AI Damage2016 KIA Sorento: common problems
Owners of the 2016 KIA Sorento filed 1,258 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 231 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1,258
- involving a crash
- 29
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 231
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 55% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 696 complaints (55% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Powertrain: 126 complaints (10% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Structure: 111 complaints (9% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Electrical system: 107 complaints (9% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 89.
- Steering: 80 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 15 complaints
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 29 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,258 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 696 | 4 | 27 |
| Powertrain | 126 | 6 | 17 |
| Structure | 111 | 2 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 107 | 3 | 89 |
| Steering | 80 | 2 | 17 |
| Exterior lighting | 67 | 1 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 62 | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 53 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 31 | 0 | 59 |
| Visibility | 23 | 0 | 11 |
| Service brakes | 23 | 1 | 1 |
| Air bags | 17 | 10 | 0 |
| Suspension | 12 | 0 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 4 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the airbags did not fully deploy and no airbag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a tow yard and the insurance company later declared it a total loss. The contact sustained neck and back injuries and sought medical treatment.
When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work.
The contact was uncertain if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The contact was not injured, the air bags did not deploy, and a police report was not filed. The next day, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer.
My backup camera showed my wheels were in line. My steering wheel turned and my car had a sudden unintended acceleration. My car destroyed a double steel garage door. Pushed a parked vehicle forward approximately 10-12”. The vehicle crushed a riding lawn mower, pushing the mower through a sheet rock wall.
In March of 2023, my 2016 Kia Sorento was stolen in Shorewood, Wisconsin as several teenagers broke the window and ripped open the ignition system. Due to a design flaw in the ignition system and no immobilizer in Kia vehicles that were created from 2011-2022, theft became very easy and a widespread problem ensued in…
Loss of oil in this amount could cause engine failure where traffic conditions would put driver and other vehicles at risk.
First, at random many different lights just blow, then on my dash various warning lights will go on and off, on top of that my abs and traction control is off for no reason and so are my passenger air bags. My brakes scream somedays and are touchy others ive replaced the battery twice and only owned it 3 months.
The contact placed the vehicle into reverse when the vehicle surged in reverse crashing into the contact's garage. No airbags deployed. The contact received an injury to their shoulder and medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 20 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sorento has 305 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 1,258, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330 Flight 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the multi-function switch knob with improved parts on certain…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / UM) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 101 / UM) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by…
NHTSA lists 231 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 KIA Sorento?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, structure. Total complaints: 1,258. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (24%), engine failure or replacement (14%), oil leak or consumption (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 KIA Sorento?
NHTSA lists 231 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 KIA Sorento from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.