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: other or unspecified
165 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2021
Paint is rapidly peeling
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2021
My 2016 Kia Sorento is pearl white and the paint is chipping. All over the engine hood and roof of my car. Paint bubbles, cracks and peels off. It’s getting worse rapidly.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2021, fire
NOT SURE !!! We were on the Interstate and all of sudden smoke starting coming out of rear end of our vehicle.Our Car started sounding slow and not sounding good, It was me and my husband in the Car. My husband was driving, I started panicking and told my husband about the smoke coming out of the back of our vehicle. Suddenly we saw "Good People "who were on the Interstate right behind our vehicle. They immediately drove passing our car and shouting loud "Get out, Your Car is on Fire". They stopped ahead of us and started calling 911. We both jumped out in a shock. God was with us on this day!!!
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Jul 13, 2021
The Pearl White paint is chipping off the hood. It looks horrible and needs to be fixed ASAP! The sunroof, back latch and BSD have all been “fixed” by Master Mechanics but they are still not working correctly. The sunroof is slow closing and won’t close all the way. The back latch won’t open most of time without you getting it started. It also makes a horrible noise when it closes. The BSD doesn’t work at all.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2021
Vehicle displayed intermittent overheating on temp gauge. Fans would run for extended period on shutdown. White smoke from exhaust on first start up in the morning. No check engine light. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Failed hydrocarbon test, meaning seal between combustion and coolant compromised. Many complaints online regarding stripped threads in engine block causing bolts to loosen and and seal to fail. Kia is aware of issue and fixes or replaces engine for original owners. Company is knowingly defrauding the public by not issuing service bulletin or recall to original owners to have problem corrected before subsequent ownership. Subsequent owners are left with a $7000 liability on the purchase of a used $15,000-25,000 car, along with an uneasy feeling the same thing may happen to the replacement engine. I am starting a class action law suit in Indiana.
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2021
Paint of my 2016 is chipping off
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2021
I parked the car to wait for my daughter and after she got in the car I couldn't shift out of park.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 27, 2021
Engine started “knocking” while driving. Checked the oil, there was no oil, added oil, and car wouldn’t start back up. Engine smelled like something was burning (electrical burning smell) now I’ve been informed my engine will need to be replaced
Other or unspecified, May 26, 2021
The driver's side rear exterior door handle fell off in my hand. In the event of an emergency, this prevents me from accessing the backseat without going to the opposite side of the vehicle. Upon a google search, there are countless others who have experienced this same issue. I have contacted my local Kia dealership to have this replaced, pending the part is in stock.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 26, 2021
For about a week my car had a terrible smell of fumes, nor air or heat. It then started over heating. I parked it and had it towed go the dealer. It was still under warranty and we were told it was a head gasket issue. Then they tried moving the car and the entire engine blew. The dealer has already had my car a month and told me they have no received a new engine and don't know when they will. After looking into I see many cases where 2016 kia Sorentos are over heating catching fire and blowing up
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2021
THE PAINT NEAR THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD IS PEELING OFF.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 8, 2021
PROBLEM OCCURRED AROUND 115000 MILES. THE PROBLEM SURFACED AS THE HEATER FAILING TO PROVIDE HEAT. INITIAL DIAGNOSIS FROM REPAIR SHOP WAS A CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAK. A SECOND SHOP DIAGNOSIS WAS A BAD THERMOSTAT. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED BUT SEVERAL WEEKS LATER CAR OVERHEATED WITH SMOKE ALSO COMING FROM TAILPIPE
Power train, Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2020
SHIFTS ARE GOING INTO 2ND. DOWN SHIFTS HARD WHEN STOPPING. WHEN I SAY IT SHIFTS ARE IT JERKS. TYPICALLY STOPPED AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING. NOW WILL NOT STOP
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 15, 2020
DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR: SIDE MIRRORS AUTOMATICALLY LOWER WHEN IN REVERSE, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WILL OFTEN AIM TOO LOW--ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN AT THE GROUND. ONCE IN DRIVE, THE MIRROR WILL RESET TO THE INCORRECT POSITION, OFTEN TOO HIGH - AIMING TOWARD THE SKY.
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.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 12, 2020
MY AC/HEATER FAN IS NO LONGER BLOWING OUT AIR. IN ADDITION, WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD.
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2020
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. YOU CAN ONLY O PO ON THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE THEN WHEN HITTING THE LOCK OR UNLOCK ON KEY FOB YOU HEAR A CLICK, CLICK, CLICK NOISE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2020
WHEN DRIVING UP HILL THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE REPLACE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING IMMEDIATELY AS I LIMPED OF THE FREEWAY BARELY SAVING MY LIFE, HAD MY CAR TOWED WHERE I AM UNDER WARRANTEE AND KIA REFUSES TO REPLACE MY ENGINE WHICH BURNS ALMOST EVERY DROP OF OIL IN UNDER 5000 MILES, 66,000 MILES
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2019
I OPENED THE LEFT REAR DOOR AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF. I OPENED THE RIGHT REAR DOOR AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF ALSO. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I PUT THEM BACK ON WHICH WAS DIFFICULT AND UPON ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION WHICH WAS 20 MINUTES AWAY THE SMALLER PART OF THE HANDLE CAME OFF.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2019
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. WHEN INSIDE VECHILE I CAN PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY DOOR AND KEY FOB BUT THE LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE BUTTON FOR THE DRIVERS WINDOW BUTTON ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY EITHER THE DRIVER WINDOW BUTTON STAYS SLIGHTLY UP LIKE IT'S OUT IF PLACE THIS HAPPENED THE SAME MOMENT THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK. I CAN OPEN IT WITH THE INSIDE HANDLE WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2019, crash
S10 DIRECT REPLY - A LETTER FROM A CONSTITUENT WHO SENT IN A COMPLAINT REGARDING ENTERPRISE RENTAL. NOT CONGRESSIONAL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE JOLTED INTO A DITCH. THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING ISSUES HAVING THE VEHICLE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HOME FROM WORK AND HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THEN A SUDDEN EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE TOP OF MY CAR. WHEN I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE ROOF I FOUND THAT MY MOONROOF HAD A HUGE HOLE IN IT AND THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED IN THE FIRST PANEL. I SAW NOTHING KICKED UP FROM ANY VEHICLES WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND UNLESS A METEOR HIT MY CAR THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING BEING DROPPED ON IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I FEEL LIKE THE MOONROOF JUST SHATTERED. IT WAS A HOT DAY BUT THERE WAS NO CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE THAT WERE DRAMATIC.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2019
THIS MORNING 5/8/19, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THE SUNROOF IN MY 2016 KIA SORENTO EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS COVERED IN GLASS ALONG WITH THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER FROM A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AS GLASS KEPT SHATTERING AND BREAKING ON ME. ONCE I GOT HOME, MY HUSBAND CONTACTED PEORIA KIA WHO TOLD US THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CAR AND WE HAD TO CALL KIA OF AMERICA.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2019
MY VIN CANNOT BE FOUND WHEN USING HTE NHTSA RECALL FORM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2019
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE A LOT OF SMOKE