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.
2011 Kia Sorento transmission complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 265, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Having trouble with service dept of local dealer regarding driver's side axle as it enters the drivers side transmission case. Dealer tells me it's normal for this amount of "play" - they say it is designed this way for going over bumps - don't believe them at all as I know that the cv joint handles the bumps. I know that the shaft and the bearing are a very precise fit and there should not be any play. There is a grinding noise when slowing down and a fluttering/clicking noise when I pop the vehicle in neutral at about 50 MPH (this is probably the splines on the end of the shaft not mating into the differential correctly - misaligned - because the bearing has failed). Dealer keeps telling us it's either our brakes or tires. They have checked the brakes 4 times already and found nothing but they do acknowledge the grinding noise is still there. This vehicle is dangerous to drive in this condition as the symptoms keep getting worse. It has been at the dealer's service department this time for 6 days already. The vehicle is still under the 100,000 kia drive train warranty (vehicle has 91,000 miles on it). I have sent the video along with this same note to the federal safety [email protected]. Would like your opinion of what the amount of movement signifies on the axle as shown in the video - pretty sure it is evidence of a failed bearing (which has LED to further damage within to the differential and shaft splines). Thank you!
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving, the contact heard an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. When the vehicle was parked and restarted, it failed to engage in gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v258000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
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.
While driving along a rural road at 50 to 55 MPH, on five separate occasions over the last 3 years, our 2011 kia sorento has suddenly and harshly downshifted from sixth gear to about fourth gear. When this occurs, the jar is similar to having hit a large animal in the road and the entire car shakes. The transmission will not shift up or down after this event and stays in that lower gear until the vehicle is turned off, then turned back on. After doing so, the transmission shifts properly. The vehicle has been to the dealer four times, two of which there were no codes showing from transmission operation. A transmission temperature sensor was replaced, with no further events for over a year. The latest episode delivered a code p0748 and the service technician completed a tsb038 TCM upgrade. The vehicle has only 27,000 miles.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. When the vehicle was placed into any gear, it would not respond. When the gear was placed in reverse, the vehicle would remain in neutral or park. When placed in drive gear, the vehicle would be in neutral or reverse. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that a recall was placed on the transmission and the contact was informed it was repaired. As soon as the contact received the vehicle, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The federal safety agency campaign number was unknown. The failure mileage was 52,000.
The sorento lurches at slower speeds and engine light comes on. It appears as if the transmission is slipping. At higher speeds it does not occur. The code from the engine light analysis is p0713 (transmission fluid temperature sensor). Kia forum shows a number of people have similar complaints.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While trying to start the vehicle and going in reverse, the vehicle lunged and did not move due to the shifter not functioning properly. The vehicle made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was able to be operated by shifting the vehicle into park and going back into reverse. The ABS sensor and traction control sensor illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 72,078. Updated 02/12/16*lj the consumer stated he went to the dealer for a failed transmission and a problem with the ABS sensors on the rear wheel hubs. Updated 03/31/16.
The ABS,ESC, and dbc lights stay on when I start car and drive it at all speeds.
Started noticing check engine light come on on occasion. Noticed chugging as I changed gears. P code p0711 was found.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact stated when driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available. ..updated 02/01/16 *bf the consumer stated vehicle had an appointment to be repaired.
2011 kia sorento airbag light came on out the blue. Took to dealership was advised either defective passanger airbag or the sensor for passenger seat. Would have to pay $$$ to put on diagnostic. Car jerks forward when switching gears. Also, car just accelerated by itself.. Put the car in park and it jerks forward. Its jerks so hard I could get whiplash.like the car doesn't want to stop.scarriest thing ever. I am really concerned how sometimes I don't even have to press the brake to put in gear. Last, went to change headlight, rightside extremely jot and could hear boiling like something cooking.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the gear shift unintentionally switched gears independently without warning. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle jerked forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v626000 (power train). The failure mileage was 30,000.
Vehicle falls out of gear when I'm slowly backing up in reverse gear or slowly starting to drive forward at just about 2 MPH. I try to accelerate but my vehicle doesn't move. Also, on a few occasions, the vehicle clunked/jerked backward or forward very aggressively (feeling like it hit another car when nothing is nearby) which has caused me to fear hitting something or someone. The car does not seem to recognize when it is in gear.
