Home · 2011 Kia Sorento Phev · Complaints

What 1,516 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sorento Phev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,516)Crash / fire / injury (107)Engine (284)Body & structure (268)Transmission & drivetrain (265)Electrical system (246)Airbags (182)Brakes (130)Lights (102)Speed control (63)Suspension (56)Steering (53)

130 of 1,516 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 4 of 6

Dec 20, 2018SuspensionWheelsBrakes

WHILE DIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE GEAR BOX SHATTERED.

NHTSA ODI 11162773

Aug 14, 2018Brakes

MY BRAKE LAMP SWITCH/ STOPLIGHT SWITCH APPEARS TO BE FAULTY OR FAILING, AS MY BRAKE LAMPS ARE NOT LIGHTNING UP WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL, NOR WILL MY CAR GO INTO PARK OR REVERSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IF IT'S WHEN I FIRST CRANK THE CAR, THEN IT WILL NOT GO OUT OF PARK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. ALSO, THE ESC LIGHT AND THE DBC LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. MY PEDAL/GEAR SHIFTER WON'T MAKE THE CLICKING VIBRATION NOISE THAT CAN EVEN BE FELT IN MY FOOT AND HAND IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO A GEAR OR OUT OF GEAR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN KIAS AND I DO SEE A RECALL THAT WAS FOR 2006-2011 KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING AS PART OF THE RECALL, BUT I'M HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN BE REAR-ENDED AND EVEN KILLED IN AN MVA WITH NO BRAKE LAMPS. KIA SHOULD COVER THIS REPLACEMENT FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI 11120001

Mar 10, 2018Body & structureBrakesEngine

DOOR HANDLES NOT OPENING BRAKES NOT WANTING TO STOP OR GRABING ESC ABS DOWNHILL ON AND PASSGER AIR BAG

NHTSA ODI 11078495

Feb 23, 2018Speed controlBrakesEngineCrash1 injury

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 ODI 11074522

Jan 15, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakes

WAS DRIVING MY KIA AND SUDDENLY COULD NO LONGER DRIVE PULLED OVER N TRAFFIC AND COULD ONLY PUT THE E BRAKE ON. NOTHING ELSE WOULD GO IN TO GEAR DRIVE REVERSE AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SO PUT THE E BRAKE ON AND CALLED TOW TRUCK..TOOK IT TO MADE IN AMERICA MADE IN JAPAN..AND THE SAY ITS THE INPUT SHAFT..EXACTLY DESCRIBED ON RECALL FOR MY VIN # [XXX] . MANUFACTURE CALL#SC124. NHTSA# 15V626 .THIS HAPPENED ON 225 PLACERVILLE RD FOLSOM ON FRIDAY 1/5/2017 .ITS CURRENTLY STILL AT MADE IN AMERICA MADE IN JAPAN..PLEASE CONTACT. ME A.S.A.P [XXX] . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11062910

Aug 27, 2017Electrical systemBrakesEngine

WHEN DRIVING AT STABLE SPEED THE VEHICLE OFTEN "FEELS" AS IF THE GAS IS NOT GETTING TO THE MOTOR. THE SPEED OF THE CAR VARIES, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR ALSO SHOWS LOW TIRE LIGHT, ALONG WITH ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AT RANDOM TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL APPEAR WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11019981

Mar 8, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI 10959653

Feb 3, 2017Transmission & drivetrainLightsLatches & locksBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE LOCK FAILED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 156260000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 10949323

Jan 27, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI 10948074

Nov 13, 2016Brakes

THE ABS/TRACTION SENSOR HAS GONE OUT. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AND KIA WILL NOT COVER IT OR ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10925667

Feb 8, 2016Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND; HOWEVER, THE FRONT BRAKES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SWAY BAR RAN A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 10824925

Nov 19, 2015BrakesTransmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AND GOING IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED AND DID NOT MOVE DUE TO THE SHIFTER NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED BY SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND GOING BACK INTO REVERSE. THE ABS SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,078. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE WENT TO THE DEALER FOR A FAILED TRANSMISSION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SENSORS ON THE REAR WHEEL HUBS. UPDATED 03/31/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10794831

