2016 Kia Sorento
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.
- Complaints
- 1,254
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2016
Opened by NHTSA
55% of complaints
Complaints per year
2016: 1,254 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 305 |
| 2004 | 220 |
| 2005 | 307 |
| 2006 | 242 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 217 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1,518 |
| 2012 | 878 |
| 2013 | 981 |
| 2014 | 986 |
| 2015 | 750 |
| 2016 | 1,254 |
| 2017 | 802 |
| 2018 | 254 |
| 2019 | 426 |
| 2020 | 134 |
| 2021 | 251 |
| 2022 | 186 |
| 2023 | 122 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 75 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
55% · 695 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Car got caught on fire while driving with my 5kids
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-30
Also filed under Electrical system
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, 2026-07-19
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, 2026-07-12
Also filed under Power train and fuel/propulsion system
Power train
10% · 127 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.
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, 2016-01-06
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, 2026-07-19
Structure
9% · 112 reportsMost commonly citing body and exterior.
Electrical system
9% · 107 reportsMost commonly citing speedometer/odometer and key/sender.
Steering
6% · 80 reportsSafety timeline
8 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2015-02-20Vehicle speed control15V089000 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.
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2015-08-18Seat belts15V446000 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.
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2016Complaint volume 1,254 complaints filed for this model year.
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2016-07-27Suspension16V480000 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.
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2016-12-09Seats16V770000 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.
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2017-01-19Electrical system, trailer hitches16V862000 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.
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2019-01-17Engine, fuel system, gasoline18V907000 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.
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2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-26 Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
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2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power
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2022-10-07Power train22V612000 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.
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2023-07-27Trailer hitches22V703000 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.
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2023-11-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-07-23 Loss of Motive Power
Buy-smart checklist
2016 Kia Sorento — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 695 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 127 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 112 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 15V089000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 15V446000 · Seat belts
- Recall 16V480000 · Suspension
- Recall 16V770000 · Seats
- Recall 16V862000 · Electrical system, trailer hitches
- Recall 18V907000 · Engine, fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 22V612000 · Power train
- Recall 22V703000 · Trailer hitches
Other years of this model
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 55% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.