Tl* the contact owns 2011 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk violently. When applying pressure to the gasoline pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate;however, it would make a loud noise. The transmission was replaced in february 2011 by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The current mileage was 10,000. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
2011 Kia Sorento transmission complaints
Page 9 of 10: complaints 221 to 250 of 265, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I filed this report 6/23/11 on kia.com consumer care website: 2011 sorento lx (4cyl awd) transmission has locked up multiple times. At 40 MPH during acceleration, loud bang followed by severe jerking, (hard down-shift), loss of drive (engine continues to run but does not shift into gear), coast to stop,put in park. First few times it drove okay after a complete stop and from park, this last time it would not shift beyond 40 MPH. Towed twice to dealer but they were unable to replicate the issue in the mileage that they drove it. Vehicle purchased 01/30/10 with 24k miles. Mileage at the last service was 33k. First event 5/17, occurs every 4-5 days or approx 200-250 mi. Chk engine lt / transmission light have never come on, computer diagnostic doesnt register any issues. The dealer was very nice but without kia's approval would not keep the car long enough to find the problem. I asked kia directly to provide a tech to drive the car long enough to experience the issue but they have refused to authorize it and have also stated that without verification they will not approve any repairs. I am very afraid that next time it happens it will cause a serious accident. I have already had two close calls on the freeway 6/28: the same issue occurred again 4 days ago (6/24) on a narrow two lane road while accellerating after a stop sign (again about 40-45 MPH). This time it lost all drive and RPM's did not go up when pushing the gas pedal. Put it into park and tried two more times before it finally drove. Today 6/28, at a gas station the car would not go into reverse. After several tries to shift into any gear, turned it off and on again and it drove okay out of the station but 200 yds later as I was accelerating up the ramp to enter I-5 (a 6 lane freeway during early commute) it made the same loud bang, jerk and then lost drive, coasted to shoulder. Turned engine off, waited a few minutes to restart, it was not very responsive but I was able to exit the freeway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while stopped at a stop light. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal. The contact also stated that when driving in excess of 60 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate further when pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. A knocking noise was also heard coming from the front end of the vehicle, and the vehicle would intermittently jerk backwards. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100. A new transmission was installed 6/29/2011. Updated 09/07/2011 *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated the transmission starting slipping while shifting into first gear. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure and current mileages was 7,200. Return to dealer 8/10/11 transmission fluid leaking, toil leaking, transmission still sticks. Updated 09/14/2011 *ln the consumer returned to the vehicle to the dealer, due to transmission fluid leaking, as well as the getting stuck. Updated 12/05/11
Purchased a new sorento lx on 5-2011, 4cyl, fwd, automatic. On three occasions during the first month I owned the vehicle, I have experienced uncommanded downshift from 6th gear to 4th gear at speed. Transmission then locks in 4th gear until shut down and restarted. Very violent event when it occurs, with an instantaneous bang and corresponding immediate loss of speed.
While coming to a stop, the vehicle down-shifted hard and the engine started to sputter like it was going to cut off. Took to dealer and they found p0748- pressure control solenoid "a" electrical fault. They performed a reprogram of tsm per tsb# tra038. Drove off lot and it shifted hard three times on way home. Dealer said it would take 100 miles for the computer to re-learn my driving for best fuel mileage. Drove to work (shifted hard 5 times) and drove to run errands. While on errands the vehicle shifted down hard and engine sputtered while slowing down in traffic. Then, when releasing the brake and pressing the accelerator, the vehicle RPM/ tach went up but the vehicle wouldn't go. After stepping back on the brake and waiting 2-3 seconds I tried to move again and it did. I took the car back to dealer directly and while stopping to turn into dealer it shifted hard, engine sputtered and it again would not move ( only engine RPM's turned up). It did finally move and I was able to pull into the parking lot. Now the manufacturer is replacing the transmission because to their admission they do not know what is wrong with the vehicle. Nearly stranded on a five lane 35 MPH road could be physically dangerous but a highway could be fatal. An evasive maneuver with this vehicle, requiring stopping and starting quickly is not an option if you can't drive during normal conditions stopping and starting.
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving different speeds the vehicle would jerk forward and lose power. The transmission light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technicians stated the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v258000 (power train:driveline:driveshaft) but the dealer stated the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 1,820.
Bought my kia approximately 1 year ago on 05/31/2010 it is a 2011 4cyl. While driving (speed doesn't matter) (this has happened several times)the vehicle will loose power and all gauges will go unfunctional, pushing on the accelerator will not provide response, vehicle will not drive but engine is running. Took to dealership on 05/12/2011 and dealership said they fixed it. Had vehicle home for less than 1 week when we were driving down the highway at approximately 75 (on 05/22/2011) and vehicle again lost power and all controls. Had to fight vehicle with no power and controls and rolled to a stop.....engine was still running but no controls or power working....had my 3 kids and my wife....very scary....vehicle has a problem that needs to be seriously addressed....kia doesn't know what they are doing.
