NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 1,520 owner complaints for the 2011 Kia Sorento. Most complaints involve engine (284) and structure (268). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sorento model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 308 |
| 2004 | 220 |
| 2005 | 307 |
| 2006 | 242 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 217 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2011 | 1,520 |
| 2012 | 880 |
| 2013 | 983 |
| 2014 | 988 |
| 2015 | 755 |
| 2016 | 1,262 |
| 2017 | 808 |
| 2018 | 255 |
| 2019 | 435 |
| 2020 | 140 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 194 |
| 2023 | 126 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 77 |
| 2026 | 6 |
“I was driving my car, while at a stop light I noticed some smoke coming from under my hood. I thought it might have been the cold I turned off the main road onto my street and noticed the smoke increasing, I pulled over turned off my car opened the hood and a fire started at the back of my engine.”
“Non working door handles which is a KNOWN issue with Kia! Extremely dangerous obstruction in an event of an emergency where occupants need to get in and out of the vehicle. The ineffective door handles also makes the car less secure because someone who is not authorized can access the safety measures that the vehicle has. This is not right that Kia customers have to spend hundreds for an ongoing issue! This is two out of the four doors now. I replaced one door handle already for well over $300.00! Now will need to spend ANOTHER three hundred plus dollars for the same issue! Again, this is a KNOWN Kia issue! I was originally told there was a recall but only for the back handles and not the front handles in 2020. Now, I am being told it was a warranty and it expired in 2021/2022. A warranty was never relayed to me in any way. No email or mailed letter explaining this. If under "warranty" and again, a known Kia issue why were the backs covered but not the front if they are the same handles? Why not replace all four handles under the said "warranty"? This is a major issues for Kia owners like myself. Also having an issue where when it rains, water will come in from…”
“The vehicle is shifting weird out of first, knocking sound. A code of p1326 skds is showing on diagnostic. This was supposedly repaired by kia a few months ago from a recall. I am questioning if they corrected and inspected the recall appropriately, due to this being the issue. The car is now unable to be driven because I do not want to do more damage.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 2WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Sorento 4WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Sorento 2WD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Sorento 2WD Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Sorento 4WD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
8 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1,520 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (284), structure (268), power train (265). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2011 Kia Sorento at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Kia Sorento 4 out of 5 stars overall.