2011 Kia Sorento: check engine light

Filed Mar 22, 2026 · Engine · NC

Intake manifold. A previously repaired recall that is still causing issue. Rough idle and check engine light.

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 25, 2025 · Electrical · MD

The engine light comes on and then the wheel lock light will come on and the car will disengage from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive while driving

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Engine · 205,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally stalled and was restarted after pulling over to the side of the road. Whenever the vehicle failed to restart immediately, the contact would disconnect the battery and wait approximately 5-10 minutes before reconnecting the battery and restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally stalls while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle had several pending recall repairs. The dealer informed the contact that since the vehicle made the knocking sound, the knock sensors and O2 sensors needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the mileage was above the approved mileage for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure progressively worsened. The contact recently received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (ENGINE). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Electrical, Locks · WA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to unlock the vehicle with the key, the front driver side door opened; however, the other doors failed to open as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that on another occasion, the interior lights failed to work as intended and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The check engine and ABS warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the buttons on the steering wheel failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be connected to the diagnostic machine. The contact stated that the dealer refused to update the antitheft system or perform the recall repairs linked to the VIN. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Engine · 200,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving on a main road at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the engine power was reduced, and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact was forced to pull over onto the side of the road where the vehicle was left idling for a while. The check engine, and the oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and was not worth the effort to replace the engine, as the cost would significantly outweigh the value of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Engine · TX

The contact’s son owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been driven since the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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.

Filed Jan 15, 2025 · Engine · 230,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and unknown recall repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and pulling into a gas station, the vehicle stalled and rolled next to a gas station pump. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to Firestone, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the long block, the head gasket, and the bolts needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the brake fluid needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Engine · IA

Engine light flashes fast then Kia will slow down to about 30 mph when going up a hill, I've make claims on this Kia for the fire loss, transmission, brakes and now it won't run unless I pay $85 to have the sensor reset which lasts a short time and the light starts flashing again. Was told it doesn't qualify for a new engine because the mileage is over 150,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2024 · PA

Kia states that they do not have the parts for the current recall. Not sure if this has anything to do with any recalls but my check engine light went on in 2023, after paying for diagnostic testing, the mechanic cannot find any emissions leak. And after spark plugs were changed in Feb 2024, the light went off. Then Nov 2024, the light went back on again. Although there is a code stating there is an emissions leak again. I am scared to drive the car without knowing what is wrong. Is the part available for the current recall?

Filed Nov 29, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 135,750 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked with the transmission slipping gear with an engine misfire. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and a code for the knock sensor failure was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had replaced the spark plugs on the vehicle. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the knock sensor had failed. The dealer related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer cleared the code, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different certified mechanic who confirmed the diagnostic result and cleared the code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,750.