2011 Kia Sorento: engine overheating

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 55–60 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled while making a turn. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was determined that the battery and bracket needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the engine and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. 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 Mar 4, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NC

The engine showed signs of overheating and smoke emissions. The vehicle was taken to a authorized Kia dealership where the recall components: KSDS software, and one other out of the three recall components was replaced. The KSDS software failed to activate and the engine overheated several days later, the vehicle was taken to a dealership where the engine recall replacement order was refused and instead was given a cost estimate of $10,000 USD to replace.

Filed Feb 27, 2019 · Lights · GA

Left headlight connecter melted and shorts out the connection to the light bulb. Overheats really bad. Will have to replace the entire headlight assembly.

Filed Jun 9, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 135,000 miles · ID

Headlight housing has become overheated and melted causing me to replace one headlight at $900. When it happened again I spliced the new housing yet the bulb keeps blowing needing replaced. There is knocking in the engine that gets worse when my speed increases and have been told that it sounds like the engine is not getting enough oil. The head gasket has been replaced and it still seems to be burning or losing oil. The indicator lights on the dashboard all randomly come on and then go off. While driving the car seemed to lose power at times then would die at a stop light. This all has been going on for the past six months or more. In the past year I have paid $1900 plus on random repairs

Filed Dec 31, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 28,788 miles · CA

I was driving to work on a 2 lane road with people behind me. My car made a sound like a rock rolling around in an empty water bottle then all the dashboard lights turned on and the engine died. Luckily I was able to pull over with a great deal of strength applied to the steering wheel. I called kia immediately and they had it towed to a dealership within the hour. The dealership is now claiming I had a coolant leak which caused the car to overheat but I had no indications prior that the car was overheating. They said this is probably not covered by warranty since its a leak and it should have been discovered earlier.

Filed Aug 29, 2012 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 38,800 miles · TX

Vehicle stuck in drive when I was pulling into a parking place. I was able to brake but engine kept running. After several tries, I managed to force it into neutral and the curb maintained my car stationary since I was unable to put it in park. Because I was unable to put my car in park, it idled in neutral until the tow truck arrived (20 min later) by which time it had begun to overheat. The incline light was on, but I was not on an incline. The traction light was on and I have no clue why since the car was not in motion. I also called the kia dealer and spoke with someone in the maintenance dept. Who directed me to repeatedly pump on my brakes and at the same time to keep turning my steering wheel back and forth. After several tries, I was finally able to get it into park but the traction light and the incline lights remained on and the car was overheating. I encountered another incident a couple of months ago, when I was on a road trip. At that time the vehicle's mileage was about 35,000. I was going 70 MPH on hwy 281 s heading to san antonio when my engine began to lose power and the engine light came on. Luckily, I was able to make it to a kia dealership in the area. They worked on it for about a week and a half but since then I've experience odd things such as the car jumping or popping when it changes gears. Also, it tends to overheat when the car idles for more than 10 min. As well as cruise control issues. I'm very disappointed my kia sorento and I truly feel it is a safety hazard.

Filed Mar 24, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 1,200 miles · KY

My 2011 kia sorento downshifts while at a high rate of speed. It also gets stuck and while the rpms are racing, it will not shift up. The bluetooth does not work properly and am only able to make a call 30% of the time. Backup cameras and sensors are intermittent. Window will not work. Back drivers side door fell off hinges while I was driving with my child in the backseat. My passenger side seat overheated and would not turn off. Causing my car to fill with smoke on the expressway. Many issues with this lemon! Shifter will not go from drive into park leaving me stranded in my car. Vehicle has no power....poor engine. Paint and chrome of handles are coming off. Pulls to the left and ESC light comes on all the time.