2011 Kia Sorento: engine failure

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Engine · 230,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The contact stated that the engine had seized while driving approximately 40-45 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had owned the vehicle for a year. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who declined to service the vehicle due to the contact not having the oil change records. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

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 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 Apr 29, 2024 · Engine · OH

I brought my 2011 Kia Sorento in to Jeff Wyler Kia in Fairfield, Ohio on [XXX] to be checked after receiving notification of a recall campaign for the engine. According to the recall an engine compartment fire can start while driving, and the recall stated engine smoke and/or the smell of burning oil were causes for concern. The remedy was for Kia to replace the engine. Since my vehicle was experiencing both, I scheduled the appointment. I mentioned the smoke seemed to be coming from the rear of the engine, and that it was burning through oil but I never had any oil spots on my driveway.(They specifically asked about this.) I was told that after a complete inspection my vehicle did not qualify for the recall as something else was causing the problem, a leaky seal around the oil pan. Didn't sound right to me but since they are certified mechanics and I'm not I paid for the repair. After the service I noticed the issue was persisting, so I returned to Kia to show them there was still a problem. They assured me this was just residual oil burning off the engine and it would stop in a few days. I then started to notice oil spots under my car where I hadn't before I brought it in for service. Soon after, the engine starting shutting down while driving creating a serious safety issue. When I couldn't get it to start back up, I had it towed back to Kia at my own expense. That was on [XXX] and they still can't tell me what the problem is, only that it is not related to the recall or the service they have provided. They charged me $369.64 for an unnecessary repair that did not fix the issue it was brought in for, and they want to charge me for the diagnostics they are currently allegedly performing on it. They are assuming no responsibility for the issue, even though their negligence in that first visit clearly caused additional harm to the engine, compromising the safety of me and my family. Kia customer care called me once but since will not return my calls or emails. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Engine · IL

I received a letter in the mail dated February 9th, 2024. This letter stated there was a recall on my car to mitigate any unreasonable fire risk due to potential engine damage. It states to take the car to a Kia dealer so they can inspect and, if need be, replace the engine. It is recall number [XXX]. It states the recall will be repaired at no cost to me. However when I took the car to the dealership, the employee i dealt with told me that it had a very strong burning plastic smell, valve cover is warped, leaking oil onto exhaust manifold and suggest to replace the intake valve and valve cover. I was also told the engine was leaking oil, valve cover and intake leaking. I was then estimated for a total of $1,213.78+tax for the manifold replacement, $454.62 for valve cover replacement, and $211.27 for rear brake lamp assembly. So I would like to file a formal complaint against the BIll Walsh Kia Dealership in Ottawa, IL. for their inability to remedy this defect without charge. I drive my 3 year old daughter around in this car, it is my biggest asset, it gets me to work, it feeds my child, it pays my bills. If my safety is at risk or my child's safety because of the negligence of Kia, they should fix it at their cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 18, 2024 · Engine · IL

Oil was serviced mid-January, driven intermittently where oil level checked right after service before trip to college (it was full) and oil level checked again March 7 before a trip to Florida and it showed full. Â During trip (approx 590 miles after starting trip0, engine failed while driving on interstate causing a safety concern - driver was not able to steer or do any movement of vehicle causing a potential dangerous situation for driver, passengers and other vehicles on interstate. A tow truck was called and vehicle was towed to nearest auto mechanic shop, Will's Auto Mechanic Shop in Jasper, Florida. They indicated the engine was locked up and no longer functional with diagnosis of no oil in engine where dip stick was dry and they did not see any visible leaks. In addition, no check engine or oil light appeared throughout drive prior to engine stopping on interstate. Called insurance although doubtful anything will be covered. Will's Auto indicated will cost approx $3K for engine plus minimum $1,500 in labor to replace engine. If doesn't make sense to replace engine, car worth $150 in scrap as they do not purchase and re-sell vehicles at shop which is 14 hours away from our home. Researched and saw same engine for 2012 Kia Sorento was recalled for similar engine issues with no warning lamps.

Filed Jan 14, 2024 · Engine · IL · crash · 1 injury

i was driving home from work on 12/22/23 when all of my dashboard lights came on and my engine died. I was in motion when this happened. I put the hazards on and put the car in park and tried to restart it. As I was doing that I was hit from behind by another vehicle. I suffered a concussion that lasted almost 2 weeks. My car being totaled not due to the damage from the accident but the diagnosis that the engine "blew". My insurance company had it towed from a body shop to a salvage yard. I have kept the maintenance completely up to date and put close to $4000 into it last year for normal use items. There was an oil leak that ruined my starter - that was repaired. I am now without a vehicle.

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Engine · IN

Was driving on highway doing 85 and all sudden no warning no lights no nothing my car started loosing power and dropped speed as I'm trying to give it gas it is loosing speed almost caused me to wreck got to side of highway and it just died and the are saying my engine needs replaced had no warning

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Engine · 100,000 miles · PA

The contact's significant other owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was making abnormal rattling and knocking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure would occur upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing belt had failed and advised the contact to not drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and had released metal shavings in the engine oil, which caused the engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Kia Independent Recall Campaign Number: SC147. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as his significant other had failed to complete a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update; however, a notification was never received regarding the software update. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2022 · Engine · MO

The check engine light came on in our Sorento so we took it to a local mechanic. They changed the oil and said the car was good to go on May 13. Less than a mile from the mechanic, on a busy street the car became unresponsive. Suddenly there was no way to accelerate or slow down and steering was incredibly difficult. Managed to coast to the middle of a busy parking lot but the car shut down completely before I could park in a space and I ended up partially blocking the lot entrance and several parked cars before we could get the car towed back to our mechanic. The mechanic reported to us that other Kias had experienced similar issues and we should check with the dealership for recalls. The car was towed to Oakes Kia Dealership on June 3 and they said the car needed a new engine. Having an engine with only 90,000 miles on it shut down without warning is an obvious and incredibly serious safety risk to drivers and others on the road. In a highway situation, this would have likely caused a serious accident.

Filed Jul 5, 2022 · Engine · 98,000 miles · CO · fire

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal clunking sound had emitted from the vehicle. The contact then heard parts falling out of the engine as white smoke began to release from the vehicle's hood. The check engine warning light was also illuminated on the instrument panel as the contact pulled over. The contact lifted that hood and saw flames coming from undeath the vehicle. The contact immediately shut the hood as smoke continued to discharge from the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the fire had dissolved on its own. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that a rod had blown in the engine resulting in engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and was initially informed that her vehicle would be repaired under an extended warranty; however, the manufacturer later denied the warranty extension since she failed to have a manufacturer campaign performed on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2022 · Engine · NV

The engine seized and needed to be replaced. The cost would be $11000 and there was only ONE available in the entire country. We were given $100 for the car. The KIA Corporation knew that this engine was defective and did not recall it or warn us that the engine could seize while driving or catch fire causing catastrophic injuries.