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2011 Kia Sorento: stuck in gear or won't shift

43 of the 1,520 complaints about the 2011 Kia Sorento describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints
43
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
41,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 18 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 29, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 135,750 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked with the transmission slipping gear with an engine misfire. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and a code for the knock sensor failure was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had replaced the spark plugs on the vehicle. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the knock sensor had failed. The dealer related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer cleared the code, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different certified mechanic who confirmed the diagnostic result and cleared the code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,750.

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Engine · 180,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted and drove as intended. The LIMP Mode message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced; and the dealer stated that the contact had to pay out of pocket for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 7, 2024 · Engine · 197,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle made a loud noise while the contact was accelerating, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact made it to a safe location. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle to the residence, but the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The oil light and check engine warning light was illuminated. The check engine warning light was blinking continuously. The contact stated that the engine made a loud noise and the contact smelled smoke. The contact drove the vehicle in LIMP Mode to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine) however, the engine was not replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

My car is stuck in Limp mode and saying " Glow Relay Stuck On". When I googled it there's a recall for this issue for 2012-2014 Kia Sorento, but not 2011. I just wanted to make sure it was noted Incase mine was able to be added to the list.

Filed Mar 10, 2021 · Transmission · 183,499 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shifted into third gear and shifted into limp mode. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The contact parked the vehicle and waiting for 15 minutes before restarting the vehicle to continue driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to kia of jamestown (1700 washington st, jamestown, ny 14701, 716‑664‑1222) where the transmission was flushed and the filter was changed. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 183,499.

Filed Aug 1, 2020 · Engine · 139,600 miles · TN

I have a 2011 kia sorento and checked to see if any recalls have been made on the motor. No recalls have been on the motors. But several complaints about the motor smoking and losing power. I feel like kia should replace those motors before someone gets killed, because lose of power! I was driving down a 4 lane highway and went to change lanes and my car would not go. I could push the gas peddle and it wouldn't go any faster. Thank goodness I wasn't far from my home! It went into limp mode. So I had to limp it home. This could have been a bad situation had I not been able to get on the shoulder of the highway! I've talked to several people that have heard of this happening to their kia serento. Kia needs to recall these motors!

Filed Sep 10, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 128,000 miles · PA

Kia was purchased less than a year ago. This is the third time it was taken to a dealership to get checked. Car engine light comes on and loses power and keeps going into limp mode. It is a safety hazard and must be dealt with. Today while in the passing lane car lost all power and would not move. I was driving about 45mph and it wouldn't go . A tractor trailer was speeding behind me and nearly rear ended me as I was in the passing lane and couldn't make it go again to pull over. When I eventually got it to pull over it was idling high and did not sound right. Mechanic came and placed vehicle on computer and again three codes came up including engine power failure and limp mode. I could have been seriously injured due to kias lack to repair this defect and this could be a lawsuit waiting to happen. I want to be reimbursed for repairs or an allowance toward a new vehicle purchase.

Filed Jun 20, 2019 · Engine · PA

"takata recall" the engine makes a loud whinning sound constantly, start up, driving, and while sitting still. At times while driving it will feel like the car skips (like the engine will shut off, it also will not shift through gears, sometimes it will sit at the RPM of 3 and doesn't want to shift out of gears. This is while using both the automatic and manual driving.

Filed May 15, 2019 · Engine · 124,000 miles · IL

I own a 2011 sorento (not a gdi engine) that experienced a spun rod bearing and engine failure (engine limp). My sons were driving on the highway in our kia sorento when without any warning, the engine failed. Thankfully, my sons were able to safely transition off the highway through high-speed traffic in "limp mode". My sons were quickly able to find online complaints and diagnostics duplicating what they had just experienced - spun rod bearing. I was instructed by kia corporate that I should tow my vehicle to a kia dealer for official diagnostics ($140). The dealer confirmed the car experience a spun rod bearing and engine failure requiring a $6,500 engine replacement. It has come to my attention that my model is not included in the kia engine recall. I don't understand the recall limits when the rod bearing defect causes the engine failure regardless of the engine type.

Filed Mar 29, 2019 · Engine · 137,440 miles · LA

So this morning I'm just heading to work and my kia start a limp mode which it stop in middle of a highway and their where kids in the car it has a bunch of light on

Filed Mar 2, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 99,000 miles · IL

According to the obd code reader: code p0335, $07e8 generic. Crankshaft position sensor a circuit. Vehicle has trouble starting. The tachometer falls to 0 as opposed to sitting at a higher idle, and does not move when pressing foot on gas pedal when stationary or in motion. When in motion, there can be temporary loss of power, the inability to shift gears, and/or the vehicle shakes and rattles. This happens on city streets and highways, when in all types of traffic and when moving at constant speeds. When this situation happens, the car does not shift gears at all and must be restarted. This has caused dangerous lane changing to highway shoulders as well as difficult attempts back onto the roadways during rush hour.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Engine · 140,000 miles · OH

My car went into limp mode after check engine light came on for transmission and electrical system failure in solenoid a of transmission. Car struggled to shift between gears and would would jerk me driving. Driving yesterday and pedal went straight to the floor causing total motor loss and hole in motor.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported October 6, 2015 · 377,062 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.

Recall number 15V626000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported April 25, 2011 · 12,690 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia is recalling certain model year 2011 sorento 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4l engines manufactured from the start of production through may 22, 2010. The intermediate shaft may suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition leads to the development of a whirring/whining noise and can eventually cause damage to the automatic transmission.
Risk
Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during may 2011. Owners may contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.

Recall number 11V258000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2011 Kia Sorento won't shift

Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2011 Kia Sorento?

43 of 1,520 owner complaints about the 2011 Kia Sorento (3%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 2011.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Kia Sorento?

There are 2 recalls and 18 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2011 Kia Sorento

Door locks 233Airbag light 135Check engine light 102Stalling 100Headlights 98Fire or smoke 73Jerking 66Engine failure 57Loss of power 49Knocking 46ABS 40Won't start 35Transmission failure 32Adaptive cruise 31Harsh shifting 31Key fob 27Grinding brakes 26Hesitation 26Pulling 26Sunroof shattered 24Warning lights 18Sudden acceleration 16No deployment 15Whining noise 15Slipping 12Power steering loss 10Backup camera 9Ball joint 9Brake failure 8Oil consumption 8Overheating 8Seat belt 7Coil spring 6

All model years of the Kia Sorento

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