CarRecallWatchThe 2016 Kia Sorento has 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 1,262 complaints with NHTSA, including 29 crashes, 50 fires, 19 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (697 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2016 Kia Sorento recalls
Tow hitch wiring can short and cause a fire
The tow hitch wiring harness module on these vehicles can accumulate debris and moisture on its circuit board.
Shift Lever May Not Lock, Allowing Rollaway Crashes
Certain 2016 Kia Sedona and Sorento vehicles may have been built with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components.
Fuel Pipe Leak Can Cause Engine Fire
Certain Kia Optima, Sorento and Sportage vehicles that previously had an engine replaced under an earlier recall, warranty, or product improvement campaign may have a high pressure fuel pipe near the fuel pump that was damaged, misaligned or improperly tightened during that engine replacement.
Trailer brake lights may stay on, confusing other drivers
A tow hitch wiring harness in certain vehicles can malfunction, causing the trailer brake lights to stay constantly illuminated.
Driver seatback may break in a rear-end crash
Some 2016 Sorento vehicles built between March 3 and March 21, 2016 may have a driver's seatback frame with inadequate weld joints.
Rear suspension weld may break, raising crash risk
A weld on a rear suspension component may not have been applied properly.
Passenger seat belt may not latch, raising crash injury risk
Certain 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles built between October 23, 2014 and December 10, 2014 have a front passenger seat belt buckle latch assembly that may prevent the front passenger from fastening the belt.
Accelerator Pedal May Fail to Speed Up Vehicle
An accelerator pedal assembly component may have been improperly soldered, which can prevent the driver from accelerating the vehicle.
Most common 2016 Kia Sorento problems
Problem areas named in the 1,262 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 697 |
| Unknown Or Other | 167 |
| Power Train | 127 |
| Structure | 112 |
| Electrical System | 107 |
| Steering | 81 |
| Exterior Lighting | 67 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 63 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 54 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 32 |
What owners report
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal cranking and popping sound. Upon researching the failure online, the contact learned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V480000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Vehicle caught on fire when driving, putting my mother's life and her passenger at risk. My mother is an elderly Deaf woman, but was able to pull over in time for Fire Department to help contain fire. There were no warning lamps or messages of any problems with car, the car started smoking (smoke also entered cabin) and they pulled over where there was a fire under hood and bystander call emergency services. The car is currently at a tow lot and should be available for inspection upon request. We are waiting for car to be inspected by insurance.
The Steering binds/ sticks at the 12 oâclock position on the highway, requiring sudden extra physical force to break free, which causes the vehicle to oversteer left to right. For record, Auffenberg Kia verified a steering torque measurement of 7.3 Nm (failure limit: 4.5 Nm) per TSB CHA060, but denied warranty repair under WTY023 solely because the instrument cluster lamp was not illuminated. I paid $163.69 and the dealer released an unsafe car back to me.
The dash is split all over the soft padded dash from the heat started with 1 small split grew larger and all over the dash even with a windshield shade and dash mat heat cracks could affect the passenger side dash airbag brought the vehicle new has just over 40000 mi photo enclosed show just a few cracks the whole dash is affected
I am the original owner of a 2016 Kia Sorento and have lived at my original registration address since purchasing the vehicle. The engine suddenly and catastrophically failed/seized due to internal rod bearing failure. The local Kia dealership is denying the recall engine replacement because the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update was not performed. However, Kia America failed to mail me a statutory recall notice to my verified address. The dealership is weaponizing Kia's own notification failure to deny coverage for an acknowledged safety defect."
2016 Kia Sorento safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Sorento SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 5 | 5 | 4 (15.0% rollover risk) |
| 2016 Kia Sorento SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 5 | 5 | 4 (15.8% rollover risk) |
2016 Kia Sorento questions
Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2016 Kia Sorento: Tow hitch wiring can short and cause a fire; Shift Lever May Not Lock, Allowing Rollaway Crashes; Fuel Pipe Leak Can Cause Engine Fire; Trailer brake lights may stay on, confusing other drivers; Driver seatback may break in a rear-end crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Based on 1,262 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (697), Unknown Or Other (167), Power Train (127).
How safe is the 2016 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2016 Kia Sorento up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 Kia Sorento has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.