2016 Kia Sorento

Defect. 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.

Risk. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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. 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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.

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. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

Defect. 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."

Risk. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Kia's number for this recall is SC140.

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

Risk. The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.

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.

I am filing this complaint regarding a 2016 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle suddenly broke down while my [XXX] daughter was driving in [XXX] and was taken to Sooner Kia in [XXX]. The dealership diagnosed the engine as seized and stated that it failed because there was no oil, requiring engine replacement. We dispute that conclusion. Within approximately five minutes of the breakdown, my daughter checked the oil at her father’s direction, and the level appeared normal. A mobile mechanic later inspected the vehicle and also reported that the oil level was normal and appeared clean. Sooner Kia now claims the engine was “bone dry” and that lack of oil caused the seizure. We have requested documentation showing how much oil was found, whether any oil was drained, what testing was performed, what internal damage was identified, and what evidence proves that oil starvation caused the failure. We have not received documentation establishing the cause. This is concerning because NHTSA previously investigated loss of motive power involving 2016–2017 Kia Sorento vehicles with 3.3L Lambda II engines under PE23-019. Kia later created extended warranty campaign WTY035 for certain related failures. Please document this complaint and review whether this engine failure may be related to those known issues. We are being asked to authorize an expensive engine replacement without evidence supporting the dealership’s conclusion. Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento VIN: [XXX] Dealership: Sooner Kia, [XX

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a severe, sudden electronic and mechanical failure of the shift interlock system and the Body Control Module (BCM) that compromises vehicle control and leaves the vehicle stranded in active traffic conditions. While attempting to operate the vehicle, the shifter lever suddenly became physically jammed and highly resistant, refusing to shift out of the "Park" position or smoothly engage into "Drive." Simultaneously, the gear selector indicator (P-R-N-D) on the digital dashboard display went completely blank, indicating a total loss of network communication between the transmission range system and the vehicle's central computer network. Because the vehicle's electronic safety "handshake" failed, the vehicle suffered a no-start condition. To operate the vehicle or move it out of harm's way, I am forced to use the mechanical manual shift-lock override tool. Diagnostic scanning at a professional repair facility confirmed a hard Code P0955 (Auto Shift Manual Mode Circuit Malfunction) due to an internal electronic failure inside the Body Control Module (BCM), which handles the safety grounding circuit for the shift interlock solenoid. Safety Risk Statement: This component failure introduces a severe safety hazard. If a driver is required to quickly shift gears or move the vehicle out of an active roadway, intersection, or railway crossing during an emergency, the physical locking of the shifter and sudden communication dropout prevents immed

On or about XXX, my KIA Sorento LX FWD Auto 2.4-liter engine with an approximate mileage of 36,000, began having drivability problems, none of which occurred before that date. On XXX the vehicle was serviced at Ourisman Chantilly Kia (VA051) for a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign (SC340) THETA II 2.4L GDI ECM S/W Upgrade. Records reflect that it was a Theta II Emissions Logic Improvement 250A21R1 0.3 M/H. This was a voluntary campaign from Kia America, Inc., [XXX]. Failure to have this performed, as cited from the Kia Corporate Headquarters, could nullify warranty/warranties. What ensued was a vehicle that stalled, seized, hesitated, and/or jolted at low speeds that had the potential to cause severe injury or accident. Uncontrolled rough accelerating and seizing is a serious complaint, and the causation can be linked to the dealership performing the voluntary recall where the vehicle was purchased on March 15, 2015, in [XXX]. Further, this vehicle has a full and complete record of all repairs and symptoms, which includes, and is not limited to, maintenance, Service Campaign, Service Action, Recall, and Product Improvement. This vehicle, included in a class of vehicles with a history of potential engine failures, has a Lifetime Engine Warranty extension coverage included in PI1802 Y/Z Engine R&R Warranty Bulletin 2020-26 and PI1802W/X Warranty Bulletin 2018-10. Therefore, when the records were reviewed for the initial Voluntary Emission Service Campaign recall code SC234 c

I went in a few months ago for a routine oil change. My car has had zero operating issues since I had the engine replaced around 5 years ago. They told me that I need to have a voluntary emissions update performed, so I gave consent. (The letter I received a few days later referred to it as "Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign.")On the way home, it seemed to drive rougher. I figured it was relearning some of the basic operating values. The following morning, it idled rough and then when I began driving, it would lurch forward irradically for the first one or two minutes of driving. I called the dealership and they insisted that it was coincidence. They said they will look at it, but there would be a charge. I have noticed a pattern since then. During normal driving, it is now smooth. It only happens on cold starts. Allowing it to idle elimiates the issue. However, it continues to idle rough on cold starts. If I drive it after it warms up, however, it does lurch forward. After this, it drives normal. Today I went in to the dealership for another oil change and asked about it. They continued to insist that it was impossible, but that I could leave it overnight and pay to have it looked at with the understanding that the two cannot be related. The safety issue is that it will literally make the car lurch forward when barely touching the gas. If this continues to worsen, it will cause a wreck. It has not been formally inspected, but I can provide dash cam footage.

THE PAINT ISCOMING OFF AND DON'T STICK TO THE VEHICLE. I NEED KIA TO PAINT THIS CAR ASAP

See attached document for complaint.

Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento EX VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 67,000 Component: Paint/Body (Exterior Finish) My 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl / Pearl White) has developed premature, multi-panel paint failure. Flaking began appearing on the roof rail area above the front doors in late summer 2025, followed by flaking on the hood, and later bubbling on the rear driver-side door. Flakes recovered from the ground beneath the vehicle have consistently been approximately the size of a 50-cent piece. At the manufacturer's request, three independent, licensed California collision repair facilities inspected the vehicle. All three independently identified a paint adhesion or chemical bonding failure, not ordinary wear. One shop's written estimate states verbatim that "the sealer did not chemically bond when basecoat was applied." Another states it cannot warranty a repair unless affected panels are stripped to bare metal and fully refinished. Repair estimates to properly address the condition range from approximately $9,000 to $17,000. Kia has already acknowledged this as a defect meriting manufacturer assistance, having extended a goodwill offer covering partial repainting costs. I am filing this report to document a paint system manufacturing defect, consistent with a pattern reported by other Kia Sorento owners and referenced in at least one prior Kia service bulletin (SA166) addressing paint peeling on Sorento door panels. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM

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. I never had any warning light come on. I believe the engine burns an extreme amount of oil, which is putting people in a dangerous situation and financial hardship.

On Saturday the 18th of July, the car was fine, on Sunday 07/19/2026 got ready to take car to regular scheduled oil change and it was making a blown engine noise, the rod had failed, Safety issues where the people at oil change could have had a rod thrown out the bottom of the engine, or my car could have failed in the middle of the road causing an accident. No warning signs, no limp mode, no engine light, no noted metal in oil on previous oil changes. Inspected at Kia, does not meet any recall warranties, however service manager at West Hills Kia stated this is in an internal engine failure and should not have happened with our service records and care of vehicle.

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 inspected by the dealer in 2022 and as far as they where concerned that satisfied the recall The recall is still valid, and does not have close date how can they refuse to repair . It is still a safety issue

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). 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. Ever since it's happening only at the first cold start up of the day, and have sluggish acceleration throughtout the day. No lights on or codes. I took back to dealership twice and they said they couldn't replicate it and so they aren't sure, but it definitely still does it (anyone riding with me notices before I even mention it).

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. This happens when started cold and continues until the engine reaches temperature. It did not do this previous to the update. It is a safetey hazard and almost caused a collision. The throttle response was sluggish, it hunted for gears and as a result I was unable to safely merge into traffic endangering myself and other drivers.

(Transmission and motor) I had taken my car to the dealership on XXX for recalls and all the signal were fine before going there. They took my car back to do the recalls and my son and I waited . Once they were done we left closer to closing time is noticed there was a burn mark on my dash board that wasn’t there before the recalls. Going forward on the way home. We were waved down by a man stating that my signal and brake light weren’t working . So that next day we took my car back to the dealership to see what happen, why all the sudden different alerts were coming up. They had the same mechanic relook at the car and a when finish 31/2 hour latter was told I needed a new transmission, costing $7384.94 which I don’t have . They charge me $179.00 just to confirm what they said about needing a new transmission. I was devastated and confused why I wasn’t told that the day before. So a few days later I took it to another machanic to see if the could see why the lights weren’t working and he ended up putting new bulbs in and got them working but also he put it in a diagnosis machine 2 of them and couldn’t get a reading at all and said I should take it back to find out why he couldn’t get a reading. I was so frustrated at that point I just was upset! I then had a friend of the family mechanic look at it and he said it wasn’t the transmission it was a knock sensor that I needed so I ordered it. When I called him to install the knock sensor he was too busy to do it and it had alread

Hello. I just started smelling gas fumes when my car has been running. I see no drips , etc. It happens everytime I drive it to the point where someone pointed it out to me. I had a new engine put in by KIA for my old engine "going to sleep" about 4 years ago. I have been told that this is a on going problem with the Model I have. I want to know what I should do at this point. Im [XXX] and [XXX] so I dont have the money to take it all over the place if this engine issue is covered. Could you please let me know and how to proceed? [XXX] [XXX] Cell [XXX] THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP ps....You should have record of KIA replacing the engine on file??? Is this a warranty issue since I do have a newer engine? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The exterior paint on my 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl, paint code SWP) is peeling off in large chunks across multiple panels. The clear coat is delaminating and lifting in sheets from the surface, exposing bare metal underneath which is now actively rusting. This is consistent with a known defect documented in hundreds of complaints about 2013-2016 Kia Sorentos in Snow White Pearl (SWP). I have photographic documentation showing significant progression of this damage over the past few months. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer regarding this issue. No warning was given prior to the paint failure — it began suddenly and has spread rapidly. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Additionally, the gear shift randomly locks in Park without warning, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. This has occurred on multiple occasions and presents a direct safety risk as it strands me without notice. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the shift lock engaging. The dashboard is also cracking in multiple locations, including near the airbag housing, which may present an additional safety concern.

Took 2016 kia sorento april 22nd to kia services eastgate batavia oh 45103 to have all recalls fixed, few weeks later engine blew, kia services replaced engine then had to replace my battery because they had to for a month and my good battery was now a total loss, replaced my battery then my car started jerking and won't start unless in neutral, now they say my inhibitor switch needs replaced when I NEVER had any issues in the past with shifting and they wont fix it because they claim its not their fault

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked and turned off for approximately an hour, the vehicle was restarted and there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact continued driving and the knocking sound increasing in volume and frequency. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that since the vehicle was not repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches); the dealer was unable to repair the engine ffailure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. 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. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption. The mechanic determined that the valves in the engine or the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

MY 2016 KIA SORENTO ROLLS OUT OF PARK; I APPARENTLY HAVE A SORENTO THAT IS "OUT OF THE DATE RANGE" OF THE 2016 KIA SORENTOS THAT HAD A RECALL. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, abnormal engine oil consumption was noticed. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine oil consumption, but repairs could not be made until a knocking sound was heard. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer experiencing the failure but was repaired under an unknown recall. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.