10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 27
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 9 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 71,232 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40 mph, a loud popping noise occurred and the engine suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to suntrup Kia(6263 S. lindbergh blvd, St. Louis, mo) who indicated that the engine seized. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 66,000.
- Arnold, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to napletons mid rivers Kia (4555 veterans memorial pkwy, St peters, mo 63376) where it was determined that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
- Columbia, MO, USA
Vehicle was parked in the garage and stationary. When trying to start the vehicle using the key-less ignition, dash and interior lights started to flicker in the vehicle and relays start to click. Locks would not operate nor could I shift into neutral, started to smelt burning, pushed ignition button to shut down. Would not shut off, electrical kept cycling like it was trying to start on its own, had to disconnect the battery to shut down the car. Starter solenoid never engaged at any time nor did the engine try to turn over.
- Rockford, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled while the fourth wheel warning indicator flickered. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed and caused the vehicle to operate independently. Also, the contact heard an abnormal noise while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed to visit a Kia dealer. The vehicle was taken to matthews auto group (3721 vestal rd D, vestal, NY 13850, (607) 584-5354) where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 213,000.
- Bath, NY, USA
Engine got a loud noise and then car shut down. The engine has a large hole. I will have to get a new one. This happened while driving on 4 lane street. Had have vehicle towed.
- Lexington, SC, USA
We have taken our 2011 Kia Sorento to mulitple dealerships to get fixed. All say the engine is shot. There is a seal inside the engine that is making the vehicle not work. There is multiple recalls for other years of the Kia Sorento but not ours. The mechanics say that this year and make has had multiple issues with the engine. I am wondering when this year will be recalled for engine issues? when I start the 2011 Kia is spudders and blows smoke out the muffler. I have been told that the whole engine needs to be replaced. The spuddering and smoke happens right when I start the vehicle. It is a 2011 and I only have 96K miles on it.
- La Porte City, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the vehicle made a whining and hissing noise that the contact believed came from the engine. There were no warning indicators illuminated. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure continued to occur despite multiple attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Warner Kia (501 7th St, parkersburg, wv 26101, 304-422-3502) was notified and stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number 11V258000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000.
- Little Hocking, OH, USA
Today as I changed lanes coming to a red light my car just shut off with no indication. I went to press the gas to go and looked down when I wouldn't move and the battery and oil light was illuminated. I had to put it in park and tried cranking it several times before it cranked backed up. Just had a clockspring for airbag replaced just days ago and now the airbag light is back on. This is seriously dangerous and I am now scared of my car as it could stall out anywhere and cause a wreck. This is definitely a safety issue!!!
- Walterboro, SC, USA
Kia was purchased less than a year ago. This is the third time it was taken to a dealership to get checked. Car engine light comes on and loses power and keeps going into limp mode. It is a safety hazard and must be dealt with. Today while in the passing lane car lost all power and would not move. I was driving about 45mph and it wouldn't go. A tractor trailer was speeding behind me and nearly rear ended me as I was in the passing lane and couldn't make it go again to pull over. When I eventually got it to pull over it was idling high and did not sound right. Mechanic came and placed vehicle on computer and again three codes came up including engine power failure and limp mode. I could have been seriously injured due to Kia lack to repair this defect and this could be a lawsuit waiting to happen. I want to be reimbursed for repairs or an allowance toward a new vehicle purchase.
- Frackville, PA, USA
Transmission problems like not getting into gear or jerking when shifting and engine seem to loose power or not have enough also there is a noise the A/C making a rattling noise and vibrating.
- Jarrell, TX, USA
In November 2015 had major oil line failure, dealership replaced oil pressure switch. In December 2017 had major oil leak, dealership replaced oil pressure switch. June 2019 check engine light activated upon putting vehicle in park. Took it to Kia dealership and they found pieces of bearing in the bottom of oil filter housing. Kia dealership recommended replacement of bank oil control valve and ultimately replacement of engine. Vehicle only has 86,600 miles on it. Kia dealerships not interested in buying vehicle and quote me approximately $6,000 to replace engine. I suspect this may be same issue Kia had with 2012 sorrentos which led to recall.
- Denver, CO, USA
First it started with drivers door not working. I can't get in the driver door because the handle doesn't work. So I have been crawling thru the passenger door to get in the car. But now I can't do that because the passenger door won't open from the outside either. You pull on the door handle and it does nothing. What if there were a fire and I was in the car and someone ran up to get me out they would not be able to open the doors. Next problem is I have an extensive oil leak in the car. So bad it keeps dripping down on the alternator whicheck has forced me to replace that twice now. I took it to Kia and they said it was the timing chain cover. It would cost $2,000 to fix. I looked online and found out that a lot of other people are having the same issue and it seems the timing chain cover is a misdiagnosis. Apparently the oil sensor is the culprit. It malfunctions because of its location in the engine. I don't have $2000 just to play a guessing game. This problem needs a recall. Lastly, due to the engine issues the oil leaking the car has now decided if I'm driving 60 mph it will all of the sudden shift the engine almost to a dead stop and then you feel as if you will fly thru the windshield because now the car won't go out of fourth gear manually or automatic. Please help.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while driving. When the rpms decreased, the vehicle lost power, but did not fully decelerate. Afterwards, the vehicle reset itself. The contact drove the vehicle to a BMW mechanic who test drove the vehicle for a few days, but could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 183,000.
- Columbia, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While the contact's daughter was driving 60 mph, the vehicle decelerated. The driver was flagged down by another motorist who alerted her that flames and smoke were visible under the vehicle near the tailpipe. The contact imminently pulled over to the shoulder and exited the vehicle. Within seconds, the police and fire departments arrived at the scene. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the flames. The damage to the vehicle was unknown. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed by aaa car insurance back to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
- Mount Frasta,, CA, USA
Twice, while driving slowly and preparing to stop the engine revs fast in attempt to race on forward altho I am slowing down and preparing to park vehicle. I am forced to react by rushing & putting my foot on the brake to stop the racing of the engine.
- Maybrook, NY, USA
Engine light is on, keeps stalling out at a stop or when turning, smells like something burning, now making a rough grinding noise from motor. Keeps going through oil, putting two quarts of oil in every other day. Passenger side door in back wont open from the outside. The passenger side headlight keeps blowing out, the tires on the front end keep going bold.
- Freemansburg, PA, USA
"takata recall" the engine makes a loud whinning sound constantly, start up, driving, and while sitting still. At times while driving it will feel like the car skips (like the engine will shut off, it also will not shift through gears, sometimes it will sit at the RPM of 3 and doesn't want to shift out of gears. This is while using both the automatic and manual driving.
- Millmont, PA, USA
While driving vehicle stalls. Happens more frequently than when first started
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While the vehicle was under warranty, the contact stated that there was a constant presence of an oil leak and the oil was not properly cycling through the oil pump. Darcars Kia of frederick (5826 urbana pike, frederick, md 21704, 1-877-997-6197) serviced the vehicle per manufacturer campaign number: SC106; however, it failed to provide a remedy. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was left without a vehicle due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
- New Market, MD, USA
- Bushland, TX, USA