What 1,515 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sorento

On 06/05/2019 my Kia Sorrento 2011 vin [XXX] EX V6 2WD engulfed in flames yards from my home as my family barley escaped as it exploded. My husband in shock across the street video taped and took pictures of this horrific event. This is not a accident incident no other vehicle or object involved. Kia complaint filed #[XXX] accident millage: 99,000 Police report filed w Missouri Hwy Patrol Corporal Kline #[XXX] Vehicle was "inspected" post fire by a Kia inspector reported due to fire undetermined cause?! Vehicle purchased at World Kia in Joliet 2525 W. Jefferson Joliet, IL 60435 on 10/01/2015 registered Certified Manufactured warranty purchase Vehicle # [XXX] administration address: 175 W. Jackson Chicago, IL 60604 Extended Warranty purchased at the time of sale. Warranty extension program letter dated 11/07/2016 received to me purchaser: [XXX] current address: [XXX] [XXX] Please contact me with any additional documents, pictures, or statements My insurance didn't cover the full financed balance... I appreciate any information you have, Thank you, [XXX] Kia did not honor any warranty's INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11464255

Intake manifold runner control actuator on 2.4L engine has an inherent defect. The plastic coupling that connects the runner male connection on the side of the intake manifold to the runner control actuator has cracked twice, requiring several replacements of the runner control actuator at a cost of approximately $300 (part and labor) each repair. The coupling can't cost more than 25 cents to manufacture but once it cracks, you can't just buy the plastic coupling; you have to replace the entire runner control actuator. Suggest Hyundai/Kia manufacture the coupling from a metal capable of high temperature application and make just the coupling available for purchase.

NHTSA ODI 11461546

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at 35 MPH, the a white smoke began to emit from the vehicle the oil and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. A fellow motorist then alerted her that her vehicle was on fire and urged to to pull over and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. Her granddaughter called the authorities as the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed; no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was a case was filed. The fire department determined that the cause of the fire was electrical. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E041000 (Equipment) which she linked to her failure. The failure mileage was a approximately 192,000.

NHTSA ODI 11458644

Passenger low beam kept burning out. I kept replacing. This morning, on my way home from work (I work nights on an ambulance) I could smell burning, and saw that the light was out once again. Got home, and the entire connector/wiring to the bulb was completely melted and sizzling, with a small flame at the base of the plastic connector. This is outrageous. There were recalls for this EXACT issue for other Sorentos, but mine was not included. This could have started a major vehicle fire, and I cannot afford a vehicle electrician. Kia should be replacing this.

NHTSA ODI 11436094

I was driving on the freeway, my car just stopped, it wouldn't start I had to have it towed.

NHTSA ODI 11426327

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

NHTSA ODI 11398823

MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AND KIA REPLACED IT, I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITHIN 15 MONTHS THE SECOND ALTERNATOR WENT OUT ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 70 M HR THE CAR WITH NO WARNING THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED ON THE INSIDE LANE NO BRAKES, NO GAS, NO LIGHTS, THIS WAS SUCH A DANGEROUS WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED I HAD TO PAY OVER 900.00 TO GET THIS REPLACED, I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS I'M KNOW FOR THE 3RD TIME HAVING TO HAVE THIS DONE AGAIN

NHTSA ODI 11396109

INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ALL COME ON DURING DRIVING. SHUT VEHILE OFF AND RESTART AFTER SEVERAL HOUR , RESTART AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF. THEY WILL ALL COME BACK ON AGAIN AFTER A WHILE WHEN DRIVING .THIS HAS BEEN INTERMITENT FOR TWO MONTHS

NHTSA ODI 11389824

THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF AT SPORADIC TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THIS CONDITION IS FRIGHTENING, PARTICULARLY AT NIGHT SINCE WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO STREET LIGHTS ON MANY OF THE ROADS. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO FIND YOURSELF IN TOTAL DARKNESS ON COUNTRY ROADS THAT HAVE DEEP DITCHES ON EITHER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI 11385052

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT KEYFOB FAILED TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO NAPLETON RIVER OAKS KIA (1951 RIVER OAKS DR, CALUMET CITY, IL 60409) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11375589

THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS LIKE THE DOOR IS LOCKED, HOWEVER IT IS NOT LOCKED. IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT OR NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET ME OUT. IT REMAINS THIS WAY AT ALL TIMES; INCLUDING WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. THERE IS A WARRANTY EXTENSION OFFERED BY KIA, BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL THE VIN'S!

NHTSA ODI 11372395

CAR HAS BUCKED OR STALLED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS FOR THE LAST 60,000 MILES (CAR NOW AT 110K) , TO THE DEGREE THAT I WOULDN'T LET MY KIDS USE THE VEHICLE. AS WITH OTHER ISSUES DEALERSHIP CLAIMED 'UNABLE TO RECREATE' LEAVING ME WITH NO FIX FOR A POTENTIALLY FATAL SAFETY ISSUE. CAR HAD SHUT DOWN ON I-84 IN HARTFORD CT, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO DO A RESTART QUICKLY. SORENTO MODEL YEAR 2011 HAS VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR COMPUTER ISSUE THAT SOUNDS SIMILAR BUT WAS TOLD ONLY CERTAIN VINS WERE APPLICABLE, WHICH SHOULD BE EXPLAINED AS TO WHY THAT WOULD BE. SEE ATTACHED PDF. BUCKING ON HIGHWAY CAN BE SEVERE, ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS BUT LEAVES NO CODE. DANGEROUS AND MANY INSTANCES ON INTERNET!

NHTSA ODI 11364559

DOORS FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS WILL MELT WIRING FOR THE LIGHT BULB AND KILL THE LIGHTBULB. DRIVER SEAT FEELS LOOSE, HOWEVER THE BOLTS ARE AS TIGHT AS THEY WILL GO.

NHTSA ODI 11362057

LEFT BLINKER IS FAST AFTER REPLACEMENT AND DIM. RIGHT HEADLIGHT REPLACED AND WORKS TEMPORARILY IF YOU UNPLUG IT ABS PLUG IN.

NHTSA ODI 11352843

HEADLIGHTS DONT WORK. KEPT TEPLACING BULBS AND STILL DONT WORK. BRAKE LIGHTS SAME ISSUE, TEPLACE BULBS AND LIGHTS DONT WORK. VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL. IVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIO 3 TIMES, THE ENGINITION HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE IVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE I'VE HAD BACK TO THE GARAGE MULTIPLE TIMES FOR REPAIRS AND KEPT TELLING THEM THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT THEY DONT WANT TO ADMIT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11343656

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT WILL LOSE POWER AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, ON REGULAR STREETS, AND WHEN GOING UP HILLS.. I AM NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING EXCEPT HOPE THAT NO ONE HITS ME AND I CAN GET IT PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HOPE IT WILL START AGAIN. NOW THE CAR STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE AND HAS COMPLETELY DIED AND HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. EVERYTHING IS GOOD BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, RELAYS/FUSES.

NHTSA ODI 11342054

HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS 2-3 YEAR;. BRAKE CALIPER TWICE; REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR; BACK DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11341956

MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF DOING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE AND THE DASH LIGHTS ALL FLICKERED

NHTSA ODI 11339690

I'VE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TURN SIGNAL TWICE DURING THE SAME SPAN. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHORT AS THE HEADLIGHT WILL WORK UNTIL I USE THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. THE HEADLIGHT BURNS OUT AND THEN THE TURN SIGNAL ONLY FLASHES WHEN THE SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHTS IS OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11338799

MY CAR TURNED OFF ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE STREETS, ALL LIGHTS WENT BLACK.THERE WAS CARS BEHIND ME, I WAS SCARED ON GETTING HIT. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A SMART JUNKING BOX CAUSING THE PROBLEM SINCE SOME CABLES HAS CORROSION. THEY HAVE BEEN RECALL ON THAT AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THEY SEND ME A PICTURE OF THE PROBLEM, AND I SEE NO CORROSION. NOW I'M SCARED DRIVING MY CAR AND NOT KNOWING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ESPECIALLY WHEN HAVING MY KIDS WITH ME AND DRIVING AT NIGHT, IF THAT CAR TURNS OFF, IT CAN CAUSE A HORRIBLE CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329719

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT NIGHT WITH MY FAMILY AND I NOTICE THAT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY IN A DARK ROAD WHICH SCARED ME BECAUSE EVERYTHING WENT COMPLETELY BLACK I QUICKLY TRIED TO PULL OVER ALMOST GOING INTO A DITCH IN FEAR THAT I MIGHT HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. I TRIED FLICKING ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND I KNOW THAT THEY WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. I ALSO NOTICE THAT MY CALL BATTERY WAS DRAINED IM ASSUMING IN MAY BE A SHORT IN THE WIRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329004

TWO DAYS LATER AFTER BUYING THE CAR WE WERE DRIVING IT DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE RPMS ON THE TRUCK WERE GOING TO HIGH AT 70 MPH THE RPM WOULD BE BETWEEN 6 AND 7 SO I DECIDE WHILE DRIVING TO SHIFT IT TO STANDARD SHIFT AND IN THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK THE ODOMETER SHOWS WHAT GEAR I AM IN AND I COULD ALSO SHIFT IT MANUALLY BUT THE TRUCK IS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR AND AT A COMPLETE STOP THE START DOESNT SEEM TO WANT TO GO AT ALL AND NOW IT WANT GO FORWARDS OR REVERSE. IF I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT SIGNALS THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OFF. WHEN I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION THE PASSBY PERSON SAW THAT IT WAS A LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11315381

ALTERNATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS... MECHANIC AT PEP BOYS SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL COME IN FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM...

NHTSA ODI 11309862

HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM LIGHT NOT WORKING. REPLACED BULB AND WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, IT WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. I COULD WIGGLE THE CONNECTION AND LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. THEN THAT NO LONGER WORKED. I TOOK THE BULB OUT OF THE CONNECTION TO REPLACE AND NOTICED THE CONNECTION WAS MELTED WHERE THE BULB CONNECTS TO THE WIRE HARNESS. I REMOVED BULB UNTIL CONNECTION CAN BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11297313

VEHICLE HAS CONSISTENTLY NEEDED HEADLIGHTS REPLACED EVERY 3 MONTHS. VEHICLE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND OR OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. THIS IS A DEADLY SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED.

NHTSA ODI 11280364