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2011 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Sorento.

Body SUV

The 2011 Kia Sorento arrives as an SUV that takes 4.9 quarts of 5W-30 or 5W-40 API oil, a specification that hints at its powertrain demands. Its reliability profile stands out sharply across the model's 2003–2026 span: this single year accounts for 1,516 owner complaints — the peak of the entire range — with structure leading the categories and eight recalls issued. By contrast, the prior 2010 model logged just three complaints, underscoring how dramatically the 2011 refresh shifted the Sorento's trouble trajectory. Researchers should treat this model year as the clear inflection point in the nameplate's quality record.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight4050 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2011 SX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011SX V6 3.5L V66.90 sec15.30 sec276 hpAWD
2011SX V6 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec276 hpAWD
2011EX V6 3.5L V67.60 sec15.90 sec276 hpAWD
2011EX 2.4L I-49.00 sec16.90 sec175 hpFWD
2011EX 2.4L I-49.60 sec17.20 sec175 hpFWD
2011EX 2.4L I-410.10 sec17.70 sec175 hpFWD
2014SX V6 3.3L V67.00 sec15.60 sec290 hpAWD
2014SX V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.90 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.59-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C, 1.26-1.37; front and rear A/C, 1.59-1.70. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityFront A/C, 4.72-5.40; front and rear A/C, 6.75-7.42. oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47.0-53.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.8-15.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13.8-15.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression164-185 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle47-54 ft-lbs / 58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.078; Rear: 0.080 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.039 in / 0.37 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1a-h3–4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miPower Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 40,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Kia Sorento represents a significant inflection point in federal records, with complaints jumping from just 3 in 2010 to 1,516 in 2011. This year marks the absolute peak of complaints for the model's history, initiating a trend of elevated issues and high TSB counts that persisted through 2017. The 2011 model saw 8 recalls and 10 investigations, with the most frequent complaint areas being Structure (214), Power Train (167), and Engine (153). Additionally, the data records 42 crash complaints and 61 fire complaints for this year, though the root causes are not specified. While subsequent years like 2012 and 2013 saw a decrease in complaints to 875 and 977 respectively, they remained substantially higher than the pre-2011 era. Given that 2011 is the statistical peak for complaints and investigations, this is not a good year to buy.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
202
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
10
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,516
Owner complaints
42 involved a crash · 61 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,516 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure214
Power Train167
Engine153
Unknown Or Other126
Air Bags123
Electrical System71
Exterior Lighting46
Service Brakes, Hydraulic44

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V626000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 06/10/2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift… Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service…

11E041000EquipmentReported 06/10/2011

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011… Remedy: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 202 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS23122025-12-17StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2312_OWNR2025-12-17StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner…
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 124R batteryVehicles taking 4.9 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Sorento take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.