There are 50 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2011 Kia Sorentoin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
In a letter dated August 14, 2019, KIA advised that the warranty coverage for the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly was extended to 15 years. the clock spring is an electrical connection which rotates with the steering wheel to maintain proper functioning of the airbag unit. If the airbag light stays on, and the car continues to be used without repair, the driver's airbag may eventually not deploy in a frontal impact. This is a safety issue, since the airbag may not work, KIA knew about it in 2019!! The 2011 KIA that I own is now 16 years old, and of course KIA refuses to pay for the repair. Now I am faced with an approximately $500.00 repair bill to make sure I'm safe in case of an accident. This should be investigated, and KIA should pay for the repair since it is an airbag safety issue.
There is a engine recall for this vehicle u have to be safe where u park it at all time
Airbag light on dashboard constantly on
I took this car, my mom’s car, to a Kia dealership yesterday for a diagnostic. I was told it had no air bags. I was really upset to find that out. I am not certain if we knew this when purchased years ago. This car was previously in an accident and we were told all the airbags were cut out. I wanted to to voice that I think it should be illegal to drive a car with no air bags. I think that information should be listed under a persons drivers license number and or VIN number. I called the Driving Safety Unit with the DMV yesterday and they said they couldn’t do anything for me and to contact the Department of Consumer Affairs for a complaint or the Governor’s Office. I am leaving my comments here instead. Thank you
Item- Down hill accent light came on, traction control light came on, Not sure if caused by brake stop lamp switch defective. Item- bugler alarm will not shut off. resetting the alarm failed three different ways. The battery cable was removed to reset alarm, the fuse was removed, and procedure using the key fob to reset alarm also failed to deactivate system. This happened same time as above. Vehicle is non-moveable at present because of the anti-theft system cannot be shut off. Item-driver side seat belt buckle will not latch or must be repeatably latched to be engaged. This vehicle is equipped with Kia remote start accessory. See this NHTSA SC098
Airbag light is on and i need to know if that is a recall since there was a recall for many makes of cars due to air bags.
The air bag warning lamp is on caused by the malfunction of the clock spring in the steering wheel. None of the functions on the steering wheel work as well due to this malfunction. The air bag according to multiple sites may deploy at any given time
Airbag light stays on and the controls on steering wheel don't work
The car will not always go in park and will click into gear a few seconds afterwards. The car rolled out of my driveway in reverse and caused over 5000.00 dollars in damages. Also the seat settings will get stuck moving and not moving. The air bag light is also on and the fuel cap sticks and won't open unless forced opened
AIRBAG LIGHT ... FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG FAULT / CURTAIN AIRBAG FAULT
Kia motors sent a letter about 2011-2015 sorento occupant detection system (ODS) Sensor pads new vehicle limited warranty extension If the airbag warring light is on the airbag system is not functioning properly, it may or may not deploy in an accident(which should be considered a safety issue) I have already had the diagnostic done by my dealer who said the problem is covered by the warranty but because my car is salvaged which makes it not apply for warranties does the fact that my airbags may or may not deploy not seem like a safety issue?
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. I GOT THE CODE PULLED AT A LOCAL SHOP FOR FREE THANKFULLY. THE CODE WAS B1764 OCS MAT DEFECT. NOW BECAUSE IT FAILED FOR NO REASON I HAVE NO AIRBAGS AT ALL. FROM OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS IT CAN COST $1,000 TO $3,000 TO FIX. AWESOME. I REALLY LOVED MY SORRENTO TOO.
A MONTH AGO WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A DAY OF SHOPPING AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS STILL CONNECTED THE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JUST YESTERDAY 12.5.2020. STAYS ON WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP TO MAKE SURE IT WAS TIGHT THEN WENT TO AUTO ZONE SO THEY COULD USE THEIR DTC. (THE CLERK PUT AN ESTIMATE OF MILES ON MY PAPERWORK AS HE DID NOT GO OUTSIDE TO GET ACTUAL MILAGE.)THE CODE WAS OBD2. I WAS DUE FOR A OIL CHANGE AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH. I GOT THOSE REPAIRED BUT STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THE LIGHT. THE PAPERWORK STATES ERROR CODE READ P0014 EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING OVER ADVANCED BANK 1 INDICATES THAT THE BANK 1 EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING WAS ADVANCED BEYOND LIMITS FOR A PREDETERMINED. OF TIME. THE ONLY THING I NOTICED WAS THAT I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE HEAT ON AND THERE WAS NICE AMOUNT OF HEAT COMING THROUGH THE VENTS BUT THE HEAT DIAL WAS ON THE OFF POSITION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER BATTERY REPLACEMENT. DEALER WANTS OVER 1200.00 TO REPAIR.
MY SEAT BELT KEEPS LOCKING ON ME. FORTUNATELY, THUS FAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EVENTUALLY GET IT TO COME LOOSE. SOMETIMES IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO FASTEN. I'M AFRAID SOMEDAY I WILL NEED TO GET OUT FAST AND WON'T BE ABLE TO. I AM PARKED AND THE CAR IS TURNED OFF ON A CITY STREET AND SOMETIMES IN MY DRIVEWAY AND STORES.
MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SENSOR COMES ON AND DOESN'T GO OFF .
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I DID TROUBLESHOOT ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL THAT CAME WITH MY VEHICLE. THE LIGHT STILL DID NOT SHUT OFF. MY GUESS IS THAT IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. LOOKING ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR KIA ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT CAME ON AS WELL AS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT DOES NOT GO AWAY WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THIS MEANS THAT+S THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASEBOOK OF AN ACCIDENT WHICH IS A HAZARD. *TR
DRIVE SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW STEERING CONTROLS ARE NOT WORKING. KIA DEALER STATED ITS THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE THAT IS FAULTY
RIGHT SIDED PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE WITH NOT FASTEN/LOCK. CAR WAS STABLE AS WE WERE TRYING TO BUCKLE UP BEFORE WE DROVE.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026