- The Sorento is brand-new for the 2011 model year, including an entirely revamped interior, exterior, and new engine options.
- Ratings for reliability are below average.
- The base 4-cylinder engine, one of the two options, is underpowered, but the V6 is reasonably speedy.
- With up to 27 miles per gallon, the Sorento ranks third out of 23 midsize SUVs in terms of fuel efficiency.
- Government crash tests awarded it a 4-star rating, which is above average for its class. It has been designated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- Out of 23 SUVs, the 2011 Kia Sorento comes in at number 16near the bottom of the pack. Buyers should steer clear of this SUV due to poor design decisions made by Kia and frequent engine breakdowns.
In This Article...
Positive Owner Reviews
For a mid-size SUV, the gas mileage is really good. Excellent comfort. Numerous bonuses!! Nice-looking car as well!
Sincerely, I haven’t had many problems with my Sorento. It has simply required basic maintenance; nothing significant has failed or needs to be changed. I only had one complaint: I wished it had better gas mileage. Excellent performance, dependability, and cargo and passenger space.
I adore little SUVs. It has excellent fuel economy. Stylish interior with a sleek leather finish. I have no issues.
The car has been nice to meno significant problems, regular maintenance, but for components like tires, batteries, and brakes, the factory-installed parts outlasted my expectations by two to three times. The problems I’ve had have always been covered by warranty, and Kia has always resolved them quickly.
My Kia has been fantastic for my family and really trustworthy, so I plan to get a new one the following year.
The car has excellent handling. It has been dependable and hasn’t needed much maintenance. For a crossover, it has excellent fuel efficiency.
I get excellent gas mileage in my Kia Sorento. It is dependable and safe, which is why I enjoy it. That there is no tow hitch bothers me. I wish to own solely that brand of SUV.
Car runs smoothly. has a lot of space. hasn’t caused me any issues since 2013 when it first appeared.
Negative Owner Reviews
Keep clear from this car. electrical issues caused by the malfunctioning cruise control. Backup cameras occasionally function but rarely do. On occasion, the left vent of the air conditioner blows hot air. The worst part, though, is that three of my four doors won’t open from the outside. All of this occurred over the past seven months, and Kia essentially informed me that it was my problem. If I had to immediately get kids out, this might be a dangerous issue. Kia doesn’t stand behind its goods.
nightmare automobile Avoid this lemon since it has numerous problems, including drivetrain and electronic ones.
You guys are being paid to make positive comments about the 2011 Kia Sorento 6 Cylinder, yet the front end is terrible, the engine has issues, and the brakes are problematic.
Keep away. Electrical issues, a broken cruise control system, a broken backup camera, and occasionally heated air from the air conditioner. The worst issue, though, is that three of my doors suddenly stopped opening from the outside over the past seven months. Kia checked (for $150) and discovered that the issue was caused by damaged steel plates. These plates are obviously defective, but Kia told me that it was my problem and that they couldn’t help me. A legal threat was also made against me if I reported on Facebook. That is how Kia (doesn’t) support its car, unfortunately!
Avoid making unwise purchases. I give Kia 0 points for standing by their subpar product when 3 of the 4 doors suddenly stopped opening over the course of the last 7 months. Kia simply replied, “Too bad for you, we’re not going to do anything about it.” There are also other electrical faults throughout the vehicle.
The airbag light on the car won’t turn off. The cigarette lighters are no longer usable as adaptors and the USB port is broken. The voice command is broken, and it is challenging to keep a phone synced with the car. The cruise control fluctuates, slowing down before accelerating. In slopes and mountains, this is very detrimental.
This car’s steering is terrible, and I think it’s dangerous to drive. If you’re not a great driver and you’re going around a curve and you hit a pothole or a little sewage cover, your car will jolt in the direction you’re steering and if you don’t control it, you might strike the curb or another car.
Since I didn’t buy this car for myself, I accepted what was offered to me. The leather chairs are nice. The headlights were excellent up until they started to fog, which is absurd for a vehicle that is so new. When I drive into a turn, the steering is awful and jerks if I hit a pothole. It’s a dangerous car.
Two car seats can hardly fit in the chairs. -gas mileage is below what the specifications claim. -the buttons on windows are delicate. The sound is first-rate. -has good handling while driving. -The meager storage space at the back. There are numerous useful accessories.
Is a 2011 Kia Sorento a good investment?
The Sorento, an SUV that was redesigned for 2011 and falls between between a compact and midsize SUV, is a capable and enjoyable vehicle. It is one of the few in this class that provide a seat in the third row. The Sorento’s V6 engine offers a smooth, fast ride with respectable fuel efficiency.
How durable is a 2011 Kia Sorento?
