2011 Kia Sorento engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V877000Dec 21, 202379,812 vehicles
  ENGINE

  Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

  Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Dealers will install Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC291.

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 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
3. Filed Jan 6, 2026189,711 miWVEngine

   The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was unable to restart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined…

   NHTSA complaint #11709211 · source
4. Filed Nov 6, 2025230,000 miARTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V877000 (Engine). The contact stated that the engine had seized while driving approximately 40-45 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had owned the vehicle for a year. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who declined to service the vehicle due to the contact not having the oil change records. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11697949 · source
5. Filed Oct 16, 2025MDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11693934 · source
6. Filed Oct 7, 2025GAEngine

   the car has been running fine with no problem. I noticed as I was driving the engine light came on. i made it to my destination and as I was processing to head some where else i heard an unusual sound and the smell of burning smoke. Then all of a sudden there's a lot of smoke coming from the car and the car was stalling as if it was cutting off. I manage to get the car to a staff place since it seems as though the car was running hot. the car had to get towed to a mechanic…

   NHTSA complaint #11691809 · source
7. 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
8. Filed Sep 2, 2025PAFireEngine

   Was on my way back from picking up my child father from work. My 2 kids were also in the car [XXX] & [XXX] old. My car started smoking and another motorist pulled down his window to let me know that my car was on fire from underneath. I immediately got all of us out of the car and my child father went to go pop the hood and noticed that fire was coming near the engine !! Made an insurance claim and they deemed the car as a total loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…

   NHTSA complaint #11684524 · source
9. Filed Aug 26, 2025205,000 miNCEngine

   The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally stalled and was restarted after pulling over to the side of the road. Whenever the vehicle failed to restart…

   NHTSA complaint #11683273 · source
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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

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