2011 Kia Sorento is a practical crossover SUV that’s offered with two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a more powerful 3.5-liter V6. However, the 2.4L engine has numerous complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
Key Points
- The 2011 Kia Sorento‘s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is good for 175 horsepower while the 3.5-liter V6 boasts 276 horsepower. Compared to the competition, both engines are not the most powerful in their class.
- In terms of fuel economy, both the four-cylinder and V6 engines are efficient, with the latter delivering 20/22 mpg city/highway, and the former adding an extra two mpg across the board.
- Unfortunately, the 2011 Kia Sorento does have serious engine problems. The 2.4-liter engine has numerous complaints filed with the NHTSA related to engine failure that could create a fire hazard.
2011 Kia Sorento 2.4-liter Engine is Average at Best, but Some Notable Auto Critics have Reported it ‘Doesn’t Feel Slow’
When equipped on the 2011 Kia Sorento, the 2.4-liter produces 175 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft. of torque. It takes the four-cylinder engine around nine seconds to move the Sorento from zero to 60.
Despite its mediocre horsepower rating, Car and Driver says the 2011 Kia Sorento “doesn’t feel slow around town because its six-speed automatic manages revs with multiyear kickdowns aplenty.”
As for gas mileage, the 2011 Kia Sorento returns an estimated 22/24 mpg city/highway depending on front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive layout, and automatic or manual transmission, which is on par with its competitors.
However, The Truth About Cars reports a disappointing average of around 17 mpg during suburban test drives, but “with a lighter foot 20 might be possible…[but] anything higher seems a stretch.”
The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine found in the 2011 Kia Sorento was the result of an engineering collaboration among Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler, and Mitsubishi. The goal was to design the best lineup of four-cylinder engines that delivered “exceptional performance, fuel efficiency, reliability, and refinement.”
The collaboration between Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler, and Mitsubishi designed the 2.4-liter engine to include several key components to improve durability and efficiency, like a high-pressure descant aluminum block with forged steel crankshaft, aluminum cylinder heads, intake manifold with flow-control valves, dual variable valve timing, and a balanced shaft module with an integrated fuel pump (to mitigate vibration and engine imbalance).
While each automaker could fine-tune the 2.4-liter engine to fit its respective needs and standards, the Hyundai/Kia variant experienced significant issues.
NHTSA Data and an Open Investigation Suggest Big Problems for 2011 Kia Sorento’s 2.4-liter Engine
Of the 1,270 complaints filed with the NHTSA on the 2011 Kia Sorento, over 200 of those were related to the engine and engine cooling. Further research of the complaints found that owners experienced engine stalling issues, oil loss, engine seizure, and engine compartment fires.
A major recall was issued in 2017 affecting over 1,000,000 Hyundai and Kia products that utilize the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Ironically, the 2011 Kia Sorento model year was not included in this recall, but NHTSA data suggests that the 2011 model year of the Kia Sorento could be experiencing related issues.
The NHSTA investigation into the 2017 recall, which only covered the 2012-2014 model years of the Sorento, found that a manufacturing defect allowed for metal debris to build up in the crankshaft’s oil passages, which could be forced into the connecting rod oil passages, ultimately restricting oil flow to the bearings. Because of this, the bearings could wear out and fail, causing the engine to stall, seize, or catch fire.
Issued on March 29 of 2019, a still-open investigation into the 2.4-liter engine includes the 2011 Kia Sorento on the list of vehicles that could experience engine failure and engine compartment fire.
Given that the 2011 Kia Sorento is not currently under recall by the automaker for the 2.4-liter engine, an owner that experiences engine failure that needs a full replacement should expect to pay several thousands of dollars for a new engine.
Larger 3.5-liter V6 is More Powerful, Almost as Efficient, and Less Problematic
The optional 3.5-liter V6 available on the 2011 Kia Sorento is a valuable alternative to the 2.4-liter engine. Designed in-house by Hyundai/Kia, the automaker says the V6 engine features aluminum construction (lighter, yet stronger), dual-overhead camshafts, and four valves per cylinder.
In addition, continuously variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts is used for a broader power spread, as well as a three-step variable intake system that maximizes air inflow and outflow at low and high rpm.
In terms of power, the 3.5-liter engine bumps output to 276 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2011 Kia Sorento goes zero to 60 in approximately seven seconds. While it’s not the most powerful V6-equipped crossover in the segment, Motor Trend called the 3.5-liter engine quiet and smooth in the Sorento, but that it almost didn’t seem quicker than the four-cylinder.
For 2011, the Kia Sorento V6 is rated at 20/22 mpg city/highway, depending on front-wheel or all-wheel drive layout. Compared to the 2.4-liter engine, the larger 3.5-liter engine sacrifices few mpg for the additional 100 horsepower.
3.5-liter V6 is the Better Engine Option for the 2011 Kia Sorento, Delivering More Power Without Giving Up Much Fuel Mileage
Problems appear minimal with the 2011 Kia Sorento V6 engine. Upon review of NHTSA complaints, only a few specified issues with the 3.5-liter engine. For example, one owner stated that their 2011 Kia Sorento V6 experienced “engine knocking when accelerating, leaking oil, and sparks of fire”. However, this may have been an isolated incident.
Similarly, complaints about the V6 equipped Sorento on Car Complaints were minimal. One owner stated the 3.5-liter engine on their 2011 Kia Sorento “froze” and “nothing worked”. The owner stated a full replacement was required. In another instance, an owner reported that the V6 engine in their used 2011 Kia Sorento failed at 70,000 miles.
After replacing the original engine with a used engine with 65,000 miles on it, the owner reported that the engine failed again after adding 20,000 more miles to the odometer. While unfortunate for these owners, both instances of reported V6 engine failure again appear to be isolated incidents (and bad luck for the owner that experienced two engine failures).
Overall, at a cost of just over $2,000, upgrading to the 3.5-liter V6 in the 2011 Kia Sorento gives owners more power without sacrificing much fuel economy, and has fewer problems that could be become hazardous.
Photos: Kia
