2016 Kia Sorento

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2016 Kia Sorento
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2016: 1245 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	305
2004	220
2005	307
2006	242
2007	154
2008	217
2009	55
2010	3
2011	1517
2012	876
2013	980
2014	983
2015	747
2016	1245
2017	799
2018	251
2019	421
2020	132
2021	241
2022	185
2023	117
2024	37
2025	72
2026	4

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 56%

56% of complaints: engine — 691 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Car got caught on fire while driving with my 5kids

NHTSA ODI report, 20230930

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I recently took my 2016 Kia Sorento L to the Kia dealership for the Emissions update recall. The next day when I started it up and put it in drive, it started jerking hard when I was trying to speed up (going from first to second gear).

NHTSA ODI report, 20260719

Also filed under POWER TRAIN

I took my 2016 Kia Sorento to the dealership for an emissions service update as a result of a service bulliten (SC340) After recieving the car back, the transmission acts unpredictably and the throttle is erratic.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260712

Also filed under POWER TRAIN and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 123 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON AN INCLINE, THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160106

I have a 2016 kia sorento I was having a problem with the shifter it would not go into park and had to use the shift override button I contacted the dealer there was an active recall they refused to repair or replace the shifter because it was...

NHTSA ODI report, 20260719

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 111 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and exterior.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 106 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and key/sender.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 80 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20150220 — vehicle speed control

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150818 — seat belts

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 1245

R 20160727 — suspension

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V480000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161209 — seats

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V770000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170119 — electrical system, trailer hitches

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.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190117 — engine, fuel system, gasoline

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)...

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230626)

Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

R 20221007 — power train

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 22V612000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230727 — trailer hitches

Kia America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 22V703000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20231113 — PE (closed 20240723)

Loss of Motive Power

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Kia Sorento — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine issues (691 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (123 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for structure issues (111 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 15V089000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 15V446000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V480000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V770000 (seats) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V862000 (electrical system, trailer hitches) has been completed.
Verify recall 18V907000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 22V612000 (power train) has been completed.
Verify recall 22V703000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2009 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 2014 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 Kia Sorento reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Kia Sorento is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sorento?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 56% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.