A Kia Sorento should endure for at least 200,000 kilometers. If you travel roughly 15,000 miles each year, it should last for around 13 years. However, maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance schedule and being careful not to misuse the vehicle are necessary to get the round amount.
Key Points
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued six recalls for the 2011 Kia Sorento, covering problems such as faulty wiring harnesses, dangerous rollaway, damaged brake calipers, and an electrical short that may cause a fire.
- In some 3.5L models, customers complained about knocking engines and damage that resulted in fires.
- Random engine stalls, peeled Pearl paint, and cracked sunroof glass are some further potential issues.
- The NHTSA conducted its eighth investigation of the 2011 Kia Sorento in late 2021. This examination focused on a faulty electronic throttle control system that can cause a variety of hazardous speed control issues, including rapid surges, uncontrolled throttle circumstances, and stalling.
Do Kia Sorentos have many issues?
Customers have experienced a number of issues with the Kia Sorento since it has been advertised and sold by Kia. These models share costly issues with one another. The following model years should be avoided: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Common difficulties include those with the engine, the electrical system, the airbags, the seat belts, the lights, and the body or paint.
Engine failure is the most serious problem that these Kia Sorento models have. When most consumers have traveled an average of 62,000 miles, something happens. They could end up costing you more money in repairs, so we advise avoiding them.
Which Year Models of Kia Sorento Are Safe to Buy Used?
Production of the Kia Sorento has been going on for approximately 20 years. Not all of the models that are released, like many other cars in its market class, are flawless right out of the factory. Some people have flaws. Despite this, you have a selection of others. This is particularly true if you want to stay away from those already listed.
The following list of reliable Kia Sorento model years includes:
- Kia Sorento 2003
- Kia Sorento from 2005
- 2007 Sorento Kia
- Kia Sorento 2008
- Kia Sorento from 2009
- Kia Sorento 2010
- Kia Sorento 2015
- Kia Sorento 2017
- Kia Sorento from 2018
- Kia Sorento for 2019
- Kia Sorento 2020
- Kia Sorento 2021
The years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 are among the safest Kia Sorento model years to purchase. Compared to the earlier mentioned model years, these have minimal complaints.
The worst issues with many of them were engine issues, a broken air conditioner compressor, electrical issues, light issues, and AC/heater issues. Most of them are also inexpensive to fix minor problems. However, they are among the minority of car owners.
The worst car troubles in early generations include crankshaft problems, frequent lighting system failures, and broken parts. It’s important to remember that these issues only occur in cars with more than 90,000 miles on the odometer.
A few owners are also affected by the problems. They are less likely to happen in a Sorento with little mileage and good maintenance. The models from 2007 to 2010 and 2015 to 2021 are the least problematic. The year 2016 is an outlier; it is less dependable than the other years in the following years.
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Which Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
The aforementioned Kia Sorento model years should easily accommodate your family’s needs and daily driving requirements. You need a dependable automobile in addition to one with excellent handling, a luxurious interior, and lots of attractive amenities. Here, we go into greater detail regarding the model years that weren’t chosen.
Steer clear of the following Kia Sorento model years:
- Kia Sorento from 2004
- Kia Sorento from 2006
- Kia Sorento from 2011
- Kia Sorento 2012
- Kia Sorento 2013
- Kia Sorento 2014
- Kia Sorento 2016
These model years frequently experience issues with their engines, electrical systems, lighting, seat belts and airbags, and body and paint. These affect everyone, and numerous users have noted concerns that are essentially the same.
You should steer clear of the 2011 Kia Sorento the most. It tops the list for having the most owner complaints. It is most likely to experience brakes issues, drivetrain issues, airbag and seat belt issues, and engine issues.
An engine failure at 77,000 miles cost the most money of all issues reported for the 2011 model year. Fixing this issue will cost $4,600. Other serious issues include an airbag problem that cost $2,000 to fix at 92,000 miles and a door issue that cost $400 to fix at 94,000 miles.
You might not be particularly knowledgeable about your car’s brakes unless you’re a mechanic or a super-committed auto enthusiast. How much time do they usually last? How frequently should brakes be replaced? We have solutions.
The 2016 Kia Sorento is another vehicle you should completely avoid. In comparison to other models with lower mileage, it has more issues and costs more to repair. The most common issues are with the engine, then the steering, body/paint, and lights.
The engine has experienced the worst reported failure at 62,000 kilometers. Repairing this cost $6,100. Other owners reported having to pay up to $600 to fix wiring that rodents had gnawed. At 22,000 miles, one user’s car stalled while accelerating.
Common Kia Sorento Problems
One of the greatest warranties for cars is offered by Kia. But that doesn’t mean you should be any less critical, especially when it comes to reliability concerns. The most typical Kia Sorento issues, spanning all model years, are listed below:
- Engine issues – The Sorento’s engine frequently fails, which is a common dependability problem. The engine failure, which was primarily reported in 2011, 2016, and 2017 models, was caused by a leaky head gasket, which mixed engine oil and coolant. These liquids when combined can seriously harm engines.
