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2011 Kia Sorento Wipers & Visibility Problems

25 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

25
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2015Dec 2013
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (25)

mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Sep 2020

REAR CAMERA GOES BLACK OCCASIONALLY WHEN PUT IN REVERSE

NHTSA #: 11362040
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2019

FOUND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH 85,000 MILES ON IT. NOW MY VEHICLE HAS ALMOST 100,000 MILES AND THE WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH AND OCCASIONALLY DON'T EVEN WORK AT ALL WHEN IT RAINS WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAS MADE THE CARE SCARY TO DRIVE AND WE DON'T DRIVE IT WHEN IT RAINS. BROUGHT THE CAR IN THE KIA AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AS WELL.

NHTSA #: 11206937
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THOUGHT THE TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA #: 10854478
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN UPDATED 9/18/15 *JS

NHTSA #: 10706032
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2015

THE TOP BACK GLASS ROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO ROAD DEBRIS, OR ANY OTHER MATERIAL NEAR THE CAR, IN FACT THE GLASS FAILED UPWARDS! GLASS PIECES AND SMALL FRAGMENTS FELL ON TOP OF THE ROOF SCREEN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10705302
mediumVISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
Filed: Feb 2015

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY KIA SORENTO BEGINNING IN 2013 TWO OF MY DOORS IN THE CAR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE INSIDE. THE DOORS WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE MOST RECENT DOOR THAT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH IS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE INSIDE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MY POWER WINDOWS. LAST YEAR THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW BROKE AND NOW THIS YEAR THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW IS BROKEN. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO KIA NUMEROUS OF TIMES B/C BEING LOCKED OUT OF YOUR CAR IS A SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE HAD REALLY STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING WITH MY KIA THAT'S REALLY UNHEARD OF. I HAVE ALSO ASKED KIA TO LOOK INTO IF MY CAR IS POSSIBLY ONE OF THEIR LEMONS. *JS

NHTSA #: 10690310
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2015

AS I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED/SHATTERED ABOVE MY HEAD SENDING MILLIONS OF GLASS FRAGMENTS AND NUMEROUS LARGER SHARDS RAINING DOWN ON MY HEAD AND THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY FLYING DEBRIS NOR STRIKING A POTHOLE. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES PRESENT IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME AND IT WAS A VERY SMOOTH STRETCH OF ROADWAY. HAD I NOT BEEN WEARING A PEAKED CAP AND LEANING TO MY LEFT AT THE TIME I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE SUFFERED FACIAL INJURIES FROM THE FALLING GLASS. THE GLASS APPEARS TO HAVE EXPLODED OUTWARDS WHICH, I BELIEVE, COMPLETELY RULES OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF DEBRIS BEING THE CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10689475
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2015

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,620. DJR

NHTSA #: 10670611
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2014

WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME OR BESIDE ME. IT LITERALLY DISINTEGRATED BY THE TIME I COULD PULL OVER.....UPDATED 03-03-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED A ROCK CAUSED THE SUNROOF TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONSUMER. UPDATED 6/15/2015 *JS

NHTSA #: 10654434
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2014

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATE THAT THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE HE DROVE AT 35 MPH THE FRACTURED GLASS FELL INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE SUNROOF FRONT BAR FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CUT TO HIS SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 04-29-14 *BF

NHTSA #: 10583122
mediumVISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
Filed: Mar 2014

THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. MY HUSBAND DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN SUNROOF MADE A LOUD BANG. LUCKILY THE SHADE WAS DRAWN AND PROTECTED HIM FROM FLYING GLASS. THE FLYING GLASS TOOK OUT THE ANTENNA. *TR .. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 08/25/2014 *JS

NHTSA #: 10568629
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2013

2011 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE AUTO FUNCTION OF THE HEATER/AC NOT WORKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUTO FUNCTION WORKED FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS, AND THEN IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT FOR THE SECOND TIME. SHORTLY AFTER, IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER AND IT WAS WORKING, BUT WAS TOLD IT WASN'T FIXED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO STOP WORKING.

