Found this on another web site: www.topclassactions.com (see below for description) very interesting: apparently this defect has been going on since 2002!! Well it's still happening I have the 2011 6 cyl awd and found out it's still a defect in the 2012 and 2013. Nothing more to say but 'shame on kia motors' your lack of taking ownership for this defect is just discusting. The federal safety agency please help us.....lives need to be saved; I am bleary eyed reading all the powertrain defects for the 2011 kia sorento. The kia sorento is prone to catastrophic engine failure, according to a class action lawsuit filed in new jersey. Plaintiffs allege in the kia sorento class action lawsuit that kia motors knowingly concealed that its 2002-2009 sorento crossovers were manufactured with a defective engine part called the crank sprocket. This alleged engine defect leads to a catastrophic chain of events that starts with severe heat buildup, the release of debris, and then leads to loss of steering control, engine failure and the potential for a hazardous accident, according to the class action lawsuit.
2011 Kia Sorento engine complaints
Page 11 of 12: complaints 281 to 310 of 316, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving my 2011 kia sorento it just lost power, it would not go forward but the engine was still running and all the dashboard idiot lights lit up. I was in a parking lot with no one behind me otherwise I would have been rear-ended if this happened driving on the road or highway. The car would not go and there was no steering response. I turned off the key to kill the engine and then restarted the car. The car started and I was able to get to my destination and park. I checked this problem online by searching kia sorento stalling and found a dozen or more video's from people experiencing the same issue that I just experienced. Some of the drivers found that if you use the car in the manual shift mode the stalling did not seem to happen. This is a real potential disaster. You loose power and have no way of moving the car to get out of the way when you are in traffic on a highway...like riding in a 'death wish car'. The video's also stating that they experienced the stalling many times and once it started it got worse. They also stated that kia dealerships were of little help since they need to reproduce the stalling and since it's just random that is not easy. The videos were taped when the issue was actually taking place and showed the tach at about 15 RPM's all the engine lights lit but no steering response or power to move the car. I am hoping this can become a recall and kia will fix this stalling problem and keep the people in these kia sorento's safe! If this is a computer problem then there should be an error log to show when the car lost power for no reason. Kia needs to take ownership of this defect and fix this potential deadly problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorrento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. Upon restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure occurred numerous times. In addition, the push start ignition failed to operate on four separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times for both defects. The dealer was unable to locate the problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 900. Updated 04/02/13*lj the consumer stated the vehicle would stall when approaching a stop sing, turning to slow down, or driving slowly through a parking lot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, all of the instrument panel lights illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that there was a sudden loss of engine power. There was a sudden increase in engine rpms and the vehicle failed to shift gears while the contact was traveling 15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on five separate occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000 and the current mileage was 38,000.
While driving (usually steady state speed on highway - with or without cruise control engaged) car experiences a sudden loss of engine power accompanied by a jolt (as if brakes had been abruptly and briefly engaged, or as if fuel supply suddenly shut off), tachometer dips suddenly, car suddenly decelerates for a second or two, and then things return to normal. Sometimes an indicator light - or more than one- flashes momentarily at the time of the incident,these include the engine light, the traction control light, and/or the key immobilizer light - sometimes no indicator light flashes at all. This has also happened while accelerating away from a dead stop - sudden loss of forward momentum w/ a jolt. I am afraid I will get rear-ended as the car suddenly slows but brake lights are not illuminated, and a car following too closely will not be able to react in time. If cruise control is engaged at time of incident it becomes disengaged and has to be reset. This sometimes will not occur in an hour of driving, but sometimes will occur as often as 10 times in a 20 mile drive with no discernible pattern. This has happened many times and grown more frequent over time. The first time it occurred was in a rain storm and I suspected the ESC was sensing slippage and firing the brakes, however it happens regardless of weather or road surface and now happens every time I drive for more than a few miles on freeway. The car has been evaluated by kia service more than three times and problem is not resolved - battery and ABS module were replaced without success. Concern is of safety of vehicle and other vehicles following behind me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact was driving 70 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to exit and push the vehicle to the shoulder. The contact towed the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer advised the contact that a sensor failed and would need replacing. The dealer replaced the sensor however, the failure persisted after the repairs. In addition, the vehicle failed to start. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where the dealer advised the contact that a safety switch was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired a second but to no avail. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Put key in ignition, all lights on dash came on as normal, radio came on as normal, engine did nothing, made no sound whatsoever. After several attempts to crank vehicle eventually started. After the 3rd time this happening I took it to all star kia of baton rouge (the only kia dealership in the baton rouge area, which is approximately 45 minutes on a good day from my home). Vehicle was there only 30 minutes when I was told it was my battery, which I knew was incorrect because everyone knows a dead battery would not have allowed my radio and all the electrical components to come on, but I allowed the to give me a new battery without question. One week later the same exact problem. This time I had it towed to the dealership because I could not get it started and quite frankly am tired of wasting my time and gas money on the same issue. This time they said it was the fuse block, said all kinds of other garbage that did not make sense to the average intelligent person. Did not have the car back 2 days and the same thing, wont start. I have called the dealership and will have it towed monday again. Do not expect it to be fixed, the mechanics at this dealership do not seem to know anything about vehicles or what makes them crank, run, and go.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure but replaced the alternator as a temporary remedy. The remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 10 and the current mileage was 47,000.
