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.
Steering, Apr 10, 2021
STEERING STICKS CAUSES DRIVER TO JERK THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE IN MOTION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AT ANY SPEED ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD AND HAPPENS WHILE TURNING OR STRAIGHT. . DEALER STATED NEEDS WHOLE NEW MDPS STEERING COLUMN ASSY. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS UNDER THE KIA FORUMS. RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP! HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 3 + YEARS NOW.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2021
THE PAINT NEAR THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD IS PEELING OFF.
Engine, Apr 9, 2021
WHILE TRAVELING 700+ MILES FROM HOME, ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF TRAVELING AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. AFTER KNOCKING STARTED FOUND CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 68K MILES AND WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2016.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Apr 8, 2021, crash
THERE ARE NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES I HAVE FOUND WITH THIS CAR I JUST FINANCED. FIRST, AT RANDOM MANY DIFFERENT LIGHTS JUST BLOW, THEN ON MY DASH VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS WILL GO ON AND OFF, ON TOP OF THAT MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF FOR NO REASON AND SO ARE MY PASSENGER AIR BAGS. MY BRAKES SCREAM SOMEDAYS AND ARE TOUCHY OTHERS IVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND ONLY OWNED IT 3 MONTHS. I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES YET THE SUSPENSION IS AWFUL THE FUEL IS GOING FAST AND MY OIL NEEDS CHANGING VERY OFTEN AND IT IS UNDER 100000 MILES.
Engine, Apr 6, 2021, fire
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. ONCE PULLED OVER LOWER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WAS NOTED. PROPER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED THROUGH OUT LIFE OF OWNERSHIP
Engine, Apr 5, 2021
MY ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY ENGINE LOST POWER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON THE CAR.
Engine, Apr 5, 2021
MY ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY ENGINE LOST POWER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON THE CAR.
Steering, Apr 4, 2021
STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY STICKS
Power train, Engine, Mar 28, 2021
I'M HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN MY 2016 KIA SORENTO EX AWD. JUST YESTERDAY I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TIRE ROTATION AND COOLANT FLUSH. ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS HAD LET ME KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL AND I'M GOING TO NEED A NEW OIL PRESSURE SWITCH AND A NEW DRAIN PAN SINCE THAT'S WHERE IT'S LEAKING FROM. FOR A PRICE OF $425. UPON LOOKING AND SCOURING THE INTERNET IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA AND JUST THE STEP BEFORE OF ENGINE FAILURE. I DON'T KNOW WHY NHTSA DOESN'T MAKE THIS A STANDARD RECALL CONSIDERING THE SPORTAGE HAS THE SAME RECALL AVAILABLE. I MEAN IT'S A KNOWN FACT KIA ENGINES ARE LACKING IN OIL ,CATCHING ON FIRE AND FAILING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED TO BE REST ASSURE WITH MY UNEASINESS ABOUT BUYING A USED CAR AND I'VE BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP GETTING REPAIRS LEFT AND RIGHT. I'M NOT EVEN AT 60,000 MILES AND THAT'S HOW LUDICROUS THIS IS! GRANTED THE FIRST PERSON WHO OWNED THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST IT RATHER PUT 19,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S ALREADY BEEN IN FOR SERVICE WITH THE TRANSMISSION I NEEDED A TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THANK GOODNESS AND NOW THIS OIL LEAK FROM THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH AND OIL PAN NEEDS TO ALSO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT I'M OUT OF LUCK. THERE'S THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME DARN PROBLEM.
Steering, Mar 25, 2021
I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. WHILE AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH AND IN TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS. AND FEELS LIKE IT PULLS EVEN HARDER. SO I HAVE TO GIVE IT A TUG IN THE TURN OR STOP IT FROM CROSSING INTO ANOTHER LANE. TRYING THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN.
Engine, Mar 23, 2021
CAR IS CONSUMING TONS OF OIL. MECHANIC SAID COMMON WITH THIS CAR. OIL GETTING INTO SPARK PLUGS. OIL SUDDENLY EMPTY FREQUENTLY.
Engine, Mar 19, 2021
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ABNORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION. LOW OIL LIGHT BRIEFLY ILLUMINATED ON VEHICLE 1,000 MILES BEFORE OIL CHANGE WAS EVEN DUE. LOOKED AND OIL DIP STICK WAS DRY / EMPTY. REFILLED WITH 5 QUARTS OF OIL AND TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. LOCAL DEALERSHIP REFERRED ME TO KIA FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST.
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 16, 2021
TAILGATE ELECTRIC RELEASE FAILS TO UNLATCH THE TAILGATE. PULLING THE EMERGENCY RELEASE DOES NOT OPEN THE TAILGATE EITHER. A WARNING APPEARS IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER SUGGESTING THAT THE TAILGATE IS NOT CLOSED, AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SIGNAL THAT ALL DOORS ARE COMPLETELY LOCKED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY A KIA DEALER.
