2011 Kia Sorento Electrical System Problems
- 165
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 165 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 11 indicate fire
What owners report
- open outside · 13 records
- steering wheel · 13 records
- side door · 12 records
- passenger side · 11 records
- door open · 10 records
- drivers side · 9 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 41 |
| 60–100k mi | 40 |
| 1–30k mi | 36 |
| 30–60k mi | 20 |
| 150–400k mi | 9 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Low beam headlamps are failing due to wiring harness melting causing a short. This a safety issue for visibility at night and could start a fire in the engine compartment. This problem was identified when driving on the i-17 in north phoenix and verified once we got home. The harness was replaced by a certified mechanic twice and both times the harness melted. Oe headlamps are being used.currently, we have no driver…
ODI 11104031
Air Bags · Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Clock spring malfunction causing airbag light to illuminate on dash. Steering wheel controls do not work. This is a constant and daily issue. It happens while driving as well as parked. Low beam socket melted. Since been replaced by me. Both issues are under a recall but my vin is not listed. My vehicles year make and model are listed in a current recall but my vin does not fall within it.
ODI 11278638
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Our interior lights quit working shortly after purchasing the vehicle so we had it repaired. 2 weeks later we had an electrical fire and damage to wireing the mechanic didn't replace. $5,000 later, now the headlights flicker while driving if you use the turning signal. Huge safety issue!!!! Also while driving the car out of the blue jerks quick and hard. We don't feel safe in this vehicle anymore.
Fire reported
ODI 11111480
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
Vehicle was statiomary and not on. Started smoking from dash and smoke coming out door, caught on fire went up to the roof and across to the passenger seat. When fire department came they had to cut open the hood, car randomly started while on fire to unhook the battery.
Fire reported
ODI 11101961
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
All controls on steering wheel stopped working around 120,000 miles. Bluetooth, radio controls and cruise control. All power sockets and usb socket stopped working around 110,000 miles. Whining sound coming from engine area when car is on started around 128,000 miles.
ODI 11143700
Electrical System · Power Train · Service Brakes
Was driving my kia and suddenly could no longer drive pulled over n traffic and could only put the e brake on. Nothing else would go in to gear drive reverse and the brakes were not working properly. So put the e brake on and called tow truck..took it to made in america made in japan..and the say its the input shaft..exactly described on recall for my vin # [xxx] . Manufacture call#sc124. Nhtsa# 15v626 .this…
ODI 11062910
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
Truck doors unlock while driving, alarm goes off randomly while driving or parked, all the fuses blew, starter has been changed 3 times, due to faulty wiring beneath the motor. Battery has been changed due to wiring.
ODI 11112724
Electrical System
Since purchase, on three occasions do rear doorors locked in the closed position. The front 2 doors and the rear door on the driver's side. Each front door was fixed by kia with no expense to owner. They refuse to repair this rear door stating it will cost the owner apx. $ 1,800. This is a real danger since passengers in the rear seats cannot exit car in an emergency. Door cannot be opened under any conditions.
ODI 11161224
Electrical System
I have owned this vechicle since it was new. Kia has replaced at least 3 rear view cameras in my rear lift gate. The last one was on 2/10/2016. Now this camera is malfunctioning, all i see is interference. I can't see anything passing across the rear of my vechicle like a child or short adult. Kia can't develop a functioning camera so theyshould have to keep replacing them until they do. I wouldn't have purchased…
ODI 11032162
Electrical System
There have been 2 instances where most or all the warning lights came on while driving. Both times i have been on the highway at normal steady speeds. The first time they stayed on for the duration of the ride, which was about 40 minutes, and then were off by the next morning when i drove the car again. The second time i turned the car off and back on to see if that would reset it, but they were still on, and stayed…
ODI 11033889
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, the abs, stability control, and downhill traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to riverchase kia (2200 us-31, pelham, al 35124 [redacted]) where it was diagnosed with a defective module that needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer stated that the recall expired. The contact stated that the…
ODI 11021134
Electrical System · Engine · Service Brakes
When driving at stable speed the vehicle often "feels" as if the gas is not getting to the motor. The speed of the car varies, regardless of the amount of pressure on the gas pedal. The car also shows low tire light, along with all lights on the dashboard at random times. The lights will appear when you start the vehicle and the tire pressure light remains on at all times.
