KnownCarProblems2011 Kia Sportage Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sportage, most often about the engine (46% of complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). It is 8th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2011 Kia Sportage problems
Engine
84 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The engine is running rough. I hear knocks and pings when I try to go over 50. Local city driving the engine is calm. Recently had new spark plugs put in. Gas mileage has really not improved. I have concerns that this engine will seize up. I am now reading about sc147. I checked with my local Kia dealer and there is…
The engine blew up in my 2011 Kia Sportage. It had just a little over 100,000 miles on it. I'm told that it is not one of the engines that have been recalled and I feel that it should be. I was driving into work and was stranded. I could hear a loud banging noise as I was driving into work. So I took it to a local…
Electrical
38 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
Affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the park position and causing the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control…
Push button start would not engage - car was in park- after getting shifter to move - car started - took it to dealer replaced brake light switch - I see where uk has recalled 25k vehicles for this same problem including Sportage NHTSA should also issue a recall on this module while waiting another consumer reported…
Brakes
25 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock.
Push button start would not work due to faulty brake light switch. This model year is not on the recall list as most other year models for this problem but should be. Problem clearly extends past 2010 year models.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the brakes failed. The contact ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle. The frontal air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was not…
Transmission
23 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
Shifting from 1st to 2nd clutch pedal lost tension and went to floor. Luckily we were at low MPH and were able to pull over to call for assistance. Successfully was able to place in neutral. Car still running. This could have been disastrous if we were in another gear at higher RPM. Kia should address the clutch cable…
Step on gas, RPM goes up but no acceleration, at times can not get over 35mph. On even terrain with cruise engaged speed will drop and then rev back up. This only happens occasionally. Have been back to the dealer x3 but with no engine codes fired they can't locate the problem. Safety concerns of not being able to…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
While driving car just dies in the middle of traffic going like 45mph coast off the road. No check engine light has fuel engine will turn over but not start. Had it towed to the Kia dealer july 17,2017 was told it could be one of two things the factory security system or the ECM so the dealer changed out the security…
I was driving home from work with a friend on the 10 freeway in san bernadino. We heard a large explosion and glass started coming in the car from the sun roof area. Apparently our sunroof spontaneously exploded, haven't used the sunroof in years. Looked it up online and apparently it's a thing that happens to these…
Lights
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights, headlights, brake lights.
2011 Kia Sportage at times won't start but all lights and radio and electrical stuff work. Had new battery put in and checked out it is not battery. It is doing this more and more and I have to let it set for long periods of time then it will start. It can't be boosted off either when this happens. It started and has…
Push button start would not work due to faulty brake light switch. This model year is not on the recall list as most other year models for this problem but should be. Problem clearly extends past 2010 year models.
Fuel system
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles.
Step on gas, RPM goes up but no acceleration, at times can not get over 35mph. On even terrain with cruise engaged speed will drop and then rev back up. This only happens occasionally. Have been back to the dealer x3 but with no engine codes fired they can't locate the problem. Safety concerns of not being able to…
2011 Kia Sportage at times won't start but all lights and radio and electrical stuff work. Had new battery put in and checked out it is not battery. It is doing this more and more and I have to let it set for long periods of time then it will start. It can't be boosted off either when this happens. It started and has…
Speed control
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. While the vehicle was stationary, the brake lights malfunctioned and the cruise control stopped working. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The car hesitates upon acceleration from zero turning into traffic. It is very scary and happens often.. The dealer (evergreen Kia) was notified on nov. 29, 2012.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Kia Sportage recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the hecu fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed november 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed march 29, 2024 through june 18, 2024. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc284.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 borrego, 2014-2016 cadenza, 2010-2013 forte, forte koup, sportage, 2015-2018 k900, 2011-2015 optima, 2011-2013 optima hybrid, soul, 2012-2017 rio, 2011-2014 sorento, and 2010-2011 rondo vehicles. The hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Engine
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began july 3, 2019. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc174.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 kia sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
Engine
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 17, 2019. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc172.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 optima, 2012-2017 sorento and 2011-2018 sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17v-224, warranty, or the knock sensor detection system (ksds) product improvement campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Engine
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began june 20, 2017. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc147.
Full defect summary
Kia motor company (kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 optima, 2012-2014 sorento and 2011-2013 sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Lights: switch
Risk: Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on july 7, 2015. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc121.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 sportage vehicles manufactured march 7, 2011, to june 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.
Lights: switch
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'on' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in may 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is sc098.
Full defect summary
Kia motors corporation (kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 rondo, model year 2007-2011 sedona, sorento and sportage, model year 2010-2011 soul, model year 2008-2011 optima, model year 2010 forte, model year 2007-2009 amanti, and model year 2009 borrego vehicles. Originally, in april 2013, kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 rondo and sportage, model year 2007-2011 sorento, model year 2007 sedona, model year 2010-2011 soul, and model year 2011 optima vehicles. In september 2013, kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressi
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received eight hyundai motor america (hyundai) and eight kia america, inc. (kia) part 573 recall reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or hydraulic electronic control units (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Engine fires
Summary
On march 29, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened two preliminary evaluations (pe19-003 on hyundai and pe19-004 on kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year hyundai and kia vehicles.â during the pe investigations, hyundai and kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.â the remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.â additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modif
Scope and timeliness
Summary
Nhtsa opened recall query (rq) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of kia?s theta II gdi engine recall (recall no. 17v-224), and kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On november 23, 2020, the agency entered into a consent order with kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with rq17-003. Nhtsa?s assertions included that kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that recall no. 17v-224 was untimely and kia?s recall report contained certain inaccuracies.under the consent order, kia agreed to a total civil penalty of $70,000,000. The total civil penalty included a payment of $27,000,000 as a non-deferred
Questions about the 2011 Kia Sportage
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Sportage?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (84 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); electrical (38 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); brakes (25 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Sportage have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Kia Sportage?
- It is 8th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints, with 181 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.