Recall 11V258 affects 12,690 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles for intermediate shaft wear that can damage the transmission. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 12,690 2011 Sorento 2WD vehicles with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines because a misaligned intermediate shaft can wear excessively and damage the automatic transmission. Transmission damage can cause loss of motive power and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Kia makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The intermediate shaft in the 2011 Kia Sorento 2WD with the automatic transmission and 2.4L engine carries rotating force through the driveline. It works with the right side output gear, a transmission gear that sends power toward the drive axle. Those parts need to line up cleanly so the shaft turns without grinding or loading the gear teeth the wrong way.
In affected Sorentos, the intermediate shaft is misaligned with that right side output gear. The bad alignment creates noise and excessive wear as the parts keep turning against each other. Continued driving in that condition can damage the automatic transmission.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once the wear has started, owners can hear a whirring or whining noise from the driveline or transmission area while driving. That noise means the shaft and gear are no longer working together as designed.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Kia Sorento | driveline |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12,690 |
Not every 2011 Kia Sorento is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Transmission damage can cause the 2011 Sorento to lose motive power, which increases crash risk. If power is lost while driving, steer out of traffic when safe and call a Kia dealer for recall guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Kia dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Kia Sorento is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer with recall number 11V258 to confirm repair status for your VIN.
- Schedule the free right-side output gear and intermediate-shaft replacement that fixes the whirring or whining driveline wear before transmission damage occurs.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one, and ask the dealer to document the completed repair.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Pull over safely if the vehicle loses motive power.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the right side output gear and the intermediate shaft, the parts named in the automatic transmission remedy. The recall remedy describes this work as free of charge. Since the repair availability is not listed here, confirm with a Kia dealer that the recall repair is open for your VIN before arranging service. Once available for your vehicle, the dealer repair is free under recall 11V258.
Timeline
| April 25, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 31, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V258?
Recall 11V258 covers 12,690 2011 Kia Sorento 2WD vehicles with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines. The intermediate shaft can wear because it is misaligned with the right-side output gear, damaging the automatic transmission and raising crash risk through loss of motive power.
What should I do if my 2011 Kia Sorento is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sorento is included in recall 11V258. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer and ask for the right-side output gear and intermediate shaft replacement. Reference recall number 11V258 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Kia's recall remedy says dealers will replace the right-side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. The dealer repair applies even if you bought the vehicle used.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a whirring or whining noise while driving. Kia's filing for recall 11V258 says continued driving after intermediate-shaft wear develops can damage the automatic transmission. If you hear that noise, call a franchised Kia dealer and describe the symptom when scheduling the recall repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V258000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V258 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V258000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →