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: exterior lighting
67 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Apr 23, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT THE CAR LIGHTS WILL TURN ON. THE LIGHTS ARE IN THE "AUTO" MODE. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE DAYLIGHT ISSUE BUT NOT THE NIGHT. BOTH CORPORATE AND DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY CAN "JUST CHANGE PARTS". WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO DO A RECALL? SOMEONE TO DIE AT NIGHT? AN ACCIDENT? THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON MY CAR @ 40,000, THEN 51,000 AND NOW AT 62,000 MILES. THEY ARE CLAIMING NO LONGER A WARRANTY ITEM EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN IN THERE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NUMEROUS OF THESE COMPLAINTS OUT THERE, A RECALL OF THE K900 WAS COMPLETED FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND SAME YEAR VEHICLES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Feb 20, 2019
I'VE SEEN A FEW REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS ON HOW KIA'S (SORENTO'S IN PARTICULAR) HAVE BEEN LOSING THEIR HEADLIGHTS FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME, BUT JUST ON MY DRIVER SIDE FORTUNATELY. THE MAIN BULB IS NOT ILLUMINATING AND WILL NOT COME ON. I CHANGED THE BULB AND THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I LOOKED AT THE OLD BULB I REPLACED AND IT WAS FINE, NOTHING WAS SHOT OR BURNT OUT. I HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SAYING THIS COULD BE A CONNECTOR PROBLEM WHICH IN FACT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BULB ITSELF. SEEING THAT THIS CAN COME UP SPONTANEOUSLY WORRIES ME AND A LOT OF OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHO WOULD NEED TO TRAVEL AT NIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA AND BE MADE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THIS HAPPENS ON PRACTICALLY NEWER VEHICLES (MY MILEAGE IS 31000) I WILL REFRAIN FROM KEEPING MY LIGHTS ON THE "AUTO" SETTING (WHICH WILL BE A WASTE OF MONEY NOW) SINCE THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR FROM HAVING THE LIGHTS ON THIS SETTING. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED DUE TO HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST (REPLACING THE ENTIRE LIGHT FIXTURE ~ $600) AND THIS NOT COVERED BY THEIR WARRANTY EITHER (ANOTHER WASTE OF MONEY IF PURCHASED) I WILL BE RECONSIDERING MY CHOICE WITH KIA COME NEXT AUTO PURCHASE.
Exterior lighting, Jan 30, 2019
MY OUTER LIGHT BULB FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO THE MAIN LIGHTS IS OFF. I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO BUY A NEW BULB BUT WHEN THEY CHECKED IT AND MOVED THE BULB A BIT IT TURNED ON. TECH SAID IT'S NOT THE BULB BUT THE CONNECTOR. THAT THEY'RE USUALLY MELTING NOT CONNECTING CORRECTLY. ENDING FRYING THE WHOLE FRONT LIGHTS. THAT IT KEEPS OCCURING.. I CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND NONE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Jan 16, 2019
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AND THEN LOSE POWER. TOOK IT IN THEY SAID NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. 450.00 TO FIX TAILGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ALL WENT OUT WITHIN A WEEK OF EACH OTHER. WHEELS SENSORS KEEP SAYING LOW TIRES EVEN AFTER NEW TIRES OUT ON.
Exterior lighting, Dec 31, 2018
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATES, AND AT BOTH LOW OR HIGHER SPEEDS THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTING WILL TURN OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SPECIFICALLY AFTER SUNSET WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY DARK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR AT MY LOCAL KIA DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THERE IS AN "OPEN CIRCUIT IN IPM (FUSE BLOCK)." I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND MAKE ALL THE VEHICLES SAFE FOR MY FAMILY, MYSELF AND FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ON THE ROAD WHO COULD END UP IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2018
HEADLIGHTS CUTTING OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT . TOOK TO KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY LIGHT SWITCH LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN . IT WAS REPLACED . ONE WEEK LATER , IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING , THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO DID THE ORIGINAL REPAIR COULD NOT GET IT IN TO LOOK AT FOR 2 WEEKS . THIS MORNING WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE DARK , WHEN HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN , THIS TIME THE DASH LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT . THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ASAP. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 17, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHILE MY HEADLIGHTS ARE IN AUTO POSITION THEY WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN CLICK BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. THE LAST TIME, WAS WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Engine, Aug 1, 2018
MULTIPLE TIMES I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG, AND AT EITHER A SLOW SPEED OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF. THIS IS NOT SAFE! ALSO 2 TIMES THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE NOT COME ON IN THE DARK EVEN IF YOU TURN THEM ON YOURSELF NOTHING COMES ON AND ITS BEEN DARK DRIVING WHEN THAT'S HAPPENED! I'M WORRIED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND CHILDREN IN THIS CAR, AND THE DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE DEPT DO NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT IN LOOKING ONLINE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS COMPLAINT AS WELL! IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME AT A HIGH SPEED OR DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND INJUR PEOPLE! PLEASE HELP!
