through the engine and caused the oil to leak into the engine. The vehicle was not repairable. The dealer was contacted, and they stated that they were aware of the failure but there was no recall. The manufacturer was contacted, and they also confirmed that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Lansing, KS, USA

problem #201

Jul 172022

Sorento

  • miles
Driving the vehicle on a two lane road at approximately 50 mph (steady cruise state), the vehicle experienced bump or jump in the powertrain (shutter). I immediately lost power to continue at the desired speed (engine missing or lack of power). I slowly tipped into the throttle, but the vehicle was not responding as expected. I put the vehicle in neutral and slightly revved the engine to see if the engine would run normal without load, and it would increase in RPM, but not smoothly. I let the engine return to idle and the engine stalled. I lost my power steering and power brakes and had to muscle the vehicle into a parking lot where I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and put it into Park. While this event took place the engine or vehicle warning lamp was on the instrument cluster. I got out of the vehicle and looked under hood to see if I could see any obvious signs of an issue and found nothing. I then restarted the vehicle after having the key in the off position. It started and seems to rev up normal. I put the vehicle in drive and cautiously drove the vehicle to my home (about 3 miles). There is no sign of the issue and no lights on the dash. This is not a condition I would want my wife or daughters to encounter, as it produced no warning leading up to the event. The loss of power steering and brakes makes the vehicle difficult to maneuver in a safe manner. It's difficult to trust this vehicle now. The mileage is 92K.

- Milford, MI, USA

problem #200

May 132022

Sorento

  • miles
The check engine light came on in our Sorento so we took it to a local mechanic. They changed the oil and said the car was good to go on May 13. Less than a mile from the mechanic, on a busy street the car became unresponsive. Suddenly there was no way to accelerate or slow down and steering was incredibly difficult. Managed to coast to the middle of a busy parking lot but the car shut down completely before I could park in a space and I ended up partially blocking the lot entrance and several parked cars before we could get the car towed back to our mechanic. The mechanic reported to us that other Kias had experienced similar issues and we should check with the dealership for recalls. The car was towed to Oakes Kia Dealership on June 3 and they said the car needed a new engine. Having an engine with only 90,000 miles on it shut down without warning is an obvious and incredibly serious safety risk to drivers and others on the road. In a highway situation, this would have likely caused a serious accident.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #199

Jun 292022

Sorento

  • miles
My car is going to kill me. It stalls while driving or sitting at lights. Sometimes while I-??m driving it surges and bucks and jerks. I-??m really concerned with the stalling issues almost got rear ended 2 days ago. I drive on the northway and can-??t afford this car stalling while driving I-??ll be killed.

- Fort Edward, NY, USA

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