2011 Kia Sorento Engine Problems
- 142
- 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 142 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 5 indicate injury
- 14 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 18 records
- check engine · 14 records
- failure mileage · 12 records
- lost power · 9 records
- side road · 9 records
- notified failure · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 42 |
| 60–100k mi | 32 |
| 30–60k mi | 27 |
| 1–30k mi | 16 |
| 150–400k mi | 9 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
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
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 60 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 166,045.
ODI 11000889
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
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that a metal banging noise was heard underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer opened case number: k3454763. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
ODI 10985666
Engine
The engine began to be hard to start leaving work for home. Then the next morning it was hard to start and would almost stall at idle. After parking at work i attempted to start it and drive to the kia dealership for diagnosis, it would not keep running more than a few seconds. The engine has suffered a catastrophic failure. The dealer says that it is likely that the crank shaft bearings failed, or possibly the…
ODI 10972008
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 55 mph, the engine stalled and the warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10979469
Engine
On february 27, 2017, my 2011 kia sorento's engine died. I had only one warning that there was a problem and that was a lack of power. I was going up a slight hill and i had to floor the gas pedal to maintain 20mph up it. I went out at 830pm that night to take it to my mechanic and my sorento would not start. I had it towed to gorring automotive at 1030pm. On march 1, 2017, mr. Gorring called and told me i would…
ODI 10967659
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and discovered that it was low on oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bearing was faulty and caused an oil leak. There was sludge in the motor, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced nhtsa campiagn number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a…
Fire reported
ODI 10971641
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that there was an internal oil consumption failure that caused the oil to constantly have to be refilled in the vehicle. An oil consumption test was provided by benson kia of spartanburg (1100 n pine st, spartanburg, sc 29303, [redacted]) and it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the radiator. After the oil consumption test was rendered, the oil leaked…
ODI 11195049
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
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…
ODI 11268860
Engine
The car was not always responding to me when i wanted to accelerate, i would hear the rpms going up but the car would not go faster, then a puff of white smoke would come out the tail pipe. Then one day, i was driving the car and it started making a clanking noise when i would push the gas pedal. It sounded like the noise a roller coaster makes when you are clanking up the hill at the beginning. Took the car to the…
ODI 10939102
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle lost power and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kia of alliance (located at 2010 w state st alliance, oh 44601), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: k3452308. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 82,000.
ODI 11016194
Electrical System · Engine · Exterior Lighting
When driving car jerks and engine cuts out losing all power and mobility. Usually comes back on within seconds. This happens when driving at any rate of speed. A few times i had to pull over to the side of the road with no power and restart the car. When losing all power i have been on the highway driving 55-60mph. All power is lost and with no power steering i have had to get the car off the road out of the way of…
ODI 11171010
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that an unknown warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The vin was not available.
ODI 10914270
Engine
Engine was making a cyclical clicking/knocking noise. We took the vehicle to kia dealership and they said they could not find any issues with the car. About a week later the car broke down while driving at highway speeds. After having it towed to an independent garage, we were informed the engine had a connecting rod failure. This is the exact same problem the hyundai sonata has with the exact same theta 2.4 liter…
ODI 10887421
Engine · Power Train
At 68,000 miles the oil pressure sensor (part #94750-37100) failed and caused a sudden and immediate loss of all engine oil. In the half mile it took us to safely pull over the oil pressure light activated and the dip stick read bone dry. I have researched the issue and found it to be a common problem with kia's, a recall should be issued to replace the part with a better engineered version. Had we not been alert /…
ODI 10864508
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving approximately 40 mph, an abnormal vibration emitted from the vehicle. In addition, the rpm's went to zero. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000. The vin was…
ODI 10873285
Engine
Beginning march of 2016, loud banging and clanking when starting engine. I took it to dealership where they diagnosed it with bearing problem which could potentially cause engine failure. Vehicle out of warranty so no coverage for an estimated 6,000.00 repair. When mention of recall came out i was relieved as i am still driving the vehicle. However, it seems that the recall only covers 2012 or newer models. The…
ODI 11012248
Engine · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the service engine warning light randomly flashed. While the vehicle was in park or in gear, there was an abnormal noise heard near the engine. The contact stated that there was a build up of sludge near the axle and it was uncertain what type of fluid may have been releasing. The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign…
ODI 10860274
Engine · Unknown Or Other
On 1-31-16 heard a pinging noise on the highway; then the car stalled at the exit light; started it again and loud bang blow a rod after getting back on the highway to drive it to a shop. Died on the side of the highway and had to have it towed to kia in auburn wa. Kia stated they will not fix under the warranty because the wrong oil filter was installed and i didn't provide proper maintenance; which i took it in…
ODI 10836400
Engine
The check engine light came on due to a issue with oil control valves and cvvt continuous variable valve timing. Seems like a known issue of kia, i would think kia would do the right thing and fix it under warranty or offer some sort of customer assistance for the $4800 repair peoria kia quoted for the job. 3 kia owner..not any more!!
ODI 10819130
Engine
Tl* the contact a contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While attempting to park, the brake pedal was engaged and the gear was shifted into park. The vehicle abruptly moved forward and crashed into a cement wall. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact suffered injuries to the left knee that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10782936
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and resumed driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure could not be found.…
ODI 10875673
Engine · Power Train
2011 sorento shift really hard, sometimes i have to force it to shift by lowering speed, sometimes it does not want to shift at all and then my engine light comes on, then shifts really hard and wants to stop on me as i am driving. Sometimes at a light it does die, but then start back up. One time it would not go even with pushing the gas all the way down.
ODI 10908186
Engine
On 06/15/2015, drove my car to the barn, then it will not start. I thought it's battery problem. Battery is only 1 year old. So i charged the battery. Didn't work. So i jumped it, it had a hard time starting. It finally started after 3 attempts. I got a new battery for it. Then it happened again two days later, got it started after a few attempts.took it to kia service. They said oil ring has slow leak. Dealer…
ODI 10735315