1) the vehicle has stalled out six (6) times during my ownership. This has occurred after stopping. I was able to restart the vehicle four of the six times by stopping, putting the vehicle in park, and pressing the "start" ignition button. Two of the six times the gear was locked into drive and neutral only. The vehicle would also not shut off. Both times 911 was called for california highway patrol assistance was contacted as I was stranded on the freeway. This occurred on 2/20/14 and 6/03/14. On 5/17/14 the vehicle was brought into the kia car pros carson facility for the 60,000 mile maintenance and passed with no issues. 2) the backup camera flutters intermittently (about 10-15 times a month) mostly in the morning on start up and sometimes at night. Kia of cerritos had replaced the navigation/radio module 3 times, but official records show it was replaced only twice. This has not rectified the issue as it still persists. 3) the radio inconsistently (about 2-5 times a month) does not start for about 20 seconds after starting the vehicle up. I am not confident that the issues are resolved and I fear for the safety of myself and all who ride in the vehicle. The kia car pros carson facility replaced the drive assist part and cleaned the electrical contacts for the first incident in feb 2014. I was told this would rectify the issue. On 6/03/14, I was told a software update to the ecu (electrical control unit) was performed, but they do not guarantee that the problem has been resolved. I want the facility to retain my vehicle and perform a full diagnostic on the vehicle until they can guarantee that it will not stall and lock up on me again. Corporate kia said the vehicle can be released and the facility will not investigate any further. I do not believe kia is taking this matter seriously.
2011 Kia Sorento transmission complaints
Page 6 of 10: complaints 131 to 160 of 265, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift to park and rolled forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The vehicle abruptly jerks or changes gears when reducing speed. When taking the foot slowly off the gas pedal the vehicle jumps causing the vehicle to almost stop. The transmission also makes a very loud noise. Sometimes it just turns off by itself. Car is only 2 years and a half old and it's already having signs of breaking down and having problems that could cause accidents. Kia says they don't know what the problem is. I have taken the car to the dealer twice. The first time they cleaned the throttle body, but it didn't fix the problem. I have taken the car to the dealer again, still waiting for solution. Researching the internet, I found there are many similar complaints where kia just won't do anything. Actually I found this web page as a recommendation from one of the forums. Hope you can help.
When the sorento reaches a speed above 60 it hesitates before abruptly jumping into the next gear, causing the entire vehicle and all passengers to jerk forward. The jumping of the gear is so forceful that it sounds as if the engine is about to fall out of the vehicle each time it's placed in gear.
When switching from park to drive a loud pop will be heard from the vehicle usually occurring (loudest) during cold moist days. In the same conditions when the vehicle is in motion the car begins to stutter and vibrate when switching gears (this is usually felt initially driving off or during hard brakes at lights). Car at one point stalled in middle of traffic. When going to dealer they said software updates should have fixed it, however the problem simply persists (though the car did not stall thus far).
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while turning left, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the transmission fluid was low. The transmission was fluid was filled but the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was scheduled for unknown repairs. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v258000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Kia sorento infrequent and unpredictable loss of power during moderate acceleration. During certain conditions, which have included moderate uphill climbs, highway driving and city under 50mph and at moderate acceleration, the vehicle will suddenly loose power, fail to upshift when needed, or show no signs of power, followed by erratic shifting and a loud clunk. At other times on highway driving, the car will, for no apparent reason, downshift on flat sections when speeds are between 45-65mph. Multiple trips to the dealer: 1/8/13, 95,035 miles- dealer could not replicate, inhibitor switch bracket installed, did not resolve the issue 7/26/13, 106,574 miles-electronic stability and ABS light come on, similar to stop lamp switch, dealer could not replicate, did see error codes but did not provide them to customer, reset the computer. Not resolved. 10/3/13, 107,842-transmission still jerking, dealer tried replacing automatic transmission fluid, did not resolve the issue. Took to alternative dealer-road test with customer-advised the problem will need to become worse and more frequent to diagnose. This is leading to unsafe conditions due to unexpected loss of power.
