2011 Kia Sorento Service and Repair Manual
This is Kia's own factory service and repair information for the 2011 Sorento, tied to this exact model year, engine and trim rather than figures carried over from an adjacent year.
Engines covered
- 3.5L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.4L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sport utility
Trims covered
- Base
- EX
- LX
- SX
Known issues on the 2011 Sorento. Eight recalls are on federal record for this model year. Two involve engine compartment fires: an antilock brake system recall for an engine compartment fire while parked or driving, and a separate engine recall for an engine compartment fire that can occur while driving. A wiring recall covers harnesses in which an electrical short may occur when the lights are illuminated under certain conditions. On the driveline, 2WD models with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines were recalled for a driveshaft defect where damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, and an automatic transmission recall covers vehicles that may be unintentionally shifted out of Park without requiring the brake to be pressed. Braking accounts for two more: rear brake calipers that may not have been properly machined, where brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light, and a brake light switch recall covering failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control. An equipment recall covers tow package wiring harnesses connecting tow vehicle lighting circuits to trailer lighting circuits, where without the circuit protection the module can overheat, possibly resulting in a fire. Owners have filed 2,073 complaints for this model year and Kia has issued 181 technical service bulletins. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are here.
Whether you are chasing an electrical short, replacing a rear brake caliper or working through a Park-shift or driveline concern, it keeps you on Kia's own procedure and the correct specification for the 2011 Sorento in front of you.
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."
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp sw
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
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.
WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.
AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK, FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
A fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been m
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-202
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) SENSOR PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. Th
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provid
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (SC291YZ) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black
Showing the 8 most recent of 202 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
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 r
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
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
ON JAN 12,2011 I WAS COMING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES AND IT FELT LIKE THEY WEREN'T WORKING. THE DRIVEWAY WAS ICE COVERED SO I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THE ICY ROADS. THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE CAR WAS SLIDING TOWARDS THE EDGE OF THE HILL, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO AVOID GOING OVER THE HILL AND THE TAIL OF THE CAR WENT OVER AND THEN WE ROLLED. IT ROLLED PROBABLY TWICE AND CAME TO REST ON ITS TOP. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAD FELT THAT THE BRAKES WERE N
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A BUSY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO VARIOUS PARTS OF HER BODY AND LATER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL WHEN IT WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO BUSHES. BOTH CHILDREN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED TO ITS SPECIFICATIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT ALL VEHICLES MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER COULD BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK IN THE SAME
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
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 ERR
I BOUGHT MY 2011 KIA SORENTO PREOWNED CERTIFIED CAR ON 12/07/2012, THE NEXT EVENING 12/08/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN AND ABOUT ONE BLOCK BEFORE I GOT TO MY RESIDENCE I HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I THEN TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I BEGAN TO COME TO A STOP I REALIZED I HAD NO BRAKES IN TURN HITTING ANOTHER PERSONS CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. 911 WAS CALLED BECAUSE MY SON AND MYSELF WERE INJURED, AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE CAR HE FOUND ON TH
I BOUGHT MY 2011 KIA SORENTO PREOWNED CERTIFIED CAR ON 12/07/2012, THE NEXT EVENING 12/08/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN AND ABOUT ONE BLOCK BEFORE I GOT TO MY RESIDENCE I HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I THEN TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I BEGAN TO COME TO A STOP I REALIZED I HAD NO BRAKES IN TURN HITTING ANOTHER PERSONS CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. 911 WAS CALLED BECAUSE MY SON AND MYSELF WERE INJURED, AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE CAR HE FOUND ON TH
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 L
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.
WHILE DRIVING ON LIGHT, NEW SNOW MY CAR HAD SUDDENLY SKIDDED SLIGHTLY, NO OVER-CORRECTING, I SIMPLY GOT THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD, STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND STARTED RACING DOWN THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET INTO THE EMBANKMENT! I HAD PULLED THE CAR TO THE LEFT AND HAD THE BRAKES PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN (AND BOTH FEET INCLUDING ALL MY WEIGHT ON THEM) UNTIL MY CAR CRASHED COMPLETELY INTO A TREE! THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AND MY FEET WERE
WHEEL ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO HAVE COMPLETELY GIVEN OUT. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ~35MPH WHEN IT ROSE SLIGHTLY THEN GAVE OUT. VEHICLE HIT SIDE OF PARKED CAR AND FLIPPED ON TO SIDE AND INTO RETAINING WALL - FULL SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY VACANT. EVERYTHING LAYING ON STREET INCLUDING SUSPENSION SPRINGS. WITNESS TO SUPPORT EVENTS. VEHICLE UNDER 25K MILES (2011 MODEL, INCIDENT 2012). VEHICLE TOTALED BY INSURANCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT A CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY MOVED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO
Showing the 15 most serious of 1517 complaints filed with NHTSA.
