Every 2016 Kia Sorento recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Power Train · NHTSA 22V612000
Oct 8, 2022Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever and Linkage:Column Shift
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
- Fix
- Dealers 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.
Full recall details for 22V612000 →Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 22V703000
Sep 19, 2022Trailer HitchesPark outside
- Problem
- Kia 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.
- Risk
- 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. 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.
Full recall details for 22V703000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V907000
Dec 19, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- Kia 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Kia 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.
Full recall details for 18V907000 →Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 16V862000
Nov 30, 2016Trailer Hitches
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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. 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.
Full recall details for 16V862000 →Seats · NHTSA 16V770000
Oct 24, 2016Seats
- Problem
- Kia 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.
- Risk
- 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. 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.
Full recall details for 16V770000 →Suspension · NHTSA 16V480000
Jun 29, 2016Suspension:Rear
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
- Risk
- 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. 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.
Full recall details for 16V480000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 15V446000
Jul 14, 2015Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
- Problem
- Kia 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.
- Risk
- If 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.
- Fix
- Kia 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.
Full recall details for 15V446000 →Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA 15V089000
Feb 13, 2015Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
- Problem
- Kia 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.
- Risk
- 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. 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.
Full recall details for 15V089000 →
2016 Kia Sorento complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 1,254 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento, reporting 29 crashes, 49 fires, 19 injuries. Kia has issued at least 275 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine695
- Unknown Or Other165
- Power Train127
- Structure112
- Electrical System107
- Steering80
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (105)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (73)
- Equipment (58)
- Engine (31)
- Steering (27)
- Power Train (21)
Read Kia Sorento owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 Kia Sorento
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Loss of Motive Power
PE23019Opened Nov 13, 2023Closed Jul 23, 2024
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
DP21002Opened Nov 12, 2021Closed Jun 26, 2023
What people reported
Owners have filed 1,254 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“My husband and I got the oil changed at Walmart, one week later we took a trip to Cincinnati zoo with my children. On the way home we were driving on the interstate, car jolted and caught fire. something went through the oil pan and the oil dumped on the exhaust and caught flame.”
2016 KIA SORENTOJun 9, 2026 · IN
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11742930
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the signal turned green and they proceeded through the intersection when another driver ran the red light and collided with the vehicle.”
2016 KIA SORENTOMay 19, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11738754
Fire
“My 2016 Kia Sorento was stolen because it wasn't updated and also the engine caught fire because it wasn't updated”
2016 KIA SORENTOApr 26, 2026 · MO
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11733870
Injury reportedCrash
“On [XXX] I was in a car accident. When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work.”
2016 KIA SORENTOFeb 4, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11715696
Fire
“I was leaving my home and was pulling out of my driveway when my vehicle suddenly caught fire. I was able to exit the vehicle with no injuries and called the fire department to put out the fire. the vehicle was a total loss.”
2016 KIA SORENTOJan 30, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11714474
Check your Sorento by VIN
Not every 2016 Kia Sorento is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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