2016 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,251 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 29 involved a crash and 49 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Trailer hitchesPark outsideSep 19, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Campaign 22V703000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftAug 10, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
Campaign 22V612000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesNov 30, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Campaign 16V862000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsOct 24, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as designed in the event of a rear-end collision.
In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC140.
Campaign 16V770000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 29, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.
Campaign 16V480000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyJul 14, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC123.
Campaign 15V446000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalFeb 13, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC115.
Campaign 15V089000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
718 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jul 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A QUART OF OIL WAS CONSUMED EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE DEALER (CORAL SPRINGS AUTO MALL, 9300 WEST ATLANTIC BLVD, CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071, (954)346-1009) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PERFORMED A DIPSTICK TEST. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S FINDINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 11, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, NO FAILURE WAS NOTICED AND THE CONTACT RESUMED DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND AN EXPLOSION SOUND WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OMIT BLACK SMOKE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 14, 2018
WHILE MERGING ON TO A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST PROPULSION, WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF BOSTON AND MY WIFE NARROWLY AVOIDED A SIGNIFICANT CRASH WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES DUE TO THE QUICK ACTIONS OF OTHER DRIVERS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP THE ISSUE IS NOT ON A PUBLIC LIST OF RECALLS BUT RATHER A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT DOES NOT SHOW ON AN ACTIVE RECALL LIST. WE ARE NEW OWNERS TO THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED FROM WAS NOT A KIA DEALERSHIP SO ALERTS DID SHOW ON VEHICLE REPORT. I FEEL A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A SAFETY CONCERN THIS SIGNIFICANT SHOULD BE SHOWN ON A RECALL LIST, WE WERE VERY LUCKY MANY PEOPLE WERE NOT INJURED OR WORSE.
Engine, May 2, 2018
ON MY DRIVE HOME FROM THE CITY, VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A TICKING SOUND. 10 MINUTES AFTER IT STARTED MY CAR WAS SHAKING AND TRUGGING ALONG BARELY. BARELY MADE IT SAFELY INTO A PARKING LOT. AND ONLY PULLED OVER BECAUSE I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. LUCKILY, I HAD NONE OF MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND WAS NOT IN A BUSY AREA. CAR ONLY HAS 30,000+ MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE FAILED. HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AND THEY CLAIMED EVERYTHING LOOKED GREAT IN THE CAR. KIA IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Apr 14, 2018
THE VECHILE KEEPS TURNING OFF AND INSTALLS WHEN DRIVING BUT NOW IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT IT TURNS OFF ND DOSENT WANT TO STARTS UNTIL MINUTES LATER DO TO THAT ONE OF THE THE HEADLIGTHS WHEN OFF ND THYE CHARGING PORTS OF THE VECHILE DDONT WORK. WHEN U STOP IT SEEMS THAT THE TRUCK WANTS TO ACCELERATE IT SELF
Engine, Mar 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 69 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CALLED NAPLETON KIA OF FISHERS AT 317-449-0694 (13417 BRITTON PARK RD, FISHERS, INDIANA, 46038) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Engine, Jan 19, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON RT 18 (HWY)IN NJ, GOING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SIEZED. I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER BUT HAD I JUST STOPPED, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THAT THEY FOUND THE OIL TO BE A LITTLE DIRTY AND THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS FOUND AS WELL. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE METAL SHAVINGS CAUSED A MAJOR RECALL IN 2014 AND OLDER KIA SORENTO'S. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE AS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE 2014 AND OLDER MODELS.
Engine, Jan 11, 2018
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE UP A HILL WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO PUSH THE BRAKE. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR OIL LIGHT OR ANYTHING CAME ON! DRIFTED INTO A PARKING LOT. IT WAS 2 DEGREES OUT. ONE OF THE COLDEST DAYS OF THE YEAR. TOWED THE CAR TO KIA. GAVE THEM 3 OR 4 RECEIPT AS FOR OIL CHANGES. THEY DENIED THE ENGINE FOR WARRANTY! STATING SLUDGE IN ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST AT THE DEALERSHIP 6 MONTHS AGO FOR 6 RECALLS AND THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING BEFORE I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP. EVERY WHERE I LOOK ON THE COMPLAINT FORUMS IS ALL ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS AND ENGINE FAILURES WITH THESE VEHICLES! WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOW THIS! I HAVE NO $ FOR A NEW ENGINE.
Engine, Jan 3, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TURNED OFFNO INDICATION OF ANY KIND ON DASH BOARD JUST AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF
Engine, Nov 16, 2017
A PART WHICH WAS REPLACED DURING A RECALL, FAILED. THE KIA DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $800 TO REPLACE THAT PART. PLUS, NOT COVER A CAR RENTAL. I FEEL THE CHARGE IS UNJUSTIFIED. THE CAR HESITATED AND CUT OFF 300 MILES FROM MY HOME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I FEARED CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR
Engine, Oct 12, 2017
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH SPEED ON NORMANDIE AVE IN TORRANCE CALL TRIPLE FOR THEM TO TOW IT TO KIA DEALER. RECEIVED A CALLED FROM DEALER SAYING THE ENGINE BLOWN OUT. AT 50000 MILES. TECHNICIAN FROM KIA MENTIONED IT'S A RECALL.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 5, 2017
YESTERDAY I WAS APPROACHING A YELLOW LIGHT. THE LIGHT CHANGED TO RED AS I WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE SO I COULD MAKE A LEFT TURN. SUDDENLY THE TRUCK SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. I THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK SO I COULD TRY TO RESTART IT. THE TRUCK RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENCE OF THE TRUCK SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. I HAD ENTERED A LEFT TURNING LANE AND WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING TO TURN LEFT WHEN THE TRUCK SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. I AGAIN PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PLACED THE TRUCK IN PARK. I WAS THEN ABLE TO RESTART THE TRUCK. I REPORTED THE FIRST INCIDENT TO NALLEY KIA STONECREST IN LITHONIA GA WHEN I WAS AT MY SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK.I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT TO THEM SO THEY LOOK INTO IT AT MY UPCOMING SERVICE APPOINTMENT ON OCTOBER 14TH 2017.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE AWARE OF AN ONGOING FAILURE PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE FAILING TO PICK UP SPEED UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO A LIMP MODE OR A FORCED IDLE MODE EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (MONTGOMERY CHEVROLET, 5325 PRESTON HWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40213, (502) 968-6111) AND A SERVICE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO HAD SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, BUT REFUSED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION FOR THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *LN UPDATED 7/23/18*JB
Structure, Engine, Sep 6, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND THAT FLAMES EMERGED FROM THE FLOORBOARD AREA NEAR THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IMMEDIATELY, THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AS THE FRONT END BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 3, 2017
THE KIA SORENTO 2016 MY FAMILY AND WERE DRIVING AND THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" ON A BUSY STREET. WE NEARLY HAS AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHY IT OCCURRED. THEY SAID THEY SECURED THE WIRING AND RETURNED THE CAR TO US. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" AGAIN ON ANOTHER BUSY ROAD AGAIN PUTTING US IN DANGER OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THEY THEN REPLACED THE THROTTLE. WE ARE NOT CONFIDENT IT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN ENGINEER FROM KIA WOULD HAVE TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,200.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Dec 30, 2015
2016 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. *SMD THE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY INTAKE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB
Engine, Nov 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,300.