2016 Kia Sorento recalls and problems
The 2016 Kia Sorento has 8 safety recalls and 1,263 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2016 Kia Sorento recalls
Recall 22V-703: Trailer Hitches
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 22V-612: Power Train
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 18V-907: Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 16V-862: Trailer Hitches, Electrical System
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 16V-770: Seats
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 16V-480: Suspension
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-446: Seat Belts
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-089: Vehicle Speed Control
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
2016 Kia Sorento problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 698 | |
| Unknown or Other | 167 | |
| Power Train | 127 | |
| Structure | 112 | |
| Electrical System | 107 | |
| Steering | 81 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 67 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 63 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 55 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 32 | |
| Service Brakes | 23 | |
| Air Bags | 18 |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 106
- Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 6
- Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 5
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 4
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication — 3
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 3
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Bulbs — 2
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 67,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2016 Kia Sorento complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Kia Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Kia Sorento: 22V-703 (trailer hitches), 22V-612 (power train), 18V-907 (engine, fuel system, gasoline), 16V-862 (trailer hitches, electrical system), 16V-770 (seats) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Owners report engine problems most often (698 reports), followed by unknown or other (167). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 67,000 miles.
Are Kia recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.