Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked with the transmission slipping gear with an engine misfire. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and a code for the knock sensor failure was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had replaced the spark plugs on the vehicle. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the knock sensor had failed. The dealer related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer cleared the code, but the vehicle was not repaired. …
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 Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken back to the residence; the contact stated that an independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle and determined that an undisclosed part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate into the HOV lane, the contact became aware that the vehicle failed to accelerate however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the lane and restarted the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was first experienced on May 9th, 2023, and again on May 30th, 2023. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 181,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, an abnormally loud banging sound was coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then started to lose motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the contact was informed that the new transmission was also defective. A used transmission was installed, and the failure was remedied. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
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 before it exploded and we were steps away as car debre was flying past us.
1. Air bag light has been on for over a year. Was checked at dealership, and was told there is a recall on sensor. 2. Power Train, unknown of what's going on. Riding down the road all of a sudden it stalls for a minute. It's a hard jerk, like it's not getting gas, or the transmission is out of sinc. This started about two years ago. Took it to my local repairman, and he said it was a warning in the tire wheel letting me know something was wrong in the wheel. They repaired it, and I had no more problems until recently. It is doing it again. A hard jerk when I'm driving. 3. Other, passenger front and rear and drivers side rear doors locked up and I could not open them. This happen about two years ago. Took car to a certified electrical repairman and it cost me a fortune to get repaired. The clips that lock and unlock doors had to be replace. The repair was very costly.
While driving with family or clients in my Kia Sorento since I bought it brand new in 2011 has had ongoing gear shifting, speed increase and decreasing, stalling while driving at highway speeds almost causing accidents we were just lucky we weren't but it is very unsafe to drive. repairs have been more than the car is worth. This is just a short list estimate of repairs, but keep in mind on 3 occasions I would leave the Kia Service Department in Eugene Oregon after Transmission was replaced the first at 134, 000 miles and it would stall at highway speed and have to have it towed and replaced again this went on as you can see more than a couple times. 2 catalyst converters replaced 4 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED 1 manifold replaced 1 Alternator 1 Serpentine Belt 1 Power steering rack from leaking
The ABS, downhill assist, and engine light stay on constantly, even though the clock spring has been replaced and multiple car repair shops are unable to diagnose a "problem." When driving, the vehicle seems like the engine is getting extremely hot and starts to sputter and even cuts off at times. There are currently recalls on 2011 Sorentos for fire risk while parked and fire risk while driving. However, my VIN is not included in the recall for fire risk while driving, but I believe it should be based on the inability to diagnose a problem with my engine. Vehicle is well maintained. Thank you.
I just got this car and it haseven been 30days I read the NHTSA Action Number: DP21003 and it is exactly same problem. It started with spark plugs weak and changed them out then AWD check engine light oil and the battery light came on. And the car wouldn't move as fast and had a code of P0336 which was the Cranckshaft sensor got that changed and I'm still having issues with accelerating and rpm's going up without pressing the gas pedal hard and suddenly speeding
2011 Kia Sorento, built 2010 , Kia issued a recall notice concerning misaligned intermediate shafts on the passenger side of trans axle. This recall is for vehicles manufactured from start of production thru may 22 2010. Our vehicle has manufacture date of June 9 2010, and has suffered thru 168000 gimpy miles on this gnarled intermediate shaft. Photo included. So Kia did have this problem longer than theinial 4/25/2011 recall for Power Train campaign #11V258000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft
On April 25, 2011, Kia Motors Corporation submitted a defect notification letter to NHTSA regarding a transmission intermediate driveshaft condition in approximately 12,690 model year (MY) 2011 Kia Sorento 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines (NHTSA Recall No.
Transmission complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 265 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Kia Sorento, 17% of the model year's 1,520 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Kia Sorento transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-626 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2015); NHTSA recall 11V-258 (driveshaft, Apr 25, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Sorento transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.