2011 Kia Sorento power train problems
265 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2011 Kia Sorento — 17% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The vehicle is shifting weird out of first, knocking sound. A code of p1326 skds is showing on diagnostic. This was supposedly repaired by kia a few months ago from a recall. I am questioning if they corrected and inspected the recall appropriately, due to this being the issue. The car is now…”
filed Oct 16, 2025
“My KIA Sorrento spontaneously engulfed in flames approximately 200 yards from my home. This is not a vehicle crash the car had flames coming from the vents and floor boards. I was the driver my daughter was the passenger and my granddaughter was in the rear car seat we barely escaped with our lives…”
filed Jun 17, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the…Campaign 15V626000 · Oct 6, 2015
- Power TrainCampaign 11V258000 · Apr 25, 2011
Related service bulletins
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…
TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 17, 2025
Power Train problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 28% |
| 2024 Sorento | 3 | 8% |
| 2023 Sorento | 19 | 17% |
| 2022 Sorento | 61 | 33% |
| 2021 Sorento | 125 | 54% |
| 2020 Sorento | 18 | 14% |
| 2019 Sorento | 50 | 12% |
| 2018 Sorento | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 Sorento | 37 | 5% |
| 2016 Sorento | 122 | 10% |
| 2015 Sorento | 42 | 6% |
| 2014 Sorento | 69 | 7% |
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.