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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2011 Dodge Durango vs 2011 Kia Sorento

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-14 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2011 Dodge Durango edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2011 Dodge Durango (3.4 versus 2.9). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

More reliable

2011 Dodge Durango

3.4/5
Reliability score
795 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$11,650 repair exposure
vs

2011 Kia Sorento

2.9/5
Reliability score
1,515 complaints
4 recalls (0 critical)
$12,950 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2011 Dodge Durango edges this comparison on reliability data (3.4 versus 2.9). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2011 Dodge Durango, know what you're getting into on electrical and fuel system. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2011 Kia Sorento sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2011 Kia Sorento? Watch the powertrain and engine. The 2011 Dodge Durango has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2011 Dodge Durango
2011 Kia Sorento
electrical
467 reports
severe · ~$850
203 reports
severe · ~$850
powertrain
48 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
245 reports
severe · ~$2,500
engine
72 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
190 reports
severe · ~$3,100
body
No reports
242 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
airbags
18 reports
severe · ~$1,100
145 reports
severe · ~$1,100
brakes
51 reports
severe · ~$450
81 reports
severe · ~$450
steering
27 reports
severe · ~$700
53 reports
moderate · ~$700
lighting
No reports
58 reports
moderate · ~$250
fuel system
16 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
No reports
cruise control
6 reports
severe · ~$600
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2011 Dodge Durango or the 2011 Kia Sorento?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2011 Dodge Durango comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.4 versus 2.9. The margin is clear, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2011 Dodge Durango?

Compared to the 2011 Kia Sorento, the 2011 Dodge Durango sees more reported issues in electrical and fuel system. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2011 Kia Sorento?

Compared to the 2011 Dodge Durango, the 2011 Kia Sorento has more complaints in powertrain and engine. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2011 Kia Sorento has more active recalls (4 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $12,950 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2011 Dodge Durango on NHTSA · 2011 Kia Sorento on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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