Problems with 2011 Kia Sorento ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicles interior lights, interior dash lights, headlights and other panel lights click and flicker off and on during various periods of time. the headlights stay off for a few seconds and repetitively at random times. this has occurred both early in the morning, in the evenings, it also happens just in the middle of the day to the dash lights and with the clicking. this has occurred in winter as well as summer. originally it only occurred when it was raining, now it occurs daily. this has occurred when the vehicle has been in park and while driving on highways, on back roads, also at stop lights or a stop sign. the clicking has also occurred when the vehicle has been off, it will start making clicking noises coming from the dash area, the same noise as it makes when the headlights and interior and dash lights flicker when it is on. also after having a recall repaired i am still having problems with the engine start stop not starting, as well as the doors not unlocking with the kia remote or by pushing the button on the exterior handle. the vehicle has also lost steering control during excessive rain. this occurred on a side street while i was attempting to turn off of a main road onto a side road the vehicle would not turn. it proceeded to go at a diagonal, only partially turning into a front lawn during the turn. it was raining when this occurred. i know there have been other issues with the phantom headlights in other kia models. and they are not fixing the issue, they are saying it is not occurring. also they are saying they need to replace a part that cost $400 but it may not fix the issue. i have left the manager a message at the kia in myrtle beach and have asked for a good faith repair and i have not heard back.

Headlight low beam light not working. replaced bulb and within a few weeks, it would work intermittently. i could wiggle the connection and light would come back on. then that no longer worked. i took the bulb out of the connection to replace and noticed the connection was melted where the bulb connects to the wire harness. i removed bulb until connection can be replaced.

Vehicle was parked in the garage and stationary. when trying to start the vehicle using the key-less ignition, dash and interior lights started to flicker in the vehicle and relays start to click. locks would not operate nor could i shift into neutral, started to smelt burning, pushed ignition button to shut down. would not shut off, electrical kept cycling like it was trying to start on its own, had to disconnect the battery to shut down the car. starter solenoid never engaged at any time nor did the engine try to turn over.

Car ran fine. drove to store. got out of store. car wouldn't start. had so.eone check battery .battery was good.12.5 . had them check that wires where tight on battery and they where. still no power to car. left car at store . came back next day and car started up like nothing wrong. this has happen twice since

The driver door doesn't open from the outside anymore i have to go through the back and i have small children

Driver side rear passenger door does not open from the outside. when child lock is engaged, the door cannot be opened. dealer indicated possible actuator failure. vehicle has 106,000 miles and is out of warranty.

Vehicle has consistently needed headlights replaced every 3 months. vehicle lights will come on and or off while driving in the dark. this is a deadly safety hazard and should be remedied.

Doors will not open from the outside

Kia was purchased less than a year ago. this is the third time it was taken to a dealership to get checked. car engine light comes on and loses power and keeps going into limp mode. it is a safety hazard and must be dealt with. today while in the passing lane car lost all power and would not move. i was driving about 45mph and it wouldn't go . a tractor trailer was speeding behind me and nearly rear ended me as i was in the passing lane and couldn't make it go again to pull over. when i eventually got it to pull over it was idling high and did not sound right. mechanic came and placed vehicle on computer and again three codes came up including engine power failure and limp mode. i could have been seriously injured due to kias lack to repair this defect and this could be a lawsuit waiting to happen. i want to be reimbursed for repairs or an allowance toward a new vehicle purchase.

Drove truck to bank and now they are telling me that my bcm body control module is bad. i had a tow truck driver tell me that i was the 10th vehicle he has picked up with the same problem. my vehicle was stationary in a parking lot.

The alternator in this vehicle had died now 3 times in the past 4 years, causing the car to shut off while driving. the alternator goes from working to completely dead. the first time this happened the car had around 65,000 miles. the second time it had around 128,000 and this last time around 131,000 there was a recall listed for the original alternator but kia claimed it did not apply to our car even though the manufactured date fit within the listed months.

