2011 Kia Sorento UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Vehicle was trying to go forward while my foot was on the brake. It would not go in park gear. Eventually shut down completely at a busy intersection. I was unable to use my hazards and could have been in a bad accident. I had to keep on the emergency brake until I was able to get it towed.
Kia states that they do not have the parts for the current recall. Not sure if this has anything to do with any recalls but my check engine light went on in 2023, after paying for diagnostic testing, the mechanic cannot find any emissions leak. And after spark plugs were changed in Feb 2024, the light went off. Then Nov 2024, the light went back on again. Although there is a code stating there is an emissions leak again. I am scared to drive the car without knowing what is wrong. Is the part available for the current recall?
I felt a burning smell in the car while parked. I called the dealer to check if it was related to the recall, but the remedy was unavailable for NHTSA Recall Number 23V652000. .
2011 Kia Sorento pearl white paint delaminating. Paint bubbling up and peeling off in sheets along the top of the windshield. Exposed bare metal that has severely rusted. Also bubbling and chipping/peeling on the hood. Rust spots all over the rear lift gate under the paint where it is not bubbling or peeling. Paint started peeling off the silver roof rails and hood approximately 2015. Started coming off the roof above the windshield in sheets approximately 2020.
BELOW ARE ALL OF THE CASE NUMBERS............BUT, STILL AFTER over FIVE (5) MONTHS............no FOLLOW-UP what so ever!!!!! https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs We have received your submission and your case number is 15331861. A representative will be notified and will follow up accordingly. sent feb. 15, 2023 4:57PM Kia Customer Care - Case#15331861 Your case number is ' 15339854 ' new message PLUS above sent 2/20/2023 Fri, May 12 at 4:27 PM your case number is 15519248. Wednesday, February 15, 2023 your case number is 15331861 Your case number is ' 15339854 ' new message PLUS above sent 2/20/2023 Thu, May 18 at 4:42 PM your case number is 15532767 Sat, May 27 at 8:53 PM your case number is 15553905 Fri, June 1, 2023 8:56 PM Your case number is ' 15565066 Thu, Jun 1 at 8:57 PM your case number is 15565066 Tue, Jun 13 at 4:40 PM our case number is 15593923. Sun, Jun 18 at 7:50 PM your case number is 15605783. Fri, Jun 23 at 1:42 PM your case number is 15621230. Wed, Jun 28 at 9:59 PM your case number is 15633181. A representative will be notified and will follow up accordingly.??????????? OH YEAH?? WHEN?? I have taken the 2011 Kia Sorento in for 2 recalls on the door locks. THEY WERE NEVER FIXED. Then I took the Kia in for the connecting rod bearing recall. AND, AT THAT TIME I TOLD "THEM" AGAIN THAT THE DOOR LATCH PROBLEMS was NEVER FIXED, and I would like to have it fixed. When I got the Kia back I was told that yes the door latch problem needed to be fixed. BUT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY........... When is a RECALL NOT done because the warranty has ended?? DOOR LATCH TWO (2) RECALLS AND NEVER FIXED. WHEN WILL I GET IT FIXED at no charge AS IT IS A DEFECT!!!!!!
Pearl white paint peeling all over vehicle. Common problem noted for Kia vehicles with Pearl White paint
Paint peeling across the front of vehicle. Common problem noted for Kia vehicles with Pearl White paint
The vehicle was parked in a parking log unattended and suddenly caught on fire. The vehicle was driven 15 - 20 minutes before the car was noted of being on fire. The vehicle was known to be leaking oil.
Anti theft features need Kia anti theft logic
When I quired about vehicle recall was told to contact nhtsa to get a recall fixed with my vehicle
The car intermittently smells like burning rubber after being driven. This has been an ongoing and unresolved issue for about a year, and is of serious concern to me. The car has approximately 130k miles, and is in excellent condition otherwise. Two mechanics have tried to troubleshoot this issue without being able to find the problem. I have tried to eliminate certain potential causes i.e. turning the air or heat off, etc., but it does not affect it. The car does not read "hot". No warning lights come on. There are no signs of leaking fluids, etc. as my garage floor is clean. With Kia having a history of some engines catching fire, it is of even greater concern, although my particular vehicle does not appear to have a recall for that issue.
When accelerating either on the freeway, or from a stop, the car “traction control” light comes on and the car loses power and cannot shift into the next gear. I have been driving 70 on the freeway when this happened and it dropped me down to 25. Having children in the car, you can imagine my complete stress. The engine light comes on and throws a crankshaft code. This is extremely dangerous. I have had the vehicle have an episode, and then complete shut off while trying to accelerate at a green light.
I own a 2011 KIA Sorrento that is now 11 years old. The paint has started peeling off the roof of the car. There was no prior damage to this area that could have caused the peeling. There is no way that an 11 year-old vehicle that is kept garaged should have paint that is peeling. In my search for answers as to why this is occurring, I have found that many other people are experiencing this with their KIAs. There needs to be an investigation as to what is causing the peeling and, if found to be a problem with the paint itself or the painting procedure, KIA should be required to repaint these vehicles.
Both rear door latches on my 2011 Kia Sorento have failed. I previously had to have my mechanic replace the driver door latch which failed, now both rear door latches have failed making it impossible to open either door from the inside or out. Having researched this issue I have found numerous people who have listed this as an issue they have experienced. A technical service bulletin was issued, I believe around 2016, extending the warranty on the door latches to 10 years from the first date of service. I only found this service bulletin while searching for solutions to the problem and the 10 year period has expired. Not being able to open either rear door is a safety hazard. I transport my grandchildren who are all under 5 years of age, and should I be involved in an accident or caught fire while transporting them, or anyone who is riding in the rear seats, it would be difficult to get them out of the vehicle quickly. I do not understand why a recall on this has not been issued as I believe this is an extreme safety issue and it is well documented that this is an issue with many Kia Sorento owners. My cost to repair the driver door latch was just over $800.
This car won’t go into park at times I have to put it with my emergency brake to park it and sometimes it won’t go into reverse. Called Kia dealership said it’s common at 150,000 for the interpreter switch/shift cable to get jammed up and to fix it would cost $550. I am afraid to drive this car but I need to go to work, if this is a common issue there should be a recall to fix it as that is a safety issue and it’s dangerous.
Door does not open Steering wheel is stiff when turning.
I have replaced the drivers side low beam headlight three times and it is out again. I have replaced the passenger side low beam headlight two times.
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN.
The left rear passenger quit working. The door cannot be opened from inside or outside. Now the driver door will not open from the outside, but will open from the inside. I have ready many complaints about this problem. We have small grand children that are taken in this vehicle and the concern is that both rear doors quit working before the afore mentioned repairs are made. This has repeatedly happened to doors that have been fixed as well from all the complaint I've read. This has just recently happened to my vehicle. What are the chances of the other doors quitting after these repairs are made. Looks to be above average. This car has not been taken to a dealer yet as the driver door just broke.
The Pearl White paint is peeling off of my 2011 Kia Sorento. The dealer is aware of this and had no response. I was told by other individuals with the same problem to file this information in anticipation of a recall. This has been happening over the past year and a half.
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE POPPED AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO THE REAR DOOR AND I NEEDED A DOOR LATCH KIT AND ALSO ON THE FRONT DOOR LATCH KIT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SAFETY OR IT IS NOT SAFE WHEN YOU CANNOT OPEN YOUR CAR DOOR FROM INSIDE THE CAR.
There was a recall on the passenger doors (all of them) actuators. All have been replaced by Kia. They are ALL BROKEN AGAIN and will not lock.
DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.NOT WITH KEY FOB OR WITH THE KEY.CAR HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS LIGHTLY USED.DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST 413.00 TO REPAIR.AFTER LOOKING ON LINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.CANT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON IT. *TR
DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR MY VEHICLE.
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL DOORSOP LATCHES ON MY 2011 SORENTO WITH ONLY 72,000 MILES ON IT. I AM A SENIOR SO THE DOORS ARE NOT OPENED AND SHUT THE MUCH. MAINLY THE DRIVERS DOOR USED.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2011 Kia Sorento has 126 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.