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2016 Kia Sorento

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical8
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA1,248
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA24 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
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 the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
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 at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 35986, 35985, 35991, 35990, 35984, 35987, 35992.

Factory warranty running out?

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)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Trailer Hitches

SC249
Park outside70,887 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.FixOwners 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 22V703000reported Sep 19, 2022Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Power Train

SC246
28,065 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.FixDealers 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 22V612000reported Aug 10, 2022Kia America, Inc.
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

SC172
71,653 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.FixKia 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 18V907000reported Dec 19, 2018Kia Motors America
▲high

Electrical System

SC142
10,212 vehicles
ProblemKia 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."RiskIf the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.FixKia 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 16V862000reported Nov 30, 2016Kia Motors America
▲high

Seats

SC140
1,408 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIn the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.FixKia 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 16V770000reported Oct 24, 2016Kia Motors America
▲high

Suspension

SC137
7,901 vehicles
ProblemKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.RiskThe improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.FixKia 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 16V480000reported Jun 29, 2016Kia Motors America
▲high

Seat Belts

SC123
2,587 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIf 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.FixKia 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 15V446000reported Jul 14, 2015Kia Motors America
▲high

Vehicle Speed Control

SC115
12,361 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIf the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.FixKia 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 15V089000reported Feb 13, 2015Kia Motors America

NHTSA defect 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

Source: NHTSA complaint database
1248complaints filed

29 involved a crash · 49 a fire · 19 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per 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

Engine693
Unspecified165
Power Train124
Structure111
Electrical System107
Steering80

What owners describe

“Car started to "chug" during start, took to repair shop and was told the engine failed and blew the head gaskets. Final recommendation was new engine. Car has 90,000 miles and is out of warranty. Was bought at a dealer used, but it was not Kia certified, even though it was bought at Kia of Old Saybrook. Currently car i…”Jul 13, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“My Sorento began to make a small knocking noise while I was driving to an appointment with my 3 year old on 7/12/21. I pulled over at a gas station to check the oil and it was not low. I turned the car on and still NO lights on the dash although there was a smell like burning gas. It has 86,328 miles on it. I continued…”Jul 13, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“The Pearl White paint is chipping off the hood. It looks horrible and needs to be fixed ASAP! The sunroof, back latch and BSD have all been “fixedâ€� by Master Mechanics but they are still not working correctly. The sunroof is slow closing and won’t close all the way. The back latch won’t open most of time withou…”Jul 13, 2021 · Lane Departure · 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

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Sorento model years

A

2027 Kia Sorento

0 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2026 Kia Sorento

2 recalls · 5 complaints

D

2025 Kia Sorento

4 recalls · 125 complaints

B

2024 Kia Sorento

2 recalls · 47 complaints

F

2023 Kia Sorento

4 recalls · 156 complaints

F

2022 Kia Sorento

9 recalls · 221 complaints

F

2021 Kia Sorento

5 recalls · 263 complaints

B

2020 Kia Sorento

1 recalls · 134 complaints

C

2019 Kia Sorento

2 recalls · 426 complaints

D

2018 Kia Sorento

3 recalls · 252 complaints

F

2017 Kia 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. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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