Will intermittent turn on during driving and stay on. If you stop and turn off car and then restart may or may not return on. Car as a bit of a shake to it some times. Had cruise control not turn on. Electrical seems wacky in the vehicle. Also had it been stuck in park or times could not move the shifter to park or reverse. Seriously needs to be reviewed. All these issues happen intermittent and never when near the kia dealership. Vehicle 90% of the time has been wonderful, however there are issues that need investigated and corrected for example all the above I have listed.
I started the car, put it into reverse and as I was backing the car goes out of reverse and into neutral. The r indicator on the dash disappears and the car revs real high then slams into gear and lurches forward and makes a sound as if I have hit something. I bought the car in oct 2012 and the dealer didn't disclose this. I've had it in 2xs to another dealer and they cant duplicated he issue. As time goes on it happens more and more frequently.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorrento. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, she depressed that brake pedal and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 45,000.
2 days ago while driving heard loud sound, whoa, could not determine what caused it. This morning in my garage started for daily drive, when I put car from park to reverse was loud clunk sound. Put back in park did this 3 or 4 times loud clunking with jolting seem to lunge forward. Violent sound and feel. No warning lights are illuminated.my husband got in car, he experienced the same. I called kia service, they told me to call roadside for tow. He told me then it would be a 1 day job. He seemed familiar what I described. Towed to dealer, they called me later of course they could not replicate the problem. We explained over the phone it has to be something due to loud sounds, clunking metal sound, could not put in gear. They kept the car over night, to try again in the morning, they are contacting kia manufacturing for advice. Now I am reading all these complaints, some sound exactly like my experienced. I have no recall letter or notifications. From kia losing faith in kia and afraid to drive this vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that she attempted to reverse however, the shifter could not be moved for over 30 minutes. In addition, the radio would sporadically power on independently and drain the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
From point of purchase (november 2010) the vehicle always had a hard start, the seat belt was incorrectly installed and the gas lid fails to open without manual prodding. In april 2012 the engine failed to start, and then this continued to happen multiple times thereafter. The dealership changed the battery and service the vehicle. In the following months a series of issues continued, windshield washer pump stopped working, failure start, loud knocking sound in the engine while idle and driving, and then the car started to stall and thrust hard forward. The car was serviced again, oil changed, the changed the pump and filters, all reported problems persisted through 2013. For three months the car remained in the dealership service shop where the engine was serviced, and some ?tappets? Were replaced. The dealership cracked the engine cover, replaced it, without informing me. All engine, fail start, and windshield pump issues continues to persist to date (september 2013) despite multiple services.
While pulling into parking space, car became non-responsive to gas pedal input, but brakes sill worked. Hill asst and etc lights lit up on dash, car would not shift past neutral. Turned car off and on and was able to shift to park. Car started normally after being shut off.
While driving out of a parking lot at about 10 MPH the vehicle shut down and all the dash lights illuminated. I turned the key off and on and the car restarted, drove rest of day without incident. Car stalled a second time two days later.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse, the gear erroneously shifted into neutral and failed to respond to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was not unavailable.
Vehicle had transmission sensor fixed in december 2012. Vehicle was jerking and would not get into gear. Supposedly fixed. This time my daughter was driving at night with a friend on a two way road, the vehicle stopped..cold...thank god no one was hurt. The vehicle had been unable to get into gear the last few miles. The vehicle was left to cool and she was driving it to the dealer. Now being told at 33,000 a new transmission is being ordered. The car apparent, starts in third gear. Still under warranty, but the car stopped dead. This could have been a fatal accident had someone been behind her. People must be warned.
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.
Chapter 2. The federal safety agency id number: 10519967 the problem occurred saturday 6/15, dealership closed. Called dealership this morning and was able to bring the car right in. Left the car all day and then received the news, they cannot reproduce the incident. So of course nothing was repaired. So I drove home in the 'death wish' car and prayed all the way home. The car is a 2011 kia sorento 6 cyl awd manufactured in august 11, 2010. I have search the internet nightly and I am finding more and more people who have exact issue as I experienced. This is making me sick knowing that kia corp knows about this defect and is not taking action to correct this potentially deadly defect. How do we get their attention that this defect needs to be corrected. Do we have to check off the fatality box on this form before kia pays attention to us. Please if someone has had a good result with their dealership as far as getting a repair done without reproducing the error code, please contact me with that information. The lemon law in my state is 5 attempts at repairing the problem and no resolve...I only have 4 more to go! Kia help us please...this defect is in your 2011, 2012 and 2013 kia sorento....something is extremely wrong with your powertrain in these cars. Take ownership of the defect and save our lives.
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.
Vehicle rolled down my driveway while in park, went across a two lane street into the neighbors driveway only being stopped by their vehicle parked in their driveway. The keys were not in the vehicle and when I got to the vehicle it was in park. After getting in the vehicle you could put it in gear without having the key ignition or your foot on the brake.
Stability control and downhill assist light came on while driving. Once stopped, shifter would not go past neutral. In order to get past neutral, had to turn off engine and restart.
Traveling at 70mph with cruise control engage, a large "thud" was felt in the cabin as if something had been hit. Pull off side of highway to examine for damage. No damage of any kind was noted. Upon leaving the side of the road, the acceleration was sluggish and at highway speed RPM was 4500, not normal. Pulled off the side if the highway again and turned the car off. This reset the car. Pull off the shoulder again and transmission operated normally again.
Stability control and downhill assist light came on while driving. Once stopped, couldn't get the shifter to go into park. Had to turn vehicle off and restart. Once I was finally able to get into park, the lights came on again and I couldn't get it to go back into any gear.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral independently and without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 54,200.
Stability control and downhill assist light came on while driving. When vehicle was stopped, shifter would not go past neutral. In order to get past neutral, had to turn off engine and restart.
Driving at 65mph with cruise control set; when suddenly there was a violent jerk/hesitation, and an extremely loud bang, as though I had hit something. Stopped on side of the road, vehicle not making any different noise or running different, placed without a problem into park. Checked around vehicle nothing out of order, no fluids running under vehicle, tires ok, unable to locate a problem. It seemed like a miss or something with the transmission, didn't notice lights or any thing abnormal on warning system. Got back in car and continued on no abnormal noise, shifted with out incident, not sure but I am wondering about a transmission issue, hope it doesn't happen again.
On several occasions, the vehicle does not want to go into/out of gear. When staring in the morning, I often have to pump brakes, or turn car off and re-start in order to get the car to move into reverse. On one occasion, it would not move out of drive and into park. While this hasn't caused any accidents/injuries, it could have on several occasions. Had my teenaged daughter been driving it at any of the times that the vehicle didn't cooperate and move out of drive, it could have been disastrous.
Reversed car from my driveway. Felt as if I had crashed into something (heard loud grinding sound). Put the car into drive and came to stop. Upon pressing the brakes, felt as if the ABS had engaged and gripped all four wheels. Heard loud grinding sound and car jolted (as brakes were pressed). I had my five year old and three old sons with me; they screamed from the jolt. I slowly released the breaks and applied the breaks again, and same thing occurred only with less force. Turned off the car and called for towing. Also, a howling whining noise is heard inside the car. The dealership had it for two weeks, and under the guidance of the field engineer they replaced the transfer case. The howling/whining noise continues. The dealership really tried to resolve the issue. The manager herself test drove the car and also heard the whining/howling sound. I did contact the manufacturer, but frankly felt disappointed. I had asked if anyone has called in with similar complaints and was not given an answer. I feel unsafe and very anxious about driving the car. They dealership stated the breaks were fine, and that no error code was detected. I was not given a definitive answer as to what caused the breaks to behave this way or what is the howling noise that is occurring. This is the third major issue we had with this car. I have an awd vehicle and the current recall only covers the 2wd issue (that also has this howling sound). I have read numerous other complaints in which other 2011 awd sorentos are having similar issues. Please investigate; someone could be seriously hurt or worse.
We have previously had 2 transmissions put into our 2011 kia sorento. Today we were traveling home from san antonio and the dbc indicator and ESC indicator lights came on while driving. I pulled over to see what it was and tried to put the car into park. The gear shift would not move. It did it several times during our trip. It also sometimes makes loud bang noises when putting it into gear. I feel that the transmission is faulty again. We have been dealing with these issues since we purchased the vehicle.
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