2016 Kia Sorento

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Kia Sorento
BUILT 2026-08-02

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

Complaints per year, Kia Sorento Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 2003: 305 complaints 2003 2004: 220 complaints 2005: 307 complaints 2006: 242 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 215 complaints 2009: 55 complaints 2009 2010: 3 complaints 2011: 1516 complaints 2012: 875 complaints 2012 2013: 977 complaints 2014: 976 complaints 2015: 745 complaints 2015 2016: 1236 complaints 2016 2017: 788 complaints 2018: 248 complaints 2018 2019: 414 complaints 2020: 128 complaints 2021: 225 complaints 2021 2022: 181 complaints 2023: 104 complaints 2024: 36 complaints 2024 2025: 67 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
2016: 1236 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2003305
2004220
2005307
2006242
2007154
2008215
200955
20103
20111516
2012875
2013977
2014976
2015745
20161236
2017788
2018248
2019414
2020128
2021225
2022181
2023104
202436
202567
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 56%

56% of complaints: engine — 686 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car got caught on fire while driving with my 5kids

NHTSA ODI report, 20230930

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 116 distinct reports on file.

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

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 103 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 103 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car got caught on fire while driving with my 5kids

NHTSA ODI report, 20230930

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: 1236
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 (686 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (116 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (103 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 ■ 2013 ■ 2014

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.