2011 Kia Sorento

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2011 Kia Sorento
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2011: 1517 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	305
2004	220
2005	307
2006	242
2007	154
2008	217
2009	55
2010	3
2011	1517
2012	876
2013	980
2014	983
2015	747
2016	1245
2017	799
2018	251
2019	421
2020	132
2021	241
2022	185
2023	117
2024	37
2025	72
2026	4

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 19%

19% of complaints: engine — 284 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180217

Also filed under EXTERIOR LIGHTING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

STRUCTURE 18%

18% of complaints: structure — 269 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

POWER TRAIN 18%

18% of complaints: power train — 266 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

MY HUSBAND WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. HE GOT IN THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP. HE HEARD A LOUD POP. HE PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AND HIS FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120813

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 247 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 183 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Driver Airbag light is illuminated

NHTSA ODI report, 20260811

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20100913 — electrical system

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION. THIS

Campaign 10V388000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101210 — service brakes, hydraulic

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign 10V599000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 1517

I 20110407 — PE (closed 20110510)

Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft

R 20110531 — power train

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign 11V258000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20111017 — equipment

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009

Remedy: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT M

Campaign 11E041000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130419 — exterior lighting

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners

Campaign 13V114000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20131021 — PE (closed 20140521)

Panoramic Sunroof Breakage

I 20140512 — EA (closed 20210115)

Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage

R 20151109 — power train

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.

Campaign 15V626000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20200601 — PE (closed 20220125)

Headlight Failure

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240209 — engine

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Remedy: Dealers will install Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign 23V877000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia America, Inc.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed