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:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,288 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 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #39

Dec 092018

Sorento

  • 15,000 miles

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

Recall!!!when accelerating more than 60-80 mph on the interstate, the eco sensor light pops on and my SUV jerks back then picks up speed causing the back of my head to hit your head restraint. It is very scary!!!!

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #38

Aug 222018

Sorento

  • 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

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #37

Apr 142018

Sorento

  • 6 miles
Throttle position sensor (part of throttle body) hazard! random. The vehicle radio will shut off, all dashboard lights will illuminate (same lights illuminate when the vehicle is started), and then the throttle pedal loses the ability to accelerate even when pressed all the way to the floor. There is no acceleration/power what so ever! the vehicle will maintain a speed 20 mph. This has been confirmed as the vehicle is pulled off the road to safety. To correct, emergency exit to side of the road, place the vehicle in park, turn the vehicle off, and then restart the vehicle. This has happened on numerous occasions while driving at accelerated speed (40-60 mph) of which the vehicle was pulling out into traffic, while on the highway, and while accelerating after a stop light. This is a very hazardous/dangerous condition that has nearly placed me into an accident that could have ether severely injured or killed me by oncoming traffic. There are multiple complaints regarding this issue when searched on youtube. Https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=nhqaqurnfv0 https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=834xlhqgrno

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #36

Sep 242018

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles

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

When driving between 35-45 mph the tachometer will drop to 0 and the Sorento will lunge or buck, hesitate and will not respond to acceleration. The engine light flashes and sometimes stays on. One time I accelerated to pass, it responded but stopped midway thru the pass, decelled back to 20 mph. I could not complete my pass and had to fall back behind the slower vehicle. I understand there is a voluntary service campaign by Kia # SC106 but no dealership acknowledges it. There is 130,000 miles on the vehicle.

- Harbor Springs, MI, USA

problem #35

Aug 152018

Sorento

  • miles
Since I bought the 2011 Kia Sorento the transmission or engine tends to stall in the middle of driving like not changing gears, gets locked, jerks back and forth till it unlocks or changes gears while at the same time slowing or stopping car in it's tracks. Twice I have hit my head on the steering wheel, have had seat belts lock tight against me and my passengers when it locks while trying to change gears. It happens at least 3-6 time a year since I have had the car. I have reported it to my service dealership kearny pearson Kia, 7303 clairemont mesa blvd, san diego, ca 92111 and they have not found anything wrong. These past two years the gears locking is getting worse and the car slows down instantly from driving on the frwy 65 mph down to 35 mph instantly almost having cars hit me from behind. Same for driving on the street going 35-40 mph dropping to 5-10mph and stop/jerk/go/stop/jerk and almost having cars behind me crash into me. I have been blessed to have had fast reacting drivers behind me or no drivers. This last incident last month was so powerful that I smacked the steering wheel and thought I had gotten hit but didn't. my chest got tight as if I was having a heart attack from the force and my kids cried from the whiplash. This was yet the strongest. Also, since 2011 I have had 7 - 10 incidents of smoke coming out of the air vents, smiling like fire. I turn off the vent and it continues for 10min then goes away. I am no mechanic but if I had to guess I would say something with the air-conditioning being high for long periods and then when it gets turned down or off seems to activate these things especially the gears locking. Just my observation. I hope you can get to the bottom of this because for the first time in my life I fear for my life and those with me or around me with this car. You just don't know when it will happen next.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #34

Aug 152018

Sorento

  • miles
Very rough start in the morning or after sitting off for over 2 hours. After 30 seconds engine noise reduced dramatically. Steering control malfunction sometimes. Making up dow button act erraticaly along cruise control and radio control. Bluetooth connection sound quality very poor.

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

problem #33

Feb 172018

Sorento

  • 1 miles

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

My Kia was being details, the person detailing the vehicle got into the vehicle. He pushed the start button didn't start the vehicle. He started it by inserting the fob in the console. The vehicle started at high rpms, driver had his foot on the brake, placed the car into reverse and the car exited the garage at a high rate of speed, driver applied both feet on the brakes the brakes did not work he tried to steer the vehicle away from the creek the steering did not work.. the vehicle did stop after it crashed into the creek that was near the business. The driver sustained injury to his head when he tried to exit the vehicle after it entered the creek. Vehicle was pulled from the creek. Driver did seek medical attention at a local hospital.