Powertrain issue on my kia sorento lx 2011, 4l, there was a sudden loss of motive power when I was driving the highway with all my family on it. This causes me concern because when I try to accelerate I heard some unpleasant, loud and repetitive clicking noises under my car which eventually went away after a minute. This has happened three times since I bought my car 2 weeks ago. I had to call kia and was advised me to go to any kia authorized dealership within my area to get it fix, but they didn't offered me an car loan option while hypothetical repair takes place. My main concern is about the security of my family and risk of crash. Also I was shocked when kia representative told me my car wasn't listed for a recall. When I have all the fore-mentioned symptoms described on the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v258000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving approximately 20 MPH the contact noticed that the vehicle would no longer accelerate. The vehicle rolled to a stop but the contact was unable to shift into park. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the transmission failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred twice. After each failure, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired. The failure mileage was 45,600 and the current mileage was 60,200.
Driving approx 35 MPH, there was a loud pop and noise then the car started grinding and transmission locked up. No gears, car locked up and came to a halt. Could not go backward or forward when put into gear, just had a loud grinding sound. Sound was so loud I thought the transmission had fallen out. Before this happened I noticed that when the car had been turned off for a while then started and put into reverse there was a loud clunking sound, almost as if you had tried to put the car into gear without putting your foot on the brake first and it would leap into gear.
In october of 2010, I was driving my 9 month old 2011 kia sorento. I was stopped at a traffic light and heard a very loud boom sound. I put the car in park. I tried to shift the gear into drive and it made a very loud grinding noise and the car would not move. I had the car towed into kia and the transmission had completely gone including the drive shaft. They had to totally replace the transmission and drive shaft. Today is april 19, 2011 and for the past couple weeks my car has been hesitating like I am running out of gas, at some points the car actually jerks. I am taking the car in to be serviced today.
2011 kia sorento ex v6 purchased 04-10.occasional loud noise and jolt forward during start.while driving at low speed sometimes vehicle slows down for second or two and then surges forward.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact was driving 55 MPH when there was a loud noise and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the drive train and the transmission failed. The dealer replaced the drive train and transmission which was under warranty. The manufacturer was contacted who stated that the vehicle was scheduled to be included in a recall but provided no additional information pertaining to the recall specifics. The failure mileage was 27,000. Updated 05/31/11
I was driving 60 MPH in clear lane on highway on 04/08/11 when a very loud "bang" was heard in engine, SUV lurched violently and engine whined noticeably. It was immediately noticeable that the engine was losing acceleration power and I pulled over. When stopped, I put SUV into park and noticed it lurched. The vehicle lurched whenever the shifter was moved from p to r to n to d and back. It was readily apparent the vehicle had a transmission problem. 2011 kia sorento was purchased new, and had 10,000 miles on it at time of occurrence. Vehicle did not shift or drive correctly afterwards.
After stopping to paying bridge toll, heard a loud grinding noise which sounded like something feel out from underneath the our 2011 kia sorento. From that point on the vehicle would only coast. This could have caused a major accident as 3 lanes of traffic were merging and luckily there was a parking lot just before getting on the bridge. We called roadside assistance and vehicle was towed to kia dealership and transmission is being replaced. A rental car was provided, but is on a day-to-day basis...the repair is supposed to only take a week...not sure how I feel about the vehicle now.....there should be a recall...
Transmission broken for third time. We can now duplicate the problem consistently by parking on an incline, putting the 2011 kia sorento in drive and attempting to take off, the vehicle grinds and then suddenly accelerates. We are taking vehicle into dealer for the 4th time. The transmission has been replaced once and the vehicle continues to grind and surge forward, once causing wife to nearly jump pedestrian sidewalk with her mother in vehicle.
After coming home from work my daughter said her car was making a strange noise. She asked me to take it for a test drive to see if I could tell what was wrong. After starting the car I placed the transmission in reverse. At that point I noticed a loud noise and felt a strong bump. After backing out of the driveway I put the car in drive and noticed the same noise. When the transmission down shifted as I stopped at an intersection I noticed the noise again. After driving about a mile I went to accelerate from a stop sign, we heard a loud noise, felt a bump, and then heard a very loud grinding sound coming from the transmission. At that point the engine was running but the car would not go any where. We were able to cost to a safe location along the side of the road. The car was towed to the local kia dealership.
Transmission failed on a 2011 kia sorento with 22k miles on it. We were pulling out into an intersection when it completely lost power. The only warning that I have seen in reference to a possible transmission issue is that the car idles high (at about 3500 RPM) in the morning. This was reported to kia but they could not replicate it. As of now, the car is at the dealership waiting on a new transmission.
I was traveling from columbus ohio to toledo ohio on a business trip. The trip started out normally, but when I arrived in toledo and pulled off at an I-75 exit, my transmission failed as I was exiting. Did not have any forward motion at the exit and heard only grinding sounds coming from the transmission when I tried to move. Ended up having it towed to the nearest kia dealership. The dealership replaced the transmission, but I'm hearing a strange whine coming from the replacement transmission. This could have caused an accident if I had been traveling at 70 MPH on the interstate. This issue needs a recall from kia.
