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2011 Kia Sorento engine complaints

Page 8 of 12: complaints 191 to 220 of 316, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2011 Kia Sorento engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Oct 25, 2018 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NY

Approximately 6 weeks ago my vehicle began acting funny, like it wanted to die out while driving and would cut out at red lights. When the engine light came on I took it to a kia dealer and was told the issue was exhaust cam shaft and it was broken off /melted in cylinder head. To replace head had to be removed. When head was removed cracks were found on coils 3 & 4 in housings and noticed metal shavings in motor. Yesterday I dropped at dealer who now says vehicle may have a blown head gasket or worse. Made kia aware with 1st issue and they covered 1/2 of repair cost. Still have an open case # with them and reported the new issue under the same case number. Broken and melted pieces in cylinder head & metal shavings tells me engine issues that I am not responsible for. Could this be relatd to same issue as fires in engines on 2011 sorentos?

Filed Oct 22, 2018 · Body, Engine · LA

Motor mounts are broke. I need to replace 3 of them. This isn't normal at all. The car has never been wrecked. The paint keeps peeling off. I repainted 1 x on an area, kia is aware. I took to them and they said kia wasn't responsible (but , I disagree). I paid over 30,000 for this kia.. , body shop couldn't guarantee due to the paint job kia did on my automobile. Now the paint is peeling on other spots.

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 116,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 50 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH; however, the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to turner kia (4201 chambers hill rd, harrisburg, pa 17111, (717) 564-2240) where the cause of the failure was not determined; however, the contact was informed that the engine might be faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000. *tt consumer notified corporate headquarters. Updated 12/11/18

Filed Oct 13, 2018 · Engine · 66,999 miles · OH

Car engine seized while operating. Had to be towed. Been in kia dealership service since june 2018 it is now october 13. Still no engiene.

Filed Oct 5, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 181,000 miles · GA · fire

Vehicles caught fire, had pulled in the parking lot at work and smoke began to come from under the hood on the vehicle. Within seconds flames had erupted and front end of car was completely engulfed by the time the fire department had arrived. Vehicle was a total loss.

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Engine · CO

2011 kia sorento. Consumer writes in regards to recall for engine malfunction. *as

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 137,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the lower radiator hose fractured and also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and provided a cost estimate to replace the engine. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2018 · Engine · 112,000 miles · OH

Car loses power when applying gas, then stalls out. I stop and wait for few minutes, then start the car and drive off like nothing happened. It otherwise drives perfect until the random stalling

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

Since I bought the 2011 kia sorento the transmission or engine tends to stall in the middle of driving like not changing gears, gets locked, jerks back and forth till it unlocks or changes gears while at the same time slowing or stopping car in it's tracks. Twice I have hit my head on the steering wheel, have had seat belts lock tight against me and my passengers when it locks while trying to change gears. It happens at least 3-6 time a year since I have had the car. I have reported it to my service dealership kearny pearson kia, 7303 clairemont mesa blvd, san diego, ca 92111 and they have not found anything wrong. These past two years the gears locking is getting worse and the car slows down instantly from driving on the frwy 65 MPH down to 35 MPH instantly almost having cars hit me from behind. Same for driving on the street going 35-40 MPH dropping to 5-10mph and stop/jerk/go/stop/jerk and almost having cars behind me crash into me. I have been blessed to have had fast reacting drivers behind me or no drivers. This last incident last month was so powerful that I smacked the steering wheel and thought I had gotten hit but didn't. My chest got tight as if I was having a heart attack from the force and my kids cried from the whiplash. This was yet the strongest. Also, since 2011 I have had 7 - 10 incidents of smoke coming out of the air vents, smiling like fire. I turn off the vent and it continues for 10min then goes away. I am no mechanic but if I had to guess I would say something with the air-conditioning being high for long periods and then when it gets turned down or off seems to activate these things especially the gears locking. Just my observation. I hope you can get to the bottom of this because for the first time in my life I fear for my life and those with me or around me with this car. You just don't know when it will happen next.

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Body, Engine · 150,000 miles · PA · fire

My wife was driving down the street when the car suddenly locked up(stopped) and the engine shut off. She noticed smoke coming from under the hood and then within minutes the engine was in complete flames. Prior to this there where never any signs of the car running or driving like there where going to be problems. I've never had any mechanical issues at all aside from this incident. This has come completely out of nowhere unexpectedly.

Filed Sep 1, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

Very rough start in the morning or after sitting off for over 2 hours. After 30 seconds engine noise reduced dramatically. Steering control malfunction sometimes. Making up dow button act erraticaly along cruise control and radio control. Bluetooth connection sound quality very poor.

