Recall Alert: 2011 Kia Sorento

The affected vehicles are front-wheel-drive models equipped with a 2.4-liter engine and an automatic transmission. In these vehicles, the intermediate shaft may be misaligned with the right-side output gear. This could lead to a whirring or whining noise and excessive wear. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition could cause the loss of motive power (steering and braking systems are not affected) and increase the risk of a crash.

The vehicles in the recall were built from the start of production through May 22, 2010. You can check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker located on the driver-side doorjamb.

Owners will be notified this week. Dealers will replace the right-side output gear and intermediate shaft for free. For more info, call Kia at 800-333-4542 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.