2011 Kia Sorento Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,520 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,010miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2011 Kia Sorento, 2% of the 1,520 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,010 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Kia Sorento 2011 ESC dbs lights on dashboard and either cannot get out of park or when trying to shut vehicle down will get stuck in between neutral and drive, I shut down car but obviously cannot take keys out, wait a few minutes restart in neutral and sometimes I can get it in or out of park. Sometimes this is done several times.”
NHTSA complaint #10959653, filed 2017-03, 66,000 miles“At complete stop, car would not shift into reverse. 10 miles later, attempt to park . The vehicle would not shift past neutral. Dash light illuminated steer assist and downhill park. I finally drove around until it allowed me to shift into park and restarted and was able to engage into park. 5 miles down the road did the same thing. Made it to work and shut car off.”
NHTSA complaint #10475147, filed 2012-09, 55,000 miles“I was traveling on a hey, making a left turn onto a major hey, when my car would not excellerate. I was able to turn off the hey but my car would not go over four miles per hour. I had it towed to my machanic, he said the prongs broke off the thing that plugs into the computer, due to corrosion. So I had it towed to Kia. They say I need a new computer & it will cost, $5000.00. This should be a recall. Why can't they install a new plug & plug back into the computer? I'm being ripped off!”
NHTSA complaint #11189998, filed 2019-03, 12,500 miles“My car just immediately started slowing down and it was extremely hard to turn the steering wheel and the brakes would not let me brake. I almost wrecked my car. Also my camera just stopped working as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11185742, filed 2019-03, 10,000 miles“I was attempting to park my 2011 Kia Sorento in my garage when the downhill assist and electronic stability control lights came on. My car would not shift beyond neutral. I had to shut off car while in 'drive' and turn back on, with multiple attempts, before I could get it to shift to park. Huge problem and has occurred four times the past two days! I'll be calling dealership first thing monday morning.”
NHTSA complaint #10519994, filed 2013-06, 59,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109848May 15, 2017TSB: REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HOUSING COVER INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SC148) - VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to inspect, clean and…
Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 1% |
| 2015 | 8 | 1% |
| 2014 | 11 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 11 | 1% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2009 | 8 | 15% |
| 2008 | 44 | 20% |
| 2007 | 18 | 12% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2011 Kia Sorento
284 complaintsBody and structure
268 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
265 complaintsElectrical system
246 complaintsOther or unknown
217 complaintsAir bags
183 complaintsBrakes
132 complaintsExterior lighting
102 complaintsVehicle speed control
63 complaintsSuspension
56 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsEngine cooling
37 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