2011 Kia Sorento Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 183about this part
- Share
- 12%of 1,520 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,300miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 183 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Kia Sorento, 12% of the 1,520 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,300 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Air bag light came on for no reason and will not shut off. I did troubleshoot according to the manual that came with my vehicle. The light still did not shut off. My guess is that it has malfunctioned. Looking on line other people with the same year Kia are having the same problem. Vehicle was stationary when it came on as well as when I was driving on the highway and city streets.”
NHTSA complaint #11339518, filed 2020-07, 156,345 miles“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?”
NHTSA complaint #11243263, filed 2019-08, 156,000 miles“Air bag malfunction. Light on brought in for recall and light still on dealer said it was ocs mat that needed to be replaced and not included in previous recall. So I still have no airbag and they are requesting $2,000+ to fix. Saftey issue is still not taken care of and putting me and my children in harms way.”
NHTSA complaint #11209482, filed 2019-05, 83,967 miles“Airbag clock spring is bad. Open circuit. Dealer has in stock. But not permitted sell the part because this is not the updated part, which is on national back order. Kia of north america states it has an extended warranty but parts are not available until october. I can not allow my 22 year daughter to drive on the highway without the airbag.”
NHTSA complaint #11010847, filed 2017-07, 128,000 miles“Clock spring malfunction causing airbag light to illuminate on dash. Steering wheel controls do not work. This is a constant and daily issue. It happens while driving as well as parked. Low beam socket melted. Since been replaced by me. Both issues are under a recall but my VIN is not listed. My vehicles year make and model are listed in a current recall but my VIN does not fall within it.”
NHTSA complaint #11278638, filed 2019-11, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025768Nov 13, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) SENSOR PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 11011945Dec 11, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON (WTY003) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 10180663Sep 29, 2020WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - This document is the notice to the vehicle owners, advising them of the Warranty Extension on the Occupant Detection System Sensor Pad to fifteen…
- 10180662Sep 29, 2020WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - This document is the notice to the vehicle owners, advising them of the Warranty Extension on the Occupant Detection System Sensor Pad to fifteen…
- 10180661Sep 24, 2020WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - This document is the Question and Answer document regarding the Warranty Extension on the Occupant Detection System Sensor Pad to fifteen (15) years…
- 10180660Sep 24, 2020WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - This document is the notice to dealer parts and service managers, advising them of the Warranty Extension on the Occupant Detection System Sensor Pad…
- 10180659Sep 24, 2020WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - This document is the notice to dealer principals, advising them of the Warranty Extension on the Occupant Detection System Sensor Pad to fifteen (15)…
- 10164383Aug 14, 2019This document is a Request for Reimbursement Form sent to the owners along with the notification letter to be used if the customer has paid for repairs to the airbag clock spring…
- 10164382Aug 14, 2019WTY003_OWNER: This document is the owner notification letter advising the owners of the warranty extension on the 2011-2015 My Sorento Airbag Clock Spring Assembly.
- 10094565Jun 22, 2016Warranty bulletin: wty003 - 2011-2015 my sorento driver's front airbag clock spring assembly warranty extension (wty003) - this bulletin provides information related to the…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% |
| 2017 | 14 | 2% |
| 2016 | 18 | 1% |
| 2015 | 30 | 4% |
| 2014 | 51 | 5% |
| 2013 | 60 | 6% |
| 2012 | 81 | 9% |
| 2011 | 183 | 12% |
| 2009 | 21 | 38% |
| 2008 | 66 | 30% |
| 2007 | 58 | 38% |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% |
| 2005 | 43 | 14% |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% |
| 2003 | 30 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2011 Kia Sorento
284 complaintsBody and structure
268 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
265 complaintsElectrical system
246 complaintsOther or unknown
217 complaintsBrakes
132 complaintsExterior lighting
102 complaintsVehicle speed control
63 complaintsSuspension
56 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
33 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology