Home · 2011 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid · Complaints

What 1,516 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

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)

182 of 1,516 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters · page 3 of 8

Jul 31, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF EAST SYRACUSE (6717 MANLIUS CENTER RD, EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057, (315) 701-5898) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ODI 11240949

Jul 26, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT GO OUT .

NHTSA ODI 11235132

Jul 26, 2019LightsAirbags

MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND MY HEADLIGHTS ARE BLACK AND HAVE MELTED WIRES

NHTSA ODI 11235137

Jul 20, 2019AirbagsBody & structureSeats

MY CAR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY AND DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THE DRIVER SEAT LOWER BACK ADJUSTING CUSHION DOES NOT FUNCTION ANYMORE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UMLOCK DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE OR INSPECT AND ORDER THE DOOR HANDLE BASE MECHANISM PART, THEN CHARGE FOR THAT AND INSTALLATION.

NHTSA ODI 11233583

Jul 19, 2019Airbags

INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF. HAS SINCE CAME BACK ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11233261

Jul 17, 2019AirbagsBody & structure

SRS/AIRBAG LIGHTS RANDOMLY CAME ON AMD SHUT OFF ALSO DOOR STOPPED OPENING

NHTSA ODI 11232735

Jul 17, 2019SteeringLightsAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH LEE JOHNSON KIA (425-827-0521, LOCATED AT 11845 NE 85TH ST, KIRKLAND, WA 98033). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 159,000.

NHTSA ODI 11232785

Jun 18, 2019Airbags

STARTED ENGINE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS

NHTSA ODI 11220995

Jun 5, 2019Airbags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THEN MY HORN STOPPED WORKING AND NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY RECALL AS OF I'M A ACCIDENT MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE RECALL AND FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11218189

Jun 4, 2019Airbags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT DOES NOT GO AWAY WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THIS MEANS THAT'S THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASEBOOK OF AN ACCIDENT WHICH IS A HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 11217682

May 23, 2019Airbags

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. LIGHT ON BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL AND LIGHT STILL ON DEALER SAID IT WAS OCS MAT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOT INCLUDED IN PREVIOUS RECALL. SO I STILL HAVE NO AIRBAG AND THEY ARE REQUESTING $2,000+ TO FIX. SAFTEY ISSUE IS STILL NOT TAKEN CARE OF AND PUTTING ME AND MY CHILDREN IN HARMS WAY.

NHTSA ODI 11209482

May 23, 2019Airbags

MY KIA SORENTO 2011 THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FOR DAYS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IT GOES OFF THAN GOES ON WHEN I STRAIT IT IN MOVEMENT OR NOT THE LIGHT IS ON .SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT HAVE TO BE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11209574

May 20, 2019Airbags

FAULTY OCS MAT SENSOR PREVENTS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

NHTSA ODI 11208728

May 17, 2019Airbags

I TOOK MY 2011 KIA SORENTO IN TO KIA MOTORS IN AMERICAN FORK, UTAH TO GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT CHECKED OUT. IT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE OCS MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1600 TO FIX. SINCE MY AIRBAGS CAN NOT DETECT ANYTHING WITHOUT GETTING THIS PART REPLACED, ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11208302

May 14, 2019AirbagsEngine

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO MAY 4 THAND THE CAR DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I GOT SOMEONE TO HELP PUSH THE CAR IN THERE DRIVEWAY. WHEN BACK THE NEXT DAY WITH A MECANIC HE TOLD ME THE CAR ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM CAUSE I BROUGHT THE CAR 3 YRS AGO. BEFORE THE CAR DIE THE CHECK ENGINE TURN ON THAN DIE. THE SEATBELT TURN IN 1 MONTH AGO .NOW I HAVE 9000 LEFT ON THE CAR THE WON'T WRONG TAKE BACK AND THE DEALERSHIP WON'T MAKE A STRADES

NHTSA ODI 11207643

Apr 19, 2019AirbagsEngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 35-48 MPH, A DEER JUMPED OUT INTO THE STREET. THE CONTACT SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUCCILLO KIA (3900 STATE ST, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, (518) 847-0800) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER'S COLLISION SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11197364

Apr 18, 2019Airbags

MY VEHICLE STALLS AT TAKE OFF OFTEN AND ALSO MY HORN ONLUY SOUNDS WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL A CERTAIN POSITION . MY AIRBAG LIGHT REMAIN ON ALSO .THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS MALFUNCTION HAPPEN IN THE STREET ALSO.

NHTSA ODI 11197108

Apr 3, 2019SuspensionAirbags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON YESTERDAY...AND SUSPENSION WHILE DRYING TRIALS YOU OVER IN LEFT LANE IF YOU HIT A BUMP

NHTSA ODI 11193642

Mar 25, 2019Airbags

LAST WEEK THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND APPARENTLY IT IS THE COIL SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. FROM WHAT WE HAVE DONE OUR RESEARCH ON, THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT IS NOT A RECALL. I DO BELIEVE THAT IF THE IS OCCURING IN SEVERAL OF THESE MODELS, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR IS WRECKED. I WOULD APPRECIATE PROPER CHANGE FOR THIS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11191461

Mar 7, 2019Electrical systemAirbags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY AND HAS NOT SHUT OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I WAS TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP THAT IT COULD COST A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS AND THAT TERRIFYING THAT IT COULD BE SET OFF AT ANY TIME FOR NO REASON OR EVEN WORSE NOT AT ALL. AFTER SEEING SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED OR RECALLED?

NHTSA ODI 11184767

Mar 4, 2019Airbags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE THEIR IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR WITH THEIR SEATBELT IS ON WHILE THE VECHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

NHTSA ODI 11184170

Feb 28, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsEngine

I HAVE BEEN A KIA CUSTOMER FOR OVER 7 YEARS AND ARE ON OUR THIRD VEHICLE FROM THEM. TRADED MY KIA FORTE FOR 2011 SORENTO IN 2016. IT HAS HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IT COST $1,200 TO FIX IT. RECENTLY ON JAN 25TH MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND ALSO RUINED THE ENGINE. NOW TOLD THAT I NEED NEW ENGINE FOR $5.100. I HAVE LEARNED OF MANY RECALLS ON SORENTO ENGINE MOTOR BUT STARTING FOR THE YEAR 2012.

NHTSA ODI 11183281

Feb 6, 2019Airbags

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY. HAS NOT SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11174843

Feb 3, 2019Electrical systemAirbags

STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR RADIO/PHONE QUIT WORKING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. NO ACCIDENT ETC, JUST QUIT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI 11173785

Dec 14, 2018Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsBody & structure

(1)TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN 2ND GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION WOULD "JUMP" EVERY TIME THE CAR HIT 50MHP. COULD NOT REPLICATE AFTER SITTING IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. (2)ABS LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON-TOLD IT IS A CLOCK SPRING. KIA NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT. (3) DOORS STICK-DRIVERS DOOR WILL LOCK ITSELF AND CANNOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED 3X WHILE CAR IS RUNNING AND I EXITED TO GET MAIL. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT CLOSE- HAVE TO KNOCK HANDLE TO CLOSE. (4)BACKUP CAMERA INTERMITTENT. (5)BLUETOOTH DOES NOT PAIR WITH PHONE-INTERMITTENT. (6) GAS DOOR STICKS- MUST HIT RELEASE BUTTON DOZENS OF TIMES BEFORE IT OPENS. (7) TIRE PRESSURE GUAGES BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI 11161405

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Working with the data? Download all 1,516 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

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 Plug-in Hybrid verdict →