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).
For several months now, the dashboard warning lights have come on, usually four at a time as I'm driving. It seems to happen most often when it's raining. I had the Kia dealer in las cruces, nm try to determine the problem when I had the car in for a couple recalls about two years ago. They could not determine the cause of the problem. About 3 months ago I had a shop with a aaa master mechanic try to determine the problem and they also could not determine the reason the warning lights were coming on. They could not find a short in the wiring that I thought might be the cause. The lights eventually go off, usually after the car has not been driven for several hours or overnight. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the ABS, stability control, and downhill traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to riverchase Kia (2200 us-31, pelham, al 35124 [phone]) where it was diagnosed with a defective module that needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer stated that the recall expired. The contact stated that the dealer did not provide the recall information. The dealer also stated that in May of 2017, while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change, they checked a module that controlled the warning indicators, but the module was fine and covered it in silicone. The contact was informed that he would have to pay for the repairs. The contact was also informed that a part in the rear drum needed replacement along with the module. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. …
While driving on light, new snow my car had suddenly skidded slightly, no over-correcting, I simply got the car back in control when the car suddenly shot forward, steering wheel seized and started racing down the opposite side of the street into the embankment! I had pulled the car to the left and had the brakes pushed all the way down (and both feet including all my weight on them) until my car crashed completely into a tree! The tires were still spinning when the car stopped and my feet were on the brakes! It was also hard to get the car out of drive and into park --- when I was able to push the car into park I quickly took the keys out. The 2011 Kia Sorento and sudden acceleration seems to be a problem and should seriously be looked into. Yes, I was injured and thankfully a tree stopped the vehicle and no one else was hurt!
According to the OBD code reader: code p0335, $07e8 generic. Crankshaft position sensor a circuit. Vehicle has trouble starting. The tachometer falls to 0 as opposed to sitting at a higher idle, and does not move when pressing foot on gas pedal when stationary or in motion. When in motion, there can be temporary loss of power, the inability to shift gears, and/or the vehicle shakes and rattles. This happens on city streets and highways, when in all types of traffic and when moving at constant speeds. When this situation happens, the car does not shift gears at all and must be restarted. This has caused dangerous lane changing to highway shoulders as well as difficult attempts back onto the roadways during rush hour.
Numerous times over the past couple of months, both the ESC and dbc indicator lights will come on and stay on as I'm attempting to park the vehicle. This has prevented me from shifting the car into 'park' after pulling into a parking space as I can't get it to shift beyond 'neutral.' when this happens, I've had to shut the car off, and start it again. If the indicator lights go off after restarting, I can then shift the car into park. I brought the car into my local Kia dealer this morning but they were unable to replicate the issue, and since they didn't have a technician on duty to look at it, I now have to return on Monday in the hope that they can figure out and fix this issue.
I was traveling on a hey, making a left turn onto a major hey, when my car would not excellerate. I was able to turn off the hey but my car would not go over four miles per hour. I had it towed to my machanic, he said the prongs broke off the thing that plugs into the computer, due to corrosion. So I had it towed to Kia. They say I need a new computer & it will cost, $5000.00. This should be a recall. Why can't they install a new plug & plug back into the computer? I'm being ripped off!
Kia Sorento 2011 ESC dbs lights on dashboard and either cannot get out of park or when trying to shut vehicle down will get stuck in between neutral and drive, I shut down car but obviously cannot take keys out, wait a few minutes restart in neutral and sometimes I can get it in or out of park. Sometimes this is done several times.
When starting out from a stop the front brakes lock up to release the brakes or to drive this vehicle the electronic. Skid control must be switched off also when this happens and is switched off the brakes drag and the rims will burn your hand if you hed
I was informed brake lights were not illuminating. Electric stability control idiot light showed up on dashboard right before being informed. Car is also not shifting into park or reverse. Drive gear seems OK.
My car just immediately started slowing down and it was extremely hard to turn the steering wheel and the brakes would not let me brake. I almost wrecked my car. Also my camera just stopped working as well.
Traction Control complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2011 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2011 Kia Sorento, 2% of the model year's 1,520 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Kia Sorento traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to stability & traction control 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.