While driving my 2011 kia sorento for about a half mile from my home, driving approximately 30 MPH I approached a busy intersection during morning traffic and with no sign anything was wrong my car stalled out. I lost all power steering but was able to turn wheel and turn right onto side street to get out of the intersection. Car rolled off to the side of the road. I attempted to restart and car seemed to have restarted just fine. I turned around and decided to head back home instead of drive the highway to work. Literally a minute after I turned my car around and entered the intersection my sorento stalled out again. I once again turned my steering wheel to the right to get out of the way of traffic this time in the busy intersection. This time oil light, and engine light turned on on the dashboard. Waited almost 2 hours to get my car towed 1 1/2 miles down the road to find out that my engine seized up. The mechanic who gave me the bad news stated the oil was down about half a quart not enough to seize the engine. Stated his opinion without further teardown was that something let loose inside of engine causing it to jam up.
2011 Kia Sorento engine complaints
Page 9 of 12: complaints 221 to 250 of 316, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My kia was being details, the person detailing the vehicle got into the vehicle. He pushed the start button didn't start the vehicle. He started it by inserting the fob in the console. The vehicle started at high rpms, driver had his foot on the brake, placed the car into reverse and the car exited the garage at a high rate of speed, driver applied both feet on the brakes the brakes did not work he tried to steer the vehicle away from the creek the steering did not work.. The vehicle did stop after it crashed into the creek that was near the business. The driver sustained injury to his head when he tried to exit the vehicle after it entered the creek. Vehicle was pulled from the creek. Driver did seek medical attention at a local hospital.
While returning from my aunts funeral in kansas, making my way to georgia. The car began to slow down and stop, on the highway. Then it cut off, wouldn't start or move. There was this whining and clanking sound, white smoke and fire shot out from under the car, as I was told by a person that was passing by, he stopped to make sure that I got out of the car. It just got to 130,000 miles. Had it towed to a shop and was told that the engine was gone.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine seized without warning. Cooper kia (5056 commercial dr, yorkville, ny) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution. The contact was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. *tt
January 26, 2018 I was stopped at a stop sign and suddenly my vehicle made a thud sound, and it felt like a downward thrust as the vehicle completely shut down. I was able to restart it and drove home. We took it to our kia dealership service dept this morning and asked for a diagnostic test. The technician said since there were no check engine lights on, the test wouldn't show anything unless we had the problem before. I was very concerned about his lack of concern. Especially after I researched sorento engine failures and it is huge for so many models. The 2011 was about the only one not on the recalls.. My model was the first made in the us at the georgia plant. My production date is 12/19/09. We bought our 2011 in february 2010. We were told since the body was being changed they made no 2010 sorento's at the georgia plant. Since I saw the stall problems on these 2009 models wouldn't that mean it would apply to my engine? Very confusing. I hope you can check this out for me.
Check engine light on vehicle illuminated. While driving vehicle, the vehicle engine suddenly stopped and vehicle turned off while in motion. Driver pulled vehicle to side of road and had towed to auto shop. Auto shop said the engine seized but could not identify cause of seizure. Shop said oil was full and recently changed. Owner had vehicle towed to kia dealer who also cited engine seizure. Kia dealer said owner would need to pay for diagnostic to determine exact cause. Engine seizure matched engine seizure issue in recalled 2012-2014 sorento vehicles. Owner asked dealer about repairs under similar recall/issue and was told there was nothing dealer could do.
Vehicle was running fine, no noises, no unusual issues. Went to start in the morning and ran fine. Went to my destination. When I came out 2-hours later, vehicle would not start. Had it towed to a mechanic who said the engine needed to be replaced. 108,000 miles
I have a 2011 kia sorrento and have been having trouble with it stalling when I stop at red lights . I start to take off and it didn't want to go I push on the gas and it jumps and finally goes. *bf updated 10/16/2017
When driving at stable speed the vehicle often "feels" as if the gas is not getting to the motor. The speed of the car varies, regardless of the amount of pressure on the gas pedal. The car also shows low tire light, along with all lights on the dashboard at random times. The lights will appear when you start the vehicle and the tire pressure light remains on at all times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kia of alliance (located at 2010 w state st alliance, oh 44601), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: k3452308. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Beginning march of 2016, loud banging and clanking when starting engine. I took it to dealership where they diagnosed it with bearing problem which could potentially cause engine failure. Vehicle out of warranty so no coverage for an estimated 6,000.00 repair. When mention of recall came out I was relieved as I am still driving the vehicle. However, it seems that the recall only covers 2012 or newer models. The 2011's have major engine issues as well and need to be included in the recall
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 60 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 166,045.
While driving anywhere above 35 MPH upon slowing down and the car downshifting the car jolts a loud bang/pop is heard the car lunges you forward it's quite violent I've taken to the dealer over 10 times and they just say they notice the popping but nothing is wrong they also said they took it for a test drive to test the unbelievably hard down shift . I watched them their test drive was from the front of the parking lot to the rear . They never went above 25 MPH so they never tested the down shift it's happened for a very long time now and they just keep denying it I also had the top end of the motor go out at 5000 miles and feel like they are just avoiding it being a lemon.
After driving 8 miles to my destination I parked the car and turned off the engine. I immediately saw and smelled smoke coming from under the hood. I got out, called 911, and began to see flames. The police arrived in less than 5 minutes but by then the hood of the car was on fire and by the time the firefighters arrived the car was completely in flames. There was never a warning light on the dashboard to indicate anything was wrong. We always take it in for all its routine maintenance and checkups with the kia dealer. It was just into the dealer 2 weeks ago.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that a metal banging noise was heard underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer opened case number: k3454763. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 55 MPH, the engine stalled and the warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,752. Consumer stated new engine installed 4/18/17, also , the air conditioning does not work because of engine replacement. Updated 9/27/18
The engine began to be hard to start leaving work for home. Then the next morning it was hard to start and would almost stall at idle. After parking at work I attempted to start it and drive to the kia dealership for diagnosis, it would not keep running more than a few seconds. The engine has suffered a catastrophic failure. The dealer says that it is likely that the crank shaft bearings failed, or possibly the connecting rod bearings. The engine needs to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and discovered that it was low on oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bearing was faulty and caused an oil leak. There was sludge in the motor, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campiagn number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
On february 27, 2017, my 2011 kia sorento's engine died. I had only one warning that there was a problem and that was a lack of power. I was going up a slight hill and I had to floor the gas pedal to maintain 20mph up it. I went out at 830pm that night to take it to my mechanic and my sorento would not start. I had it towed to gorring automotive at 1030pm. On march 1, 2017, mr. Gorring called and told me I would need a new engine. I contacted century 3 kia and spoke to the service manager dan. He stated that I needed to bring it back to the dealership to have it looked at. I also contacted kia consumer number and spoke to eric. Eric told me the same information and I stated I did not want to pay for the diagnosis again. I had my sorento towed to century 3 kia on march 1, 2017. Dan stated that he was surprised that my VIN was not on the extended warranty list. On march 3, 2017, dan from century 3 kia called me and said that I did need a new engine. Charles from kia's consumer number and dan from century 3 kia both stated that if I was the original owner they would replace the engine at no cost to me but since I am the second owner of the sorento, it would be my responsibility. I inquired at the cost of labor and was told 15 hours at $108 an hour. I have looked around and found that most engines with roughly the same mileage as mine are around $2,500. The total cost will roughly be between $4,500 and $6,500 total with all the fluids and other parts needed to return my sorento to a functional state. I purchased the sorento with 53,857 miles on it and had it for one year. I put 12,000 mile on it roughly. My sorento had roughly 65,500 miles on it when this happened. I have done some research and found this to be a common problem with the 2.4l engines. If this is true, why has kia not done anything about it.
The car was not always responding to me when I wanted to accelerate, I would hear the rpms going up but the car would not go faster, then a puff of white smoke would come out the tail pipe. Then one day, I was driving the car and it started making a clanking noise when I would push the gas pedal. It sounded like the noise a roller coaster makes when you are clanking up the hill at the beginning. Took the car to the dealership and they took the engine apart to find the problem. The car has an engine defect that was diagnosed by a kia dealer as a manufacturers defect. Now the car is not drivable and kia is refusing to pay for a new engine. Kia needs to recall all vehicles with these engines. They are built by hyundai and they recalled their vehicles with the same engines.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that an unknown warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was not available.
2011 sorento shift really hard, sometimes I have to force it to shift by lowering speed, sometimes it does not want to shift at all and then my engine light comes on, then shifts really hard and wants to stop on me as I am driving. Sometimes at a light it does die, but then start back up. One time it would not go even with pushing the gas all the way down.
Engine was making a cyclical clicking/knocking noise. We took the vehicle to kia dealership and they said they could not find any issues with the car. About a week later the car broke down while driving at highway speeds. After having it towed to an independent garage, we were informed the engine had a connecting rod failure. This is the exact same problem the hyundai sonata has with the exact same theta 2.4 liter engine. Hyundai has issues a recall but kia fails to acknowledge the issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and resumed driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure could not be found. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving approximately 40 MPH, an abnormal vibration emitted from the vehicle. In addition, the RPM's went to zero. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000. The VIN was unavailable.
At 68,000 miles the oil pressure sensor (part #94750-37100) failed and caused a sudden and immediate loss of all engine oil. In the half mile it took us to safely pull over the oil pressure light activated and the dip stick read bone dry. I have researched the issue and found it to be a common problem with kia's, a recall should be issued to replace the part with a better engineered version. Had we not been alert / aware of what was going on the engine could have seized and all power could have been lost while in motion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the service engine warning light randomly flashed. While the vehicle was in park or in gear, there was an abnormal noise heard near the engine. The contact stated that there was a build up of sludge near the axle and it was uncertain what type of fluid may have been releasing. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v258000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v626000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
On 1-31-16 heard a pinging noise on the highway; then the car stalled at the exit light; started it again and loud bang blow a rod after getting back on the highway to drive it to a shop. Died on the side of the highway and had to have it towed to kia in auburn wa. Kia stated they will not fix under the warranty because the wrong oil filter was installed and I didn't provide proper maintenance; which I took it in each and every time for oil changes to my auto shop. Same oil filter has been put into my car since 2011. Went back to my auto shop informed them they started the process of sending the oil filter in to be checked for defects, also found on 3 different web sites the filter can be used for my make and model. Now kia want fix my car; it has been 3 weeks without a vehicle and no word from kia; not even from their headquarters. Kia will not provide the work order stating they are not allowed to give to third party.
The check engine light came on due to a issue with oil control valves and cvvt continuous variable valve timing. Seems like a known issue of kia, I would think kia would do the right thing and fix it under warranty or offer some sort of customer assistance for the $4800 repair peoria kia quoted for the job. 3 kia owner..not any more!!
Tl* the contact a contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While attempting to park, the brake pedal was engaged and the gear was shifted into park. The vehicle abruptly moved forward and crashed into a cement wall. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact suffered injuries to the left knee that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired, but the details were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. A police report was not filed. The approximate failure mileage was 86,614. Updated 1/15/16 *cn; updated 04/20/18*jb
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