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

My 2011 Kia Sorento caught fire while parked outside in parking lot overnight while I slept the police an fire department said my vin had two active recalls on it it started fire on its own without even being driven now I’m out of a car

NHTSA ODI 11500967

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at 25 mph, a UPS truck veered off into her lane causing the contact to crash her vehicle into a curb. The contact stated that the next morning, she saw that her vehicle was leaking an immense amount of oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and the contact saw smoke emerging from the engine compartment. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact opened the hood to fire behind the engine. There were no injuries. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted but did not extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed back to the repair shop. The repair shop informed the contact that they do not specialize in fires and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was then diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The failure mileage was 132,685. The consumer stated the dealer was ceased by Federal Agents for selling vehicles with damaged parts and finance companies fraudulent withdrawal money from the consumer and other accounts.

NHTSA ODI 11425437

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

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. BEFORE ACCIDENT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS WERE WORKING (CRUISE, HORN, VOLUME ECT.) DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP.

NHTSA ODI 11243908

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DRIFTED TO SLEEP AND REAR ENDED AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER STERNUM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED FOR COSMETIC DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10986136

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10984882

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE AHEAD STOPPED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT 24,000 MILES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10822775

ORIGINAL OWNER '11 SORENTO 4CYL, AWD W/TOW PACKAGE & APPROX 88K MILES. PROBLEM 1ST NOTICED ABOUT 2 MOS AGO WHEN SEAT BELT LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WITH AUDIBLE CLICKING COMING FROM RELAY BEHIND DASH. IT WAS DAYTIME WHEN THIS HAPPENED 1ST FEW TIMES & I COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE SEEMED TO HAPPEN AFTER STARTING CAR & WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF DRIVING. RELEASING & RE-CONNECTING SEAT BELT HAD NO EFFECT. THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED @ NIGHT I REALIZED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS & DASH LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON & OFF ALSO. STILL COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, BUT BEING A MECHANIC I WATCHED FOR IT TO HAPPEN AND TRIED DIFFERENT THINGS TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY EFFECT ON THE ISSUE. ALWAYS WOULD BEGIN AFTER INITIALLY STARTING CAR, BUT NOT DO IT MOST TIMES. THEN 3 EVENINGS AGO, I FOUND IT HAPPENING EVERY TIME I WOULD START THE CAR & WOULD EVEN DO IT AFTERWARDS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS 70 MILES FROM HOME & TRIED TO GET BACK. IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS ON, OFF OR AUTO, IT WOULD STILL FLASH ALL LIGHTS & SEATBELT LIGHT W/CLICKING FROM RELAY. ON THE WAY HOME, WHILE DRIVING A RURAL ROAD, THE LIGHTS AGAIN STARTED BLINKING ON & OFF CAUSING ME TO HIT A METAL POLE A DRAINAGE DITCH THRU FARMER'S FENCE INTO HIS FIELD. ACCIDENT PUSHED METAL BUMPER (BEHIND BUMPER COVER) BACK ABOUT 12", TORE THE ENTIRE FRONT END &LIGHTS FROM CAR & BENT HOOD BACK 1 1/2 FEET AND BUCKLED IT UPWARD - ALL OF THIS WITHOUT EVER DEPLOYING THE AIRBAG.THESE PROBLEMS ARE PREVALENT IN THIS CAR AS I HAVE READ, BUT I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE WHICH DESPITE IT'S DAMAGE WILL NOW DUPLICATE THE LIGHTS GOING ON & OFF EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON. HAVE CONTACTED KIA CORP IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL WANT TO USE MY CAR TO GET TO THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE & FINALLY CORRECT IT. AS A MECHANIC I VERY WELL UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM TO FIND CAUSE ..... KIA NOW HAS NO EXCUSE.

NHTSA ODI 10811503

2011 KIA SORENTO AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OUT THE BLUE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED EITHER DEFECTIVE PASSANGER AIRBAG OR THE SENSOR FOR PASSENGER SEAT. WOULD HAVE TO PAY $$$ TO PUT ON DIAGNOSTIC. CAR JERKS FORWARD WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. ALSO, CAR JUST ACCELERATED BY ITSELF.. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT JERKS FORWARD. ITS JERKS SO HARD I COULD GET WHIPLASH.LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP.SCARRIEST THING EVER. I AM REALLY CONCERNED HOW SOMETIMES I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO PUT IN GEAR. LAST, WENT TO CHANGE HEADLIGHT, RIGHTSIDE EXTREMELY JOT AND COULD HEAR BOILING LIKE SOMETHING COOKING.

NHTSA ODI 10785899

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED FRACTURES ON HER RIBS, NOSE, CERVIX, AND PELVIC BONE. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED RIGHT OPTICAL BONE AND SINUS BONE FRACTURES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A RIGHT LEG INJURY, HIP FRACTURE, AND SPINAL INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE CONTACT AND THE TWO PASSENGERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 10745237

GOOD AFTERNOON, I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. I PAID TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIX LAST FALL. HOWEVER, LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT IN KIA CARS. WHY HAVENT KIA REPORTED THIS ISSUE? I WAS REAR ENDED RECENTLY AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IM WONDERING IF KIA IS HIDING THIS ISSUE. THE PERSON AT THE SHOP TOLD ME A CLOCK SPRING SHOULD NOT GO BAD ON A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. KIA IS RIPPING OFF CAR OWNERS BECAUSE THEY WONT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM PUBLICLY. HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/76352-AIR-BAG-LIGHT-CLOCK-SPRING.HTML I HOPE SOMEONE WILL INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. PLEASE COPY AND PAST THE ABOVE URL TO SEE WHAT KIA OWNERS HAVE TO SAY. UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10717384

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AS WELL AS SPINE AND BACK INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK ALONG WITH WHIPLASH, THE SECOND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SPINAL, NECK, AND BACK PAINS. THE THIRD PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BACK PAINS FROM THE IMPACT. ALL REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: (AIR BAGS). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10694565

MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MILES AND HOUR AND A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND I T- BONED HIM. MY CAR WENT UP ONTO THE 2 FRONT WHEELS AND THEN SKIDDED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AT ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR. MY CAR IS TOTALED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED DURING EITHER IMPACT AND I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE. I HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW THE CONDITION OF THE CAR...UPDATED 01/21/15 */BF UPDATED 01/26/15*JB

NHTSA ODI 10668542

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND FACE LACERATIONS DUE TO AN OBJECT EJECTED FROM THE AIR BAG WHEN IT DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 10664862

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, I WAS BROADSIDED ON DRIVERS SIDE BY ANOTHER SUV TRAVELING AT 35MPH. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE SIDE HEAD RAIL BAG TO DEPLOY, PARTICULARLY THE ONE RIGHT NEXT TO THE DRIVERS HEAD. IT DID NOT. ACCORDING TO THE IIHS, THIS AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS TYPE OF SIDE-IMPACT CRASH. I HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BY RESCUE SQUAD AND AM SUFFERING WITH SEVERE BACK AND NECK PAIN AS WELL AS SEVERE HEADACHES FROM THIS COLLISION...UPDATED 10/08/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 3/24/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10614762

FRONTAL COLLISION AT 55 MPH, FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT INSTANTANEOUS SIDE IMPACT FROM OTHER VEHICLE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, BROKEN SEAT, RIGHT SIDE INJURIES (RIBS, BACK, PUNCTURED LUNG), AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN (FAILED TO DEPLOY) WITH THIS SIDE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH AT 55 MPH, AND WAS STRUCK BY A WESTBOUND TRUCK TRAVELING 35 MPG...UPDATED 10/08/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 3/24/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10587089

SIGNIFICANT SIDE IMPACT ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, BUT SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS BROKEN, AND PASSENGER RECEIVED BROKEN RIBS, PUNCTURED LUNG, FRACTURED VERTEBRAE. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10587093

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT, CURTAIN AND SEAT CUSHING AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME STARTLED AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE AIR BAG FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTACT HAD SHIFTED INTO TWO-WHEEL DRIVE AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A CHIPPED TOOTH AS A RESULT OF THE ERRONEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND REVIEWED THE EVENT DATA RECORDER, WHICH INDICATED A LOW BATTERY BUT DID NOT SPECIFICALLY INDICATE AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,447.

NHTSA ODI 10565767

DRIVER ON SIDE-STREET TRIED TO CUT ACROSS MAIN ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO AVOID HER. MY KIA SORENTO THEN HIT A BRICK WALL AND A 2,000+ POUND CAST IRON ENTRANCE GATE. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT THE CAR, FOR SAFETY FOR MY NEW FAMILY. BY THE LOOKS OF THE DAMAGE AND WHERE THE IMPACT WAS, THE OFFICERS AND I WERE ALL SURPRISED THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD I HAD A PASSENGER OR WAS NOT WEARING MY SEATBELT, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS INJURY AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. PICTURES CAN BE FURNISHED TO DOCUMENT THE IMPACT AND DAMAGE TO THE 2011 KIA SORENTO LX AWD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10555250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DOWNHILL IN ICY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE HEADREST PREVENT WHIPLASH, AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND REQUIRED PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND STATEDT THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY OPERATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ODI 10490771