NHTSA #: 10556725
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2013

REAR SUN ROOF EXPLODED. TRAVELING ALONG I-4 ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LARGE GUN SHOT SOUND SO WE LOOKED AROUND FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT MIGHT HAVE MADE THE NOISE BUT THERE WAS NO CAR WITHIN 50-60 YARDS BEHIND OR IN FRONT. THEN WE HEARD SOMETHING RUMBLING ON ROOF WHICH WAS GLASS. LUCKILY THE ROOF WAS INTACT BUT THE VERY SIDES OF THE GLASS ROOF WERE BREAKING UP IN A LONG SLENDER LINE. NOW AFTER A FEW MILES GETTING HOME THE CENTER IS STARTING TO BREAK UP. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR 7 WEEKS WHILE I WAS IN THE UK AND ONLY TOOK IT OUT OF GARAGE. I HAVE BEEN IN THE UK MOTOR TRADE 50 YEARS AND NEVER SEEN GLASS GIVE WAY LIKE THIS. IT APPEARS AS IF SOMEBODY TRIED TO PUSH THE TWO SIDES OF THE CAR INWARDS CAUSING THE ROOF TO EXPLODE. THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE AT ALL AND NO DEBRIS HIT MY ROOF. UPDATED 1/7/14*CN UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ UPDATED 01/09/14

NHTSA #: 10556212
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2013

MY HUSBAND AND I WALKED OUT OF HOUSE ABOUT NOON TODAY (21APR13) AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT CAR AND SAID "WTF , LOOK AT CAR". SUN ROOF IS SHATTERED. WE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT LOCAL KIA WHICH IS 32 MILES AWAY AND THEY ARE CLOSED. CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WHO CAN NOT HELP US OUT UNTIL KIA OPENS ON MONDAY AND THEY HAVE TO SEND US TO A DEALER THAT IS 75 MILES AWAY FROM US FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AND THEN DETERMINE REPAIR COSTS. I LOOKED ONLINE TO CHECK FOR RECALL AND AM STILL SEARCHING ALSO LOOKING TO SEE IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE AND FOUND ONE ENTRY FROM 2010. NOT SURE HOW THIS HAPPENED TO A PARKED CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WITH NO TREES AROUND OR LOOSE OBJECTS. HAVE OTHER VEHICLE IN DRIVE WITH NO DAMAGE SO RULED OUT RAIN. HOPING FOR FAIR WEATHER UNTIL WE CAN GET THE CAR TO DEALER (I HOPE IT WILL BE TOMORROW). HAVING A TODDLER WHO LIKES TO HAVE THE VISOR OPEN SO HE CAN LOOK OUT OF SUNROOF WINDOW AT SKY, THE FACT THIS SHATTERED , WHAT IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND IT SHATTERED WITH VISOR OPEN AND LITTLE ONE IN CARSEAT? *TR

NHTSA #: 10508983
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jan 2013

I WAS DRIVE EASTBOUND ON I-70 IN COLORADO IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR THE EISENHOWER TUNNEL AT 2:40PM. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME ON THE ROAD. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 DEGREES F. I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND PULLED OVER. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE FRONT SUNROOF ON MY KIA SORENTO EXPLODED OUTWARD. GLASS WAS POINTING UPWARDS. NOTHING HIT MY CAR. IT JUST HAPPENED. GLASS WAS IN A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. LUCKILY THE INSIDE SHADE WAS CLOSED, OTHERWISE GLASS WOULD HAVE FALLEN ALL OVER ME AND MY SON (IN THE BACK SEAT). I CLEANED UP THE GLASS AS BEST AS I COULD. WE CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT ENDED UP DRIVING TO THE NEXT TOWN AND GETTING SOME CARDBOARD TO TEMPORARILY KEEP THE WIND OUT, AND DROVE HOME. WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IF KIA WILL COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10492886
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10453957
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2012

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE DEFROSTER (DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS) I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD, BUT SAW NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION I LOOKED AND DISCOVERED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A CHIP IN THE GLASS, ONLY IT WAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS LOCATED NEAR THE VIN TAG AREA. SINCE THAT TIME SEVERAL SMALL CRACKS HAVE APPEARED, ORIGINATING FROM THE "CHIPPED" AREA. I HAD A GLASS REPAIR SHOP OUT AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS AND THAT IT IS EITHER A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OR CAUSED BY THE HEATING ELEMENT THAT RUNS UNDER THE GLASS. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TO TRY AND GET THIS RESOLVED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WANTED TO GET A COMPLAINT IN IN CASE OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10447149
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2011

I HAVE A 2011 KIA SORENTO. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW RANDOMLY WOULD STICK WITH THE WINDOW DOWN OR NOT GO DOWN AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA STORE EAST IN LOUISVILLE KY AND EACH TIME THEY WOULD SAY "WE COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS". AFTER THE THIRD TIME (JULY 2011) THEY DECIDE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. WORKED ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THE PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT IN AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND NOW SAYS THE MOTOR IS GETTING HOT AND IS PROBABLY DUE TO MY TINT. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS THE SAME TINT ON IT. WHICH WAS MATCHED TO THE MANUFACTURER TINT ON THE BACK WINDOWS. THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO CALL THE NATIONAL TECH SUPPORT TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL. I FEEL A LITTLE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT LOOK DEEPER INTO THE PROBLEM WHEN I CAME IN BUT DID WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10438455
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2011

