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

there are eight recalls on my car I do not trust dealerships I do not trust mechanics I work on my own car I have very bad experience with mechanics I would rather return my car to the dealership I want to sell my car do the dealership eight different recalls is too much

NHTSA ODI 11681986

As I was backing into my driveway on Thursday 1/18/2024 @ 5:25 pm. I was on my way home from work. As I was backing into my driveway I lost power, the ABs and the MIL light both came on, the abs went off but the MIL began to flash and I lost all power in the car. I shut it off immediately and we pushed my car the rest of the way into the driveway. I had received a KIA Safety recall notice that said if this happens, Call KIA, immediately to request a tow to the nearest Authorized dealership. Was told they cannot perform this task and that I need to wait till tghe figure out the recall before they will help me. I have no vehicle to get back and forth to work now and KIA is refusing to help me.

NHTSA ODI 11566982

While driving, my car slowed down and wouldn't accelerate pass 35 or 40 mph. I had to turn into a parking lot and restart the car. It drove fine, upon restarting. My OBD reader indicated DTC P200A Intake Manifold Runner. AAA informed me of KIA's notice regarding the same issue. This has happened on 4 occasions over the past weekend.

NHTSA ODI 11556928

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon depression of the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal became stuck, causing the vehicle to unintendedly accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540734

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated that she was able to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510593

Kia Sorento 2011 LX 2.4L Oil disappears weekly, I have to check it often and/or refill. I use the required oil it calls for on the engine oil cap. Vehicle jolts while driving. I've been parked with vehicle off, turned it on, reversed from parking spot and about an tenth of a mile vehicle stalled, put it in park, and restarted. While driving headlights flicker Tapping/knocking noise from engine area, checked oil and its full, mechanic can't seem to find issue. Some forums have suggested throttl control module?

NHTSA ODI 11476822

ON 2-7-2022 MY 2011 KIA SERENTO began to boggle out while driving it merging onto the freeway I was having a hard time speeding up to even 20mph then out of no where it was just fine again, well I went to pick my children from school about 1 1/2 hours later and the car started out driving fine until out of no where I was unable to accelerate to a higher speed once more but this time it was smelling like smoke but there was no smoke

NHTSA ODI 11450884

I have contacted the manufacturer Kia-ConsumerAssistanceCenter@kiausa.com. I notified them first on September 8,2021. I was given a generic response of to contact a dealership about lights being on that won’t cut off, the hatch falling on its own , the windows gets stuck and the door handle not working and more recently November 3, 2021 that the car will just stop accelerating when driving and then resumes by itself. I also followed their instructions and attempted to make and appointment with Kia of Orange Park 6373 Blanding Blvd Jacksonville, Florida 32244 (904) 771-6078 and was told each item to LOOK AT it was $159. I informed them of my warranty that would cover Cost and was denied that option but payment would be needed upfront and then they would bill my warranty and apply the cost. This was for a diagnostic check. Not repair at all. Which means fees needed to paid whether I got the work done or not. My car was there in June for a recall with the engine and that was covered by Kia due to a system update. I tried again in October just for the car acceleration and have not received a response back from [XXX] GENERAL SALES MANAGER [XXX] on the cost to look at the vehicle to see what it’s accelerating on its on. I sent a follow up request again today to Kia the manufacturer and the dealership. I want it documented that I am driving a car that will stall on its own and then accelerates again. I have two kids and if we are killed due to the vehicles stopping in traffic on its own. Or the other mechanical problems it’s now having they should be sued for our deaths. To just look at my vehicle [XXX] states I must pay because his guys need to get paid too. Not for any work just to look at the vehicle and tell me the cost of repairs. Also they will not submit rose cost to my warranty company who states they will cover the repairs unless they are given money upfront. Sounds illegal to me. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11439764

