2016 Kia Sorento electrical problems
107 of the 1,252 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 111 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 107 reports a crash · 8 a fire · 2 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2015: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 5
Half of the 34 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 27,000 and 77,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,252 complaints in all about the 2016 Kia Sorento, 5 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Kia Sorento electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I've seen a few reviews and complaints on how kia's (sorento's in particular) have been losing their headlights for no reason. This has also happened to me, but just on my driver side fortunately. The main bulb is not illuminating and will not come on. I changed the bulb and this did not fix the problem.
Vehicle will accelerate and then lose power. Took it in they said not covered under warranty. 450.00 to fix tailghts and headlights all went out within a week of each other. Wheels sensors keep saying low tires even after new tires out on
While driving at night while my headlights are in auto position they will randomly turn off for a few seconds and then click back on. This has happened twice in one week. The last time, was while driving 70 MPH down the interstate and my headlights went out without warning
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. While stopped at a traffic light, the engine began to inadvertently rev and the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, all the windows failed to open or close. The manufacturer was informed of the failures and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown
The vechile keeps turning off and installs when driving but now it got to the point that it turns off nd dosent want to starts until minutes later do to that one of the the headligths when off nd thye charging ports of the vechile ddont work. When u stop it seems that the truck wants to accelerate it self
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 16V862000 ModerateNov 30, 2016 · 10,212 vehicles
- 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."
111 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SC330_OWNR_201 Service campaignSep 15, 2025
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330) - 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 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P1326 P0955
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Kia Sorento names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Kia Sorento
Source: the same files- engine problems 726 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 126 complaints
- steering problems 80 complaints
- cruise control problems 63 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 107 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (9% of everything owners filed about it), and 111 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 16V862000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 50,000 miles; half of them between 27,000 and 77,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.