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2011 Kia Sorento EX V6 FWD

The 2011 Kia Sorento EX V6 FWD is a 276-hp V6 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $27,395 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

It makes 276 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

The Sorento measures 183.9 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,781 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$27,395 ($39,588 *)
MSRP with Destination$28,190 ($40,737 *)
Destination Charge$795
Engine
Engine TypeLambda II 3.5L DOHC V6, MPI, Dual-CVVT, naturally aspirated
Horsepower276 hp @ 6,300 rpm
Torque248 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 24-valve with Dual-CVVT
Injection TypeMulti-point fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City20 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Combined22 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link, stabilizer bar
Turning Diameter35.7 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.8 in ventilated discs
Rear Brake Disc11.9 in solid discs
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front18 in
Wheels Rear18 in
Tires FrontP235/60R18
Tires RearP235/60R18
Dimensions & Weight
Length183.9 in
Width74.2 in
Height67.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Front Track63.7 in
Rear Track63.8 in
Ground Clearance7.5 in
Approach Angle20°
Departure Angle23°
Cargo Volume9.1 ft³
Curb Weight3,781 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.2 in
Headroom Rear39.2 in
Legroom Front41.3 in
Legroom Rear37.6 in
Shoulder Room Front59.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear58.7 in
Hip Room Front56.3 in
Hip Room Rear55.9 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (17.5 % risk)
Tested variant: 2011 Kia Sorento SUV FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2011 Kia Sorento SUV 4WD: 4 ★ overall

Recalls

8 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia SORENTO. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 21, 2023 · ENGINE

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will install Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC291.

NHTSA campaign 23V877000

Sep 25, 2023 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE Park outside

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, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

NHTSA campaign 23V652000

Oct 6, 2015 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.

NHTSA campaign 15V626000

Apr 1, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence: 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 out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

NHTSA campaign 13V114000

Oct 6, 2011 · EQUIPMENT

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

NHTSA campaign 11E041000

Apr 25, 2011 · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

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. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

NHTSA campaign 11V258000

Nov 24, 2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

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.

Consequence: 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 POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

NHTSA campaign 10V599000

Aug 31, 2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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 VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.

Consequence: WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

NHTSA campaign 10V388000

1,520 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2011 Kia SORENTO

Owner Complaints

1,520 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia SORENTO (42 mention a crash, 63 a fire, 35 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine284
Structure268
Power Train265
Electrical System246
Unknown Or Other214
Air Bags183
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 15, 2026 · Seats
“left side of driver's seat isn't locking in place. A 2016 model year was recalled for a seat weld break, but appears 2011 is a problem as well.”
Oct 5, 2026 · Unknown Or Other Fire
“I parked my car in the driveway and about 10 min later my car just ignited into flames from underneath the vehicle by the gas tank and i have video from 3 different angles on my security cams that…”
Sep 25, 2026 · Firerelated Fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the roof of a parking garage, the vehicle caught on fire unexpectedly. The emergency services were called…”
Aug 11, 2026 · Air Bags
“Driver Airbag light is illuminated”
Jul 8, 2026 · Electrical System, Structure, Engine Fire
“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.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2011 KIA SORENTO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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