The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·15V626000·Announced 2015-10-06

Kia Recalls 2011-2013 Sorento for Brake-Shift Interlock Defect

Kia is recalling 2011-2013 Sorento vehicles because the brake-shift interlock may fail, allowing the car to roll out of Park without the brake being pressed.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The defect presents a risk of harm (vehicle rolling and crashing) but the source text does not report any specific injuries or fatalities, fitting the criteria for a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Kia Motors America is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured between October 19, 2009, and January 31, 2013. The recall involves approximately 377,062 vehicles.

In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack. This failure allows the transmission to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed, causing the vehicle to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

If the vehicle is unintentionally shifted out of Park, it may roll, which may result in a crash. 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 at 1-800-333-4542 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
KIA SORENTO
Brand
KIA
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Category
Vehicle — SUV
Hazard
Affected units
377,062

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • SORENTO

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · KIA

Same manufacturer · Kia Motors America

See all →

Same hazard · unintended vehicle movement

See all →