10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
19 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
22 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,385 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #98

Sep 012018

Sorento

  • 12,000 miles
ABS light came on around 120,000 miles. Believe it is causing issues for steering wheel controls. Light will not turn off. Clock spring sensor bad. Repairs estimated at $2,000. This is a safety issue, will air bags deploy at all"??? why is this not recalled??" read many complaints of the same issue.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #97

Sep 102018

Sorento

  • 108,000 miles
Dashboard continuously illuminates that there is a problem with the vehicles air bags. Light is on when the ignition is on or the engine is on. There are no problems driving he vehicle but unsure if airbag will deploy if I am in an accident.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #96

Aug 202018

Sorento

  • 97,000 miles
The SRS light came on while driving

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #95

Jul 092018

Sorento

  • 178,000 miles
Takata recall - my 2011 Kia sorrento air bag has stopped working and stays on red. I now have no air bags. Also the whole front panel keeps flashing on then off at night while driving on the highway. This is a safety hazard. I've search for a recall on my vehicle and none is showing up.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #94

Jun 092018

Sorento

  • miles
Air bag light came on at 70000 miles. Dealer ran a scan and we were told the passenger OCS mat was bad. They quoted us at $1600 to fix. Needless to say we are not happy as this is a safety issue that should be recalled.

- Peosta, IA, USA

problem #93

Jun 012018

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
The electrical malfunction of the airbag has drained and caused the battery to go dead. Also has messed up the controls in the steering wheel.

- Fort Oglethorpe, GA, USA

problem #92

May 192018

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
Car shifter is not engaging and disengaging resulting in not being able to place car in park. This issues was a recall before however; the fix didn't resolve the problem and Kia has not offered a new fix. Also, air bag light still illuminating after recall fix. Again Kia refuse to fix and issue could cause air bag not to deploy in an accident. Also, back rear passenger door won't open from the inside or outside.

- Lynchgburg, SC, USA

problem #91

May 092018

Sorento

  • 65,470 miles
Air bag illumination light came on & stayed on at 65450 miles. Dealership states air bag won't deploy as system is rendered inoperable. Needs sop clock spring & OCS matt. Total estimate for repair is $2000. & it's not under warranty. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed by Kia sooner rather than later.

- Estero, FL, USA

problem #90

Feb 162018

Sorento

  • 100,900 miles
At 100,900 miles my air bag light came on, car brought to the dealership and I was informed by air bag sensor is defective. In order to fix the problem I will need to pay $1900 to get entire drivers seat replaced. I currently am driving with no air bags in the entire car.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #89

Apr 102018

Sorento

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving 30 mph, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (jim ellis Kia of kennesaw, 1221 auto park drive northwest, kennesaw, ga 30144) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring needed replacement. The contact stated that the clockspring was replaced, but was concerned that the air bag inflator was not also replaced. The contact was also concerned that the vehicle might have an electrical failure because the headlights failed to illuminate and the headlight bulbs had been replaced several times. The same dealer stated that the air bag warning indicator would remain illuminated because there was also a failure with the air bag sensor in the seats. The contact stated that the air bag sensor in the seats was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the air bag seat sensor replacement. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #88

Dec 012017

Sorento

  • 115,430 miles
The check engine light came on with about 115,000 miles on the vehicle. I brought it to the Kia dealer and they informed me that the code was dtc B1764 the passenger OCS mat was defective and gave me an estimate of $2,000 to repair.

- Silver Creek, NY, USA

problem #87

Jul 052017

Sorento

  • 63,000 miles
Airbag light stays on. Took it to a shop and ran a diagnostic. It stated that the drivers airbag resistance is too high at the first stage. Was told to take to dealer. I have looked on line and have found a number of similar complaints that lead back to faulty wiring or sensor.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #86

Feb 032014

Sorento

  • miles
The air bag warning light will not extinquish

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #85

Jan 022015

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
Purchased 2011 sorrento from dealer in 2011. Airbag light illuminated since 70K miles. Also, ABS light illuminated about one year ago - took in for ABS recall with set appointment and was turned away as dealer did not have 'the tool needed '' to perform recall that day. Also, dbc and ESC indicator light have been on for years. Finally, within first year of purchase gear shift would jam and not into park. Dealer instructed me over the telephone how to manipulate and fix which worked.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #84

Jan 022018

Sorento

  • 54,000 miles
Air bag light came on after going over a set of rail road tracks.

- Blasdell, NY, USA

problem #83

Dec 072017

Sorento

  • miles
Kia has been selling cars with faulty air bags. My clock spring went out, and I had to pay well over $600 to pass inspection, that Virginia requires. The mechanic told me the airbag could have went off without even hitting anything.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #82

Nov 032017

Sorento

  • 83,000 miles
For no reason airbag light came on and stays on. Checked with diagnostic tool- code B1481-driver airbag resistance too high(2nd stage) showed up. Car has 84000 miles. Reading a lot of complains about airbag problems. Should be a recall.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #81

Sep 182017

Sorento

  • miles
Airbag light stay

- West Babylon, NY, USA

problem #80

Sep 082017

Sorento

  • 93,000 miles
Airbag light went on for no reason. Coil spring is under recall, but mine was the passenger seat sensor. $2000 to replace the seat. Should be covered or bypass option offered. I don't need the sensor.

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #79

Aug 042017

Sorento

  • miles
Air bag warning light came on and has stayed on. Took car back to dealer was told that the clock spring replacement is under a recall and that the OCS mat is defective I cant pay $2000 for this repair and think that this should be recalled as it goes hand in hand with the clock spring. Please look into this matter as it is not cover under warranty.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »