2011 Kia Sorento Problems

1,517 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Engine · verdict AVOID 10/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Engine284
Structure268
Power Train265
Electrical System246
Unknown Or Other213
Air Bags183

In the owners’ words

“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.”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Kia Sorento owner
“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 need”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Kia Sorento owner
“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.”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Kia Sorento owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
06/10/2015Power Train:Automatic TransmissionKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever
06/10/2011EquipmentCURT 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 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDA
01/04/2013Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch SAFETYKia 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 Forte, model year 2
25/04/2011Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftKIA 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 SHAFT MAY SUFFER FRO
31/08/2010Electrical System:Wiring SAFETYKIA 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 USED FOR THE LIGHTIN
24/11/2010Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper SAFETYKIA 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.
25/09/2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module SAFETYKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento,
21/12/2023EngineKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Questions owners ask

Is the 2011 Kia Sorento reliable?

On the federal record it scores 10/100: 1,517 owner complaints (101.13 per year on the road) and 8 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Kia Sorento?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Engine, with 284 of 1459 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2011 Kia Sorento scored 10/100 on the federal record.

Full 2011 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Sorento yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking