Severity
Critical
KIA 2011: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Reported: April 25, 2011 Initiated: April 25, 2011 #11V258000
KIA issued this NHTSA recall on April 25, 2011. Classified as Critical severity. The recall was issued because: KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MA…. This recall notice is sourced from official NHTSA enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.
Recall Insight
This NHTSA action (record #11V258000) was formally reported on April 25, 2011. It is classified under Critical severity, with a current status of Active. KIA is listed as the recalling firm. The number of affected units is not disclosed in the agency filing, which is common for drug and food recalls where lot-level tracking supersedes unit counts.
The documented reason for this recall is: KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FR… The specific hazard cited in the filing is: DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: United States. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory. The remedy documented by the agency is: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542. — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 1 were also issued by NHTSA. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 15 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.
Recall Distribution by Severity Class
Units Affected
Unknown
Related Recalls
6
1 from same agency
Product Description
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. 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.
Reason for Recall
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. 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.
Hazard
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Details
- Recalling Firm
- KIA
- Distribution
- United States
- Official Source
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=11V258000
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Severity class | Critical |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 11V258000 |
| Date reported | April 25, 2011 |
| Date initiated | April 25, 2011 |
| Recalling firm | KIA |
| Units affected | Not disclosed |
| Distribution | United States |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official NHTSA enforcement record. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. 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.. Recalled by KIA.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. 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.
What should consumers do? ▼
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the NHTSA on April 25, 2011. Severity: Critical. Recall number: 11V258000.
Where was the recalled product distributed? ▼
Distribution: United States.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (11V258000) against your product. Visit the official NHTSA website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Recall Guides
Learn how the US recall system works and how to protect yourself and your household.
How the US Recall System Works
The three federal agencies, how recalls are initiated, and what happens next.
Understanding Recall Severity Classes
What Class I, II, and III mean and which recalls demand immediate action.
What to Do When a Product Is Recalled
Verify, claim your remedy, report injuries, and navigate the process.
How to Check If Your Products Are Recalled
Step-by-step guide to checking food, products, medications, and vehicles.
Recalled Products in Your Home
A room-by-room household audit guide for active recalls.
Most Recalled Product Categories
Rankings of highest-recall categories from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA.
Recall Context
Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as critical severity, meaning the product carries a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.
Related Safety Data
Explore related product safety and public health data from federal sources.
Food Safety Inspections
FDA and state food facility inspection results — violations, enforcement actions, and compliance history for food manufacturers and processors.
PlainFoodSafe →
Ingredient Safety Data
FDA food additive and ingredient safety database — regulatory status, usage limits, and safety assessments for thousands of ingredients.
PlainIngredients →
Nutrition Data
USDA nutrition facts for 2M+ food items — calories, macros, vitamins, and ingredient analysis to verify what you consume.
GetFoodFacts →
Drug Safety Information
FDA drug data for 680+ medications — interactions, alternatives, side effects, and safety information for recalled and active drugs.
PlainMeds →
Product Injury Data
CPSC emergency room injury data for 838 product categories — 7.3M NEISS records tracking real-world consumer product injuries.
PlainSafety →
Vehicle Safety Data
NHTSA complaints, investigations, and reliability scores for 3,500+ vehicle models with 2M+ complaints.
PlainCars →
Recall Checker
Search our database of 83K+ recalls by product name, brand, or recall number across all agencies.
Check Now →
Recall Radar
Live feed of the latest recalls across FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, and USDA — filter by agency and severity.
View Radar →
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
CPSC Moderate
Amazon Recalls Amazon Basics Camping Folding Pocket Knives Due to Laceration Hazard
· 2026-03-19
FDA Food Moderate
Secondary Packaging: STEAM NOODLES INGREDIENTS: ENRICHED FLOUR, WATER, STARCH, SALT, POTASSIUM, CARBONATE AND BENZOATE …
CNC Noodle Corporation · 2026-03-18
FDA Food Moderate
Secondary Packaging: ZHONG HUA CHAO MIAN NOODLE INGREDIENTS: ENRICHED FLOUR, WATER, STARCH, SALT, POTASSIUM, CARBONATE …
CNC Noodle Corporation · 2026-03-18
FDA Food Moderate
VERGANI 1944 MILANO 'PANDORO CLASSICO' Gluten Free, 600g NET WT. 1 LBS. 5.2 OZ., packaged in paper cartons, 6 units per…
Italianway Import, Inc. · 2026-03-11
NHTSA Critical
CHEVROLET,GMC 2025: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
CHEVROLET,GMC · 2026-03-05
Compare this recall with Amazon Recalls Amazon Basics Camping Folding Pocket Knives … →
Data Sources
Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.
- Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
- Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
- Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
- Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)
Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).