2016 Kia Sorento: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2016 / kia / sorento
known issues	8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-04)
complaints	1,248 on file (2015-03-30 → 2026-09-08)
recalls	8
investigations	3
fars	78 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Gear shifter stuck in Park and shift-lock override usePOWER TRAIN17 complaints2024-10 → 2026-07sorento-2016-shifter-stuck-park

11667023 Put vehicle in park while waiting at a gas station. It won't come out of park. Managed to get it to the pump, and used a screwdriver to bypass the shift lock control, and was able to drive home. With the bypass enabled, it puts my family at risk while driving
11635214 The contact stated that after shifting the vehicle into park(P), the gear shifter would fail to shift out of the park(P) position. The contact would be forced to use a screwdriver to open the shift lock release button in an effort to shift gears
11671966 The specific issue I’ve encountered is that the vehicle intermittently becomes stuck in “Park” and cannot be shifted into “Drive” or any other gear using normal methods

Snow White Pearl paint delamination and peelingSTRUCTURE20 complaints2024-12 → 2026-06sorento-2016-paint-delamination

11691002 We have a 2016 Kia Sorento that has the Snow White Pearl paint. Our vehicle has a tad over 100k miles and the paint is peeling. We take care of our car and always have it clean and do not understand why this is happening
11640621 Vehicle has paint that is delaminating in numerous places. It starts as a raised area then the paint just flakes off leaving bare metal exposed
11681282 Paint on our Pearl White 2016 Sorento is beginning to delaminate on the front of hood and the two pillar posts. It began as a small bubble and continues to spread and chip off. Several quarter-sized spots now and two hand-sized places

Hard shift from first to second gear on cold startPOWER TRAIN7 complaints2025-03 → 2026-07sorento-2016-cold-start-hard-shift

11739211 2016 Kia Sorento 2.4 mileage 75,500 (just out of warranty as of Jan 2026), vehicle is having transmission issue, hard shifting/jerking from1st gear to 2nd gear on first cold start-up of the day. No warning lamps on
11751409 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). I had to stop and then slowly push the gas so it wouldn't jerk so hard, then it finally switched gears and was smooth
11749807 After recieving the car back, the transmission acts unpredictably and the throttle is erratic. This happens when started cold and continues until the engine reaches temperature. It did not do this previous to the update

Engine seizure and loss of motive power while drivingENGINE68 complaints2024-10 → 2026-07sorento-2016-engine-seizure

11752935 While I was driving, my 3.3 V6 engine on my 2016 Kia Sorento seized up with no warning. There is no visible oil on the dip stick, although I have changed my oil routinely. There has never been visible oil outside of the engine or on the ground
11710564 Our 2016 Kia Sorento had 86k miles on it, loud knocking began and days later catastrophic engine failure. Rods and bearings are busted on my 3.3 Liter, V6 GDI engine. It died while my wife was driving it to the dealership. Estimated repair is 19k, metal shavings in the oil
11624916 There were no lights on the dash, no warning at all. The car just stopped. We were able to steer it to the shoulder and stop. There was no indication of what was wrong. After having it towed to the Kia dealership I was informed the engineer blew

Excessive oil consumption without low-oil warningENGINE25 complaints2024-10 → 2026-06sorento-2016-oil-consumption

11745718 The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, and 3 quarts of oil were added every 1,000 miles. The Check Engine and Low Oil Pressure warning lights were illuminated
11625713 From the start, we had problems with the car burning oil at a rapid rate. We would get an oil change and less than 2,000 miles later the oil would be very low. After one year oil was low after 1,000 miles or less
11626294 In our experience, roughly 1 quart of oil is displaced per 500 miles. Kia corporate stated that the vehicle does not display any safety concerns and would not honor the recent 150k warranty

Engine overheating and head gasket coolant lossENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14 complaints2024-12 → 2026-06sorento-2016-overheat-head-gasket

11715851 The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, while driving to the residence, the coolant temperature gauge went from COLD to HOT. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that smoke was coming from the engine compartment
11670648 The defect causes head gasket failure, which in my case has resulted in external oil leakage. While Kia issued a TSB acknowledging this defect, they are denying warranty repair on a technicality
11633196 The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket and upper radiator hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred on 8 occasions

Electric power steering lock-up while drivingSTEERING6 complaints2024-10 → 2026-03sorento-2016-power-steering-lockup

11685439 The red steering wheel with an exclamation point pops up on the dashboard and instantly I lose power steering the wheel gets really hard, it went out as I was making a turn and I almost hit the truck
11681447 Driving on the freeway going 75-80 mph and my steering wheel locked up. When this happens I am unable to turn my steering wheel. Have to let my foot of the gas and try with all my muscle to get the car to go to the side of the road to put the car in park
11718531 While driving, when you try to turn steering wheel a fraction to one side or the other there is resistance and then a release which results in in oversteering that has to be corrected

Engine compartment fireELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8 complaints2024-12 → 2026-06sorento-2016-engine-compartment-fire

11714474 I was leaving my home and was pulling out of my driveway when my vehicle suddenly caught fire. I was able to exit the vehicle with no injuries and called the fire department to put out the fire. the vehicle was a total loss
11713755 The vehicle had been operating normally and displayed no warning lights, alerts, or diagnostic trouble codes prior to the incident. The driver was forced to pull over immediately for safety. The fire caused catastrophic damage and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle
11742930 On the way home we were driving on the interstate, car jolted and caught fire. something went through the oil pan and the oil dumped on the exhaust and caught flame. The car had to be towed to my parents and has been sitting since

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
1248	2015-03-30	2026-09-08	29	49	ENGINE:693; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:165; POWER TRAIN:123; STRUCTURE:110; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:107

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
18V907000	19/12/2018	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	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.
15V446000	14/07/2015	SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	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.
16V770000	24/10/2016	SEATS	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.
16V862000	30/11/2016	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. 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.
16V480000	29/06/2016	SUSPENSION:REAR	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.
15V089000	13/02/2015	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL	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.
22V612000	10/08/2022	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT	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.
22V703000	19/09/2022	TRAILER HITCHES	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
DP21002	closed	Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE SENSOR	2021-11-12	2023-06-26	·	In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databas
DP22003	closed	Loss of Motive Power	ENGINE	2022-09-12	2023-12-12	·	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain
PE23019	closed	Loss of Motive Power	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS	2023-11-13	2024-07-23	·	On November 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-019) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power relating to head gasket and/or head bolt failure in Model Year (MY) 2016-2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine. When the investigation was opened, ODI had received 13 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) related to reports of loss of motive power. In an information request letter dated November 30, 2023, ODI requested technical information and failure data relating to the alleged defect in the subject MY 2016-2

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	78	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2016 Kia Sorento vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/kia/sorento

@misc{wrenchpro_2016_kia_sorento_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2016 Kia Sorento},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/kia/sorento}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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