2016 Kia Sorento Problems
What owners have reported about the 2016 Kia Sorento, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2016 Kia Sorento a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the Sorento. Owners have filed 1,254 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 17 Sorento model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and body and structure.
1,254 complaints 8 recalls, 1 park outside 2nd worst of 17 Sorento years
Top 2016 Kia Sorento problems
Engine problems
718 complaints (57%) name the engine, most often the oil / lubrication and manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe.
Transmission problems
126 complaints (10%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and gear position indication (PRNDL).
Body problems
111 complaints (9%) name the body and structure, most often the body and exterior.
Electrical problems
107 complaints (9%) name the electrical system, most often the key / sender and body control module / BCM.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (417 of 1,254). The amber line is the middle value, about 68,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2016 Kia Sorento recalls
Towing
Park outsideDebris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire. 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.
Recall 22V703000 · Sep 2022Shift lever may not lock, allowing rollaway
Crash riskThe gear shift lever may not lock properly in Park, so the vehicle can roll away even when it appears to be parked. A rollaway raises the risk of a crash and injury.
Fix: The dealer will inspect and replace the shift lever assembly parts as needed, at no cost to you.
Recall 22V612000 · Aug 2022Fuel pipe may leak, causing fire risk
Fire riskDuring an engine replacement, the high pressure fuel pipe at the fuel pump may have been damaged, misaligned, or under-tightened. This can cause a fuel leak, and fuel near an ignition source can start a fire.
Fix: The dealer will inspect the fuel pipe and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Recall 18V907000 · Dec 2018Electrical, Towing
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." 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.
Recall 16V862000 · Nov 2016Seats
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. 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.
Recall 16V770000 · Oct 2016Rear
A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded. 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.
Recall 16V480000 · Jun 2016Front passenger seat belt may not latch
Crash riskThe front passenger seat belt buckle latch can fail to fasten, so a passenger in the front seat may not be able to buckle in. Without a secured belt, that passenger faces a higher risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: The dealer will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover at no cost to you.
Recall 15V446000 · Jul 2015Accelerator pedal
Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle. 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.
Recall 15V089000 · Feb 2015Get an email when your 2016 Kia Sorento gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2016 Kia Sorento, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Sorento years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2016 Kia Sorento problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2016 Kia Sorento a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the Sorento. Owners have filed 1,254 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 17 Sorento model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and body and structure.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Sorento problems?
Owners most often report problems with the engine, transmission, body and structure and electrical system. 718 complaints (57%) name the engine, most often the oil / lubrication and manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Sorento engine problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 63,000–114,000 miles, with a middle value near 84,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?
8. Towing (22V703000); Shift lever may not lock, allowing rollaway (22V612000); Fuel pipe may leak, causing fire risk (18V907000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2016 Kia Sorento?
Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2024, 2009 and 2025 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.