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: structure
110 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 14, 2021
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR ONE YEAR. THE LAMINATION AND PAINT ARE BUBBLING UP FOR NO REASON. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND IT IS NOT OLD ENOUGH THAT THE PAINT SHOULD BE FAILING. I BELIEVE THE KIA PAINT IS DEFECTIVE. THE PAINT IS BUBBLING UP ON THE REAR HATCH AND ROOF, AS WELL AS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. I FOUND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER KIA OWNERS FOR NO REASON, AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR KIA PAINT DEFECTS.
Structure, Dec 9, 2020
PAINT IS PEELING IN LARGE PORTIONS.
Structure, Nov 4, 2020
EXTERIOR RIGHT REAR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN IT ON STATIONARY VEHICLE. THE SPECIFIC PIECE THAT BROKE OFF IS PLASTIC. THIS PIECE ATTACHES THE MAIN COMPONENT THAT HOLDS THE ENTIRE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY TO THE DOOR.
Structure, Oct 29, 2020
THE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR. THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF ONE NEEDS TO GET INTO VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE DOOR DOES OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON MESSAGE BOARDS AT WWW.CARGURUS.COM. I WILL SUBMIT A 'REPAIR INVOICE LATER AS THE SORENTO IS IN THE DEALERSHIP NOW GETTING THIS REPAIRED. I STARED HAVING THIS ISSUE IN APRIL 2020 AND IT PROGRESSED UNTIL IT WAS A TOTAL FAILURE BY AUGUST 2020
Structure, Oct 5, 2020
PEARL WHITE PAINT STARTED PEELING OFF CAR
Structure, Sep 30, 2020
PAINT CHIPPING ON THE HOOD AND TOP OF MY CAR/ COLOR IS WHITE
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2020
MY 2016 KIA WITH PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING VERY BADLY ON MY HOOD AND ROOF. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR PROBLEM OR DEFECT WITH THE PAINT. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS A ROCK CHIP BUT IT WAS NOT. IT IS SPREADING ALL OVER THE HOOD AND ROOF.
Structure, Aug 3, 2020
PEARL WHITE PAINT ON 2016 KIA SORENTO IS RAPIDLY PEELING OFF SINCE MARCH 2020. ONE HUGE SPOT ON DRIVERS SIDE BUMPER IS THE BIGGEST AND HAS HUGE CHUNKS THAT PEEL OFF. THERE IS ANOTHER SPOT ON THE PASSAGES SIDE BUMPER AND A FEW OTHER SPOTS ON BUMPER AND HOOD THAT ARE STARTING TO BUBBLE UP.
Electrical system, Structure, Jul 28, 2020
TRUNK IS NOT LIFTING ITSELF AND LATCH IS NOT LOCKING. AND WHEN DRIVING THE TRUNK HITS
Structure, Jun 26, 2020
REAR TAILGATE LATCH WILL NOT LOCK, THE ACTUATOR HAS STOP WORKING. I HEAR THE CLICKING BUT NOTHING MOVES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND OF CAUSE NO INFORMATION THAT THIS EXISTS OR HAS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE, WHY BECAUSE THEY WANT YOU BRING IT IN TO THEN CHARGE THE CUSTOMER $450.00 PARTS AND LABOR. I'M SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE.THEY ALSO WON'T GIVE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN DO E.G. THE SMART OPERATION CHECK, ETC....THIS HAPPEN TO ME WHILE TRAVELING FROM KEY WEST BACK HOME TO ST. LOUIS. *TR
Structure, Jun 22, 2020
I BOUGHT MY 2016 KIA SORENTO ON 06/17/2020. BY 06/20/2020 WHEN I GOT HOME AND TRIED LOCKING MY CAR, MY TRUNK DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. IT WILL OPEN AND CLOSE BUT ANYBODY CAN ACCESS MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE TRUNK. AND BECAUSE IT WILL NOT LOCK ITS KEEPIN MY DASHBOARD FLASHING. *TR
Structure, May 31, 2020
PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE IS DISLODGING AND NOT WORKING. CAR WAS PARKED AND IN A DRIVEWAY.
Structure, Engine, Apr 23, 2020, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WE WERE ALERTED BY OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE WAS FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURST IN FIRE. WE CONTACTED KIA MOTORS REGARDING THIS AND THEY SIMPLY DENIED RESPONSIBLY FOR THIS, DEEMING THE CAUSE OF FIRE TO BE UNRELATED TO FAULTY ENGINE COMPONENTS.