Engine, Mar 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER KIA GARDEN GROVER LOCATED AT 13731 HARBOR BLVD, GARDEN GROVE, CA 92843, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Structure, Mar 14, 2021
REAR POWER LIFT GATE DOOR ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DOORS NOT OPENING WHEN TRYING TO OPEN USING KEY FOB, INSIDE BUTTON OR REAR ON DOOR BUTTON CAR IS PARKED AND NOT MOVING. DOORS TRYING TO OPEN BUT GIVING UP AND STAYING CLOSED. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THAT MECHANISM AND NUMEROUS OWNERS HAS SAME PROBLEM AND COMPLAINING ABOUT IT ON MANY FORUMS AND CAR DEALERS WEB PAGES. MY CAR WAS AT THE DEALER AND HE RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE LATCH ASSEMBLY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.
Service brakes, Mar 11, 2021
THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF MY DASHBOARD FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. IT WILL BE ON ONE DAY AND THEN OFF THE NEXT OR ON FOR A FEW DAYS THEN SHUT OFF. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SEEN THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2021
TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THE RPM KEEP GOING HIGHER. NOTHING HELPS NOT EVEN LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS RURAL ROADS
Engine, Mar 9, 2021
USES AND TAKES SO MUCH OIL EVERY 1-2 WEEKS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE TO REPLACE MY SPARK PLUS BECAUSE OF THE OIL GETTING INTO THEM. I'VE HAD 8 PLUGS GO BACK SO FAR IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. I'VE HAD MY SORENTO FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. REGRETTING GETTING A KIA. LOVE THE CAR BUTT THE OIL AND REPAIRS AND THE FACT IT COULD CATCH FIRE ???? YEAH I DON'T LET MY KIDS RIDE IN IT ANYMORE. KIA SHOULD BE ASHAMED ! FIX OUR CARS NOW.
Power train, Engine, Mar 3, 2021
STARTED GOING UP A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY AND MY CAR STARTED JUMPING AND IMMEDIATELY DECREASED SPEED. IT WOULD NOT GO AND KEPT SKIPPING, LIKE A STOP AND GO TYPE OF DEAL. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTING FLASHING AND I HAD TO PULL OVER. AFTER I GOT MY CAR TOWED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD ZERO OIL IN IT. LIKE BONE DRY BUT WITH ZERO LEAKS ANYWHERE. THE MECHANIC CHECKED EVERYTHING TWICE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING ELSE WAS INTACT AND IT WAS. MY OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON AND IT NEVER SMOKED OR OVERHEATED. I HAD ZERO INDICATION THAT THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE OIL. I WAS 900+ MILES FROM MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT WAS LIKE THE OIL EVAPORATED INTO THIN AIR. WE ARE COMPLETELY BAFFLED AS TO WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE ANY OIL IN IT. BECAUSE OF NO OIL, A PISTON BROKE AND THE ENGINE THREW A ROD AND IT IS RUINED. MY CAR NEEDS A WHOLE NEW ENGINE NOW. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE CAR WAS NO OIL AND THAT IT WAS LIKE IT JUST DISAPPEARED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OIL RESIDUE ANYWHERE.
Engine, Feb 23, 2021
THE ENGINE IS USING MORE THAN 2 QUARTS OF OIL PER 1000 MILES.
Engine, Feb 23, 2021
THE MOTOR OIL DISAPPEARS IT'S LIKE IT JUST EVAPORATES INTO THIN AIR. IT WILL BE BONE DRY AND I HAVE NO LEAKS. I HAVE TO CHECK IT ABOUT EVERY 2 WEEKS AND REFILL IT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.
Engine, Feb 18, 2021
THE ISSUE BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES AND IS ONGOING. THE ENGINE BURNS EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES; UP TO SIX QUARTS. THERE ARE NO OIL LEAKS. THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE ON ACCELERATION AND LOSES POWER. I HAD THE VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED IN APRIL 2020. THE ISSUES PERSISTED FOLLOWING THE REPAIR.
Structure, Feb 17, 2021
EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE STICKING AND NEEDING REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Engine, Feb 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, SHE NOTICED AND ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHECK ENGINE WARNING WAS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL AND NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS VERY LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE LEAKS. THE DRIVER FELT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO GARY LANG AUTO GROUP (1107 S STATE ROUTE 31, MCHENRY, IL 60050 (815) 669-5966) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,218.*DT CONSUMER STATED OIL CONSUMPTION IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.*JB
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 13, 2021
I BOUGHT MY 2016 KIA SORENTO IN 2019 SINCE I PURCHASED IT THE MOTOR HAS WENT OUT IN IT WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH I HAD TO PAY THE WARRANTY FEE PLUS OTHER COST NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRENTY, I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY BACK TAIL LIGHT AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH BECAUSE IT KEEPS GOING OUT AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO STALL WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE IT MAKES A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE OPEN AIR THE CAR JUMPS SLIGHTLY SOMETIMES AND AT TIMES IT WON'T ACCELERATE HERE RECENTLY ON 2 OCCASIONS THE ACCELERATOR STILL ACCELERATED AFTER I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL THIS SCARED ME MAINLY BECAUSE MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ACCELERATING TO FULL CAPACITY AFTER TAPPING THE PEDAL WITH MY FOOT MULTIPLE TIMES IF FINALLY RELEASED.