The incline control light & the traction control light came on for no reason. I was parking my vehicle on a flat surface and when these lights were on I was unable to put the car in park or reverse. I had to put the vehicle in neutral and shut off the vehicle with my foot on the brake. I then had to restart the vehicle, the control and traction lights were not on and I was able to put the vehicle in park. I went directly to the dealership that I made the purchase from and was told that this is a known defect in the brake line where there is a short in the line that causes the computer to think the break is not pressed down enough, therefore confusing the computer into thinking it should apply the incline and traction control and prevents the vehicle from being put in reverse or park. I was told that by turning the vehicle off while in neutral like I did will sometimes reset the computer. I was told there is also a little box that has a very small slit in it and if I could find something to fit into it that would go down about 6 inches, that would also reset it. However, they were not aware of what one would use to do that with. I was told there was no need to fix this very common problem. I asked if this would eventually mess up the drive shaft, computer system, or transmission and was assured it would not.
When acceleration from a stop or slow speed the engine will occasionally bog down or hesitate and almost die. Very dangerous when attempting to pull out in traffic esp onto a highway from a side street.
On 9/19/2012 at 12:17 pm I took a frantic call from my wife. She had just stopped to fill up with gas, got back on the interstate and set the cruise control at around 75 MPH. Shortly afterwards the front end started shaking and the vehicle started to lose speed. She shut off the cruise and was looking for a place to pull over when the vehicle started to accelerate on its own. It was already going over 80 MPH when she called. I told her to stand on the brakes-no effect. I told her to put her foot on the brake and to push and hold the start button for 10 seconds-nothing (that is the override to get the car started when the brake switch malfunctions-we had just had it replaced at the dealership 2 weeks prior). I told her to shift it into neutral-the shifter is locked in drive. I told her to shift to a lower gear-it won't move. After 4 minutes the car was going over 85 MPH-I told her to hang up & call 911 as she could tell them where she was much better than I could. A few minutes later I received a call from the highway patrol-they had 2 cruisers on the interstate with her trying to clear traffic ahead of her. I asked if they could get a cruiser ahead of her and let her nose up behind it and then use the cruiser to stop her. Evidently they didn't like that idea or it is against policy because they never did try that. The dispatcher had to hang up to concentrate on the situation at hand. I now had the dispatcher's number so I could call her back. At one point I called back and suggested that she engage the cruise control and try to slow the car with it. My wife does not remember ever trying this. This went on for about 45 minutes at speeds up to 119 MPH. At the end one of the officers told her to put her left foot on the brake and pull up on the accelerator with her right foot at the same time. She went from over 100 MPH to under 50 MPH instantly, let go of the pedals.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically with the illumination of the check engine and oil warning lights. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer three times for the failure but the technicians were unable to duplicate or correct the problem. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 7,000 and the current mileage was 15,000.
As I back u this weird scratchy sound and also as I drive at normal speed.
When trying to step on gas vehicle seems to strain. Example, when needing to get in lane, my car seems not to get much gas which I feel especially on highway, may cause an accident. My vehicle tend to ride quite rough as far as wheel suspension. I have had a wheel alignment and have had the vehicle checked. I was told nothing seemed to be wrong with it. I had the 189.00 service did on my car as well. I called the recall center and I was told nothing showed for my vehicle. My vehicle is not performing as it should.
