2011 Kia Sorento: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Kia Sorento: 7 recalls, 1519 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #10V388000 · 2010 · 35,185 vehicles
What's wrong: A limited number of wiring harnesses supplied by jci and used for the lighting in the Kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, located in the front door trim panels, and the Kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination, located in the front and rear door trim panels, May have been improperly soldered.
Why it matters: When the lights are illuminated under certain conditions, an electrical short May occur that can result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harnesses for the lights in the Kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, and the wiring harness for the Kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on September 13, 2010.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V599000 · 2010 · 7,697 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of the rear brake calipers May not have been properly machined.
Why it matters: As a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel, and if not serviced, reduced braking power which could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2010.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #11V258000 · 2011 · 12,690 vehicles
What's wrong: 4l engines manufactured from the start of production through May 22, 2010. The intermediate shaft May suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition leads to the development of a whirring/whining noise and can eventually cause damage to the automatic transmission.
Why it matters: Damage to the transmission May cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2011.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V114000 · 2013 · 980,377 vehicles
What's wrong: Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 rondo and sportage, model year 2007-2011 sorento, model year 2007 sedona, model year 2010-2011 soul, and model year 2011 optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp…
Why it matters: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'on' position, the transmission shifter May be able to be moved out of park without first applying the brake. This May lead…
The fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #15V626000 · 2015 · 377,062 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism May chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 114, "theft protection."
Why it matters: Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle May be unintentionally shifted out of park, allowing it to roll, which May result in a crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #23V652000 · 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles
What's wrong: Kia 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, and 2010-2011 rondo vehicles. The hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) May experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Why it matters: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the hecu fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29,…
Engine Vehicle recall #23V877000 · 2023 · 79,812 vehicles
What's wrong: Kia america, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Why it matters: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will install knock sensor detection system (ksds) software and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment Equipment recall #11E041000 · 2011 · 2,398 vehicles
What's wrong: The units are not water-tight and moisture can seep into the converter module and defeat the module's internal circuit protection.
Why it matters: Without the circuit protection, the module can overheat possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix: Curt manufacturing will notify owners and replace the tow package wiring harness. The remedy will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 17, 2011.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 63 mention a fire, 50 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (284): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (96), warning light on (79), noise or vibration (65).
- Body & structure (268): the most common themes are door / lock issues (231), noise or vibration (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (265): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (132), noise or vibration (74), stalls / loses power (50).
- Electrical (246): the most common themes are electrical failure (69), door / lock issues (60), warning light on (46).
The 2011 Kia Sorento has 1519 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 24 Sorento model years for complaints (3.6× the average Sorento year). Complaints peaked in 2016 (203 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 80,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (3 complaints, 1 recalls), 2012 (880 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Kia Sorento.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2011 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Kia Sorento, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Kia Sorento problems?
Owners have filed 1519 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (284), body & structure (268), transmission & drivetrain (265).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Kia Sorento get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Kia Sorento repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.