Oct 13, 2015Brakes

WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION LIGHT AND DOWN HILL LIGHTS COME ON AND START TO APPLY THE BRAKES ALSO AFTER MAKING A TURN THE TRACTION LIGHTS BLINKS AND THEN APPLIES THE FRONT BRAKES CAUSING THE CAR TO RUMMBLE AND BRAKE PEDDLE TO VIBERATE

NHTSA ODI 10781800

Jul 21, 2015Brakes

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED COMING ON BY THEMSELVES. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AS THE VEHICLE STOPPED 6 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE OF HUNDRED FEET. I COULD FEEL THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WORKING AS THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP, THEN THE BRAKES WOULD RELEASE AND I WOULD START MOVING AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE THE BRAKES COME ON BY THEMSELVES AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A SENSOR WAS REPLACED REGARDING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS WORKED FINE SINCE, BUT ITS ONLY BEEN 5 DAYS SINCE IT WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 10735522

Jun 10, 2015Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10724539

Apr 24, 2015Electrical systemBrakes

ON 04/16/15 PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK OR REVERSE. PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WARNING LIGHTS ON DIDN'T MAKE SENSE., ACCESSORIES WOULD NOT TURN OFF. CAR ROLLED W/O HARD DEPRESS TO BRAKE. BRAKE WOULDN'T FULLY ENGAGE (WOULDN'T PLUNGE ALL THE WAY). PUT INTO NEUTRAL, COULD NOT FULLY SHUT OFF. CAR WARNING SIGNAL BLASTING. COULD NOT SECURE CAR, LOCK CAR OR OR TURN CAR OFF. COULD ONLY DRIVE FORWARD SLOWLY WITH DRAG WHEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF PARKING SPOT. DROVE FORWARD TO GET OUT OF PAKING LOT BEFORE TRAPPED IN THERE AGAIN AND REVERSE ROLLING OCCURRED. WENT TO SIDE OF ROAD FOR TOWING. HUGE DRAG WHILE DRIVING SLOW 5MPH APROX. IGNITION FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER PUTTING INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN. WARNING SOUND FINALLY WENT AWAY BUT ACCESSORIES STILL WERE ON. PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOW ENGAGE. CAR NOT DRIVABLE OR FULLY FUNCTIONING. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. .DIAGNOSED- FAILURE OF RECALL PART PUT IN AT TIME OF RECALL TO FIX HAD FAILED. RESOLUTION: REPLACED DEFECTIVE RECALL FIX PART WITH SAME RECALL PART THAT JUST FAILED, NO ACCIDENT RESULTED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE BUT I COULD NOT PROPERLY, DRIVE, SECURE, CAR. LEFT STRANDED WITH MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILD WITH LIMITED CELLULAR RECEPTION. CONCERN: DRIVING UNSAFE CAR WITH KNOWN FAILURE PART THAT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT DO TO SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE POSTED BY KIA. KIA RESOLUTION WAS TO PUT SAME PART IN THAT IS KNOW TO FAIL AND WAS PART OF A FIX FOR VOLUNTARY RECALL DUE TO KNOW SERIOUS RESULTS OF PART FAILURE. I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT IS ON IT'S THIRD RECALL WHICH IS PROVEN TO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS MEDICALLY FRAGILE SON WOULD NOT HAVE HAD IMMEDIATE MEDICAL EMERGENY SERVICES IF FAILURE HAPPENED WHERE THERE WAS NO SIGNAL. LACK OF BRAKE LIGHTS COULD RESULT IN COLLISION RESULTING IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. SUMMARY, DRIVING CAR WITH KNOW SAFEY ISSUES BY KIA WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712614

Dec 4, 2014Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN MY 2011 KIA SORENTO LAST NIGHT, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH THREE OTHER LIGHTS (ALL BRAKE RELATED). LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. THEY TOLD ME IT IS A REAR SPEED SENSORING ISSUE AND MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. FIXING IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME MY KIA HAS ELECTRONIC ISSUES. BUT THESE ARE DANGEROUS! IF YOUR BRAKES DON'T WORK AND YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, DANGER ABOUT TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10662252

Nov 10, 2014Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD CLICKING AND GRINDING NOISE EMITTED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SOLENOID SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BRAKE SOLENOID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,480.