Everytime i hit a little bump in the road my eco saver goes off causing me to burn more gas until i hit another bump to knock the saver back on

I brought my vehicle into kia for several recalls. one was the door locks being faulty. i said i had no problems but they decided to replace them anyway. now my rear door lock is broken. the other issue is when accelerating the engine revs. it only happened a couple of times at first, but now it happens every time i drive. it seems like the pedal is getting stuck. my last issue is the air bag. i was rear ended on the highway and pushed into the car in front of me. the whole front end was banged up and the airbag never opened.

My room lp fuse keeps blowing. it had a recall for the same problem. i went out and started my car and seen that the clock and interior lights were not working. i pulled fuse put a new one in and when i started it again it blew again. then the airbag light came on and it is staying on. i have replaced the room lp fuse about 12 times. it was a recall got fixed and having the same problem again.

Takata brake lights not working bought 3 since jan2019. got brakes done in 2018 but pedal still moves at red light car moves forward. i mash breaks harder. engine shakes or jumps. ignition switch won't turn on car it don't crank up key was remade a yr ago. ignition started back working well but 6months ago same problem again. today i was stuck 3.5hrs.horrible please help my sorento is loved by me. no one contacted me on these issues im having.

My vehicle was parked in my driveway. had driven day before. went to start and hear clicking noise like starter problem. call tow truck to take to shop $92.32. short in wiring down by starter assembely. required repair and retest of system. $311.39

I have a head lights that keep going in and out . i have had it repairs a lot of times but it keeps doing it . ithen got a paper in the mail for a extension on the lights for my model vehicle cause the connectors in the headlight assembly needed to be replaced so i took it to kia. they told me that because i had it fixed so many time that theres not enough wire to replace it again this was on may 14 2019 and they said that my whole headlight assembly needed to be changed in order to fix it but they would have to ask kia for coverage . on may 30th i called again to see if they were gonna cover it and they said no even tho this a safety concern. that because i didn't go to them to fix it in the first place they wont cover it .

Airbag did not deploy during accident. before accident airbag light was on and steering wheel functions were working (cruise, horn, volume ect.) driver side window would not roll up.

'tamara recall' i was traveling up the interstate slightly uphill at 55 miles an hour when i begin to lose power\speed and before i could get it to the shoulder it lost all power to gather and smoke started coming in the ac vent when i got it stopped and open the hood it was burning at the back right hand side of the motor on some wiring harness i was able to put the fire out i later was told that it had thrown a rod and was most likely the cause of the fire

I was driving down the interstate slightly uphill. at about 55 mph when my sorento began to loose power/speed. before i could pull off onto the shoulder smoke began coming in through the a.c vents. when i reached the shoulder and opened the hood the back right end of the motor was on fire from the wiring harnesses. i was able to put out the fire. upin a mechanic looking at it i was told it had thrown a rod and most likely the fire.

My vehicle has continuously melted wiring harness after wiring harness that run my headlights. not sure if this happens while in motion or stationary, i just notice it when i am down to one headlight. this has become very dangerous because i constantly have to drive in the dark with one headlight. also it really scares me that my vehicle is melting wires that connect to other wires that could easily cause a fire!

Headlamps quit working, even though i have repeatedly replaced. happens about 1 every three weeks. usually happens on the highway during night driving.

i am not able to determine if it will be covered or not. most likely it will not be covered because the cs1603 can only be completed once, and only under the 5 years/ 60,000 mile warranty. the vehicle is considered out of warranty by the year as it goes by the original warranty start date of 06/04/2011. however, we can look into possible goodwill assistance with the repair that is needed. of course i am not able to guarantee anything upfront. kia motors america, inc. 111 peters canyon rd irvine ca 9260 on friday, april 5, 2019, 8:43:00 am cdt good morning, i would recommend taking the vehicle into your local kia dealership to have them diagnose the concern. typically, the repair can only be repaired once, but they will be able to diagnose it to see what is causing that to occur. i am not technically trained in my office, so i am unable to determine if the cs1603, or recall, could be causing this or not. a kia dealership would be able to determine that. if you need assistance setting up an appointment please let me know, and i will be more than happy to help. subject: re: 13091874 yes, my concern is that i took my 2011 kia sorento into the local kia dealership for a door lock recall while i wasn't having any problems. they did a repair. now, every so often, the only door lock, where you can put a key in, you turn the key, and nothing happens. then you turn the key again and the front and back door locks will unlock. in some cases not. so, i am now having problems with the door lock system where before the recall i had none. so, i am wondering if there is another recall, or what is going on???? consumer stated vehicle has not been repaired.*jb

I was driving on a major highway in pa, rt. 83 and my check engine light came on. luckily i got off the highway because the next thing that happened was no power when i pressed on the gas pedal. i got it towed to my garage and they told me it was the accelerator position sensor. i got it replaced. two weeks later it happened again. i was smart enough to get off the highway when the check engine light came on. imagine if i keep driving on the highway. no acceleration. i would have been killed. rt. 83 is one of the worst highways in south central pennsylvania for tracker trailer accidents. this sorento is a 2011 and only 55,900 mile. what yhe heck. twice in a month. i want this on record because if this vehicle causes me to get in an accident that kills me, kia is liable. i only purchased this vehicle in october 2018. i can't afford to buy another vehicle. please let me know what i should do?

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

I have been a kia customer for over 7 years and are on our third vehicle from them. traded my kia forte for 2011 sorento in 2016. it has had a lot of issues with the electrical system and it cost $1,200 to fix it. recently on jan 25th my timing chain broke and also ruined the engine. now told that i need new engine for $5.100. i have learned of many recalls on sorento engine motor but starting for the year 2012.

First warning sign was the headlight, low beams, and all interior electronics would shut completely off for about 2 seconds randomly when the turn signal was used. next the driver side headlight, low beam, went out when replacing the bulb the replacement bulb worked until the bulb was placed in the socket. after cleaning the sockets to create a better connection, still nothing worked. i switched bulbs from driver to passenger to see if the bulb would get a good connection on the passenger side and now neither low beam headlight works. this is a light switch issue that was recalled for 2012-16 kia sorento's but i'm having the same issue in a 2011.

The driver air bag light came on and will not go off when i turned on the vehicle one morning.. at the same time, all of my electronics on the steering wheel quit working ( cruise control, blue tooth, radio). i was told this is a clock spring issue and has happened to many 2011 kia sorento owners. is this not a recall?

The volume control on steering wheel, and other electronics will randomly malfunction. had where i would have crusie control on and turn the turn signal on and it would shut off the cruise control (only the left turn signal would cause this). the volume on steering wheel, you would go to turn it up and it would turn it down instead, lights on dash such as the steep decline light, brake light will randomly turn on and it is not even being used.

Passenger side headlight bulb went out. went to replace bulb and the connector was melted

Passenger side rear door locked, unable to open from outside or inside manually or with remote. previously door was repaired due to recall, door handle broke off also door locks malfunctioning. vehicle stationary or in motion wont open. please advise.

My driver side door will not open from the outside. i have two small children and i'm afraid to put child lock on because this is a common problem according to my research. i haven't gotten a recall for this problem and it makes for a very dangerous maybe deathly situation. horn doesn't work.

Low beam headlight socket keeps melting after replacing. fire hazard

Air bag light has come on and will not go off. all of the controls on the steering wheel have stopped working, and the fuel door button has also stopped working.

Steering wheel controls for radio/phone quit working and the airbag light came on. no accident etc, just quit working.

Vehicles caught fire, had pulled in the parking lot at work and smoke began to come from under the hood on the vehicle. within seconds flames had erupted and front end of car was completely engulfed by the time the fire department had arrived. vehicle was a total loss.

The front drivers side door will not open from the outside, and then the passenger side door is trying to do the same at times. i babysit and this could be a safety hazard for people with small children. also what if something major was wrong and i needed to immediately get into my car, from what i have read this is a common problem a f will probably result in the door eventually not being able to open at all. there needs to be a recall for this issue.

All of a sudden all my interior dash lights and headlights started blinking while the car was running. i shut the car off and it continued, turned the car back on and it was still going. then the flickering randomly stopped. the car was stationary in my driveway.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. the contact stated that the rear driver's side door failed to lock manually or with the key fob. also, there was an abnormal clicking noise when starting the vehicle. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the local dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 110,000.

