2011 Kia Sorento: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 316 owner complaints for the 2011 Kia Sorento that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11748972 (filed 07/08/2026): “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.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11726122 (filed 03/22/2026): “Intake manifold. a previously repaired recall that is still causing issue. rough idle and check engine light.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11713565 (filed 01/27/2026): “I was driving my car, while at a stop light i noticed some smoke coming from under my hood. i thought it might have been the cold i turned off the main road onto my street and noticed the smoke increasing, i pulled over turned off my car opened the hood and a fire started at the back of my engine.…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .