Transport CanadaMedium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
Internal wear in the multi-function switch can cause headlights to turn off unexpectedly when set to AUTO mode.
This page covers 11 recalls, 1220 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Kia Sorento.
19–24 mpg combined
9.8–12.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2016 Kia Sorento's complaint record by a wide margin, with owners across the board describing sudden power loss, engine seizure, and oil consumption issues. A common thread is the engine failing with little warning, owners report the vehicle losing the ability to maintain speed, sometimes while in traffic, followed by a seized or locked engine requiring full replacement. Cylinder misfires show up repeatedly as well, often tied to a check engine light and noticeable shaking. Some owners describe the shuddering returning to normal after adding oil, pointing to oil starvation as a recurring factor. Structure and powertrain complaints are a distant second and third, with far fewer reports. The engine failure pattern is the clearest story here: owners frequently describe engines that consume oil, develop misfires, and in a notable number of cases seize entirely before reaching high mileage.
1,220
Total Complaints
28
Crash-Related
47
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Kia Sorento has 11 recalls, the most serious being a transmission shifter defect that can allow the vehicle to shift out of Park without the brake pedal pressed, letting the vehicle roll away unexpectedly.
A separate engine recall applies only to vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under an earlier recall or warranty repair: a fuel leak can develop near an ignition source and raise the risk of a fire. On the occupant safety side, the front passenger seatbelt buckle on certain vehicles may not latch at all, leaving that occupant unrestrained in a crash, and the driver's seatback frame can have weak welds that allow it to collapse in a rear-end collision. The accelerator pedal assembly on some early-production vehicles can fail, leaving the driver unable to accelerate. Rear suspension welds are a recurring theme across two related issues: a rear crossmember bracket weld can break and throw off suspension alignment, causing poor handling. A trailer hitch wiring fault can keep the brake lights on the towed trailer lit continuously, potentially confusing drivers behind. The headlight multi-function switch can wear internally and cut out the headlights without warning when set to auto mode.
At a glance
What can fail
Internal wear in the multi-function switch can cause headlights to turn off unexpectedly when set to AUTO mode.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealership replaces parts in the multi-function switch to restore normal headlight operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic transmission shift lever assembly may not lock properly, allowing the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the shift lever assembly components at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shifter assembly may allow shifting out of Park without pressing the brake pedal, which could cause the vehicle to move or roll away if the parking brake is not used.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the shift lever assembly and replace the shift lock lever and holder if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pipe connecting to the fuel pump may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during a previous engine replacement, causing potential fuel leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer hitch wiring harness may malfunction, causing the trailer brake lights to stay on continuously.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's seatback may have been incorrectly welded during manufacturing, which could cause it to fail in a rear-end collision and increase injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seatback frame and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's seatback frame may have weak welds and could fail to work properly in a rear-end collision.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear crossmember assist arm bracket may have incomplete welds from manufacturing. Broken welds can affect rear suspension alignment, causing poor handling.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear crossmember assembly and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A rear suspension component may have improper welds, potentially affecting suspension integrity.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear suspension welds and replace the rear cross-member assembly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt buckle latch assembly may not work properly, preventing the seat belt from fastening securely.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A soldering defect in the accelerator pedal assembly may prevent the driver from accelerating the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
