Model year
2011 Kia Sorento
NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 1,520 complaints for the 2011 Kia Sorento (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (284), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (242), STRUCTURE:BODY (234). NHTSA lists 10 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 305 complaints
- 2004 220 complaints
- 2005 307 complaints
- 2006 242 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 217 complaints
- 2009 55 complaints
- 2011 1,520 complaints
- 2012 880 complaints
- 2013 982 complaints
- 2014 988 complaints
- 2015 754 complaints
- 2016 1,258 complaints
- 2017 808 complaints
- 2018 255 complaints
- 2019 433 complaints
- 2020 138 complaints
- 2021 254 complaints
- 2022 193 complaints
- 2023 125 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 76 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
23V877000 · Dec 21, 2023
ENGINE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Park outsideSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic…
15V626000 · Oct 6, 2015
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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…
13V114000 · Apr 1, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles.…
11V258000 · Apr 25, 2011
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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…
10V599000 · Nov 24, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.
10V388000 · Aug 31, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS,…
Complaints
1,520 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 42, fire flag on 63, injury field 50, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE11010 | Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | Apr 7, 2011 | May 10, 2011 |
| PE13035 | Panoramic Sunroof Breakage · VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | Oct 21, 2013 | May 21, 2014 |
| EA14002 | Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage · VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | May 12, 2014 | Jan 15, 2021 |
| DP18003 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Aug 21, 2018 | May 10, 2019 |
| PE19004 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Mar 29, 2019 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| PE20008 | Headlight Failure · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Jun 1, 2020 | Jan 25, 2022 |
4 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 4WD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.175 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 2WD · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Sorento 2WD · 2.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sorento 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sorento 4WD · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 26 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Sorento 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2011 Kia Sorento at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.