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
Exterior lighting, Apr 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,800.
Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2018
BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT, SIMULTANEOUSLY, WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SCARED THE [XXX] OUT OF ME. HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED WHICH SAVED ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2017
XENON HID HEADLIGHTS AUTO ADJUSTING, DRIVING DOWN HILLS THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DROP SHARPLY TO ABOUT 27 FT. IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, FRANK PETROZZI OF GRIECO KIA OF JOHNSTON RI AND DISTRICT MANAGER, BARRY ZOLL FROM KIA MOTORS AMERICA 732-372-8295 AT NIGHT.11/8/2017, SO THEY COULD SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THEY TELL ME THAT THIS IS THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK, AND ARE WORKING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO CORRECT IT. TODAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MR. TREVOR MY CASE MANAGER FROM KIA 800-333-4542. MY CASE # 12462124. MR. TREVOR WAS SORRY THAT HE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ARE WORKING AS SPECIFICATION AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE NEW KIA SXL SORENTO'S HAVE NEW HEADLIGHTS, BUT WILL NOT FIT IN MY VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT KIA SHOULD CORRECT. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS ISSUE CORRECTED, THRU KIA MOTORS, SINCE JULY 26,2017
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, HEADLIGHTS TURN ON IN DAYLIGHT (WITH BRIGHT SKY ON DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY) AND STAY ON WHILE ON AUTO WITH CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED DASHBOARD LIGHT SENSORS. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A POSSIBLE CAUSE OR FIND ANY RECURRING CONDITIONS THAT MAY TRIGGER THIS. I TOOK THE CAR AS WELL AS A VIDEO OF THE ISSUE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER (HORNE KIA, GILBERT, AZ) AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY TESTED THE LIGHT SENSORS AND THEY ARE WORKING FINE. I NOTICED THE ISSUE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT AROUND 15,000 MILES BUT I DIDN'T PAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO IT. AT 20,000 MILES, I MADE A VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE FOR MY RECORDS (AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST). THE CAR HAS ALMOST 40.000 MILES NOW AND THE ISSUE PERSISTS. THANKS!
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Dec 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEAD LAMPS FLICKERED AND TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A LOANER VEHICLE TO DRIVE, BUT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 09/07/2017*JS
Exterior lighting, Dec 7, 2015
NO ACCIDENT OR ANY SUCH THING HAS HAPPENED YET BUT I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS AS THEY ARE TOO EASILY COVERED WITH MUD WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS. I WAS DRIVING TO ANOTHER CITY 2 HOURS AWAY AND IT GOT DARK OUT AND WHEN I NOTICED I COULDN'T REALLY SEE AHEAD OF ME VERY FAR AND I KNOW THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE AMAZING. SO I STOPPED AND SURE ENOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALL COVERED WITH SPATTER FROM OTHER VEHICLES TIRES SPLASHING THE WET ROAD UP ONTO THEM. FINALLY AFTER CLEARIN THE MUD OFF OF THE HEADLIGHTS I COULD SEE AGAIN FAR IN FRONT OF ME. BUT NOT EVEN 30 MINUTES LATER DID I HAVE TO STOP AGAIN TO CLEAR OFF THE HEADLIGHTS SO I COULD SEE IN FRONT OF ME.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Dec 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS WERE ACTIVATED, BUT THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT, HEAD LAMPS, REAR LAMPS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING CONSOLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH TO THE LOW BEAMS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,604.