2016 Kia Sorento transmission and drivetrain problems
126 of the 1,252 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 21 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database6 of the 126 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 5 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 29 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 13 · 2026: 12
Half of the 42 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 27,000 and 101,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,252 complaints in all about the 2016 Kia Sorento, 12 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Kia Sorento transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Two oil change stations told me I need a new power train. I know power train is covered under 100,000 miles for Kia. Want to see if I need your help in the process for defect or anything else to assist me at nearest Kia dealership?
My transmission failed while driving, stopping and picking up became unsafe. I took it into a Kia dealership since it became dangerous to drive. I was then told that there was a TSB sa292 patch that was intended to prevent this exact issue. Kia is only willing to cover part of the cost.
No immediate response from accelerator pedal when pressed at idle with car stationary in gear. Pressing more on accelerator to get car moving causes car to then accelerate rapidly. This has happened at least six times in the past year
We are second owners of a 2016 Kia sorrento. Dec 6, 2017, I was driving home and traveling about 60mph on a 2lane hwy when I felt a very severe clunk in the front area of the car and I lost the ability to accelerate. I checked the car and found nothing unordinary.
This 2016 Kia Sorento (MFG 10/27/14) will lose power/traction in a parking lot when trying to pull out into cross traffic, creating a serious safety problem. The dealer says he is unable to replicate the problem and therefore cannot fix it. I cannot sell/give this unsafe vehicle to a family member until it is corrected. Very dangerous
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 22V612000 HighAug 10, 2022 · 28,065 vehicles
- 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.
21 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- TSB_TRA046_R5 Service bulletinApr 17, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is
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.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Kia Sorento
Source: the same files- engine problems 726 complaints
- electrical problems 107 complaints
- steering problems 80 complaints
- cruise control problems 63 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 126 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (10% of everything owners filed about it), and 21 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 22V612000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 71,000 miles; half of them between 27,000 and 101,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.