2011 Kia Sorento Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Instrument cluster/panel
  4
• Alternator/generator/regulator
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3520%
• 25k–50k
  137%
• 50k–75k
  3118%
• 75k–100k
  2615%
• 100k–150k
  4727%
• 150k+
  2313%

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 while her granddaughter was driving at 35 MPH, the a white smoke began to emit from the vehicle the oil and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. A fellow motorist then alerted her that her vehicle was on fire and urged to to pull over and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. Her granddaughter called the authorities as the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed; no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was a case was filed. The fire department determined that the cause of the fire was electrical. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E041000 (Equipment) which she linked to her failure. …

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Theft Prevention" warning light was illuminated, and several other warning lights were blinking on and off. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that after several attempts a relative jumpstarted the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and parked the vehicle. …

While driving on the freeway, the car began to lose power. As I struggled to maneuver to the right lane to pull over, something under the hood caught on fire and black smoke came billowing out. We were able to get out of the car before a young man traveling in he opposite direction saw us and turned around to help. With his help we were able to get my grand kids out and into his car. Thank God that he was not criminally minded. I then called AAA who towed the car back to our home. This happened in July 2023. In October, I received a safety recall notice warning of a possible fire happening. I contacted the local Kia dealership and was told that there was nothing they could except wait and that it could take up to a year or receive the part to remedy the problem. I then contacted Kia Headquarters and was told the same thing. …

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the "Low Oil Pressure" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was engine oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic where it had been diagnosed that the oil pressure switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V388000 (Electrical System). The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall or in the Technical Service Bulletin with the manufacturer ID number 026 and NHTSA ID Number: 10235099 (Electrical System). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 170,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated before pulling off the roadway. The hood was opened and there was white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the smoke then dissipated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the alternator and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 there was an abnormal burning odor coming entering the cabin of the vehicle. The battery warning light was blinking intermittently. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while attempting to unlock the vehicle with the key fob, the contact heard the doors unlocking, but the rear doors failed to unlock. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure initially started after the vehicle was serviced by the dealer. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Passenger low beam kept burning out. I kept replacing. This morning, on my way home from work (I work nights on an ambulance) I could smell burning, and saw that the light was out once again. Got home, and the entire connector/wiring to the bulb was completely melted and sizzling, with a small flame at the base of the plastic connector. This is outrageous. There were recalls for this EXACT issue for other Sorentos, but mine was not included. This could have started a major vehicle fire, and I cannot afford a vehicle electrician. Kia should be replacing this.

Mechanical failure in the wiring harness, caused smoke to come out of vents (melted wires). No evidence of rodent damage. Safety was put at risk, immediately dialed 911. As a result several electrical features do not work. Air/AC/heater, power windows nor headlights. Two mechanics & insurance claims representive deemed it "mechanical" failure despite the vehicle being inspected two months prior. Only symptoms that occurred prior were a fused being tripped; interior lights and radio didn't work when this happened.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the horn was inoperable and the front and rear driver's side windows did not go up and down as designed. In addition, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Electrical complaints in other Sorento years