- Frustrated owners reported that the Sorento’s doors won’t open when reached from the outside, which is more unpleasant than dangerous. Additionally, defective door handles made users of the child-lock feature even more irate. Owners of 2011 Sorentos make up the majority of the complaints.
- Burning out of headlight bulbs: Numerous customers noted that the headlight bulbs on Sorento models from 2002 to 2009 were particularly prone to premature failure. Additionally, several stories claimed that additional headlamp component parts were also melted. There should have been a recall for this dependability problem, but there wasn’t one. Owners were required to purchase replacement bulbs for between $100 and $600.
Kia Sorento Problem Counts by Year
Young and experienced drivers equally are impacted by winter driving. To help you get from A to B as securely as possible, we’ve put together a list of the best automobiles for snow.
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Power train
Certain model year 20112013 Kia Sorento vehicles produced between October 19, 2009, and January 31, 2013, are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The brake-shift interlock mechanism in the affected vehicles may chip or crack if extreme force is applied to the gear change lever, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of “Park” without the brakes being applied. As a result, these cars do not meet the criteria of FMVSS 114, “Theft Protection,” which is a federal motor vehicle safety standard.
The car might unintentionally shift out of Park without requiring the brake to be applied, which would cause it to roll and perhaps cause a collision.
The brake-shift interlock system will be replaced by dealers free of charge when Kia notifies owners. The start of the recall is anticipated for November 24, 2015. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC124 is the Kia recall number.
Exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic
Certain vehicles from the model years 20072010 Rondo and Sportage, 20072011 Sorento, 2007 Sedona, 20102011 Soul, and 2011 Optima are being recalled by Kia Motors Corporation (Kia). There could be a problem with the stop lamp switch in the impacted vehicles. When the brake pedal is applied, a broken stop lamp switch may prevent the brake lights from turning on, or it may prevent the cruise control from being off. The push-button start feature may also operate erratically due to a broken stop lamp switch, and the brake-transmission shift interlock feature may malfunction, preventing the shifter from being pushed out of the PARK position and illuminating the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light.
The risk of a collision may increase if the stop lamps are not lit while braking or if the cruise control cannot be turned off. Furthermore, when the ignition is turned to the “ON” position, it might be possible to shift out of PARK without first applying the brake. This could result in the car moving unintentionally, raising the possibility of a collision.
Owners will receive a temporary notice from Kia in May 2013. Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch for free after sending out a second notification to owners when the necessary parts are available. Kia can be reached by owners at 1-800-333-4542. SC098 is the recall campaign number for Kia.
Equipment
CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, BY CURT MANUFACTURING ARE BEING RECALLED. THESE HARNESSES WERE SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES, MODEL YEARS 2009 THROUGH 2011. The units are not watertight, which allows moisture to enter the converter module and circumvent its internal circuit protection.
A FIRE COULD RESULT FROM THE MODULE OVERHEATING WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
Owners will be notified and the TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS will be replaced by CURT Manufacturing. THE CORRECTIVE MEANS WILL BE APPLIED FREE OF CHARGE. 2011 October is anticipated to be the start of the safety recall. AT 1-715 831-8713, OWNERS CAN CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING.
CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010 ARE BEING RECALLED BY KIA. Due to a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear, the intermediate shaft may experience noise and excessive wear. A WHIRRING OR WHINING NOISE WILL DEVELOP IF YOU CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS STATE, AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY ULTIMATELY BE DAMAGED.
Loss of motor power due to transmission damage could increase the risk of a collision.
THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BY DEALERS. 2011 May is anticipated to be the start of the safety recall. KIA OWNER CONTACT NUMBER IS 1-800-333-4542.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Disc: Caliper
A FEW MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2010, ARE BEING RECALLED BY KIA. It’s possible that some of the rear brake calipers weren’t properly machined.
BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK AS A RESULT, FOLLOWED BY THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKE POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL FREE OF CHARGE INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NEEDED. DURING DECEMBER 2010, THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN. AT 1-800-333-4542, OWNERS CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER.
Electrical system: Wiring
CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010 ARE BEING RECALLED BY HYUNDAI-KIA. A SMALL NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLES INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLES ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRI
UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY TAKE PLACE WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, CAUSING A FIRE.
The wiring harnesses for the lights in the advanced lighting speakers in Kia Soul vehicles and the wiring harness for the interior accent illumination in Kia Sorento vehicles will be replaced by dealers. THIS SERVICE IS FREE AND WILL BE PROVIDED. DURING SEPTEMBER 2010, THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN. AT 1-800-333-4542, OWNERS CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER.