- Kia is recalling 12,690 2011 Sorentos because a defective transmission may cause "loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Kia dealers will replace the right-side output gear and intermediate shaft on the affected Sorentos.
- The recall is expected to begin sometime this month.
WASHINGTON — Kia is recalling 12,690 2011 Sorentos because a defective transmission may cause "loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The 2011 Sorento was the focus of a preliminary defect investigation by NHTSA earlier this month because of possible transmission failure.
In early April, NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigations had received four complaints alleging a loss of motive power due to a sudden failure of a transmission intermediate driveshaft and an additional five complaints alleging a loss of motive power due to transmission failure.
The affected Sorentos are two-wheel-drive models equipped with 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines and automatic transmissions.
"The intermediate shaft may suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right-side output gear," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition leads to the development of a whirring/whining noise and can eventually cause damage to the automatic transmission. Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash."
Kia dealers will replace the right-side output gear and intermediate shaft on the affected Sorentos. The recall is expected to begin sometime in May. Owners can contact Kia at (800) 333-4542.
Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Sorento, have it checked out with your dealer ASAP.
Add A Comment »
bman78 says:
08:43 AM, 05/03/2011
To me this is another example to never buy the first year design of ANY make. The Sorento has had a fair share of recalls but in my opinion that is not unusual for first year's designs. Kia/Hyundai normally sells a car for a few years in the home market before bringing it to America. In the Sorento's case it was originally built and in America so we didn't get the luxury of having another county get the kinks out before coming here.
nachiman says:
05:11 AM, 05/03/2011
It's always amazing to me the amount of people who make generalizations to suit their particular motives. We get it openeyes, you hate suv's and anyone who would buy one.
I hate McDonalds, but I don't blame rude drivers on big mac's.
engineermd says:
08:39 PM, 05/02/2011
gtrguy2012 says:
07:44 PM, 05/02/2011
Well IT IS a KIA. You get what you pay for.
Are you stuckin 1997? lol .... Even people living under a rock know Hyundai/Kia have joined industry leaders for safe reliable transportation... 12000 recalls? That means that caught it early and fast ... Get back under your bridge.. Troll Troll Troll
openeyes1 says:
08:16 PM, 05/02/2011
Let me get this straight, "loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash," isn't that what's expected, from the reckless driving habits of the average SUV owner in a traffic jam?
gtrguy2012 says:
07:44 PM, 05/02/2011
Well IT IS a KIA. You get what you pay for.
ant14 says:
07:30 PM, 05/02/2011
Really, in this day and age transmission failures this early on? I wouldn't want to see after the warranty runs out...