I too have a 2011 and at 62000 miles exact same problem just developed. Into the dealer and $350 later I have a new "Door Latch Assembly" Kia part No.: 81310 2P000 (at least that's what I think it says on the invoice.)
Has anyone had any more experience with this issue? Did the replacement door latch assembly fix the problem, or did it reoccur? We're having the same problem with our 2011.
For those that do easy to moderate DIY repairs, how difficult would you say this would be to replace yourself?
The fix is a new latch, there is a small cable that goes from the door handle assembly (the inside door portion of it) down into the latch, that cable doesn't usually break so people inspect it and see that cable working and think it must be something else. However, the mechanism that that short cable is attached to inside the latch assembly fails. That is why a new latch is needed to fix it. The interior door handle uses a completely separate cable to the latch and it is connected internally in the latch separately as well which is why the interior door handle keeps working.
Is it hard to do? They are easy, but at the same time I am a Kia technician so what I may find to be easy may be someone else's definition of difficult. YMMV.
can you give me a clue? I opened the door cover, but the next metal cover is a challenge. It looks easy enough, but I am worried about f’ing up the window.