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)

56 of 1,516 complaints match · Suspension · clear filters · page 1 of 3

Apr 24, 2026SuspensionBrakesDriver assistance

I tried months ago to have my 2011 KIA Sorento LX 3.5L v6 AWD to get the recalls fixed @ KIA in Yorkville,New York. They said they couldn't fix the recalls that were on the vehicle because supposedly the suspension is unsafe. But I already had the vehicle on a lift 4 times since,6 times total to get parts installed from my mechanic. If it was so unsafe,how could my mechanic lift the vehicle without any issues. I needed to get the underbody sprayed to stop rust and corrosion but KIA refused me.The recall for the ABS module needed fixing,they refused me. Having problems with the ABS and my subframe/crossmember broke. I feel the spray could've helped

NHTSA ODI 11733480

Feb 15, 2026Suspension

Subframe, in the rear, where lateral arms are connected completely rusted off from the rest of the subframe. The control arm has broken off and is now rubbing against fuel tank. Car is unrepairable and undrivable.

NHTSA ODI 11718095

Jun 3, 2025SuspensionEngine

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 15-20 MPH, the axle popped out of the transmission, and fractured the lower ball joints and steering system. There was an abnormal burning electrical odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664495

Dec 31, 2024Suspension

Transmission, shocks and struts had to be replaced. Kia was having a hard bump knock when it changed gears driving down the highway, we had it looked at several times by the Kia dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong. Eventually had to replace the parts above.

NHTSA ODI 11633395

Oct 25, 2024SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

3 different episodes suv will start by appear warning lights downhill, slippery road, abs, engine , decrease speed, shuts down, tire pressure finally battery dead and rubber smell. I've had it fixed once mentioned it was Altarnator, second time battery, finally third time something electrical or unknown. Total cost now $3000 and my life in danger al 3 times and towec.

NHTSA ODI 11621859

Mar 1, 2024SteeringSuspensionBrakes

Brakes feel softer, rear brake burnt smell, replaced brakes one month ago. Headlight and taillight bulbs replaced several times in last 3 months due to blinking blowing replaced and starts over again. Screen will not turn on until car has run for 45 minutes. Cannot use back until screen turns on. Leaving car parked until I can get brake system fixed. Noticed brake light on dash and car with swerve light on dash. Too scared to drive until at least brakes are fixed. Reached out to dealership. No part available for recall which most likely is failing my brakes

NHTSA ODI 11574995

Aug 7, 2022Suspension

For awhile now the suspension seems to be worse. Almost every time I go around a corner either to the left or to the right there is a clanging clanging noise. It seems as thought the car is falling apart coming from the back of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11478043

Apr 8, 2022Suspension

Vehicle front k frame is severly rusted causing concerns with front suspension stablilty.

NHTSA ODI 11460184

Mar 4, 2021Suspension

VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT SUFFERED A STRUCTURAL FAILURE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, STRUT FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE HAS 85500 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11399069

Feb 12, 2021SuspensionBrakesEngineFire

2011 KIA SORENTO EX 3.5 ENGINE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAS RANDOMLY CHANGED IN THE WAY ITS FEELS SAFE WITH ROUGH INSTABILITY IN MY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.MY BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A RANDOM BASIS AS WELL AS WHEN CAR IS PARKED WILL RANDOMLY CLICK IN MY GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM AND WILL FAIL TO LOCK WHEN CAR IS PARKED AND SHUT OFF IT WILL CLICK WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED.MY FRONT LIGHTS HAVE DIMMED AND BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BURNED OUT CONSISTENTLY AS WELL AS MY STEERING WHEEL HAS FAILED WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS RANDOMLY.CAR HORN IS INOPERABLE AND MY CRUISE CONTROL STOP FUNCTIONING. MY ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT ON ME AND MY CAR HAS HISTORIAL PROOF OF CONSISTENT MAINTENANCE WITH CAR FAX REPORT IN HAND .MY GAS MILAGE HAS SINCE DECREASED. MY SUSPENSION FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REALLY BAD ON BUMPS AND AVERAGE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE ALSO VERY UNPLEASANT SO I HAVE PARKED IT UNTIL IT'S FIXED FOR ACTIVE RECALLS AND OTHER POTENTIAL MANUFACTURER DEFECTS

NHTSA ODI 11395866

Jul 16, 2020Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE VEHICLE WOBBLED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BATTLEGROUND KIA (2927 BATTLEGROUND AVE, GREENSBORO, NC 27408, (336) 295-1542) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 99,200.

NHTSA ODI 11339711

Mar 5, 2020SteeringSuspensionBrakes

MY VEHICLE IS GIVING ME RANDOM PROBLEMS WITH MY SUSPENSION AND BRAKE SYSTEM IT RANDOMLY FEELS LIKE IT IS FINE AND THEN RANDOMLY DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE DUE.TO BRAKE CLICKING NOISE THAT YOU CAN HEAR WHERE SHIFT KNOB IS AND WHEN I PRESS BRAKES MY TIRES LOCK OR.SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF THERE IS AIR AND.IT WILL NOT BRAKE.UNLESS I PUMP BRAKES A COUPLE TIMES..MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOP OPENING FROM OUTSIDE TO INSIDE BUT WORKS FINE FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE OPENING

NHTSA ODI 11316193

Sep 14, 2019SuspensionElectrical systemBody & structure

MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I'M AFRAID TO PUT CHILD LOCK ON BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT MAKES FOR A VERY DANGEROUS MAYBE DEATHLY SITUATION. HORN DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11255466

Sep 11, 2019SuspensionBrakesFuel system

MY TIRES FEEL AS IF THEY ARE GOING TO FALL OFF, ALSO EVERY SMALL BUMP I HIT FEELS AS IF I HIT A BIG POTHOLE OR A OBJECT WHEN THAT'S NOT THE CASE AND MY WHEELS POP AS I TURN

NHTSA ODI 11254756

Sep 2, 2019SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainEngine

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE NOT GETTING INTO GEAR OR JERKING WHEN SHIFTING AND ENGINE SEEM TO LOOSE POWER OR NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALSO THERE IS A NOISE THE A/C MAKING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATING .

NHTSA ODI 11252733

Jul 27, 2019SuspensionElectrical systemBrakes

TAKATA BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING BOUGHT 3 SINCE JAN2019. GOT BRAKES DONE IN 2018 BUT PEDAL STILL MOVES AT RED LIGHT CAR MOVES FORWARD. I MASH BREAKS HARDER. ENGINE SHAKES OR JUMPS. IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN ON CAR IT DON'T CRANK UP KEY WAS REMADE A YR AGO. IGNITION STARTED BACK WORKING WELL BUT 6MONTHS AGO SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. TODAY I WAS STUCK 3.5HRS.HORRIBLE PLEASE HELP MY SORENTO IS LOVED BY ME. NO ONE CONTACTED ME ON THESE ISSUES IM HAVING.

NHTSA ODI 11235305

Jul 5, 2019SteeringSuspensionWheels

FIRST ISSUE BEGAN WHEN CAR STARTED PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS ON HIGHWAY. TOOK TO SHOP; PAID FOR NEW BRAKES INCLUDING PADS, ROTORS, FRONT CALIPERS PLUS FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT REPLACED. BALL JOINT RUSTED OUT SO BAD IT CRUMBLED TO PIECES WHEN TIRE WAS TAKEN OFF. NOT OUT OF SHOP FOR EVEN A FULL DAY WHEN THE CAR STARTED PULLING AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS A HARD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY AND IN TOWN. THIS TIME THE PULL WAS SO STRONG THE CAR WENT OFF ROAD. THIS TIME IT FELT LIKE STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. SO BACK TO SHOP TO FIND OUT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT WAS ALSO SHOT AND NEEDED REPLACED. CAR BEEN OUT OF SHOP BARELY 2 WKS; NOW FRONT END IS MAKING A HARD CLUNKY NOISE WHEN TURNING AND GOING OVER JUST THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS. THE CAR FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING OVER BOULDERS AND SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. SO BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH. READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THESE SAME ISSUES? IM PRETTY SURE I'LL BE PAYING FOR STRUTS, SHOCKS AND/OR COMPLETE REPAIR OF FRONT END SUSPENSION AFTER ALREADY PUTTING $800 IN TO IT. HOW HAS THIS CAR NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR SUCH ISSUES?

NHTSA ODI 11229624

Apr 9, 2019SuspensionSpeed controlBrakes

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

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

Jan 5, 2019Suspension

LOUD NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ONCE VEHICLE IS IN PARK ON SIDE OF ROAD. NO INDUCATOR LIGHTS LIGHTS SHOW IN DASH.

NHTSA ODI 11165362

Dec 20, 2018SuspensionWheelsBrakes

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

NHTSA ODI 11162773

Sep 6, 2018SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

PULLS TO 1 DIRECTION WHEN BRAKING AND DRIVING. SOUNDS OF AXEL OR SUSPENSION IN MOTION STARTED ON CITY STREETS NOW ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 11124718

Apr 22, 2018Suspension

I MADE A APPOINTMENT FOR KIA SERVICE COMPLAINING THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENTION R MAKING A NOISE. KIA REPLACE THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE BALL JOINTS AND SAID THE REAR AND LEFT FRONT SUSPENTION ARE WORKING FINE THE CAR STILL SOUNDS VERY LOUD WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS.

NHTSA ODI 11089312

Mar 23, 2018Suspension

LOUD CLANKING NOISE IN FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE/SUSPENSION AREA WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS NEW TIRES, AND ALIGNMENT, NEW SHOCKS AND STRUTS, A FRAME BUSHING AND SWAY BAR REPLACED AS WELL, CLANKING NOISE REMAINS.

NHTSA ODI 11081033

Jan 8, 2018Suspension

COIL SPRING FROM FRONT STRUT ON 2011 SORENTO BROKE IN THREE PLACES WHILE IN MOTION IN THE CITY (DRIVING STRAIGHT) AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20 KM/HR AND PIERCED SIDE WALL OF TIRE ON DRIVER SIDE. NO INJURIES BUT VERY DANGEROUS INDEED.

NHTSA ODI 11061201

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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 Plug-in Hybrid verdict →