- Connellsville, PA, USA

problem #32

Jan 082018

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
While returning from my aunts funeral in Kansas, making my way to Georgia. The car began to slow down and stop, on the highway. Then it cut off, wouldn't start or move. There was this whining and clanking sound, white smoke and fire shot out from under the car, as I was told by a person that was passing by, he stopped to make sure that I got out of the car. It just got to 130,000 miles. Had it towed to a shop and was told that the engine was gone.

- Union City, GA, USA

problem #31

Nov 192016

Sorento

  • miles
After our purchase of the vehicle, the cancel button would get stuck at the top of the button. Therefore not being able to turn off the cruise control system completely. Without the brake switch it could cause the cruise control to not disengage.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #30

Sep 012015

Sorento

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and resumed driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure could not be found. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #29

Dec 142014

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 27,502 miles

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

I was driving on the highway, in the high speed lane going 75mph when my RPM's suddenly went all the way up and then down, past 0. the car made a huge jolt but then kept driving with no tachometer. Approximately 1/2 mile later I had to slow down to get off highway and then merge onto another interstate when my car wouldn't accelerate and totally shut off. I've been having issues w fixing it at Kia. They have replaced the crank shaft sensor 2X as well as the instrument cluster. It continues to violently jerk daily, typically when accelerating around 40 mph and again stalled while in drive last week. The dealership tells me that the car is running as designed but I just have a steady foot and the engine isn't sure what gear it should be I when I'm going 40mph.

- Seekonk, MA, USA

problem #28

Dec 312014

Sorento

  • 54,000 miles
My son was driving on interstate I-5 near salem, or when his car suddenly stopped and would not accelerate. The car had a 50,000 mile and $1000 service 3 months prior to this incident. I did on line research and saw several instances of Kia Sorentos stopping suddenly on the highway. Kia offered $400 to compensate our inconvenience but I think the us consumer safety is worth much more. I would appreciate your investigation of this incidence. Thank you, [xxx] the Kia representative is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #27

Nov 272014

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 48,084 miles
While driving on light, new snow my car had suddenly skidded slightly, no over-correcting, I simply got the car back in control when the car suddenly shot forward, steering wheel seized and started racing down the opposite side of the street into the embankment! I had pulled the car to the left and had the brakes pushed all the way down (and both feet including all my weight on them) until my car crashed completely into a tree! the tires were still spinning when the car stopped and my feet were on the brakes! it was also hard to get the car out of drive and into park --- when I was able to push the car into park I quickly took the keys out. The 2011 Kia Sorento and sudden acceleration seems to be a problem and should seriously be looked into. Yes, I was injured and thankfully a tree stopped the vehicle and no one else was hurt!

- Chardon, OH, USA

problem #26

Nov 152014

Sorento

  • 89,000 miles
This is the most recent and serious electric issue; I do not know the exact dates of earlier issues. I believe all these electric issues are related. Issues began in 2010 after the purchase of the car. Was taken to the dealer for electrical issue and they repaired lose cluster array. Other electric issues from 2011-2013: When turning left the downhill brake control indicator would light would come on and prevent the car being put into park, the headlights flicker when car is at a stop, driver side low beam headlight frequently burns out. December 2013-January 2014: All dash indicator lights malfunctioned (no warning lights/gauges, including fuel, speed, turn signals, low fuel indicator, etc.). dealer found the factory cluster array to be faulty. The dealer replaced the cluster with a new one. I am reporting the following: I was traveling 65mph and turned the cruise control off, the ABS warning, downhill brake control, electronic stability control indicator and 4WD auto lock lights all illuminated. The car was operating normally. Today, all of these lights came, stayed on, then went off. Upon driving, the electronic stability control light came on and the car downshifted as I was driving. All other of indicator lights noted came back on. I am taking my car back to the dealer tomorrow. Many other Kia owners are reporting almost identical issues. This most recent incident occurred when I was traveling at a high rate of speed and follows a serious of electrical issues I have had since I owned my car, new from the dealer. Something is wrong at the manufacturing level that needs to be addressed before someone is killed.

- Maplewood, NJ, USA

problem #25

Dec 162013

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 68,822 miles
During early morning startup, vehicle accelerated past 3000 RPM for approximately 10 seconds. After deceleration, when the vehicle was shifted to drive, a loud thump was heard and a forward thrust was felt. No forward motion occurred because of brake pedal depression.

- Arecibo, PR, USA

problem #24

Sep 112013

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
Started vehicle 7am. Shifted from P to R. engine revved on its own. Shifted back to P. observed clunk sound from transmission. Shifted back to R and observed clunk sound. Reversed to street. Shifted to D. vehicle accelerated on its own without depression accelerator to 20 mph. Pulled over. Shifted to P. turned off ignition. Restarted vehicle. Clunk sound or sudden acceleration not observed.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #23

May 312013

Sorento

  • 42,000 miles
I was driving with the cruise control set at 70 and suddenly the car accelerated on its own (sounded as if someone had floored the gas pedal). I tapped the brake and when I looked at the dash multiple indicator lights were lit. After tapping the brake the engine continued to run but the accelerator would not work. I came to a stop on the shoulder- at this point the engine oil pressure light and engine malfunction lights were illuminated. I turned the car off. Tried to restart after few minutes and it would not start. A few minutes later it did start but sounded bad. I contacted Kia and was told to have vehicle towed to dealership and a regional Kia rep would investigate my vehicle (what that means, I don't know quite yet).

- Iowa Park, TX, USA

problem #22

Mar 212012

Sorento

  • 40,000 miles
While driving (usually steady state speed on highway - with or without cruise control engaged) car experiences a sudden loss of engine power accompanied by a jolt (as if brakes had been abruptly and briefly engaged, or as if fuel supply suddenly shut off), tachometer dips suddenly, car suddenly decelerates for a second or two, and then things return to normal. Sometimes an indicator light - or more than one- flashes momentarily at the time of the incident, these include the engine light, the traction control light, and/or the key immobilizer light - sometimes no indicator light flashes at all. This has also happened while accelerating away from a dead stop - sudden loss of forward momentum w/ a jolt. I am afraid I will get rear-ended as the car suddenly slows but brake lights are not illuminated, and a car following too closely will not be able to react in time. If cruise control is engaged at time of incident it becomes disengaged and has to be reset. This sometimes will not occur in an hour of driving, but sometimes will occur as often as 10 times in a 20 mile drive with no discernible pattern. This has happened many times and grown more frequent over time. The first time it occurred was in a rain storm and I suspected the ESC was sensing slippage and firing the brakes, however it happens regardless of weather or road surface and now happens every time I drive for more than a few miles on freeway. The car has been evaluated by Kia service more than three times and problem is not resolved - battery and ABS module were replaced without success. Concern is of safety of vehicle and other vehicles following behind me.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #21

Nov 052012

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while depressing the brakes and reversing from a residential driveway at approximately 5 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated into a busy street without warning. The vehicle abnormally accelerated to approximately 70 mph and came to a stop after crashing into another vehicle. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The driver sustained minor injuries to various parts of her body and later was transported to the hospital. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to the hospital via ambulance for treatment of unknown injuries. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic and was pending an investigation. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that once the vehicle was repaired, they would perform a warranty check. The failure and current mileages were approximately 25,000. Updated 12/21/12 updated 1/9/2013

- Hanover, PA, USA

problem #20

Oct 032012

Sorento 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 25 mph the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by shifting in the park position but she was unsuccessful. The vehicle was finally able to be put into the park position and then became stuck in that position. The dealer was called and informed the contact over the phone that her brake lamp switch was likely the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a more complete diagnosis and the brake lamp switch was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure and current mileage was 15,000. Updated 11/13/12 the consumer stated the attorney general called and stated this falls under the lemon law. The consumer would like information on who to contact next and any attorney information. Updated 11/20/2012

- Leavenworth, KS, USA

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