DRIVERS POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN. HAD TO TAP ROCKER SWITCH MULTIPLE TIMES. WINDOW THEN WOULD NOT CLOSE AGAIN HAD TO TAP ROCKER SWITCH TO CLOSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10434339
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2011

2011 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING VEHICLE SUNROOF *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN NOVEMBER 2010. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH EITHER A WATER LEAK OR NOISE SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2010 AND UP UNTIL THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE SUNROOF. ON JUNE 7, 2011, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A SCHEDULED ONE HOUR REPLACEMENT OF THE GLASS PANEL IN THE SUNROOF. IT DID NOT FIT PROPERLY, WITH A SIGNIFICANT GAP AROUND THE GASKET SUCH THAT ONE COULD INSERT A DOLLAR BILL OR PIECE OF PAPER INSIDE, WITHOUT BENDING IT, AND PRONOUNCED WIND STARTING OCCURRING AT AROUND 25 MPH. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE REPAIR FACILITY TWICE IN THE SAME DAY FOR FURTHER ADJUSTMENT, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE REPAIR FACILITY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER ANOTHER GASKET. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED FOR HIS SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT, HE WAS INFORMED THERE WOULD BE A $300 CHARGE TO REPLACE THE SEAL, AND ONLY THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL. *JB

NHTSA #: 10430930
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10428261
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jul 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE REAR SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT NOT PER THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 09/09/11*JB

NHTSA #: 10410440
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2010

2011 KIA SORENTO DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING INSTANTLY WITHOUT WARNING. WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN, NO INDICATIONS OF IT GOING BAD. BOUGHT IN MARCH 2010, WENT OUT NOV 26, 2010 IN PARKING LOT. NO ADVERSE WEATHER, NO ADVERSE DRIVING. BARELY ROLL WINDOWS DOWN WHILE HAD IT. BOUGHT BRAND NEW. NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGES TO VEHICLE AREA. *TR

NHTSA #: 10367934
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2010

MY 2011 KIA SORENTO'S REAR SUNROOF SHATTERED. I WENT TO OPEN THE MAIN SUNROOF IT SHUTTERED THEN I HEARD A POP. THE ENTIRE REAR SECTION SHATTERED I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM A LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP (PINEHURST KIA) I LEFT THE CAR WITH THE SERVICE DEPT I WAS CONTACTED LATER THAT FROM THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT GLASS WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT THEY FELT THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THERE PRODUCT. I CONTACTED KIA DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD GLASS WAS COVERED THEN I WAS CALLED BACK FROM KIA STATING THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE WARRANTY $1280.00 WAS THE COST FOR REPAIRS> I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE DIRECTOR THAT THE PROPER REPAIR WOULD INCLUDE GLASS REPLACEMENT AND I SHOULD REPLACE THE FRAME HOUSING. I FOUND OTHER CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERING AT LEAST NOBODY'S BEEN HURT YET. IS KIA WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED BEFORE ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA #: 10366885
mediumVISIBILITY
FireFiled: Jul 2010

I WAS DRIVING ON THE MA TURNPIKE LATE MORNING WHEN I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND THE VIEW WAS CLOUDY. I WASHED THE REAR WINDSHIELD AND KEPT ON DRIVING. A FEW MINUTES LATER A MAN PULLED ALONG SIDE ME AND SIGNALED THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER. I HAPPENED TO GLANCE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AGAIN AND IT WAS CLOUDY AGAIN. AS I WAS PULLING OVER I CHECKED THE DASHBOARD AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON. I STOPPED THE CAR AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT AND STARTED WALKING AWAY FROM THE CAR WHILE CALLING MY HUSBAND. HE SUGGESTED I CALL 911 -- BY THE TIME I DIALED 911 (A TOTAL OF ABOUT 2.5 MINUTES FROM EXITING THE CAR) FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE (ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES AFTER I CALLED) THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE TIRES HAD STARTED TO EXPLODE. WHEN THE FIRE WAS FINALLY EXTINGUISHED ALL THAT REMAINED OF THE CAR WAS A BARE METAL FRAME. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10341928

Other 2011 Kia Sorento Issues