I was driving my 2011 kia sorento from arkansas to indiana. I stopped off to get gas and felt like someone bumped me in the rear end when I came to a stop. I looked behind me and there was plenty of room between the car behind me and myself. I wasn't sure what it was so I didn't really think too much about it and went on my way. The next time I got off the interstate and stopped, it did it again. I then called the dealership I bought my sorento from and made an appt to take it in the following day. Needless to say it didn't make it to the next day. As soon as I got off the interstate (thankfully at my exit) the transmission went completely out. I then had to call roadside assistance and they had to tow it to the dealership. The next day I went to the dealership to find out that they were going to have to put a whole new transmission in my vehicle. I was provided a rental car until the service was complete. The thing was I was only in town for a long weekend and had to get back to arkansas. They told me that I could drive the rental car back to arkansas but would have to come get the sorento when it was ready. (they would not ship the sorento to me) it did end up working out ok, my mother and father inlaw picked up the sorento when it was fixed and I drove one of their vehicles down to arkansas. They brought the sorento down to me on their vacation. I am very disappointed that the transmission went out in my brand new vehicle. I don't think that I will ever feel totally safe driving it again. I'm always going to be wondering what is going to happen next.
2nd event, uncommanded downshift from 6th gear to 4th gear at speed. Transmission then locks in 4th gear until shut down and restarted. Very violent event when it occurs, with an instantaneous bang and corresponding immediate loss of speed.
While driving on the interstate at 65 MPH, transmission shifted to 4th gear uncommanded from 6th gear. Large bang and sudden deceleration. Think of hitting a foot deep pothole..without the pothole. Transmission locked in 4th gear until engine shut off and restarted. Problem has not recurred.
I had just left work and drove about two blocks, stopped at stop sign, then pressed the accelerator when I heard a loud noise and then a grinding noise. The car would not move. I had to have it towed to the dealership. They are saying I will need a new transmission. I also have been having a problem with the doors unlocking by themselves as I drive. This has increased in frequency to 3 -4 times a week.
While traveling down the road the axle and transmission suddenly went out. This caused vehicle to come to a sudden abrupt stop. This could have caused a fatal accident if traveling at a higher rate of speed or on an interstate. When the problem occurred, you had no power to the vehicle and it could not even coast to the side of the road. Dealer stated it was due to a manufacturers defect caused by a bolt from the axle hitting the transmission and said they forwarded photos to kia corporate. I contacted kia corporate and asked for a written explanation and assurance that this particular problem would not happen to us again and they declined to provide anything in writing. Our problem was fixed, at least for now, but I want to know that my family or someone else's does not have this problem with a tractor trailer behind them at 70 MPH on an interstate.
I was traveling at approximately 70 MPH and my tachometer stopped working and I started losing speed. The car would not shift. I was able to move to manual shifting and resume my speed. But the tachometer continued to read "0".
I have a 2011 kia sorento purchased new. On saturday, february 19, 2011 with 20,000 miles on the vehicle, the car completely shut down. The dealership still has the vehicle and is replacing the entire transmission. I am concerned as this is a new vehicle and they cannot give me the actual reason why a transmission in a new vehicle could fail. I had with me my 3 year old child and am concerned regarding the overall safety of this vehicle.
While driving with cruise control set at 60 MPH and transmission in the drive position, the vehicle suddenly down-shifted into 4th gear and held that position without shifting manually or automatically. The sudden shifting of the transmission would be similar to revving an engine in neutral and then shifting into drive with the RPM's very high and the sensation was a loud thud/thump sounding like I jumped a curb, with a similar sensation from the driving position. I was able to drive, but could not shift out of 4th gear even when I stopped at a safe location a few miles up the road. I was able to manually put the vehicle in n, r and p. I parked the vehicle and turned off the engine. I waited 15 seconds, restarted the vehicle and put it back in drive. At this point the engine returned to normal operation and shifted fine. No unusual noises or changes were noted. I was on the phone with the sales person who sold us the vehicle and he mentioned something about a computer glitch that handles automatic shifting. The vehicle in question has approx 3200 miles on it and this is the first major concern I have experienced.
2011 kia sorento. Push button start. Intermittently you hear a thud and sometimes the entire vehicle jerks forward. Also have noticed when I turn vehicle off a shuttering noise coming from the right rear side car. Very disappointed with mileage on this vehicle also. Had to dealership twice and they say they can not duplicate my complaint.
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated she heard a loud noise underneath the drivers seat. The vehicle then shuttered, stalled and wouldn't accelerate. The driver was able to keep driving, but couldn't accelerate over 20 MPH. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the pressure control solenoid valve failed and that they needed to replace the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500. The consumer stated the vehicle has been in the shop two more times since filing the complaint. The consumer stated there was a strange noise coming from the vehicle. The dealer was claiming there were different problems with the vehicle, which was causing the noise. The consumer stated the doors would not lock and unlock and also the dome light wasn't working. The dealer found the door locks were disabled and the dome light connector was not connected. Updated 03/30/11
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