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Electrical systemPart report

2011 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems

Complaints
246about this part
Share
16%of 1,520 total for the year
Median mileage
88,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 246 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Kia Sorento, 16% of the 1,520 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 23 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I've replaced the driver side low beam headlight 4 times in 2 months and the driver side front turn signal twice during the same span. There seems to be a short as the headlight will work until I use the turn signal while the headlights are on. The headlight burns out and then the turn signal only flashes when the switch for the headlights is off.”

NHTSA complaint #11338799, filed 2020-07, 163,900 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

“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 Since been replaced by me.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 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11245421, filed 2019-08, 98,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11255466, filed 2019-09, 98,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
20252229%
20241126%
20233830%
20223116%
20214718%
20202014%
20196816%
20183012%
20179712%
20161078%
2015588%
201415315%
201311612%
201212714%
201124616%
20091425%
20083215%
20072114%
20065322%
20054916%
20042813%
20032910%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Sorento

Engine
284 complaintsBody and structure
268 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
265 complaintsOther or unknown
217 complaintsAir bags
183 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 28, 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