Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon depression of the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal became stuck, causing the vehicle to unintendedly accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated that she was able to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
SUA July 3, 2020, driver was exiting a Kroger fuel station located at 7380 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 in the subject 2011 Kia Sorento SUV vehicle. Suddenly and without warning, the subject Kia vehicle began accelerating without throttle input from the driver. The Kia Sorento then struck the rear of a 2014 RAV 4, pushing it across the street and into a Waffle House parking lot. The 2011 Kia Sorento continued accelerating and gained significant speed before striking a nearby curb and fencing, colliding with an embankment of a retention pond, and ultimately coming to rest in the base of the retention pond. The injured driver was transported from the scene by ambulance, where they began receiving the first portion of many treatments for her injuries. …
As I was backing into my driveway on Thursday 1/18/2024 @ 5:25 pm. I was on my way home from work. As I was backing into my driveway I lost power, the ABs and the MIL light both came on, the abs went off but the MIL began to flash and I lost all power in the car. I shut it off immediately and we pushed my car the rest of the way into the driveway. I had received a KIA Safety recall notice that said if this happens, Call KIA, immediately to request a tow to the nearest Authorized dealership. Was told they cannot perform this task and that I need to wait till tghe figure out the recall before they will help me. I have no vehicle to get back and forth to work now and KIA is refusing to help me.
Kia Sorento 2011 LX 2.4L Oil disappears weekly, I have to check it often and/or refill. I use the required oil it calls for on the engine oil cap. Vehicle jolts while driving. I've been parked with vehicle off, turned it on, reversed from parking spot and about an tenth of a mile vehicle stalled, put it in park, and restarted. While driving headlights flicker Tapping/knocking noise from engine area, checked oil and its full, mechanic can't seem to find issue. Some forums have suggested throttl control module?
ON 2-7-2022 MY 2011 KIA SERENTO began to boggle out while driving it merging onto the freeway I was having a hard time speeding up to even 20mph then out of no where it was just fine again, well I went to pick my children from school about 1 1/2 hours later and the car started out driving fine until out of no where I was unable to accelerate to a higher speed once more but this time it was smelling like smoke but there was no smoke
While driving, my car slowed down and wouldn't accelerate pass 35 or 40 mph. I had to turn into a parking lot and restart the car. It drove fine, upon restarting. My OBD reader indicated DTC P200A Intake Manifold Runner. AAA informed me of KIA's notice regarding the same issue. This has happened on 4 occasions over the past weekend.
there are eight recalls on my car I do not trust dealerships I do not trust mechanics I work on my own car I have very bad experience with mechanics I would rather return my car to the dealership I want to sell my car do the dealership eight different recalls is too much
I have contacted the manufacturer [email]. I notified them first on September 8,2021. I was given a generic response of to contact a dealership about lights being on that won't cut off, the hatch falling on its own , the windows gets stuck and the door handle not working and more recently November 3, 2021 that the car will just stop accelerating when driving and then resumes by itself. I also followed their instructions and attempted to make and appointment with Kia of Orange Park 6373 Blanding Blvd Jacksonville, Florida 32244 [phone] and was told each item to LOOK AT it was $159. I informed them of my warranty that would cover Cost and was denied that option but payment would be needed upfront and then they would bill my warranty and apply the cost. This was for a diagnostic check. Not repair at all. Which means fees needed to paid whether I got the work done or not. …
My Kia was being details, the person detailing the vehicle got into the vehicle. He pushed the start button didn't start the vehicle. He started it by inserting the fob in the console. The vehicle started at high rpms, driver had his foot on the brake, placed the car into reverse and the car exited the garage at a high rate of speed, driver applied both feet on the brakes the brakes did not work he tried to steer the vehicle away from the creek the steering did not work.. The vehicle did stop after it crashed into the creek that was near the business. The driver sustained injury to his head when he tried to exit the vehicle after it entered the creek. Vehicle was pulled from the creek. Driver did seek medical attention at a local hospital.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Acceleration complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2011 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2011 Kia Sorento, 4% of the model year's 1,520 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Kia Sorento acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2011 Kia Sorento, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.