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.
Sell your 2011 Kia Sorento for cash
The 2011 Kia Sorento is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl engines. At 15 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
- Free offer for your 2011 Sorento in about 30 seconds
- Free towing, running or not
- Paid at pickup
KiaSORENTO2011
2011 Kia Sorento at a glance
| Body style | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 6-spd, Manual 6-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 18–21 city / 24–28 highway / 20–24 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,800–$3,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 370–444 grams per mile |
| Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle) | 3,780 lb |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,828–5,313 lb |
| Versions tested by EPA | 5 configurations: Sorento 2WD, Sorento 4WD |
| Age | 15 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
What affects its junk value
- Age: at 15 years old, most of a 2011 Sorento's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
- Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2011 Sorento weighed 3,780 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
- Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
- Recalls: NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2011 Sorento. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
- Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine, typically around 103,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.
2011 Kia Sorento recalls
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 2011 Kia Sorento. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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…
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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…
Risk: 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 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…
Risk: 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 o
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.…
Risk: Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Risk: 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 powe
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…
Risk: When the lights are illuminated under certain conditions, an electrical short may occur that can result in a fire.
Common 2011 Sorento problems
Owners have filed 1,520 complaints about the 2011 Kia Sorento with NHTSA. 42 reports involved a crash and 63 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 50 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Most-reported components
Typical mileage when problems were reported
- Engine103,000 mi
- Electrical System88,000 mi
- Structure89,000 mi
- Power Train54,000 mi
- Unknown or Other93,000 mi
- Air Bags95,000 mi
2011 Kia Sorento crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Kia Sorento, by version tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suv, 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | 16.9% |
| Suv, FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | 17.5% |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.
2011 Kia Sorento service bulletins
Manufacturers have filed 202 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2011 Kia Sorento. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Most common bulletin topics
Recent bulletins
Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include
Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include
Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin provides information to ins
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A so
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA opened 10 defect investigations covering the 2011 Kia Sorento.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spa
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investig
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordi
Headlight Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) based on seventy-four Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting headlight failures on model year (MY) 2011-2013 KIA Sorento vehicles.In its response to ODI's June 25, 2020, information request letter (portions of which were submitted
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter da
Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage
The investigation focused on spontaneous breakage (fracture) of the panoramic sunroof (sunroof) on MY 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles. The sunroof is constructed of tempered glass (often referred to as ?safety glass?), which, when broken, crumbles into granular chunks rather than splintering into jagged shards. The fail
Panoramic Sunroof Breakage
On October 21, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-035 in order to further examine claims that the sunroof would spontaneously break on 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles.The majority of these claims occurred while the vehicle was in motion.Glass shattering while driving may distract the driver, and
Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft
On April 25, 2011, Kia Motors Corporation submitted a defect notification letter to NHTSA regarding a transmission intermediate driveshaft condition in approximately 12,690 model year (MY) 2011 Kia Sorento 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-258).The recal
Other Kia Sorento years
‹ Sell a 2009 Sorento · Sell a 2012 Sorento › · All Kia Sorento years
Other 2011 Kia models
Selling a 2011 Sorento: questions
How much is a 2011 Kia Sorento worth for junk?
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Can I junk a 2011 Sorento that doesn't run?
Yes. We buy 2011 Sorentos that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Can I sell a 2011 Sorento with open recalls?
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2011 Kia Sorento; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What paperwork do I need to sell my 2011 Sorento?
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Before you sell
Sources
- EPA fuel economy data (specs and MPG)fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA recallsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA complaints, service bulletins and investigationsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratingsnhtsa.gov
Data retrieved October 2026.
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