We purchased a used 2011 kia sorento from an individual. The vehicle had roughly 19,000 miles. The car was fine until approximately 35,000 miles. While leaving from a stationary position, on the interstate or just main roads, the transmission started slipping, lurching, and at times would not engage. We took the car to our loacal kia dealer and were told that they could not find anything wrong. At roughly 45,000 we again took it to the dealer and got the same response. At 58,000 the car would hardly drive so we took it back in. The dealer told us that the computer wasn't giving them any codes but could tell there was a problem. After going back and forth, kia replaced the transmission. Now at 78,000 miles, we're having a o take it in for transmission issues and the car is making terrible noises. We took it out o the dealer and were told at first that there was nothing wrong. Later in the afternoon they came back and said our intermediate drive shaft needed to be replaced. Cost $598. After some research, I saw you that there was a recall on my model year cars, but my VIN number did not fall into the recall. How can they tell me that these issues have nothing to do with the recall for the intermediate shaft!?!? These failures fit the recall details exactly. Why weren't the bad shafts caught and replaced when the transmission was replaced? I asked the dealer about the recall and was told my VIN did not fit the recall. I called kia and was told that my VIN has no open recalls. Basically again my "VIN" was not in the recall. All the exact same issues, but the problems have nothing to do with the original 2011 recall. Kia/hyundai are the only car manufacturers that do not transfer their 100,000 mile 10 year power train warranty to a 2nd owner unless it's purchased through a dealership. It's frustrating that a large car manufacturer will not just do the right thing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. Upon switching gears from reverse to drive, there was hesitation from the driveshaft before the vehicle would move forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,430.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, making a left turned and depressing the accelerator pedal, a riddling noise emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to go forward. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,700. Ma 10/2
My 2011 sorento lost all power after a high pitched whirling noise while driving on a 55 MPH highway. We had it towed and learned the transmission was gone. Once the vehicle was taken apart, the intermediate drive shaft was excessively worn, warped and obviously in need of repair. Quick research on your site and kia's site showed the recall concerning right sided drive shaft leading to transmission failure if not taken care of and the made on dates which included my car's date (march 16, 2010). My calls to kia motors, my local dealer, and the service manager only uncovered that my warranty was no longer valid. I have explained to everyone I am well aware of this but would like an explanation as to why my vehicle with a march 16, 2010, born on date, with excessive wear on the drive shaft that lost power while driving on a 55 MPH highway just as the recall states (almost to a t) was not covered. No one and I mean absolutely no one can explain to me why it is not covered.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the vehicle needed an alignment and the two front tires were worn out. The vehicle was repaired, however, the abnormal noise persisted. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v258000 (power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Ma 10/22/2015 updated 12/05/2017
When slowing down, the transmission would bang forward. This has been happening all the time the car's speed is reduced. We have complaint to dealer many times. The last time we brought the car in for servicing the mechanic said there was something wrong with the transmission, but could not find the problem. He said he adjusted it back to factory start, what ever that means. We are still having the problem to this day.
Started vehicle and put into reverse, once in reverse I began to back up, the gear slips out of reverse into neutral. If placed back into gear park, reverse or drive it pauses for a few seconds then shifts hard with a clank sound. If you proceed to drive it shifts like it is going from first to third gear. It will not correct itself once driving. Sometimes when this happens I can turn the vehicle off and restart it and it works fine with no slipping or shifting problems, the check engine light does not come on. However today it will not correct itself and the check engine light has come on. Updated 11/02/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While the vehicle was parked, it rolled away and crashed into two headstones. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shift interlock solenoid failed. The vehicle was unable to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that when driving over a bump, there was an whining sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v258000 (power train). The failure mileage was 76,000.
A vehicle abruptly stopped to turn left and I had to swerve to avoid rear-ending it resulting in head on collision with a utility pole.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that when attempting to shift the vehicle into reverse, the transmission failed to recognize the gear for which the lever was shifted. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted in order for it to resume normal operation. Also, the contact mentioned that the vehicle would make a loud knocking sound when the transmission was forced into reverse. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Vehicle started by losing power on take-off. Later violent jerking/shifting over 30 MPH. I have taken the vehicle to both dealer and personal mechanic. Crank and cam sensors were replaced. Issue is not resolved. The vehicle sometimes shuts off upon take-off. Sometimes it immediately starts again, other times I have to put into neutral and restart. This issue is also not resolved. Positive battery cable was removed to reset the computer. This temporarily fixed the problems for a day. When placed into "sports mode", the vehicle shifts without driver input (second gear and above). Note: unscrupulous dealer mechanic voided engine warranty for "sludge" in engine and incorrectly removed a sensor, resulting in breakage of said sensor. Personal mechanic saw normal traces of "sludge" in engine. Vehicle is acting similar to previous recalls of the same year, make/model, but does not fall into VIN/date ranges for recall repair..
The vehicle would not start finally it started in the drive position , have been complaining to the dealer that the vehicle shifts on its own from drive to another position. In addition all the lights remain on in the dash board. Vehicle was taken out the repair shop on 8/25/14 and this problem was rectified. The airbag light is on now since 8/25/14.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The dealer replaced the transmission, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,000. Updated 10/02/14*lj updated 3/2/2015
I was parked in a parking spot, put the car in reverse to back out, when I tried to put it in drive it wouldn't shift past neutral. It has done this six times in the last year since the first incident but has become more frequent. This last time, the same thing occurred every time I parked (four times in one day). Also the ESC and dbc lights come on when this happens. I finally decided to call the dealership and schedule an appointment because on this same day, as I was driving on the highway the ESC and dbc lights came on and stayed on until I pulled over and turned the car off.
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