Structure, Apr 11, 2020
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN AFTER USING THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR OR USING THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. AFTER USING THE KEY FOB, YOU MUST USE GREAT FORCE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND CLOSE IT SECURELY. WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, WE WERE TOLD THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER I DOUBT THAT. ONCE A DOOR IS UNLOCKED IT SHOULD NOT TAKE GREAT FORCE TO OPEN IT. MY FEAR IS THAT WHILE DRIVING THIS DOOR MAY DISENGAGE AND OPEN WHILE IN TRANSIT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED & THE DEALER IS CLUELESS AS TO HOW TO ADDRESS/CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Sep 22, 2019
2016 KIA SORENTO POWER LIFTGATE WILL NOT ALWAYS OPEN WHEN KEYFOB OR BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR IS PUSHED. I HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN IT AND THEN IT WILL WORK FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR A FEW YEARS. DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE, SO THEY NOTE IT BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY OTHER SORENTOS WITH CUSTOMERS MAKING THE SAME COMPLAINT. VEHICLE IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURS.
Structure, Sep 10, 2019
RIGHT REAR DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE PARKING LOT.
Structure, Jun 8, 2019
PASSENGER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY,AND I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE REFERRING TO THE SAME PROBLEM
Structure, Seats, Engine, Nov 9, 2018, fire
OCTOBER 10, 2018 DROVE CAR INTO DRIVEWAY, SHUT CAR OFF, PARKED, WENT INTO HOUSE FOR ABOUT 2 MINS, CAME BACK TO CAR, IT WAS SMOKING FROM UNDER HOOD. I TURNED ON FAUCET IN GARAGE, AND SPRAYED WATER ON CAR. CALLED 911. WITHIN 2 MINS, I SAW FIRST SPARK, LEFT AREA, RAN OVER TO MY SISTERS HOUSE, NEXT DOOR, ON PHONE WITH 911 AND WITHIN 4 MINS OF CAR SMOKE, BURST INTO FLAMES, 2 EXPLOSIONS. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED WITH IN 10 MINS OF SMOKE DETECTION. FLAMES HIGHER THAN THE HOUSE. CAR TOTALED, AND HOUSE SIDING MELTED AWAY FROM HOUSE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Aug 4, 2018, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE IN GA (I-75 SOUTHBOUND). TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP; I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED AT 70MPH BY A 3500 DODGE RAM. I WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. MY DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, NOT A SINGLE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THIS CAUSED MY FACE TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH BROKE MY JAW IN TWO PLACES, DISLODGED TEETH AND CAUSED ME TO TEMPORARILY BLACK OUT. MY JAW REQUIRED EMERGENCY SURGERY AND I NOW HAVE A PLATE AND FOUR SCREWS IN MY JAW FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE - I'M 25 YEARS OLD. IN ADDITION TO THE PHOTOS BELOW, I HAVE DASH CAM FOOTAGE OF THE ACCIDENT AS IT HAPPENED WHICH I CAN PROVIDE. MY EMAIL IS [XXX] I CAN EMAIL IT IF NEEDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 4, 2018
MY KIA SORENTO 2016 HATCH DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE TO GET IN AND CRAWL OVER TWO ROW TO GET UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. SINCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPING TO OTHER PEOPLE.
Structure, Mar 18, 2018
PARTS OF MY CAR ARE FALLING OFF, FIRST THE BUMPER GUARD ON THE FRONT,THE BOLTS CAME OFF AND HAD TO BE REPLACED,WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, THEN THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFFSEVERAL MONTHS AGO NOW SOMETHING CALLED THE WIN SOMETHING FELL ON MY FEET AS I WASDRIVING HOME TODAY. IT DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT THAT ITEMS SHOULD JUST FALL OFF OF A CAR!!THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR . I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW.
Structure, Jan 2, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE SUNROOF OVER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EXPLODED SENDING GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE AT LOWER SPEEDS TO THE SMITH KIA DEALERSHIP IN BELLINGHAM, WA AND ARE AWAITING REPAIRS.
Structure, Dec 29, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE SUNROOF OVER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EXPLODED SENDING GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE AT LOWER SPEEDS TO THE SMITH KIA DEALERSHIP IN BELLINGHAM, WA AND ARE AWAITING REPAIRS.
Structure, Dec 29, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE SUNROOF OVER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EXPLODED SENDING GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE AT LOWER SPEEDS TO THE SMITH KIA DEALERSHIP IN BELLINGHAM, WA AND ARE AWAITING REPAIRS.
Structure, Dec 29, 2017
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE SUNROOF OVER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EXPLODED AND SENT GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE AT LOWER SPEEDS TO THE SMITH KIA DEALERSHIP IN BELLINGHAM, WA AND ARE AWAITING REPAIRS. WE FOUND AN ARTICLE FROM CONSUMER REPORTS THAT DETAILS HOW THERE GLASS ROOF FAIL AND FOUND A LINK TO HOW TO FILE THE NTSB REPORT.