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2016 Kia Sorento

Gas Compact SUV

202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Specs & fuel economyRecallsComplaintsCrash ratings
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100
FSafety Signal · 35 / 100
8Recalls · 2 critical
1,248Complaints · owner reports
5★Crash rating · NHTSA overall
24 mpgFuel economy · best combined
⚠️
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2016 Kia Sorento is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sorento FWD, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 1248 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy (EPA)

ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Sorento FWDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl212824$2,600
Sorento FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,700
Sorento AWDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl212522$2,850
Sorento AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo192521$2,950
Sorento FE AWDGasAWD3.3L 6-cyl182521$2,950
Sorento FWDGasFWD3.3L 6-cyl182520$3,100
Sorento AWDGasAWD3.3L 6-cyl172319$3,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.

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The 2016 Kia Sorento is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (8)

Trailer Hitches

critical
Park outside70,887 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · reported Sep 19, 2022 · Kia America, Inc.

Power Train

high
28,065 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 22V612000 · reported Aug 10, 2022 · Kia America, Inc.

Fuel System, Gasoline

critical
71,653 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · reported Dec 19, 2018 · Kia Motors America

Electrical System

high
10,212 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 16V862000 · reported Nov 30, 2016 · Kia Motors America

Seats

high
1,408 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 16V770000 · reported Oct 24, 2016 · Kia Motors America

Suspension

high
7,901 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 16V480000 · reported Jun 29, 2016 · Kia Motors America

Seat Belts

high
2,587 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V446000 · reported Jul 14, 2015 · Kia Motors America

Vehicle Speed Control

high
12,361 vehicles

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V089000 · reported Feb 13, 2015 · Kia Motors America

NHTSA investigations

Engine — Loss of Motive Power (closed)

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 2016-2017 Kia Sorento as well as several peer vehicle populations which share the 3.3 L engine. In its Feb

Opened Nov 13, 2023 · closed Jul 23, 2024 · action PE23019

Engine — Loss of Motive Power (closed)

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 complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Engine — Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak (closed)

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 databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. O

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · closed Jun 26, 2023 · action DP21002

Owner complaints

1248 complaints filed

29 involved a crash, 49 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.

Filed by year — 2015: 17 · 2016: 20 · 2017: 38 · 2018: 53 · 2019: 71 · 2020: 90 · 2021: 132 · 2022: 220 · 2023: 250 · 2024: 183 · 2025: 113 · 2026: 61

Most-cited components

  • Engine — 693
  • Unknown Or Other — 165
  • Power Train — 124
  • Structure — 111
  • Electrical System — 107
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,300.”Nov 23, 2015 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PART OF THE AXLE DETACHED DUE TO A MISSING LOCKING RING THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF…”Nov 9, 2015 · Suspension · NHTSA owner report
“[XXX] 2016 KIA SORENTO (VIN # [XXX]) SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE ON INTERSTATE 55 NORTHBOUND IN JACKSON, MS ON 10-21-15 AT APPROX. 8:30PM CST WITH NO TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTIONS OR OVERHEADS. OUR MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS LESS THAN 200 MILES. [XXX] WAS DRIVING AND I WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER. THE ROOF WAS CLOSED AS WAS THE CLOTH SH…”Oct 23, 2015 · Visibility · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Sorento model years

A

2027 Sorento

0 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2026 Sorento

2 recalls · 5 complaints

D

2025 Sorento

4 recalls · 125 complaints

B

2024 Sorento

2 recalls · 47 complaints

F

2023 Sorento

4 recalls · 156 complaints

F

2022 Sorento

9 recalls · 221 complaints

F

2021 Sorento

5 recalls · 263 complaints

B

2020 Sorento

1 recalls · 134 complaints

C

2019 Sorento

2 recalls · 426 complaints

D

2018 Sorento

3 recalls · 252 complaints

F

2017 Sorento

4 recalls · 801 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 35986, 35985, 35991, 35990, 35984, 35987, 35992). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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