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.
Engine, Sep 2, 2019
WHEN TRYING TO SPEED UP TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING AND MY CAR WAS CHUGGING AND WOULD NOT GO PAST 2 RPMS. SECOND TINE THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST.
Engine, Aug 28, 2019
MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN READING HOT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT AND THE ETC SENSOR, MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY COOLING FAN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A QUALITY CAR THAT IS JUST A FEW YEARS OLD. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A WEEK WHILE THEY TRACK DOWN THE PART AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME OVER $500 TO HAVE FIXED.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR REMAINED LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DOOR ONLY OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE TRUNK WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF WYLER KIA (5815 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014, (513) 682-2500) WHERE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WAS REPLACED AND THE TRUNK WAS UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,300. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Aug 19, 2019
DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING, STEERING WAS NORMAL AND THERE WERE NO AUDIBLE NOISES WHEN STEERING PRIOR TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR FIXED THE PROBLEM A FEW TIMES, SOMETIMES FOR A FEW DAYS BETWEEN OCCURENCES. EVENTUALLY POWER STEERING WAS LOST FOR GOOD AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THERE WERE A FEW CLOSE CALLS LOSING POWER STEERING IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNS THAT NEARLY LED TO ACCIDENTS.
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 17, 2019
WHILE DRIVING OUR KIA SORENTO AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN AND THE BRAKE ENGAGED BRIEFLY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" KIA SORENTO 2016 MODEL SX-AWD IT STARTED MAKING WEIRD NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AND FELT LITTLE THUMPS WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND BINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE BEGINNING OF 2019. THE CAR DOES NOT EXCEED OVER 90MPH.
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
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2019
STEERING- WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING GETS TIGHT AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. WHEN YOU FIGHT TO COMPENSATE IT WOULD NORMALIZE CAUSING YOU TO JERK THE WHEEL. I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. LIGHTNING- WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A DARK HIGHWAY ALL THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. WE WERE COMPLETELY IN THDARK. WE PULLED OVER AND MOVED THE SWITCH FROM AUTOMATIC TO THE MANUAL LIGHT ON POSITION. WE LATER MOVED IT BACK TO THE AUTOMATIC POSITION AND IT WAS AGAIN WORKING PROPERLY. BOTH PROBLEMS CAN EASILY CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Jul 29, 2019
THE AIRBAG SENSOR CAME ON. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A SHORT IN THE 2ND FIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN UNDER A SAFETY EQUIPMENT WARRANTY. KIA SAYS NO, IT IS UNDER THE BASIC WARRANTY, 60,000 MILES. MY KIA IS AT 66,000. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR PAST MODEL YRS, BUT APPARENTLY HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
Engine, Jul 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOKEY KIA (27960 US-19, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (888) 458-9360) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAIALBLE.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2019
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN AND STARTING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY I LOST ACCELERATED POWER. IT DID ACCELERATE BUT VERY SLOWLY. THE CAR GOT UP TO ABOUT 20MPH. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THE GAS PETAL IT DIDN'T CAUSE THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAN HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGER SITUATION.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 12, 2019
TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS BUT HAD A FULL TANK GAS. WE TESTED THE BATTERY ALSO. IT STILL FAILED TO START BACK. IT WOULD NOT START BACK AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED YESTERDAY. THE MECHANICS I HAD IT TOWED TO SAYS THEY THINK IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE BUT ARE UNSURE.
Engine, Jul 7, 2019
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ODD SOUNDS KIA DEALER SAID THEY ENGINE LOCKED UP
Service brakes, Jul 6, 2019
I WAS GETTING OVER INTO THE TURN LANE TO THE HWY THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T PUSH ON THE BRAKES THEY WERE REALLY HARD TO PRESS DOWN IT WAS LIKE A STONE THAT I WAS TRYING TO PUSH ON THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP I HAD TWO CHOICES RUN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR RUN OVER A CURB FULL OF ROCKS SO I CHOSE THE ROCKS I HAD NO BRAKES
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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2019
BOTH HEADLAMPS ARE CRYSTALIZING IN THE FAR TOP CORNERS AND ARE CONTINUE TO SPREAD RAPIDLY. THE PLASTIC IS ROUGH OVER THE AREAS AND CANNOT BE BUFFED OUT OR REMOVED WITH HEADLAMP RESTORE PRODUCTS. EVERY DAY THIS IS EXPANDING IN AREA AND WILL LEAD TO HEADLAMPS NOT PROJECTING THE LIGHT ON TO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS HAPPENING IN DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME.
Engine, Jun 13, 2019
VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE KNOCKING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. THEY KNOCKING GOT LOUDER WITH ACCELERATION. TOOK VEHICLE HOME AND CHECKED THE ENGINE AND OIL. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK BUT THE KNOCKING SOUND CONTINUED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT A ROD IN THE ENGINE WENT OUT CAUSING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO GO OUT AND FAIL ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS ADDRESSED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL REGARDING THE ECU, BUT IT DID NOT PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM GOING OUT.
Structure, Jun 8, 2019
PASSENGER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY,AND I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE REFERRING TO THE SAME PROBLEM
Steering, Jun 6, 2019
WHILE DRIVING STEERING HAS PLAY IN IT WHICH MAKES YOU CORRECT YOUR STEERING TOO MUCH
Fuel/propulsion system, May 26, 2019
STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN DRIVING AND STATIONARY.
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.
Suspension, May 6, 2019
ON 3/21/19 I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A EZ PASS TOLL PLAZA. I HEARD A VERY LOUD SOUND ALMOST LIKE AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. MY CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE TO CHECK OUT THE CAR. I THOUGHT MY TIRE BLEW. THERE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND OR IN THE LANE OF THE TOLL PLAZA. I COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE REASON FOR THE SOUND. I DID SMELL AN ODD ORDER IN THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT ANY FURTHER PROBLEM. A FEW WEEKS LATER I HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUNDS WHEN DRIVING. RECENTLY I TOOK THE CAR TO KIA AND WAS ACCUSED OF THE CAR BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE INCIDENT AND STATED THAT THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ADVISED BY KIA TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO REPAIR THE ISSUES.
Steering, Apr 27, 2019
STEERING HAS A "CATCH" OR "STICKINESS" AT CENTER. CAUSES OVER CORRECTING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE HIGHER THE SPEED, THIS STICKINESS INCREASES. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN STEADY LANE POSITION.
Exterior lighting, Apr 23, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT THE CAR LIGHTS WILL TURN ON. THE LIGHTS ARE IN THE "AUTO" MODE. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE DAYLIGHT ISSUE BUT NOT THE NIGHT. BOTH CORPORATE AND DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY CAN "JUST CHANGE PARTS". WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO DO A RECALL? SOMEONE TO DIE AT NIGHT? AN ACCIDENT? THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON MY CAR @ 40,000, THEN 51,000 AND NOW AT 62,000 MILES. THEY ARE CLAIMING NO LONGER A WARRANTY ITEM EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN IN THERE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NUMEROUS OF THESE COMPLAINTS OUT THERE, A RECALL OF THE K900 WAS COMPLETED FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND SAME YEAR VEHICLES.
Engine, Apr 23, 2019
2ND ENGINE FAILURE IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED 1ST ENGINE IN FEBRUARY 2018 WHICH THEN FAILED IN JANUARY 2019. DEALERSHIP (KIA OF CHERRY HILL NJ 1803 MARLTON PIKE W, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002) UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. DEALERSHIP UNSURE WHEN NEW ENGINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. DRIVING LOANER VEHICLE SINCE JANUARY 2019.