ODI 11019981
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Unknown Or Other
For several months now, the dashboard warning lights have come on, usually four at a time as i'm driving. It seems to happen most often when it's raining. I had the kia dealer in las cruces, nm try to determine the problem when i had the car in for a couple recalls about two years ago. They could not determine the cause of the problem. About 3 months ago i had a shop with a aaa master mechanic try to determine the…
ODI 11021221
Electrical System
Back up camera doe's not work some times causes problem when backing up you can not judge distant behind vehicle can be dangerous when you cant see if there is a person walking behind you. Problem may be in the camera lots of the same problem is talked about on the internet by other people with the same problem.
ODI 11011866
Electrical System · Engine
After driving 8 miles to my destination i parked the car and turned off the engine. I immediately saw and smelled smoke coming from under the hood. I got out, called 911, and began to see flames. The police arrived in less than 5 minutes but by then the hood of the car was on fire and by the time the firefighters arrived the car was completely in flames. There was never a warning light on the dashboard to indicate…
Fire reported
ODI 10991332
Electrical System
Blower motor resistor found not to be working. Wondering if others have had this problem. No heat or a/c.
ODI 10991893
Body · Electrical System
DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE WONT OPEN DOOR.
ODI 10967059
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
My driver side door just stopped working from the outside. It unlocks, but the handle does not open the door. This is such an inconvenience, not to mention a safety issue. I searched and see tons of complaints about the same thing, but no recall. I am so surprised at kia for not taking responsibility
ODI 10959192
Electrical System
Symptomatic of previous pcm/ecu failure. Pcm was replaced 3 months after purchasing 2011 kia sorento new.
ODI 10980467
Electrical System
Push button start. Sometime it starts and some time it does not. Hit and miss. Battery replaced. Alternator replaced, starter check. Car does not always start the 1st, 2,3,4,or 5th time
ODI 10954091
Door · Electrical System
Driver side door on my 2011 kia sorento stopped working yesterday,. Would not open by remote or key. I had to climb in and crawl over to drivers door to get into car. This is a serious defect that could result in death or injury to me and my passengers during a very common event in houston - flooding. If i was pinned in my car going under water and no one could open the door by any means then i would drown. Just how…
ODI 10945879
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System
Car makes loud roaring sound upon cold start. It is typically the loudest when it has been left sitting all night and at first start. It will not make the noise after that unless it sits for at least 8hrs.i took it to kia and they explained it wouldn't damage my car and it's mostly just a loud noise and annoyance. They also explained they had seen this before and one of the mechanics even said he drove his kia…
ODI 11128685
Air Bags · Electrical System
The airbag light came on randomly and has not shut off for several years. I was told by a dealership that it could cost a few thousand dollars to fix. This is obviously very dangerous and that terrifying that it could be set off at any time for no reason or even worse not at all. After seeing so many complaints about this issue why hasn't this been addressed or recalled?
ODI 11184767
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
In the last week, the vehicle shut down completely while driving. The first time it happened on the highway while driving 70mph - the car shut off and dropped to 50mph, the steering wheel locked but it started back up. Twenty minutes later while driving 25mph on a side road, the same thing happened. And then again while in a drive thru line. This has since happened twice while on the highway. The vehicle does start…
ODI 10935874
Electrical System
2011 kia sorrento/the car the lock mechanism failed. The car will not lock with the key fob or when pushing the locks in the door. Approximate failure was 80,000 miles. Took it to the dealer said i was over mileage for the repair. It will cost about $800 for repair. I am seeking advice to see if extended warranty will cover this cost. I have already replaced the front drivers door latch, i received a letter saying…
ODI 10939098