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.
While driving the vehicle and while pressing the gas pedal the vehicle starts to come to a stop as if the gas pedal is not being applied. I have to release the gas pedal and press it again for the sorento to respond and continue to accelerate. I took it to the dealer and they have no clue as to what is the problem. They reset the computer and released the vehicle to me but the problem persists.
While driving through a shopping plaza, going about 15mph,the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the loss of all power assist functions and electrical operation. The electrical came back on-line right away, but the car had to be restarted. The second time it happened was in rush hour traffic, 4 days later. The car was coasting at about 25 MPH when it shut down again.
I was driving about 40 MPH, when the vehicle appeared to miss/skip gears! It felt as if the vehicle was going to stop altogether, and I definitely lost acceleration ability. Next the malfunction indicator light came on and it has not gone off. I am going to take the vehicle in to the dealer on 12/17/2011 to see what may be causing a problem like this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated upon restarting. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several occasions and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but could not offer any assistance without having a diagnosed failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 5,000 and the current mileage was 22,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact was driving 50 MPH when she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the filter place in the engine was not up to standards and the engine would need to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 12,000.
While driving down the expressway, without warning, there was a catastrophic engine failure causing one or two of the connecting rods to blow through the oil pan and start a fire from the front of the vehicle to the back underneath the carriage. The flames came up the sides and back of the car. Needless to say it was extremely frightening. Looking at the damage of the car I never expected them to attempt to repair this car yet they did. The car was down for almost two months, the second engine and power steering failed before we even drove the repaired car off the lot. Kia still did not want to do anything but repair the car again. They said, "these things happen thats why you have a warranty". These things have never happened to me or anyone I know in the 30 years I have been driving. You buy a new car to avoid such problems. The car has now been returned to me and it is still not right. I just took it in for them to blow out the vents and filters. There was still remnants of the fire extinguisher coming out when you turned on the air. This car is defective and should have a salvaged title. I was forced to put in a law suit.
When accelerating from a stop or slow speed the engine will occasionally bog down and almost die. This is extremely dangerous when pulling into traffic or across oncoming lanes of traffic. It has occurred numerous times. Sometimes from a full stop and sometimes from low speed (less than 10 MPH). I have taken the car to the dealer three times. The first two times they claimed to have repaired the vehicle and turned it back over to us without any comment. The third time, after I complained about it not being fixed the two times before, they finally admitted there was nothing they could do. They claim to have driven another 2011 sorento which did the same thing and they claim to have contacted kia who told them if there was no code on the computer (there was not) there was nothing they could do. This is very dangerous and needs to be corrected. And by the way, your system will not accept my e-mail, I guess because it has a dash (-) in it so I am using my wife's e-mail.
Ever since bought new (sorento sx 6cyl.) in april 2011, there has been a intermittant issue with no engine response from stop for 2-3 seconds. Rpm's stay at idle speed, then it suddenly takes hold and runs fine. Only happens from stop, and only about once or twice every 2-3 days. Dealer cannot duplicate problem, no codes. Dangerous situation when pulling out into traffic from a stop. I cannot duplicate it under any driving circumstances. Also, if I apply brake during this "hesitation" there is no engine acceleration while I hold the brake. I feel sure it is in the "fly by wire" system, but dealer has no clue. I have to "feather" the accelerator from stop whenever I am concerned about oncoming traffic.
After the first dealer oil change I began getting lifter noise on engine start up that would last for minutes. The problem has gotten worse. Dealer refuses to aknowledge the problem and now I have put a non-op on my brand new 2011 sorento because of this problem. Tried to get this resolved with a lawyer and the company refused to take the car back. I have been forced to retain a lemon law attorney to get this resolved. Kia motors does not stand behind their warranty. My car was in and out of different dealerships with an array of problems. The interior cloth around the rear hatch is coming apart and the car was in the shop 3 times for it and it was never fixed. The last dealer said that they have to get "special permission" to fix this even though the car is under factory warranty. The brakes are getting very spongy,and they are still not fixed. The car has been in the shop for over 70 days on and off with most of my complaints being ignored. One of my original complaints was a glare off the instrument cluster that blinds the driver on sunny days. I almost hit another car when I was momentarily blinded by the "chrome rings" around the cluster while flashed in the eyes as I was going around a curve. They said that they could not correct this problem because it was an "engineering" problem. The bluetooth still does not work correctly,and I am still getting warning lights that go on and off,including low tire pressure (when the tires are fine) as well as an emissions light and a check engine light . There are many problems with this car and it is parked because of them. The car is not safe to drive,and I submit that the company knows a lot more about these problems than they are letting on.
