2011 Kia Sorento: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · LA · fire

I parked my car in the driveway and about 10 min later my car just ignited into flames from underneath the vehicle by the gas tank and i have video from 3 different angles on my security cams that show when i parked the vehicle there was no fire or flames or smoke and about 8 min later you can see a single flame just ignite under the car, and watch it spread and the location of the flame is in back driverside by gas cap and tank

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · 106,000 miles · NY · fire

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the roof of a parking garage, the vehicle caught on fire unexpectedly. The emergency services were called to the scene, and the fire department extinguished the fire. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the fire was not yet determined. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Body, Electrical · OH · fire

Just bought this from a private seller last week and was driving to work. The engine suddenly caught fire and the car essentially exploded and melted.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Electrical · WV · fire

My 2011 Kia Sorrento caught fire while parked in my garage. Kia is saying it's not due to any recall they have and that it was an electrical fire store behind the steering wheel and they're refusing to take any responsibility financially for it or otherwise due to it being through previous owners and an older vehicle

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

I was driving my car, while at a stop light I noticed some smoke coming from under my hood. I thought it might have been the cold I turned off the main road onto my street and noticed the smoke increasing, I pulled over turned off my car opened the hood and a fire started at the back of my engine.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Engine · 189,711 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was unable to restart. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine block had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,711.

Filed Oct 7, 2025 · Engine · GA

the car has been running fine with no problem. I noticed as I was driving the engine light came on. i made it to my destination and as I was processing to head some where else i heard an unusual sound and the smell of burning smoke. Then all of a sudden there's a lot of smoke coming from the car and the car was stalling as if it was cutting off. I manage to get the car to a staff place since it seems as though the car was running hot. the car had to get towed to a mechanic shop and he thought maybe it was the radiator but it was a blown head gasket in the engine.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Engine · PA · fire

Was on my way back from picking up my child father from work. My 2 kids were also in the car [XXX] & [XXX] old. My car started smoking and another motorist pulled down his window to let me know that my car was on fire from underneath. I immediately got all of us out of the car and my child father went to go pop the hood and noticed that fire was coming near the engine !! Made an insurance claim and they deemed the car as a total loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 200,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated before pulling off the roadway. The hood was opened and there was white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the smoke then dissipated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the alternator and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2025 · 60,000 miles · CO · fire

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 40 MPH an abnormal burning smell entered the cabin and no warning lights were illuminated shortly afterword's smoke was being emitted from the front end of the vehicle, the contact immediatley proceeded to pull over and exit the vehicle. The origin of the fire was front engine compartment. The vehicle was occupied during the fire however the contact was successful in exiting the vehicle. The location of the fire was the front engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department. A fire department report was filed. A police department report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MO · fire

My KIA Sorrento spontaneously engulfed in flames approximately 200 yards from my home. This is not a vehicle crash the car had flames coming from the vents and floor boards. I was the driver my daughter was the passenger and my granddaughter was in the rear car seat we barely escaped with our lives before it exploded and we were steps away as car debre was flying past us.

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Brakes · 223,000 miles · OR · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that, upon reaching her destination and turning the vehicle off, she smelled smoke in the interior of the vehicle. She then observed flames jutting up from underneath the driver's side seat, prompting her to evacuate immediately. Within minutes, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames following what the contact described as an explosion. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames, later determining that faulty vehicle components caused the fire without human intervention. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed, but injuries were reported. The contact suffered various minor burns to her hands but did not seek medical attention, choosing instead to attend to her injuries herself at home. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and parts were available. However, the contact stated that previous attempts to schedule the vehicle for repair had failed due to parts availability and a months-long waiting list. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and a third-party engineer was sent to examine the vehicle, but a final report had yet to be provided to the contact. The failure mileage was 223,000.