NHTSA ODI 10653800

Sep 9, 2014Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKES LOCKED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 10631788

Aug 19, 2014SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT OR ALL DAY, WHEN BACKING UP THEN GOING FORWARD THE CAR ACTS LIKE THE ABS IS STICKING AND WONT MOVE FORWARD, PULLS TO THE LEFT. YOU HAVE PUT CAR IN PARK, TURN IT OFF, THEN TURN BACK ON FOR IT TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10626359

Jun 21, 2014LightsBrakes

I PURCHASED MY 2011 KIA SORENTO APPROXIMATELY 1 YR AGO AND MY INTERIOR LIGHT IN FRONT OVER DRIVER AND PASSENGER COMES ON AND OFF DURING DRIVING. THIS DID IT IN THE BEGINNING THEN STOPPED, NOW IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME WITH THE ILLUMINATING DOOR OPEN SIGN ON DASH. THEY STAY ON MUCH LONGER AND HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH MY GRAND CHILDREN IN CAR, NOT SURE IF SAFE ANYMORE. DEALER NEVER EXPRESSED AT TIME OF PURCHASE THAT THERE WHERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. FRONT MAKES NOISE EVERYTIME I PLACE FOOT ON BRAKES, PEOPLE LOOK OVER WHEN I HIT BRAKES. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM AS WELL(RECALL). I AM UNEMPLOYED NOW FOR 15 MONTHS NO MONEY TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THESE ARE PART OF ANY RECALLS. I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM SANSONE JR., ROUTE 66, NEPTUNE, NJ. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10604994

May 21, 2014Brakes

DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT INTO STREET PUT FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND IT STUCK TO FLOOR. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING. TRIED PUMPING BRAKE BUT NO GOOD. TRIED GAS PEDAL BUT NO GOOD. TRIED SHIFTING INTO DIFFERENT POSITIONS BUT NO GOOD. ONLY AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND ON DID BRAKE PEDAL COME BACK. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN STREET OR HIGHWAY WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10593268

Feb 18, 2014Electrical systemBrakesEngine

PUSH BUTTON START NOT STARTING VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON UPON DEPRESS OF BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE ONLY STARTS AFTER HOLDING BUTTON 10-15 SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI 10564855

Jan 2, 2014Brakes

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BEFORE ENTERING TRAFFIC. I FOUND THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PUSH WITH VERY LIMITED BRAKING POWER. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED OR A TRAGIC ACCIDENT COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE. I DROVE CAREFULLY AND WAS ABLE TO GO VERY SLOW AND PULLED INTO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE SHOULD FAILURE OCCUR. I AM AWAITING FINAL DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY FEEL THE MOST LIKELY PART IS A BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE OR THE BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10558137

Dec 11, 2013Fuel systemBrakesEngine

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, USUALLY ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE, THE VEHICLE ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BE DRIVEN FOR 10-15 MINUTES, PARKED FOR 10-15 MINUTES THEN DRIVEN AGAIN FOR TEN MINUTES. ONCE IT DIES I AM ABLE TO START IT UP RIGHT AWAY. IT IS A PUSH START "KEY" AND THE CAR DIES AFTER I APPLY THE BRAKES AND AM VERY NEAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE AND OCCURS RANDOMLY, EVERY FEW MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENED SIX TO TEN TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE COMPUTER COMES BACK WITH NO CODES. THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO FIX. TODAY, THE DEALER INSTALLED A MONITOR FOR ME TO USE FOR TWO WEEKS TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AND WE CAN CAPTURE THE INFO IN REAL TIME. KIA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ABOMINABLE. I AM TRYING TO GET A FIELD TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10555547

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Kia Sorento Phev verdict →