Kia Sorento Complaints (2011)

1,520 consumer complaints on file.

#11508574February 22, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
3 out of 4 doors will not open from the outside, only one that works is front passenger side. So I am forced to crawl in lean across open drivers door shove it open then get out run around to drivers side to get in (hoping the wind does not blow it closed before I get there) I have injured my back doing this, I am vey upset. I called Taylor Kia in Lima twice and no one will call me back. I have read on line this is a frequent problem with the 2011 model but no recall??? This is in deed a safety hazard, as if I had my grandchildren with me and something happened I would be unable to get the doors open to get them out! There were no warnings, the 2 back doors happened a couple weeks ago within a few days of one another, Drivers door just happened 2 weeks ago. This is the second time I have written/emailed you. My car has just under 90,000 miles. I should not have to pay out of my own pocket for something that is faulty by manufacturer! Thank you, I would appreciate a response.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508397February 21, 2023
ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508130February 20, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR
My two driver side doors will only open from the inside when unlocked. The handles are not damaged
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508096February 19, 2023
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507648February 16, 2023
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
Same issue with the whining and pulling as the recall. Kia will not help. Two dealerships and the manufacturer will not recheck the repaired recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506290February 8, 2023
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505422February 3, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
The rear driver side door will not open from outside or inside and I have children who ride in the back seat in children's car seats. This is a definitive safety hazard. KIA issued a recall but just extended the warranty to 10 years for that part. It is obviously a known defect that is the fault of KIA. Since my car is now outside that 10 year extended warranty I have to pay $800 dollrs at teh dealership to have it fixed, This is unnacceptable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500967January 10, 2023
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2011 Kia Sorento caught fire while parked outside in parking lot overnight while I slept the police an fire department said my vin had two active recalls on it it started fire on its own without even being driven now I’m out of a car
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498778December 25, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I quired about vehicle recall was told to contact nhtsa to get a recall fixed with my vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492172November 3, 2022
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491228October 27, 2022
AIR BAGS
The air bag warning lamp is on caused by the malfunction of the clock spring in the steering wheel. None of the functions on the steering wheel work as well due to this malfunction. The air bag according to multiple sites may deploy at any given time
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489754October 18, 2022
POWER TRAIN
While driving with family or clients in my Kia Sorento since I bought it brand new in 2011 has had ongoing gear shifting, speed increase and decreasing, stalling while driving at highway speeds almost causing accidents we were just lucky we weren't but it is very unsafe to drive. repairs have been more than the car is worth. This is just a short list estimate of repairs, but keep in mind on 3 occasions I would leave the Kia Service Department in Eugene Oregon after Transmission was replaced the first at 134, 000 miles and it would stall at highway speed and have to have it towed and replaced again this went on as you can see more than a couple times. 2 catalyst converters replaced 4 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED 1 manifold replaced 1 Alternator 1 Serpentine Belt 1 Power steering rack from leaking
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488579October 10, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11487456October 1, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
First the driver door won't open from the outside. I called Kia and they said the vehicle was inspected and they didn't find anything wrong at the time, this was before I purchased the vehicle. Second while driving the vehicle, I noticed when making a left turn the headlights would turn off while driving. I turned the headlight switch from auto on to the on position they came back on then kept on blinking on and off when I hit a bump in the road. I noticed they flicker when I'm behind another vehicle at a stop light. This is a very dangerous situation if someone doesn't see you making a turn or something.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486688September 27, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486735September 27, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484770September 16, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, after applying the turn signals, the headlights and instrument panel lights became inoperable. The contact related the failure to the electrical system; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482227August 31, 2022
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481729August 29, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481812August 29, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The clear paint is peeling off. My paint began peeling in a tiny spot, it looked like a tiny chip of paint the size of a piece of rice but rapidly began peeling all over.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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