2011 Kia Sorento electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 10V388000Aug 31, 201035,185 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

  Kia is recalling certain model year 2010 soul and model year 2011 sorento vehicles manufactured from september 7, 2009 through july 30, 2010. A limited number of wiring harnesses supplied by jci and used for the lighting in the kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, located in the front door trim panels, and the kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination, located in the front and rear door trim panels, may have been improperly soldered.

  Risk: When the lights are illuminated under certain conditions, an electrical short may occur that can result in a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harnesses for the lights in the kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, and the wiring harness for the kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 13, 2010. Owners may contact kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 8, 2026OHFireBody & StructureElectrical SystemEngine

   Just bought this from a private seller last week and was driving to work. The engine suddenly caught fire and the car essentially exploded and melted.

   NHTSA complaint #11748972 · source
2. Filed Feb 10, 2026WVFireElectrical System

   My 2011 Kia Sorrento caught fire while parked in my garage. Kia is saying it's not due to any recall they have and that it was an electrical fire store behind the steering wheel and they're refusing to take any responsibility financially for it or otherwise due to it being through previous owners and an older vehicle

   NHTSA complaint #11716993 · source
3. Filed Jan 27, 2026TXFireElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11713565 · source
4. Filed Sep 27, 2025NCFireElectrical SystemEngineLighting

   I was driving and my Kia started over heating and smoking and smelled like plastic burning I got it towed to the Hendricks of Kia and it sat there for 2weeks and I contacted them about giving me a lender until they fix my engine problem and they told me that my engine is not under warranty but is a recall I didn’t blow my engine I recently bought it about 6 months ago

   NHTSA complaint #11690083 · source
5. Filed Sep 25, 2025MDElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   The engine light comes on and then the wheel lock light will come on and the car will disengage from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive while driving

   NHTSA complaint #11689607 · source
6. Filed Aug 22, 2025200,000 miVATowedElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated before pulling off the roadway. The hood was opened and there was white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the smoke then dissipated. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11682489 · source
7. Filed Aug 20, 2025KSBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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 complaint #11681986 · source
8. Filed Jul 14, 2025WITowedElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 55–60 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled while making a turn. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, but…

   NHTSA complaint #11673306 · source
9. Filed Jun 17, 2025MOFireElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My KIA Sorrento spontaneously engulfed in flames approximately 200 yards from my home. This is not a vehicle crash the car had flames coming from the vents and floor boards. I was the driver my daughter was the passenger and my granddaughter was in the rear car seat we barely escaped with our lives before it exploded and we were steps away as car debre was flying past us.

   NHTSA complaint #11667411 · source
10. Filed Jun 17, 2025WABody & StructureElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to unlock the vehicle with the key, the front driver side door opened; however, the other doors failed to open as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that on another occasion, the interior lights failed to work as intended and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11667409 · source
11. Filed Apr 7, 2025LABrakesElectrical System

    The ABS, down hill light, and swaying light came on. As I was pulling into a parking space slowly with my foot on the brakes, the car sped forward knocking over a post and shrubs.

    NHTSA complaint #11653221 · source
12. Filed Jan 6, 2025WAAirbagsElectrical System

    My car has been in the Kia shop for engine. We just stopped on the freeway and for the module recall and my safety bag is just constantly on since I’ve gotten it and now I’m noticing electrical issues that shouldn’t be someone told me. Hey you need to file a complaint because your car can catch on fire And I don’t know what else to do but to do a paper trail just in case but it’s been recalls after recalls

    NHTSA complaint #11634294 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology