Federal safety advisory

Park this vehicle outside and away from structures until the repair is completed.

Model year record

2011 Kia Sorento

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,138 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V877000

Engine

Component: Engine
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 79,812
Reported to NHTSA: 2023-12-21
Owners notified: 2024-02-09

Defect description

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Safety risk

A fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC291.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 1,730,192
Reported to NHTSA: 2023-09-25
Owners notified: 2024-03-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V626000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component: Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected: 377,062
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-10-06
Owners notified: 2015-11-09

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. 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."

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V114000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component: Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer: Kia Motors Corporation
Vehicles affected: 980,377
Reported to NHTSA: 2013-04-01
Owners notified: 2013-04-19

Defect description

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. 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 switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Safety risk

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 to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V258000

Power train: driveline: driveshaft

Component: Power train: driveline: driveshaft
Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 12,690
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-04-25
Owners notified: 2011-05-31

Defect description

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L 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.

Safety risk

DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V599000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 7,697
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-11-24
Owners notified: 2010-12-10

Defect description

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V388000

Electrical system: wiring

Component: Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 35,185
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-08-31
Owners notified: 2010-09-13

Defect description

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. 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.

Safety risk

WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine	304	104,000 mi
Electrical system	254	82,000 mi
Structure: body	236	89,000 mi
Power train	225	54,200 mi
Unknown or other	216	89,624 mi
Air bags	185	95,223 mi
Exterior lighting	98	96,000 mi
Service brakes	76	68,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	61	68,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	61	24,300 mi
Suspension	54	56,000 mi
Steering	53	20,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	37	15,345 mi
Engine and engine cooling	33	10,800 mi
Structure: body: door	28	90,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	23	66,000 mi
Seats	19	73,113 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	18	95,566 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	17	80,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	13	92,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	13	50,997 mi
Seat belts	11	179,000 mi
Wheels	9	56,000 mi
Visibility	7	12,100 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	5	120,000 mi
Tires	5	10,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	5	53,200 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	4	150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	4	5,100 mi
Power train: driveline	4	854 mi
Structure	4	914 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	4	34,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	3	35,500 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	3	—
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	3	—
Interior lighting	3	3,500 mi
Suspension: front	3	200 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	3	3,080 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	2	200,000 mi
Firerelated	2	60,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	2	3,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	2	118,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette	1	117,757 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking	1	—
Back over prevention: warnings	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: crank/camshaft position sensor	1	100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	80,000 mi
Equipment	1	192,000 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	40,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock	1	—
Parking brake	1	21,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	13,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	1	14 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	1	2,600 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	8,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring	1	11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	11,000 mi
Structure: body: door: handle: exterior	1	—
Structure: body: hood	1	—
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	3,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	1	200 mi
Suspension: rear	1	13,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	1	56,000 mi
Traction control system	1	40,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	6,000 mi

The 2010 model has 713 times as many complaints as this one. The 2012 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.