My 2011 kia sorento ex 4 cylinder has had a safety issue with hesitation upon takeoff from a stop sign or any stop. You never know when it will accelerate and I am very concerned it will cause an accident. I have taken it to the local dealer many times as it should be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty. They act like there is not a problem, but there is. One time they did say it would take a software fix that kia has not provided. I just want it fixed.
While driving down interstate at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly dies and the vehicle coasts down the road w/ service engine soon light illuminated. Vehicle has only 11k miles on it; has done it 3 times in 2 days. All kia service would do is clear the history (reset).
We purchased/leased a new 2011 sorento v6 and almost immediately started experiencing the occasional hesitation problem when pulling into traffic from a stop. On a couple occasions it put us in a very dangerous situation as we were crossing 2 lanes of traffic. Took the vehicle to courtesy kia in brandon fl. 4 times, they could not duplicate the problem. Finally they got us a 2012 near identical sorento v6, and on the 3rd day had the same experience w/50 miles on the vehicle. We now have 500+ on it and have had a total of 7 similar situations. The dealership says I'm the only one experiencing this and that they aren't aware of the problem, although I talked w/a customer of theirs w/a 2011 sorento and he said he and his wife have the same issues w/theirs. We are very disappointed with this situation, but other than that we like the vehicle & get lots of compliments on it, but I am also letting others know of our experiences. Its our first venture from gm, and it will likely be our last. Additionally, the 2011 was getting the advertised fuel mileage, the 2012 has not gotten any better than 17.5 on the highway or in town. When we turned in the 2011 they charged me $2,500 (money that we were to get back from kia in the deal) which I thought was really out of line. I admit we put 5,000 miles on it but $.50 per mile is a bit much, plus I had added heat & lumbar in the seats and tinted windows. This is truly a serious safety issue and very disappointing. I can't help but wonder what kia & the dealerships will do when some is seriously hurt or killed as a result of this problem that they can't find or even admit is happening.!? Jj (note: the VIN provided is for the 2012 kia sorento).
Going downhill in our newly purchased 2011 kia sorento ex v6, reaching a 4 way stop, our engine quit. Vehicle had only 175 miles on it as it is brand new. Car restarted without further incident. Took it to dealer, they found no problem or faults registered on the onboard computer. I have read of similar occurrences with other 2011 kia sorento ex v6. I will file another report if it happens again.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 kia sorento. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine light began illuminating. The contact also began to see sparks coming from the engine. The vehicle was pulled over and a fire began under the engine. The fire department appeared to the scene to extinguish the fire. A police report was also filed but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an authorized dealer where they were in the process of diagnosing the failure. The failure and current mileage was 800.
This is not a complaint but a report of defective kia sorento. We purchased an lx v6 sorento on april 3rd. Car was sold as new with 250 miles on it (we were told that mileage was result of test driving which turned out to be untrue). Within 17 hours and within 25 miles and only the 2nd time behind the wheel of the car, we experienced severe transmission problems. After approximately 30 minutes total of driving (actually five minutes after having parked to pick up kids) and after 1 red light, the car stalled and then lurched forward violently, repeatedly. Immediately drove the car home and when I attempted to back up into the garage found that the car would not go into reverse. Immediately contacted dealer and salesperson came to home and observed problem, thereafter taking car to service. According to dealership, service claimed that problem was caused by computer and was fixed. We returned the car within 17 hours of purchase and refused to take it back. After much wrangling (and denial by the dealership that it had ever had this type of problem), car was replaced with another new car. We have not observed problem in new car but from complaints, I am gravely concerned. Problem is an immediate and serious threat to safety hazard. It is my hope that the federal safety agency will act immediately. I had two children in car at time and on my way to pick up 4 more. Had the incident occurred on a freeway or conditions where there were many on the road, I believe the consequences would have been dire.
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