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, Aug 24, 2018
PANORAMIC SUNROOF MALFUNCTIONED A THIRD TIME. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY STATED IT WAS FIXED BUT THIS THIRD TIME THEY DECIDED TO SAY MY CAR WAS SOMEHOW VANDALIZED CAUSING THE SUNROOF NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. SO THAT MEANS THEY WON'T FIX IT ANYMORE. SOUNDS LIKE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME SUNROOF. IF SOMEONE VANDALIZED MY CAR WHY WOULD THEY STAND ON MY SUNROOF TO JUST VANDALIZE IT? SUNROOF WILL OPEN BUT WILL SOMETIMES CLOSE OR NOT AT ALL. THANKS FOR LISTENING.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 19, 2018
WHEN DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AN MY VEHICLE WILL JUST STOP OR GO INTO AN IDLE MODE. THEN MY VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WE WERE ON A 65 MILE AN HOUR HWY AND MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IT WAS VERY SCARY. CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP AN THEY COULD CARE LESS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2018
ROUGH IDLE/ PISTON SLAP ON START UP. DEALER STATED DRIVE TILL IT FAILS NOW THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY STOP(HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES AT RANDOM IT SEEMS) EVERYTHING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS OR CITY STREETS, DOESN'T MATTER.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 13, 2018
WHEN THE IGNITION IS STARTED WITH THE CAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES REALLY HARD AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH 3/4 TANK OF GAS AND 1/4 TANK OF GAS. WITH THE VEHICLE VIBRATING, THE CAR IS PLACED IN "D" DRIVE AND THE FOOT IS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR FOR ACCELERATION BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE IS THEN PLACED BACK INTO "P" PARK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO VIBRATE UNTIL IT SHUTS OFF. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORT TO DEAN MCCRARY KIA IN MOBILE, AL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I WAS TOLD IF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A CODE WHEN IT IS BROUGHT INTO SERVICE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DID EXPLAIN THAT WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURS IT ONLY LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE VEHICLE RUNS OK UNTIL THE ISSUE OCCURS AGAIN.
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.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2017
WE ARE SECOND OWNERS OF A 2016 KIA SORRENTO. DEC 6, 2017, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON A 2LANE HWY WHEN I FELT A VERY SEVERE CLUNK IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I CHECKED THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING UNORDINARY. I DROVE AT DECREASED SPEED (40MPH) FOR ANOTHER 3 MILES WHEN AGAIN THE CAR DID 2 QUICK, HEAVY THUMPS AND THE ENGINE QUIT ALONG WITH ALL POWER AND ELECTRICAL. I GOT IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED, SO I DROVE HOME. I CALLED THE KIA DEALER IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE SERVICE LADY SAID THAT SHE HAD HEARD THE EXACT PROBLEM TWICE BEFORE. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND RELAYED WHAT HIS TEC HAD TOLD ME, THEN DROVE TO THEIR DEALERSHIP (40 MILES) WITH NO PROBLEM, BUT FEAR OF BEING ON HIGHWAY WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY DROVE THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED IT OUT BUT FOUND NO PROBLEMS I CAME HOME AND READ ON THE INTERNET REVIEWS OF KIA APPARENTLY BEING UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS.. IT BECAME MORE APPARENT WHY THE YOUNG LADY I TALKED TO ON THE PHONE SEEMED UNWILLING TO REPEAT OR DISCUSS WHAT SHE HAD TOLD ME. AFTER CONSULTING WITH SEVERAL KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE, THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN INADVERTENT DOWN-SHIFT AND GEARS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY DANGEROUS AND OR DEADLY SITUATION ON THE ROADWAY, AND ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR JUST QUITS AND YOU LOOSE ALL POWER. THE DEALER STATED "BRING IT DIRECTLY IN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN." IF YOU'RE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH TRUCKS, CARS AND BUSSES BEHIND YOU, AT A HIGH SPEED AND IT HAPPENS, YOU'LL BE LUCKY TO SURVIVE IT.... DUH!
Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2017
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 6, 2017
SINCE I'VE BOUGHT THE CAR MOTOR WAS BURNING OIL, MECHANIC SAID THE MOTORS WHERE JUNK AND SINCE I HAVE TO CHANGE MY OIL ONCE A MONTH AND IT STILL CONTINUES TO BURN OIL . MY OIL LIGHT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, I WILL ADD. ALSO SOMETIMES MY CAR STALLS AND DOESN'T WANT TO START OR IS DELAYED. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THROWS THE CODE P0014. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR 3 RECALLS ALREADY AND NOW THEY WON'T FIX ANYTHING SINCE MOTOR IS OVER 60,000 MILES BUT WHEN WE CALL ED BEFORE HAND TO GET IT FIXED THEY SAID THEY NEEDED SO MANY CONSECUTIVE OIL CHANGES AND RECORDS BEFORE THEY DID ANYTHING NOW IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY CONVIENETIY. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER KIA I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY ISSUES.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2017
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MARK JACKOBSON TOYOTA ON OR ABOUT 8/20/2017. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT DATA BASE, THE RECALL FOR THE "REAR ASSIST ARM BRACKET WELD MAY BREAK" WAS ISSUED ON OR ABOUT 7/21/2016. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE NEVER LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE ABOVE VEHICLE OFF THE CAR LOT DUE TO THE POTENTIAL OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WOULD LIKE THIS LETTER TO REPRESENT MY FIRST STEP IN FILLING A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. WE NOTICED THAT HERE WAS A NOISE ON THE SAME DAY THAT THE PAPER WORK FOR THE VEHICLE WAS SIGNED.MY WIFE HAD THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AT THE SAME TIME THE PAPER WAS BEING SIGNED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE A BAD BEARING OR SOMETHING AND INSTRUCTED MY WIFE TO CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE RECEPTIONIST STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER A KIA WARRANTY AND THAT WE NEEDED TO GO TO KIA. IT WAS AT THE KIA DEALER SHIP THAT WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. HOWEVER MARK JACKOBSON PRODUCED A DOCUMENT THAT I HAD SIGNED STATING THE RECALL. BUT I INTERPRETED THE DOCUMENT AS MEANING THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE, OF. I BELIEVE THAT MARK JACOSON IN GOOD FAITH SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAD LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT. THERE WASN'T ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AS SHE ONLY DROVE IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME LAW THAT WOULD PREVENT A DEALERSHIP FROM SELLING A VEHICLE AND THEN ALLOWING THE CUSTOMER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT KNOWING THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL THE HAD NEVER BEEN RESOLVED.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2017, fire
WHILE TRAVEL IN RIGHT MOST LANE NORTH ON 15 IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, NJ, I HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM CAR. IMMEDIATELY ALL POWER WAS LOST. GIVEN ROAD HAD NO SHOULDER, I STOP THE CAR IN THE TRAVEL LANE. TURNED CAR OFF THEN TRIED TO RESTART. ALL DASH LIGHTS LIGHT UP INCLUDED CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK OIL. SMOKE STARTED APPEARING FROM ENGINE BAY. I TURNED IGNITION OFF, GRIPED CELL PHONE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. I GRABBED MY CONSTRUCTION VEST FROM THE TRUCK. VEHICLE WAS STILL SMOKING. OPENED DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND HIT HOOD RELEASE TO CHECK FOR VISUAL DAMAGE. UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS NO VISUAL DAMAGE BUT SMOKE WAS STILL COMING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE. I MOVED A SAFE DISTANCE FROM ROAD/VEHICLE AND CALLED POLICE STATION TO PROVIDED NOTICE OF DISABLED VEHICLE IN TRAVEL LANE. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH POLICE FIRE STARTED FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. NOTIFIED POLICE TO SEND FIRE. FIRE ARRIVED WITHIN 5 MINUTES. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS ALREADY COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. EVEN WITH HEAVY SPRAY FROM FIRE HOSES CAR STILL BURNED FOR ALMOST 30 MINUTES UNTIL ALL GASOLINE FROM VEHICLE TANK WAS BURNED. WHEN HOOKING CAR IT WAS NOTED REAR DRIVESHAFT WAS SHEARED IN HALF. HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/3QY14OO1D-G
Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2017
CAR STALLS OUT AFTER A RED LIGHT STOP OR A STOP SIGN. DOES THIS ON CITY STREETS AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 DIFFERENT TIMES.
Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2016
2016 KIA SORENTO SMELLS LIKE VINEGAR OR ROTTEN SPOIL EGG. TOOK IT TO WHERE I GOT IT FROM AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 99.00 TO AIR OUT THE CAR. I REFUSE TO PAY THAT. MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE DOING IT I SEE OTHER KIA'S ARE DOING IT AND THE SEAT BELT SOMETIME DON'T GO BACK AND GETS STUCK IN THE DOOR. THIS IS A KIA PROBLEM THAT I SHOULDN;T HAVE TO PAY FOR
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2016
THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WILL VIOLENTLY AND SUDDENLY TRY TO MOMENTARILY MOVE EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT FROM ITS NORMAL STRAIGHT AHEAD FORWARD MOVING POSITION. THE MOVEMENT IS MUCH LIKE WHEN A CAR EXPERIENCES A VERY STRONG GUST OF WIND FROM THE SIDE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, EXCEPT IN THESE CASES THERE IS NO OUTSIDE FORCES INVOLVED. THESE EVENTS SEEM TO BE RANDOM WHEN THEY OCCUR WITH NO BRAKING OR HUMAN MOVEMENT TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY WAY. THE EFFECT OF THE EVENT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE NORMAL STRAIGHT LINE FORWARD TRAVEL LANE SUDDENL AND WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE NOTICE, WHICH IS A VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE SITUATION. THE EVENT DISCRIBED HAPPENS CAN OCCUR AT MID TO HIGHER SPEEDS AND ON ALL TYPES OF STREETS, BUT IS MOST DANGEROUS WHEN IT OCCURS AT THE HIGHER SPEEDS OR IN INTER CITY CLOSE CONTACT AREAS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2016
WITH KEYLESS ENTRY/ON/OFF WHEN ENGINE TURNED OFF CAR ROLLS AWAY AS THERE IS NO INTERLOCK ASSURING ME THAT TRANS WAS PUT INTO PARK PROPERLY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 17, 2015
2016 KIA SORRENTO PURCHASED ON JUNE 30, 2015. TIME LINE 6/30/2015- PURCHASED VEHICLE AT FREDY KIA IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. 7/3/15- STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH INDICATOR LIGHTS/BROUGHT IN CAR TO DEALERSHIP 7/11/15- VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WAS UNMOVABLE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. NUMEROUS INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON. 7/11/15-7/14/15- VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP AT FREDY KIA IN HOUSTON TEXAS. I HAD TO RENT A CAR. 7/14/15- PICKED VEHICLE UP AND ONE INDICATOR LIGHT STILL CAME ON (SHOWED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER) 7/16/15- ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS, INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON, THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR AND CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN. CAR WAS TOWED TO WESTSIDE KIA FOR SERVICE.