Takata recall - my 2011 kia sorrento air bag has stopped working and stays on red. i now have no air bags. also the whole front panel keeps flashing on then off at night while driving on the highway. this is a safety hazard. i've search for a recall on my vehicle and none is showing up.

After driving about 6 miles to a local store nearby and back home as i pulled my car into my parking spot black smoke started coming from the hood so i turned the car off waited until the smoke stopped and looked under the hood to see if i could tell what was smoking. everything appeared fine and i made sure to check all of my fluid levels and oil which were all full. later that day maybe 4 hours later i drove about 15 miles to my sisters house and again as i was parking my car the black smoke started again from under the hood. i proceeded to turn the car off and look under the hood again after the smoke cleared. less than 5 minutes later the was a loud popping noise from under the hood and by the time i ran outside to see the entire front part of my car was engulfed in flames however the windows were up so the flames were contained inside the car and under the hood. the fire department came minutes later and put the fire out and i had to have the car towed due to the front tires melting from the fire. i had it towed back to the dealership where i'd purchased it only 5 months before and let them and financing company know. no one could explain why my car spontaneously combusted like a bomb while parked and turned off. i'm reporting this incident because i do not believe it was a freak accident i believe these vehicles should definitely be investigated before someone loses their life.

We have replaced the alternator several times in the past year.

The electrical malfunction of the airbag has drained and caused the battery to go dead. also has messed up the controls in the steering wheel.

Headlight housing has become overheated and melted causing me to replace one headlight at $900. when it happened again i spliced the new housing yet the bulb keeps blowing needing replaced. there is knocking in the engine that gets worse when my speed increases and have been told that it sounds like the engine is not getting enough oil. the head gasket has been replaced and it still seems to be burning or losing oil. the indicator lights on the dashboard all randomly come on and then go off. while driving the car seemed to lose power at times then would die at a stop light. this all has been going on for the past six months or more. in the past year i have paid $1900 plus on random repairs

Power door locks do not lock, by door button, by remote key fob or more importantly when the car is taken out of the park position. doors do successfully unlock via remote, door button and when the car is put into the parked position. doors can only be locked manually.

Low beam assembly wiring on both low beams has melted. this has been reported in numerous car blogs as a known issue.

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

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. while driving 30 mph, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer (jim ellis kia of kennesaw, 1221 auto park drive northwest, kennesaw, ga 30144) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring needed replacement. the contact stated that the clockspring was replaced, but was concerned that the air bag inflator was not also replaced. the contact was also concerned that the vehicle might have an electrical failure because the headlights failed to illuminate and the headlight bulbs had been replaced several times. the same dealer stated that the air bag warning indicator would remain illuminated because there was also a failure with the air bag sensor in the seats. the contact stated that the air bag sensor in the seats was not repaired due to the cost. the manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the air bag seat sensor replacement. the failure mileage was 96,000.

Both low headlight bulbs have gone out many times. despite being replaced, they continue not to work. the wiring seems to have a short in it because when it is wiggled the light comes on but goes right back out. the socket is very hot to touch and smells hot. i'm afraid the wiring will cause a fire. this has happened to both front low beam lights. most recently today to the passenger side light. i currently have two non workable low lights

The past two weeks or so, the left side steering wheel controls have not been working properly. the volume up button is turning the volume down. i have researched and found out that many other people with all types of kia vehicles are having this problem. for most, it has turned out to be a defective or faulty clock-spring in the steering wheel. i contacted the dealership and they acted stunned. it can't be a secret because so many other complaints are out there online. it says i have zero active recalls at this moment, when i just received a recall in the mail this week for the door latches in my 2011 kia sorento. that makes me believe there is a communication problem somewhere. the last time i took it in for a recall, the center console panel didn't get put back together properly and it doesn't fit down over my cupholders properly. it left a gap under the radio panel because of it. i will bring this to the dealerships attention again when i take it in for my most recent recall letter. however, this steering control problem is happening far more than it should, so there should be a recall for the owners. if the clock-spring is defective and someone is in an accident while turning their steering wheel, then the air bag is not going to deploy, which could result in a loss of life. that is a safety concern, and it should be a top priority for kia motors to issue the recall!!! it happens to me when i am in motion and also while i am parked.