RoadVitals

2011 Kia Sorento Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jul 1, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 1,517 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Kia Sorento submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2024

Car dash lights flashed and car shut down

NHTSA ID
11597858
Incident
Apr 13, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 30, 2023

My car is stuck in Limp mode and saying " Glow Relay Stuck On". When I googled it there's a recall for this issue for 2012-2014 Kia Sorento, but not 2011. I just wanted to make sure it was noted Incase mine was able to be added to the list.

NHTSA ID
11529772
Incident
Jun 21, 2023
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 11, 2022
Fire reported1 injury reported

On 06/05/2019 my Kia Sorrento 2011 vin [XXX] EX V6 2WD engulfed in flames yards from my home as my family barley escaped as it exploded. My husband in shock across the street video taped and took pictures of this horrific event. This is not a accident incident no other vehicle or object involved. Kia complaint filed #[XXX] accident millage: 99,000 Police report filed w Missouri Hwy Patrol Corporal Kline #[XXX] Vehicle was "inspected" post fire by a Kia inspector reported due to fire undetermined cause?! Vehicle purchased at World Kia in Joliet 2525 W. Jefferson Joliet, IL 60435 on 10/01/2015 registered Certified Manufactured warranty purchase Vehicle # [XXX] administration address: 175 W. Jackson Chicago, IL 60604 Extended Warranty purchased at the time of sale. Warranty extension program letter dated 11/07/2016 received to me purchaser: [XXX] current address: [XXX] [XXX] Please contact me with any additional documents, pictures, or statements My insurance didn't cover the full financed balance... I appreciate any information you have, Thank you, [XXX] Kia did not honor any warranty's INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11464255
Incident
Jun 5, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Apr 22, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WEST HERR KIA LOCATED AT 3565 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127 WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FUEL VAPOR LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID
11413360
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Mileage
83,000 mi
Body & structureFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 24, 2020

PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL TANK CORROSION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS EATEN UP WITH RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNIT BODY AS WELL AS SEVERAL STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OF THE VEHICLE. HAVE SPOKEN WITH KIA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT IS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11350917
Incident
Aug 24, 2020
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 13, 2020

DEALER SAID FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PITTING AND CORROSION. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SECTION OF THE TANK THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF CORROSION AND LEAKING ARE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SPECIFICALLY UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. VIDEO IS AVAILABLE AND WE WILL BE ADVISING DEALER TO RETURN THE DAMAGED FUEL TANK TO US.

NHTSA ID
11339130
Incident
Jul 13, 2020
Mileage
80,500 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 28, 2020

WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM OREGON TO IDAHO I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING APPROXIMATELY 67MPH AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING SO I DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS AND IT CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER SO I PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT HAD BEEN TO THE MECHANIC THAT WEEK TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WHEN IT WAS TOWED BACK THE MECHANIC REPORTED IT HAD BLOWN TWO CYLINDERS.

NHTSA ID
11322499
Incident
Jul 28, 2018
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 16, 2019

WE HAVE TAKEN OUR 2011 KIA SORENTO TO MULITPLE DEALERSHIPS TO GET FIXED. ALL SAY THE ENGINE IS SHOT. THERE IS A SEAL INSIDE THE ENGINE THAT IS MAKING THE VEHICLE NOT WORK. THERE IS MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR OTHER YEARS OF THE KIA SORENTO BUT NOT OURS. THE MECHANICS SAY THAT THIS YEAR AND MAKE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. I AM WONDERING WHEN THIS YEAR WILL BE RECALLED FOR ENGINE ISSUES? WHEN I START THE 2011 KIA IS SPUDDERS AND BLOWS SMOKE OUT THE MUFFLER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SPUDDERING AND SMOKE HAPPENS RIGHT WHEN I START THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2011 AND I ONLY HAVE 96K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
11268860
Incident
Jan 3, 2017
Mileage
96,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemSuspension
Filed Sep 11, 2019

MY TIRES FEEL AS IF THEY ARE GOING TO FALL OFF, ALSO EVERY SMALL BUMP I HIT FEELS AS IF I HIT A BIG POTHOLE OR A OBJECT WHEN THAT'S NOT THE CASE AND MY WHEELS POP AS I TURN

NHTSA ID
11254756
Incident
Mar 14, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 11, 2019

MY STRUTS MAKE MY TIRES POP AT LEAST EVERY TWO WEEKS GOT THEM REPLACED OVER 10 TIMES AND ALSO MY FUEL INJECTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL GIVE OFF A STINKY SMELL IT MAY RESULT IN GETTING ANOTHER CATALIC CONVERTER

NHTSA ID
11219397
Incident
Feb 4, 2019
Mileage
115,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 3, 2019
Fire reported1 injury reported

DRIVING DOWN HWY. O IN ORRICK MO WITH TWO OTHER PASSENGERS MY DAUGHTER 15 AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER 5. AROUND 5PM SATURDAY HUNE 2ND A SMELL OF SMOKE CAME THROUGH FRONT VENTS. AS I STARTED TO PULL OVER A SWOOSH SOUND CAME FROM THE CAR AND FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THEN FROM UNDER THE DASH INSIDE. THROUGH THE CAR IN PARK AND OPEN THE DOOR. RAN TO GET MY GRANDDAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND A THIRD PASSENGER MY DAUGHTER GOT OUT OF THE BACKSEAT AS WELL. WITH IN MINUTES THE CAR WAS TOTALLY IN FLAMES.*DT VIN UNKNOWN. CONSUMER STATED SHE SUFFERED 2ND DEGREE BURNS. *JB

NHTSA ID
11217527
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 10, 2018
1 injury reported

RECALL!!!WHEN ACCELERATING MORE THAN 60-80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ECO SENSOR LIGHT POPS ON AND MY SUV JERKS BACK THEN PICKS UP SPEED CAUSING THE BACK OF MY HEAD TO HIT YOUR HEAD RESTRAINT. IT IS VERY SCARY!!!!

