Kia Sorento Complaints (2011)

1,520 consumer complaints on file.

#11771485October 15, 2026
SEATS
left side of driver's seat isn't locking in place. A 2016 model year was recalled for a seat weld break, but appears 2011 is a problem as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769185October 5, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I parked my car in the driveway and about 10 min later my car just ignited into flames from underneath the vehicle by the gas tank and i have video from 3 different angles on my security cams that show when i parked the vehicle there was no fire or flames or smoke and about 8 min later you can see a single flame just ignite under the car, and watch it spread and the location of the flame is in back driverside by gas cap and tank
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766965September 25, 2026
FIRERELATED
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the roof of a parking garage, the vehicle caught on fire unexpectedly. The emergency services were called to the scene, and the fire department extinguished the fire. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the fire was not yet determined. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756302August 11, 2026
AIR BAGS
Driver Airbag light is illuminated
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748972July 8, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Just bought this from a private seller last week and was driving to work. The engine suddenly caught fire and the car essentially exploded and melted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733808April 25, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Opening car door and whole handle fell off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733480April 24, 2026
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I tried months ago to have my 2011 KIA Sorento LX 3.5L v6 AWD to get the recalls fixed @ KIA in Yorkville,New York. They said they couldn't fix the recalls that were on the vehicle because supposedly the suspension is unsafe. But I already had the vehicle on a lift 4 times since,6 times total to get parts installed from my mechanic. If it was so unsafe,how could my mechanic lift the vehicle without any issues. I needed to get the underbody sprayed to stop rust and corrosion but KIA refused me.The recall for the ABS module needed fixing,they refused me. Having problems with the ABS and my subframe/crossmember broke. I feel the spray could've helped
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726122March 22, 2026
ENGINE
Intake manifold. A previously repaired recall that is still causing issue. Rough idle and check engine light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718095February 15, 2026
SUSPENSION
Subframe, in the rear, where lateral arms are connected completely rusted off from the rest of the subframe. The control arm has broken off and is now rubbing against fuel tank. Car is unrepairable and undrivable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716993February 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2011 Kia Sorrento caught fire while parked in my garage. Kia is saying it's not due to any recall they have and that it was an electrical fire store behind the steering wheel and they're refusing to take any responsibility financially for it or otherwise due to it being through previous owners and an older vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713565January 27, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving my car, while at a stop light I noticed some smoke coming from under my hood. I thought it might have been the cold I turned off the main road onto my street and noticed the smoke increasing, I pulled over turned off my car opened the hood and a fire started at the back of my engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712727January 22, 2026
AIR BAGS
In a letter dated August 14, 2019, KIA advised that the warranty coverage for the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly was extended to 15 years. the clock spring is an electrical connection which rotates with the steering wheel to maintain proper functioning of the airbag unit. If the airbag light stays on, and the car continues to be used without repair, the driver's airbag may eventually not deploy in a frontal impact. This is a safety issue, since the airbag may not work, KIA knew about it in 2019!! The 2011 KIA that I own is now 16 years old, and of course KIA refuses to pay for the repair. Now I am faced with an approximately $500.00 repair bill to make sure I'm safe in case of an accident. This should be investigated, and KIA should pay for the repair since it is an airbag safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709211January 6, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was unable to restart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine block had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,711.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700327November 19, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697949November 6, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The contact stated that the engine had seized while driving approximately 40-45 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had owned the vehicle for a year. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who declined to service the vehicle due to the contact not having the oil change records. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694495October 20, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693934October 16, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The vehicle is shifting weird out of first, knocking sound. A code of p1326 skds is showing on diagnostic. This was supposedly repaired by kia a few months ago from a recall. I am questioning if they corrected and inspected the recall appropriately, due to this being the issue. The car is now unable to be driven because I do not want to do more damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691809October 7, 2025
ENGINE
the car has been running fine with no problem. I noticed as I was driving the engine light came on. i made it to my destination and as I was processing to head some where else i heard an unusual sound and the smell of burning smoke. Then all of a sudden there's a lot of smoke coming from the car and the car was stalling as if it was cutting off. I manage to get the car to a staff place since it seems as though the car was running hot. the car had to get towed to a mechanic shop and he thought maybe it was the radiator but it was a blown head gasket in the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690083September 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I was driving and my Kia started over heating and smoking and smelled like plastic burning I got it towed to the Hendricks of Kia and it sat there for 2weeks and I contacted them about giving me a lender until they fix my engine problem and they told me that my engine is not under warranty but is a recall I didn’t blow my engine I recently bought it about 6 months ago
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689607September 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine light comes on and then the wheel lock light will come on and the car will disengage from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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