2011 KIA Sorento Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 265 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2011 KIA Sorento, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 34,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “put park” (6% of reports).
- 265power train complaints
- 34,000median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Put park: mentioned in 16 of 265 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 225 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 265 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury.
KIA Sorento power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 25% | 2,532 |
| 2024 Sorento | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 22 | 18% | 21,700 |
| 2022 Sorento | 67 | 35% | 24,864 |
| 2021 Sorento | 143 | 56% | 64,500 |
| 2020 Sorento | 18 | 13% | 5,000 |
| 2019 Sorento | 51 | 12% | 12,600 |
| 2018 Sorento | 9 | 4% | 32,717 |
| 2017 Sorento | 37 | 5% | 56,574 |
| 2016 Sorento | 126 | 10% | 71,000 |
| 2015 Sorento | 42 | 6% | 74,000 |
| 2014 Sorento | 72 | 7% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 69 | 7% | 55,768 |
| 2012 Sorento | 55 | 6% | 33,000 |
| 2011 Sorento | 265 | 17% | 34,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 9 | 16% | 5,200 |
| 2008 Sorento | 23 | 11% | 40,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 20 | 13% | 11,650 |
| 2006 Sorento | 35 | 14% | 79,000 |
| 2005 Sorento | 38 | 12% | 94,000 |
| 2004 Sorento | 40 | 18% | 84,235 |
| 2003 Sorento | 22 | 7% | 60,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicle is shifting weird out of first, knocking sound. A code of p1326 skds is showing on diagnostic. This was supposedly repaired by kia a few months ago from a recall. I am questioning if they corrected and inspected the recall appropriately, due to this being the issue. The car is now…
My KIA Sorrento spontaneously engulfed in flames approximately 200 yards from my home. This is not a vehicle crash the car had flames coming from the vents and floor boards. I was the driver my daughter was the passenger and my granddaughter was in the rear car seat we barely escaped with our lives…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact research and was became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V626000 (Power…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 KIA Sorentos have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 265 owner complaints about power train for the 2011 KIA Sorento (17% of the 1,520 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 KIA Sorento power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 34,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2011 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “put park”, in 16 of 265 complaints.
Other 2011 KIA Sorento problems
See all 2011 KIA Sorento problems or power train problems across all Sorento years.