Kia Sorento Complaints (2011)
1,520 consumer complaints on file.
- #10587089May 7, 2014AIR BAGS
FRONTAL COLLISION AT 55 MPH, FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT INSTANTANEOUS SIDE IMPACT FROM OTHER VEHICLE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, BROKEN SEAT, RIGHT SIDE INJURIES (RIBS, BACK, PUNCTURED LUNG), AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN (FAILED TO DEPLOY) WITH THIS SIDE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH AT 55 MPH, AND WAS STRUCK BY A WESTBOUND TRUCK TRAVELING 35 MPG...UPDATED 10/08/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 3/24/2015 *JS
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10587093May 7, 2014AIR BAGS
SIGNIFICANT SIDE IMPACT ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, BUT SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS BROKEN, AND PASSENGER RECEIVED BROKEN RIBS, PUNCTURED LUNG, FRACTURED VERTEBRAE. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10584805April 25, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
OCCASIONALLY AND MORE THAN ONCE, THE REMOTE KEY FOB WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR AND WHEN IT DOES WILL NOT START THE CAR. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE FOB HOLDER IN THE CONSOLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. IT HAS HAPPENED NOW MORE THAN 5 TIMES TO MY FAMILY AND I. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10584153April 22, 2014TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, WHEELS
ON TWO DIFFERENT DATES ABOUT A WEEK APART WE HAD TWO TPMS FAILURES. ON THE FIRST ONE THE TPMS TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM SENSOR LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL CRACKED AND WAS LOSING AIR. TPMS SENSOR WAS REPLACED. AROUND A WEEK LATER WHILE MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TPMS SENSOR RETAINING CAP FELL OFF DUE TO CORRODED THREADS AND THE SENSOR FELL INTO THE TIRE CAUSING A HIGH SPEED DEFLATION. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE SECOND FAILURE AS WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED SINCE NEW AND HAS ALL REQUIRED SERVICE DONE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10583122April 16, 2014VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATE THAT THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE HE DROVE AT 35 MPH THE FRACTURED GLASS FELL INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE SUNROOF FRONT BAR FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CUT TO HIS SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 04-29-14 *BF
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10578135April 7, 2014POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY JERKS OR CHANGES GEARS WHEN REDUCING SPEED. WHEN TAKING THE FOOT SLOWLY OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE JUMPS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ALMOST STOP. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. SOMETIMES IT JUST TURNS OFF BY ITSELF. CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS AND A HALF OLD AND IT'S ALREADY HAVING SIGNS OF BREAKING DOWN AND HAVING PROBLEMS THAT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. KIA SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN, STILL WAITING FOR SOLUTION. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WHERE KIA JUST WON'T DO ANYTHING. ACTUALLY I FOUND THIS WEB PAGE AS A RECOMMENDATION FROM ONE OF THE FORUMS. HOPE YOU CAN HELP. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10576555April 1, 2014EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I EXPERIENCED REPEATED HEADLAMPS BULBS BURNING OUT. I FOUND THE SITE REPAIRPAL.COM AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE ISSUE, BUT RECEIVE ALERTS FROM REPAIR PAL WHEN OTHERS REPORT THE PROBLEM. IT CONTINUES -- I STILL RECEIVE ALERTS. I AM GLAD I FOUND THIS MEANS TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. I WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE ONCE AND GIVEN A WARNING. THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I WROTE ON REPAIRPAL.COM. THE LINK TO THIS SITE IS: HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/HEAD-LAMPS-057 HAVE HAD 3 LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BLOW OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. TODAY THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY TO THE TUNE OF A $400 PART AND ABOUT $250 LABOR. NOT COVERED BY THE MAXIMUM WRAP COVERAGE EXTENDED WARRANTY. ARGHH! HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT NEVER WILL I BUY ANOTHER KIA. FOLLOWUP: THIS IS MY NOTE TO THE KIA: "THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO CASE # [XXX]. THANK YOU FOR RETURNING MY CALL AFTER I SENT THE PREVIOUS MESSAGE... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10575946March 31, 2014POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
WHEN THE SORENTO REACHES A SPEED ABOVE 60 IT HESITATES BEFORE ABRUPTLY JUMPING INTO THE NEXT GEAR, CAUSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND ALL PASSENGERS TO JERK FORWARD. THE JUMPING OF THE GEAR IS SO FORCEFUL THAT IT SOUNDS AS IF THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE EACH TIME IT'S PLACED IN GEAR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10575363March 28, 2014AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT, NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000...UPDATED 12/29/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MILEAGE SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR WITH THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE. UPDATED 9/28/2015*JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10573729March 20, 2014POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE A LOUD POP WILL BE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE USUALLY OCCURRING (LOUDEST) DURING COLD MOIST DAYS. IN THE SAME CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE CAR BEGINS TO STUTTER AND VIBRATE WHEN SWITCHING GEARS (THIS IS USUALLY FELT INITIALLY DRIVING OFF OR DURING HARD BRAKES AT LIGHTS). CAR AT ONE POINT STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WHEN GOING TO DEALER THEY SAID SOFTWARE UPDATES SHOULD HAVE FIXED IT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM SIMPLY PERSISTS (THOUGH THE CAR DID NOT STALL THUS FAR). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10573054March 18, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTY ROAD, LOUD CLICKING NOISE CAME FROM DASHBOARD, SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF, AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHED OFF ALL AT THE SAME TIME. HEADLIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR 1-2 SECONDS, CAME BACK ON, AND WENT OFF AGAIN, AND ON AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND ALSO A FEW TIMES DURING THE DAYTIME (I HEAR THE CLICKING AND SEE THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT). MECHANICS AT KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE" AND MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TWICE AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND MAKES ME AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10568629March 11, 2014VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. MY HUSBAND DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN SUNROOF MADE A LOUD BANG. LUCKILY THE SHADE WAS DRAWN AND PROTECTED HIM FROM FLYING GLASS. THE FLYING GLASS TOOK OUT THE ANTENNA. *TR .. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 08/25/2014 *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10565767February 25, 2014AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT, CURTAIN AND SEAT CUSHING AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME STARTLED AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE AIR BAG FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTACT HAD SHIFTED INTO TWO-WHEEL DRIVE AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A CHIPPED TOOTH AS A RESULT OF THE ERRONEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND REVIEWED THE EVENT DATA RECORDER, WHICH INDICATED A LOW BATTERY BUT DID NOT SPECIFICALLY INDICATE AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,447.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10565815February 25, 2014LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE EXTERIOR, ONLY FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10564855February 18, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
PUSH BUTTON START NOT STARTING VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON UPON DEPRESS OF BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE ONLY STARTS AFTER HOLDING BUTTON 10-15 SECONDS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10560934January 22, 2014STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1ST INCIDENT 10/2010 - OUTSIDE RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE SNAPS OFF (CHILD LOCK ON INSIDE OF CAR ENGAGED SO YOU CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET A CHILD OUT OF THE CAR). 2ND INCIDENT 01/17/2014 CAR HAS 35000 MILES NOW - OUTSIDE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE SNAPS OFF (CHILD LOCK ON INSIDE OF CAR ENGAGED SO YOU CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET A CHILD OUT OF THE CAR). I THOUGHT THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WOW I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN BEFORE ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED - I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW WITH ONLY 15 MILES ON IT, IT IS GARAGE KEPT. NOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I QUESTION THE QUALITY - AND HAVE READ ONLINE OF OTHERS HAVING SAME ISSUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559737January 13, 2014SUSPENSION
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION ON ALL 2011 KIA SORENTO CARS. THE SUSPENSION IS VERY BAD ON ROUGH ROADS. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE IN THE CABIN IS NOT NORMAL. IT IS VERY HARD ON YOUR BACK AND SHOULD BE MODIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559410January 10, 2014VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10558137January 2, 2014SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BEFORE ENTERING TRAFFIC. I FOUND THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PUSH WITH VERY LIMITED BRAKING POWER. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED OR A TRAGIC ACCIDENT COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE. I DROVE CAREFULLY AND WAS ABLE TO GO VERY SLOW AND PULLED INTO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE SHOULD FAILURE OCCUR. I AM AWAITING FINAL DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY FEEL THE MOST LIKELY PART IS A BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE OR THE BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10558007December 31, 2013STEERING, ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A 2 LANE ROAD WITH PEOPLE BEHIND ME. MY CAR MADE A SOUND LIKE A ROCK ROLLING AROUND IN AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE THEN ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON AND THE ENGINE DIED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH A GREAT DEAL OF STRENGTH APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED KIA IMMEDIATELY AND THEY HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW CLAIMING I HAD A COOLANT LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT BUT I HAD NO INDICATIONS PRIOR THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. THEY SAID THIS IS PROBABLY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE ITS A LEAK AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED EARLIER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0