SUA July 3, 2020, driver was exiting a Kroger fuel station located at 7380 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 in the subject 2011 Kia Sorento SUV vehicle. Suddenly and without warning, the subject Kia vehicle began accelerating without throttle input from the driver. The Kia Sorento then struck the rear of a 2014 RAV 4, pushing it across the street and into a Waffle House parking lot. The 2011 Kia Sorento continued accelerating and gained significant speed before striking a nearby curb and fencing, colliding with an embankment of a retention pond, and ultimately coming to rest in the base of the retention pond. The injured driver was transported from the scene by ambulance, where they began receiving the first portion of many treatments for her injuries. Driver believes they are victim to a runaway throttle control malfunction that caused a sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA). Manufacturer notified. NHTSA has received 54 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), aka U.S. consumer complaints to DOT, regarding Vehicle Speed Control problems with the 2011 Kia Sorento; including NHTSA ID No. 10473983: On August 19, 2012, in Iowa/Missouri, state police footage showed Lauri Ulvestad’s, 47, of Ames, Iowa, 35-minute ride of terror after the accelerator of her Kia Sorento jammed, causing her to careen down a highway at speeds up to 120 miles per hour for 59 miles. The accelerator in this other 2011 Kia Sorento SUV became stuck. A dash-camera video captured by the Missouri State Highway Patrol officers who soon began following her shows the 35 minutes of terror that Ulvestad endured as her car traveled 59 miles at speeds as high as 115 mph. Apparently Kia "technicians were unable to duplicate the issue and this appears to be an isolated incident," per the South Korean company’s statement. "KMA will continue to investigate and analyze the facts of this situation." Source: ABC News. Petition for Defect Investigation. Special Crash Investigation.

NHTSA ODI 11436935

THE CONTROL OPTION FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAIL. CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO, AND PHONE BUTTONS ALL HAVE FAILED.

NHTSA ODI 11398823

THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON WITH OUR ANY REASON. CAR WON'T ACELERATE, STOP AND GET SPEED IN UNSAFE WAIT ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11376263

THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE TENDS TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING LIKE NOT CHANGING GEARS, GETS LOCKED, JERKS BACK AND FORTH TILL IT UNLOCKS OR CHANGES GEARS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SLOWING OR STOPPING CAR IN IT'S TRACKS. RPM GO TO 0. FEEL LIKE A TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE . SOUNDS LIKE TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2-4 TIME A YEAR SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR. THESE PAST TWO YEARS THE GEARS LOCKING IS GETTING WORSE AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN INSTANTLY FROM DRIVING ON THE FRWY 60 MPH DOWN TO 35 MPH INSTANTLY ALMOST HAVING CARS HIT ME FROM BEHIND. SAME FOR DRIVING ON THE STREET GOING 20-40 MPH DROPPING

NHTSA ODI 11366539

WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM OREGON TO IDAHO I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING APPROXIMATELY 67MPH AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING SO I DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS AND IT CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER SO I PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT HAD BEEN TO THE MECHANIC THAT WEEK TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WHEN IT WAS TOWED BACK THE MECHANIC REPORTED IT HAD BLOWN TWO CYLINDERS.

NHTSA ODI 11322499

ALL STEERING WHEEL FUNCTION HAVE STOP WORKING INCLUDING HORN. RADIO, CRUISE AND BLUE TOOTH CONTROLS. DURING A TRIP ON THE HIGH WAY

NHTSA ODI 11289017

EVERYTIME I HIT A LITTLE BUMP IN THE ROAD MY ECO SAVER GOES OFF CAUSING ME TO BURN MORE GAS UNTIL I HIT ANOTHER BUMP TO KNOCK THE SAVER BACK ON

NHTSA ODI 11268203

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO KIA FOR SEVERAL RECALLS. ONE WAS THE DOOR LOCKS BEING FAULTY. I SAID I HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THEM ANYWAY. NOW MY REAR DOOR LOCK IS BROKEN. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WHEN ACCELERATING THE ENGINE REVS. IT ONLY HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES AT FIRST, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PEDAL IS GETTING STUCK. MY LAST ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG. I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS BANGED UP AND THE AIRBAG NEVER OPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11254451

KIA WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED. CAR ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND LOSES POWER AND KEEPS GOING INTO LIMP MODE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MUST BE DEALT WITH. TODAY WHILE IN THE PASSING LANE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH AND IT WOULDN'T GO . A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS SPEEDING BEHIND ME AND NEARLY REAR ENDED ME AS I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE AND COULDN'T MAKE IT GO AGAIN TO PULL OVER. WHEN I EVENTUALLY GOT IT TO PULL OVER IT WAS IDLING HIGH AND DID NOT SOUND RIGHT. MECHANIC CAME AND PLACED VEHICLE ON COMPUTER AND AGAIN THREE CODES CAME UP INCLUDING ENGINE POWER FAILURE AND LIMP MODE. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO KIAS LACK TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT AND THIS COULD BE A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS OR AN ALLOWANCE TOWARD A NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE.

NHTSA ODI 11254549

FFELT LIKE TIRES SKIDDED THEN SLOWED DOWN TO 30 MILES AN HOUR AN 4WHEEL DRIVE ANI LOCK BRAKE SYMBOWL CAME ON WAS RUNNING ABOUT 50 HAD TO PULL OVER AN CUT OFF ENGINE THEN RESTART

NHTSA ODI 11245779

"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I'M DRIVING AND ACCELERATE THE CAR DON'T SHIFTING THE GEAR OR ITS DELAYING. SOMETIME IT NOT SHIFTING FROM 4 HT SPEED AND UP. I READ ON INTERNET ABOUT MANY COMPLAINS AND ABOUT RECALLS IN 2015 REGARDING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/RESEARCH/KIA-SORENTO-2011/RECALLS/ PLEASE HELP ME TO FIX THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11208318

MY KIA SORENTO 2011. MY PROBLEM IS THAT MY CAR STARTED ACTING DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME I TURN IT MAKES A NOISE. I GOT THE BALL JOINT DONE. THE RIGHT SITE. ALSO I GOT THE STRUT DONE . I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED NEW STRUT AGAIN. .WENT I DRIVE IT SOUND LIKE IF THE CAR GONNA FALL APART.

NHTSA ODI 11194850

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.

NHTSA ODI 11185742

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.

NHTSA ODI 11183623

RECALL!!!WHEN ACCELERATING MORE THAN 60-80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ECO SENSOR LIGHT POPS ON AND MY SUV JERKS BACK THEN PICKS UP SPEED CAUSING THE BACK OF MY HEAD TO HIT YOUR HEAD RESTRAINT. IT IS VERY SCARY!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11157246

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME IT SEAMS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE IVE ALREADY READ ABOUT 20 POSTED ON THE INTERNET. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN I STAR THE CAR THEN GOES OF FOR 2 SECONDS AND STAYS ON ALL THE TIME UNTIL I SHUT DOWN THE CAR. IVE DONE ALL THE QUICK CHECKS LIKE LOSE CONNECTIONS TO NO AVAIL. ON LINE THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM SEAMS TO IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SENSOR MAT. I PROBLEM THAT COST AROUND $2000 TO HAVE FIXED. I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS SAFETY RELATED AND THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11150091

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (PART OF THROTTLE BODY) HAZARD! RANDOM. THE VEHICLE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE (SAME LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED), AND THEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL LOSES THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THERE IS NO ACCELERATION/POWER WHAT SO EVER! THE VEHICLE WILL MAINTAIN A SPEED 20 MPH. THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. TO CORRECT, EMERGENCY EXIT TO SIDE OF THE ROAD, PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT ACCELERATED SPEED (40-60 MPH) OF WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP LIGHT. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS/DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT HAS NEARLY PLACED ME INTO AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE ETHER SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED ME BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WHEN SEARCHED ON YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NHQAQURNFV0 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=834XLHQGRNO

NHTSA ODI 11142542