Filed Aug 8, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · VA

My 2011 kia sorento has been trouble from day one. A week after I bought it, the wiring harness had to be replaced which took over a month to get the part from kia. Then at 90,000 miles the transmission started failing and it took me forever to get kia to replace that. Then the replacement transmission went bad less than a year later and they replaced that. Now, at 120,000 miles (out of warranty) the motor has died. Grindstaff kia in johnson city, tn tells me it is a 'internal failure' of the motor, it could be a rod or cam, but they would not know unless they took the motor apart. Kia's product is terrible and a safety hazard. When the motor stopped my husband was in 65 mile an hour traffic and could have been injured when it started to loose power and then the starter stuck and wires started smoking which could have caused a fire. My motor was a 4 cylinder 2.4 liter engine that needs to be recalled by kia for failures. They want to chage me $5500 plus tax to put another engine in the junk, which to me is adding good money to bad product. I also still owe a bank $$ for this car which is going to be negative equity I'm sure. Kia should stand behind it's product and recall this engine which is junk. I will not buy kia again, that is for sure!

Filed Aug 3, 2018 · Engine · 80,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light with the air conditioner operating, a burning and exhaust odor entered the cabin through the vents. The vehicle was taken to baierl kia (11410 perry hwy, wexford, pa 15090, (724) 741-1197) where the contact was informed that carbon was building up in the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 105,000 miles · TX · fire

After driving about 6 miles to a local store nearby and back home as I pulled my car into my parking spot black smoke started coming from the hood so I turned the car off waited until the smoke stopped and looked under the hood to see if I could tell what was smoking. Everything appeared fine and I made sure to check all of my fluid levels and oil which were all full. Later that day maybe 4 hours later I drove about 15 miles to my sisters house and again as I was parking my car the black smoke started again from under the hood. I proceeded to turn the car off and look under the hood again after the smoke cleared. Less than 5 minutes later the was a loud popping noise from under the hood and by the time I ran outside to see the entire front part of my car was engulfed in flames however the windows were up so the flames were contained inside the car and under the hood. The fire department came minutes later and put the fire out and I had to have the car towed due to the front tires melting from the fire. I had it towed back to the dealership where I'd purchased it only 5 months before and let them and financing company know. No one could explain why my car spontaneously combusted like a bomb while parked and turned off. I'm reporting this incident because I do not believe it was a freak accident I believe these vehicles should definitely be investigated before someone loses their life.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Engine · 104,000 miles · PA

While driving vehicle the oil light indicator illuminated on dashboard. Vehicle was driven to a gas station and attendant checked oil, indicated that it was approximately one quarter low and added a quart of oil. When vehicle was restarted the oil light was still illuminated and also the check engine light was illuminated. Vehicle was driven approximately to miles to residence where it was parked. The next morning vehicle was taken to a local auto repair shop. When started both oil and engine lights were illuminated and vehicle engine was making loud knocking and grinding noises for the approximate mile and a half drive to repair station. After inspecting the vehicle, mechanic determined that engine would need replaced.

Filed Jul 19, 2018 · Engine · 119,000 miles · MT

I was driving down the highway when all of a sudden my car completely stopped accelerating. I got it pulled over to the side of the road and the engine was seized up. I had it towed to a mechanic shop where he told me that everything else in my car looked great (I get my oil changed on a regular basis and take very good car of my car). He said he was clueless and had no idea why the engine would just seize out of no where. I called the kia consumer and they will not do anything about it, even

Filed Jul 16, 2018 · Engine · 102,000 miles · NM · fire

The engine started on fire in february 2018 at three weeks trying kia help me fix the sedona in farmington new mexico we took it and fixed it when I went and picked it up the key in farmington fixed it engine wasn't tight those bolts missing and you move the car on the street in the SUV shake and rattle in the engine so I call kia the 800-number I spoke to [xxx] his number is [xxx] I had a hard time with him too it took two months for them to work on it now I'm trying to get my money back from renting a car I try to take it back to him because the engine light will stay on my grandbabies are very scared to get in the vehicle I told him he says gradually they'll get better well another words he didn't care less I'm not sure what I should do I hope this one someone from here can help me my number is [xxx] my name is [xxx] albuquerque new mexico thank you please call me back information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was towed to suntrup kia south (6263 s lindbergh blvd, st. Louis, mo 63123, 314‑254‑8955) for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2018 · Engine · 110,000 miles · MO

I was driving in my in my neighborhood when I came to a stop sign. I went to accelerate and my vehicle had turned off. I couldn't get it to turn over. I waited a couple of minutes and then tried to start it again and I was able to get it started so I drove it home. The antifreeze was completely empty so I put more in it. The vehicle continued to over heat so I took it to a mechanic and I have a blown head gasket, and now I need a new engine.

Filed Jun 14, 2018 · Engine · 91,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (altoona courtesy kia, 401 pleasant valley boulevard, altoona, pa 10602) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain blew off the valves and a new engine was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

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 May 23, 2018 · Engine · 92,000 miles · ND

I was on the freeway driving 75mph. I had been driving for approx 65 miles when my vehicle lost all engine power with no warning while driving up a hill. I was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. I had to tow the vehicle 65 miles back home and to the mechanic. The mechanic has stated the vehicle died while driving due to the engine locking up. This vehicle has had all routine maintenance completed on time and in fact just had an oil change and inspection before taking this trip. There have been no loud noises or noises coming from the vehicle at all nor were there any noises prior to this issue occurring.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Engine · 115,000 miles · NY

While driving about 40mph on a highway with a speed limit of 55 MPH, the engine sized without any warning. The car would not accelerate and went about 1 mile and started making a clunking sound. Car was pulled over immediately and the all the warning lights came on and the car was inoperable. Cooper kia (5056 commercial dr., yorkville ny) was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed. Referenced the federal safety agency campaign # 17v224000 (engine and cooling) as a possible solution. Advised that this engine was not in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was about 115,000 miles.

Filed Apr 4, 2018 · Engine · 108,000 miles · PA

Sudden failure of the crank shaft, rod, and rod bearing. Failure resulted in a rod bearing blowing a hole through the motor block and oil pain resulting in oil drainage and subsequent catastrophic failure of the entire motor. In the days leading up to this event I didn't notice any noises or change in vehicle behavior. All functioned as normal. I merged onto a highway and reached a speed of approx 65 MPH for approx 2 miles all was normal and fine. I then heard a loud bang and noticed vehicle losing power. I pulled vehicle off the road to a safe area and had the vehicle towed approx 1 mile to a local service station. The information I related in the beginning is the official diagnosis from the mechanic. I have an after market warranty unfortunately due to the high cost of repairs they are fighting paying for needed repairs, which is causing me to incur a very large financial loss. My vehicle was very well kept, and only had a little over 108,000 original miles. All service records are kept. Religiously kept up with typical pm such as tires, oil change, brakes, rotors, ect. All non-typical pm repairs were always done at a kia dealership by a certified kia technician, and always requested to check VIN for any recalls and when found had recall repairs made. As I stated there was nothing in the behavior of the vehicle in the years, months, weeks, or days leading up to this incident that would indicate a catastrophic failure of this nature was impending.

Filed Apr 2, 2018 · Engine · 85,000 miles · CO

Car stalls in traffic without warning. Rpms diminish and power is lost. We have been able to pull to the side of the road, turn off engine, wait for a short time, and restart it. There are two lights that come on in the panel. One is a check engine light, the other is lit up next to the 4wd indicator. In requesting service from one local dealership, we were told they couldn't make the car act in this way. Finally, after several returns to the dealer, we were told the computer (PCM) was bad and it would be $1500 to replace it they told us some day the engine would stop in this manner and we would not be able to restart it. After calling kia corporate about recalls, we were told the recall for this problem did not include our manufacturing date. This defect recall began with cars manufactured starting july, 2010, ours was manufactured in may, 2010. It was suggested we request a second opinion from the other dealership in town. And were told that any problem would show up with a code on the computer, they did diagnostics and reported there was no code on the computer that would indicate this problem. We pay close attention to the rpms and do not trust this car to take it out of town. This situation has occurred at least 8-10 times, fortunately not at highway speeds.

Filed Mar 26, 2018 · Engine · 126,000 miles · OH

Car has been burning oil for awhile, so we are constantly topping it off. We are diligent about routine oil changes. There has also been a clicking on hard acceleration that has no known cause, even after being investigated on 2 occasions. Yesterday, while on the highway, the car lost power. Got to an exit and had car towed to shop. Got the call today that there is a hole in one of the pistons and entire engine needs to be replaced. Contacted kia and this year is not included in the multiple engine recall list. Car has approximately 126,000 miles with a repair estimate of $7000.

Filed Mar 23, 2018 · Body, Engine · 100,000 miles · TX

2011 kia sorento 116,000. Regularly maintained.the first problem was the driver side back door will not open from the outside, that happened about 6 months ago. Now, my driver side door won't open from the outside. In addition, recently my car has just shut off while driving; foot on the gas at it is not doing anything (no engine light). We park it, shut it off and restart and it will work fine for a while. There is some sort of acceleration problem. I can stop at stop sign and lightly increase my speed and it will tug like engine. No accidents. This is a huge safety concern with having 2 small children in the back seat. If I were in an accident, I would not be able to get my child out of the back. If I was in accident, someone couldn't help me or my children. This to me is very serious! Sept 2017 date of back door issue not opening from outside. 3/22/18 drivers door not opening from outside. Car shutting off and not working properly as been since about jan/2018. There is something wrong with headlights too. Since 1/2017, bulbs are good but they just work for a while and then one or the other stops working out of nowhere.

Filed Mar 11, 2018 · Engine · 85,000 miles · MA

As my husband and I were driving on the highway my car started to make a knocking sound, with no warning, no engine light, no oil light, absolutely no indicators something was wrong and then stalled.

Filed Mar 10, 2018 · Body, Brakes · 100,000 miles · AL

Door handles not opening brakes not wanting to stop or grabing ESC ABS downhill on and passger air bag

Filed Mar 9, 2018 · Engine, Steering · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering ability and stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart after numerous attempts. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to valley hi kia (14644 valley center dr, victorville, ca 92395, (760) 955-0046). The vehicle was diagnosed, but not repaired. The results of the diagnosis was not known. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was no longer in the contact's possession. The failure mileage was unknown. *tt

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