2011 Kia Sorento engine problems
284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2011 Kia Sorento — 19% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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.”
filed Jul 8, 2026
“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.”
filed Jan 27, 2026
“Intake manifold. A previously repaired recall that is still causing issue. Rough idle and check engine light.”
filed Mar 22, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- An engine compartment fire can occur while drivingCampaign 23V877000 · Dec 21, 2023
Related service bulletins
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…
SC291YZ_TSB_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 4, 2025This bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the subject vehicles below return to the dealer with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326 (Knock Signal…
SC291YZ · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2025
Engine problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 18 | 26% |
| 2024 Sorento | 4 | 11% |
| 2023 Sorento | 28 | 25% |
| 2022 Sorento | 50 | 27% |
| 2021 Sorento | 61 | 26% |
| 2020 Sorento | 63 | 48% |
| 2019 Sorento | 151 | 36% |
| 2018 Sorento | 102 | 41% |
| 2017 Sorento | 381 | 48% |
| 2016 Sorento | 690 | 56% |
| 2015 Sorento | 359 | 48% |
| 2014 Sorento | 384 | 39% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2011 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.