NHTSA ID
11157246
Incident
Dec 9, 2018
Mileage
15,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2018

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (PART OF THROTTLE BODY) HAZARD! RANDOM. THE VEHICLE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE (SAME LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED), AND THEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL LOSES THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THERE IS NO ACCELERATION/POWER WHAT SO EVER! THE VEHICLE WILL MAINTAIN A SPEED 20 MPH. THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. TO CORRECT, EMERGENCY EXIT TO SIDE OF THE ROAD, PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT ACCELERATED SPEED (40-60 MPH) OF WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP LIGHT. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS/DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT HAS NEARLY PLACED ME INTO AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE ETHER SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED ME BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WHEN SEARCHED ON YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NHQAQURNFV0 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=834XLHQGRNO

NHTSA ID
11142542
Incident
Apr 14, 2018
Mileage
6 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2018

CAR MAKES LOUD ROARING SOUND UPON COLD START. IT IS TYPICALLY THE LOUDEST WHEN IT HAS BEEN LEFT SITTING ALL NIGHT AND AT FIRST START. IT WILL NOT MAKE THE NOISE AFTER THAT UNLESS IT SITS FOR AT LEAST 8HRS.I TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY EXPLAINED IT WOULDN'T DAMAGE MY CAR AND IT'S MOSTLY JUST A LOUD NOISE AND ANNOYANCE. THEY ALSO EXPLAINED THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE AND ONE OF THE MECHANICS EVEN SAID HE DROVE HIS KIA AROUND FOR YEARS AND IT MADE THE SAME NOISE. IT IS LOUD.

NHTSA ID
11128685
Incident
Jan 2, 2017
Mileage
125,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2015

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE REVS UP & WON'T STOP UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY & HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES TO MY KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN SERVICED SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2010. THEY STATE THEY HAVE NOTED THIS PROBLEM BUT SINCE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10711816
Incident
Aug 31, 2013
Mileage
33,716 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 11, 2013

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, USUALLY ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE, THE VEHICLE ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BE DRIVEN FOR 10-15 MINUTES, PARKED FOR 10-15 MINUTES THEN DRIVEN AGAIN FOR TEN MINUTES. ONCE IT DIES I AM ABLE TO START IT UP RIGHT AWAY. IT IS A PUSH START "KEY" AND THE CAR DIES AFTER I APPLY THE BRAKES AND AM VERY NEAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE AND OCCURS RANDOMLY, EVERY FEW MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENED SIX TO TEN TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE COMPUTER COMES BACK WITH NO CODES. THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO FIX. TODAY, THE DEALER INSTALLED A MONITOR FOR ME TO USE FOR TWO WEEKS TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AND WE CAN CAPTURE THE INFO IN REAL TIME. KIA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ABOMINABLE. I AM TRYING TO GET A FIELD TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555547
Incident
Jul 29, 2011
Mileage
3,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 14, 2013

PURCHASED NEW VEHICLE WITH 0 MILES,DROVE 134 MILES ON 2ND DAY AND VEHICLE BROKE DOWN-FUEL PUMP FAILURE.VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER-AFTER 10 DAYS,VEHICLE WAS READY TO DRIVE HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543575
Incident
Apr 30, 2011
Mileage
134 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 8, 2013

I WAS DRIVING 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN MY CAR STALLED OUT. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE MAIN FUSE PANEL AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID ONE SHORTED THE OTHER OUT AND THAT IT WAS A FLUKE. ON 4/7/2013, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AGAIN, CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. NOBODY, CAN TELL ME WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND I AM REALLY NERVOUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN.. IF THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. KIA IS SAYING THEY HAVEN'T HEARD THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER VEHICLES, HOWEVER, AFTER COMING TO THIS SITE, IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING WITH REGULARITY. HELP. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10505592
Incident
Dec 10, 2012
Mileage
30,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2013

THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT ONCE PER MONTH. WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION FOLLOWING A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE MOMENTARILY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. IT THEN LOSES POWER OR COASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS BEFORE POWER IS RESUMED. DURING THE TIME PERIOD OF COASTING, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE LINE OF TRAFFIC AND SUBJECT TO BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND NO COMPUTER ERROR CODES ARE RECORDED, THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE AND REFUSES TO "THROW A PART AT IT". THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO SUGGESTION AS TO WHAT MAY BE FAILING. KIA IS EITHER UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE RECORDED IN THEIR DATABASE. THEIR ONLY RESPONSE IS TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10494380
Incident
Jul 4, 2011
Mileage
2,350 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .