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
1,251 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Aug 11, 2024
I own a 2016 Sorento SXL AWD and this issue just started. I work evening shift and get off at 11pm. I always have the lights set to "auto", while driving home on a rural road at night and the headlights switch off on their own. I have to manually switch the lights off and back to auto for them to come back on. Potentially dangerous situation and Kia should issue a recall. Can find any recall but have done research and find it is an on going issue seems be be a multi function switch.
Structure, Aug 8, 2024
Body paint has started peeling. Local Kia dealership acknowledged frequency of defect however corporate denied claim due to being outside of original warranty. Advised to pay for new paint with possibility of reimbursement.
Engine, Aug 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated, with an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to a lack of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the previous oil change was approximately three weeks before the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,990.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 7, 2024
My left headlamp always goes off. The lights go off all the time. I changed the bulb but its Not it. It the faulty light cable connections. I replace higher lights 12000k and the left light cable never stays on. Cause the left light cable is crap and never probably done. So i bought a lemon new off the lot
Power train, Aug 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle failed to shift into an intended gear, and was stuck in park(P). The contact placed a screwdriver in the shifter to manually shift into the intended gear to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2024
I keep having problems with the brake lights and all of the back lights, have fixed or replaced them 7 to 8 times in the last 2 years, and my passenger door will not lock, know another person that has a Kia that has the same problem
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2024
while driving at night the headlights will go out. it has done so several times in the past. it is very scary when it happens on the freeway. Also the brake lights, specifically the drivers side, will stop working about every 2 weeks or so. I replace it and shortly after, it will stop working.
Power train, Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jul 20, 2024
The problem started after a quick stop at a convenient store on the way to work. After starting the engine the vehicle would not shift from park. I was able to bypass this after a quick Internet search by removing a small cover near the stick shut and a small straw to bypass the shift control. I've had the car twice at the mechanics without a diagnosis as to a possible cause and was able to have the mechanic permanently disabled the shift lock but was warned the vehicle could be shifted to drive or neutral at any time and moved with a key. About a month later I found myself without headlights and shortly after this without wiper controls. Another visit to my mechanic would this time show the problems, shift lock, headlights and wipers were all from a faulty PCM. My mechanic has shipped my PCM out twice for repair but both time only caused the replacement part to blow. It's not suggested they use the dealer to further repair the problem. I've been 3 weeks without my vehicle and it's another week before the earliest availability from my local dealer. I'm only hoping now it's not a long backorder to gets the parts necessary to fix my vehicle. I have also read this has been a common problem and costly repair with other 2016 Kia Sorento owners.
Power train, Jul 15, 2024, crash
The button on the gear shift will not push in to move the shifter out of park.
Engine, Jul 11, 2024
Was driving the vehicle down the highway going about 65mph. Vehicle went into limp mode, check engine light came on and started flashing. There was no warning signs prior to this! Had the vehicle towed home and threw a code reader on it, to find the code P1326 come up. Says it's a code for knock sensor. After reading other forums found that most likely I will need to replace the engine. I have only had this vehicle for 2 months!! It is the same 2.4L engine that has been recalled on several other Kia vehicle but not mine. I bought this vehicle to have a reliable vehicle for my family and now I will be out more money!
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2024
While driving on the parkway, the vehicle would not accelerate and would stall. After pulling over, vehicle would restart but repeated the pattern. Made it to Advanced Auto who ran codes and had the camshaft modulator changed. Vehicle made it back onto parkway. 40 miles from home, the vehicle began to shake, loose power, made loud sound and died. Towed home. Mechanic said out of oil but I had oil changed less than 1000 miles ago when vehicle purchased. New codes showed crankshaft position sensor. Changed part. Replaced starter and a new battery. Still nothing. Stating probable engine failure. I've only owned this vehicle for 2 months!
Engine, Jul 9, 2024
Engine rapidly burns and leaks motor oil. Can lose more that a quart a week in an engine that holds 5 quarts and has about 60k miles. Metal fragments found in every oil change while consistently topping off between each change.
Power train, Jul 1, 2024
Car will not shift, I have to manually release it. It just started happening very randomly. I constantly have to release it with a screw driver.
Exterior lighting, Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear brake lights became inoperable on several occasions. The contact was pulled over due to the rear lights being inoperable. The contact noticed that the sockets for the bulbs had overheated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the bulbs. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Engine, Jun 27, 2024
Engine failed due to apparent head gasket leak. Incident happened on [XXX] near Richmond, Kentucky. Failure of engine caused loss of speed and power. Fortunately, an exit was available to get the car off the road quickly. We had to tow the car home and replace the engine at a cost of $8,000. Kia has had to recall 4 cylinder engines for this year. They should be recalling the 6 cylinder engine as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Jun 27, 2024
The engine seized while driving. No check engine light turned on or oil pressure light illuminated prior to seizure. This happened on 5/11/2023. I had the oil changed on 4/20/2023 and regularly checked the oil levels because of previous oil consumption issues. Previously, I completed oil changed on 6/17/22, 7/27/22, and brought it to a KIA dealership on 8/1/22 for oil consumption issues. They completed a valve gasket cover replacement at that time which I paid out of pocket. The vehicle continued to have oil consumption issues after that repair and which eventually lead to the engine failure. Kia refused to replace the engine under warranty or recall and it cost me $7,494 to replace the engine at the dealership.
Steering, Jun 24, 2024
At driving speeds steering catches with no control for a few seconds during slight turns. Has happened multiple times. Took to mechanic and was told there was an overheat code showing that could only be resolved through Kia software.Took to Kia dealership in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and was told it would resolve by putting in an actual Kia battery, $500+. Had no issues for 2 months Then happened twice. Took Back to the same dealership and was told needed new steering column $1,000+. As of today, my Sorrento is at the dealership in St. Cloud, Minnesota Waiting for part. 6/24/2024
Engine, Jun 24, 2024
I change my oil regularly and driving my car started knocking and I let a mechanic checked it and he said the engine was blown and I didn't understand why that happened. it was not out of oil and I still don't know why it happened
Engine, Jun 20, 2024
Was driving down the street no lights on the dashboard no overheating no warnings whatsoever and I heard a click and the engine just went out and the Dashboard lit up if this had happened on the expressway, it could’ve been very dangerous It appears the engine is seized, but it had oil . Apparently, this is become a common problem with this vehicle. Once they hit over 100,000 miles.
Engine, Jun 19, 2024
Engine lost power while driving at normal speed(45 mph). Car will not start after stalling after coming to stop. This is after three years of massive oil usage and dozens of spark plug failures. Dealer and manufacturer were made aware of situation. They couldn't or wouldn't replace engine unless it completely failed or caught fire. Now that it has failed, it is beyond the "warranty". Researching this model year, it is obvious they have an issue that needs to be addressed.
Engine, Jun 19, 2024
I was burning oil in my car. I had put oil in my sorento every 1000 miles. I had ask the service dept about when I had 92000 miles. She then informed me that was normal and if I had put more oil in there that I might have a problem. I thought I was under warranty at that time through Kia but was informed that I didn’t have warranty unless I bought it extra. I gave over 109783 miles on it now and blown a rod. I got a tune up about 2 weeks ago and they told me I burning oil and they thought I might have a leak inside the motor possibly in one my rods. A week after I got a tune I blew a rod. I have read that sorento are known to have these problems. What they said they built the engines and never fixed the problem they had on blowing there engine. They’d said they don’t drill there heads properly. They don’t allow enough oil into cylinders and the engine blows. I have put oil in the car every 1000 miles . I should not have replace that much oil all the time.
Structure, Jun 17, 2024
The paint color - white pearl- is peeling off the hood of the car.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 16, 2024
Engine overheating, no warning lights. Changed thermostat, no change, new radiator- some improvement but still getting hot. Oil and coolant levels were fine. Got it tested and they told us we needed a new engine. We just had purchased the car and we just barely missed it being covered under warranty. This leading us to search forums for others that have had this issue with Kia Sorento 3.3 engine. Turns out there are quite a a few due to the head bolts coming loose, leaking head gasket, and ultimately ruining the engine. We are paying for a vehicle that is not drivable due to faulty parts by design. We were not made aware of this issue or that it may need to be repaired otherwise we would have steered clear of KIA. Will not be buying a KIA ever again. So many issues and no accountability for their mistakes.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 14, 2024
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle in February of this year, we started to notice that oil was burning off quickly. We took it to be looked at and was notified that there was no signs of a leak. After that incident all of the warning lights came on on the dashboard. We took it again to be seen where we were told that it was burning oil again and that the oil was low. We had the oil refilled and on our way home the car completely seats and shut down loosing all power on the highway. We lost all control of the power steering, braking system, and the power to the whole car shut off. We had the car towed to a repairman who looked over the car and said that the engine is completely seized with no notable signs of damage but that it would require an entire engine replacement. We notified Kia about the problem and that it was something that was known to happen with the engine and they refused to cover it or do any type of repair. The car is now non-functionable with a complete seizure of the engine.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2024
The Snow White Pearl paint is coming off of the vehicle due to issue of the paint is not adhering to the sealant coat on the car. This is causing big chunks of paint being removed when it rains heavily. KIA knows about this issue, when I talked to a manager at their body shop he informed me that this is a ongoing issue with this paint color. KIA doesn't want to take ownership of the problem.