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: vehicle speed control
62 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (REDDING KIA 418 E. CYPRESS AVENUE, REDDING, CA 96002), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN PRESSING THE CANCEL BUTTON. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE DEPRESSED TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REGAL KIA OF LAKELAND, FLORIDA, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. ... .UPDATED 11/16/17 *BF UPDATED 11/28/2017*JS
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, May 25, 2017
ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL ON ON THE HIGHWAY.AFTER EITHER TOUCHING MY BRAKE OR TOUCHING THE CANCEL BUTTON THE CONTROL CANCELLED ITSELF.HOWEVER 5 TIMES GOING UP THE HILL BY MY HOUSE AND ONCE ON A SIDE STREET THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ITSELF AND STARTED TO SPEED UP I ASSUME TO HIGHWAY SPEED.AT ALL TIMES I TOUCHED THE BRAKE OR CANCEL BUTTON AND IT SHUT OFF. I JUST FELL UNEASY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I FEAR ONE DAY I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SHUT IT OFF.I AM AN A WELL EXPERIENCED DRIVER I HAVE DRIVEN EVERYTHING FROM MOTORCYCLES TO BUSES AND TRACTOR TRAILERS OVER 50 YEARS AND THIS CONCERNS ME.
Vehicle speed control, May 4, 2017
MY CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION MULTIPLE TIMES RECENTLY ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE I WAS GETTING READY TO MERGE AND WAS SLOWING DOWN WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND MAKING A REVVING SOUND. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 6, 2017
I TOOK MY 2016 KIA SORENTO IN 2MOS (3/16) AFTER I PURCHASED FOR ACCELERATION ISSUES. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS LUNGING WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE RPM'S WOULD GO TO 5-6 THEN DROP TO 0, THEN STABILIZE AT 2. KIA DID SOME RE-COMPUTER PROGRAM TO ADDRESS ISSUE. IT IS STILL NOT RESOLVED BUT WAS NOT AS BAD AFTER THE RE-PROGRAMING. WELL, NOW IT IS REALLY BAD SO TOOK IT BACK (4/17) BECAUSE IT STALLS ON ACCELERATION. I WAS TRYING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY, ACCELERATED KIA STALLED AGAIN RPM'S UP TO 5-6 DOWN TO 0, BUT HAD TO QUICKLY MOVE TO SHOULDER OR SEMI-TRUCK WOULD HAVE HIT ME. ONCE I STOPPED AND STARTED AGAIN, IT ACCELERATED. YESTERDAY, 4/5/17, DRIVING TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON NJ E. I-78, WAS IN MIDDLE LANE MERGED TO LEFT LANE TO PASS (60 MPH), ACCELERATED KIA STALLED (RPMS UP THEN DOWN), I HAD TO BRAKE TO INDICATE TO CAR BEHIND ME OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A HORRIFIC CRASH BECAUSE THIS ROADWAY CARRIES A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF SEMI'S. I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE AND MY HEART WAS RACING!! I WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK TO CENTER LANE WHERE I REMAINED. THE KIA KEPT HAVING THE ACCELERATION ISSUE ALL THE WAY TO WORK AND ON THE WAY HOME SO I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN REPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT I AM NOT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS RESOLVED. I SEE ON LINE THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND NO RECALL??!! I GUESS SOMEONE HAS TO DIE FIRST. NHTSA YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE LOSSES THEIR LIFE. THIS IS NOT SOME SMALL PROBLEM. KIA CERTAINLY IS NOT INTERESTED IN BEING PRO-ACTIVE. THE SERVICE AND SALES PEOPLE SAID "WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE" MY REPLY "YOU BETTER LOOK ON LINE AT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS". OF COURSE THEY WANTED TO USHER ME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM TO A "QUIET TABLE" SO OTHER PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WON'T HEAR. WORD OF MOUTH MY FRIENDS, WORD OF MOUTH. SAD A SALE MEANS MORE TO KIA THEN A LIFE!!
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.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 19, 2016
VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY. VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AS IN NHTSA RECALL # 15V-089 AND MANUFACTURER RECALL #SC115. THE MANUFACTURE DATE FOR THE AUTOMOBILE ON THE DOOR STICKER IS FEBRUARY 16, 2015 -- WHICH IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL DATES FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED RECALLS.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,123.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 11, 2016
MY NAME IS [XXX] REASON IM PUTTING THIS COMPLAINT NOW CUZ I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY 2016 SORENTO KIA 5TIMES TO LOCAL DEALERS TO FIX SPEED PEDAL CUZ ITS NOT WORKING LAST FRIDAY 07/8/2016 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND A BIG TRUCK WAS BEHIND ME WELL I PRESS GAS PEDAL DINT WORK ON ME TRUCK ALMOST HIT ME I TOOK MY KIA SORENTO FOR THE 5 TIME TO SANTA ANA KIA AND THEY SAID THEY TEST DRIVE VEHICLE AND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT I ASK TO PUT THAT ON WRITING NOW I WILL SICK HELP FOR LEMON LAW VEHICLE I CHECK WEBSITE I WAS HAPPY TO SEE MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINING FOR THE SAME REASON AND I WAS MORE CALM THINKING THAT I WAS GOING CRAZY CYZ KIA DEALER NECER FOUND A PROBLEM AND THAT IS A RECALL GOING ON FOR THE SPEED PEDAL AND THIS PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR KIA GOOOO KILL UR SELF ON THE FREEWAY PEOPLE OUT THERE CHECK YOUR KIA SORENTO TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE I WILL STARTED A LAW SUITE AGAINST THIS PEOPLE THEY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE UR VEHICLE LETS DO CLASS "ACTION LAW SUIT" IM TIRED OF GET THEM TO COMPLIED WITH THE LAW REGULATIONS BUT THIS KIA PEOPLE NEED A LAW SUIT NOWWWWWWW. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V089000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.