Kia · Sorento · 2016
2016 Kia Sorento
8
Recalls
1,215
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Kia Sorento has 8 recalls and 1,215 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (499 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Kia Sorento page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 499 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2016 Kia Sorento reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Kia Sorento currently shows 8 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 1,215 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (499), unknown or other (84), structure (81).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Kia Sorento
- Recalls
- 8
- Complaints
- 1215
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.8% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V703000September 19, 2022
TRAILER HITCHES
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 22V612000August 10, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V907000December 19, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V862000November 30, 2016
TRAILER HITCHES
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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V770000October 24, 2016
SEATS
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V480000June 29, 2016
SUSPENSION:REAR
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V446000July 14, 2015
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V089000February 13, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
1215 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 24, 2026
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my Kia Sorento and a recurring brake light failure that poses a serious risk to my safety and the safety of my children. After every single oil change, without exception, my brake lights stop functionin...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Mar 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the battery, check engine, and oil warning lights were simultaneously illuminated. The driver reported hearing a low rattling sound and observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The ...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Feb 23, 2026
Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting a formal safety complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding my Kia Sorento. Over the past six months, this vehicle has required replacement of the engine, transmission control module (TCM), and the entire transmiss...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Feb 18, 2026
My car has only 68,800 miles and the dealer is telling me I need a new engine assembly i reached out to the kia corporate because I am the 2nd owner and I have had this car for 8 years and I have taken it for all the oil changes and maintenence to the dealer and have read on the ...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Feb 17, 2026
The engine stalled while driving on the expressway. Myself and my daughter and her friend were in the car. The vehicle started right back up, and I was able to drive the car home (less than 2 miles away). The following day, my wife got an oil change, and went on the expressway, a...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Feb 7, 2026
Our 2016 Kia Sorento had 96k miles on it, my 2.4 Liter, V4 GDI engine. I was driving it to my house on the streets, when the vehicle it completes died on me in the middle of the streets, it won't turn on, had it tow to my house. Made an appointment to take it to body shop on 2/12...
Preview excerpt
STEERING,ENGINE
FIREFeb 5, 2026
My 2016 Kia Sorento was stolen because it wasn’t updated and also the engine caught fire because it wasn’t updated
ENGINE
Feb 4, 2026
3 times head gasket has been replaced and repaired and every time oil is changed, they say I am losing oil
POWER TRAIN
Feb 4, 2026
Gear shifter gets stuck. Car jerks back when trying to speed up
STEERING
Feb 3, 2026
3 to 4 months ago my truck steering wheel light with an exclamation point will appear and my steering wheel will lock up and it is hard to steer unless I cut the truck off and back on, it is so dangerous that it went out when I was in the middle of a turn that I almost ran into a...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 1,215 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Sorento Years
2017 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.4r773c2015 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r737c2018 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r244c2014 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.6r964c2019 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r399c2013 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.5r972c
More 2016 Kia Models
2016 Kia SoulAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r787c2016 Kia OptimaAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.5r733c2016 Kia SedonaAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.4r284c2016 Kia SportageAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r129c2016 Kia ForteAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r127c2016 Kia RioAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r75c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?
The 2016 Kia Sorento has 8 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has received 1,215 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Kia Sorento.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Kia Sorento?
The 2016 Kia Sorento received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sorento?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Kia Sorento are engine (499 reports), unknown or other (84 reports), structure (81 reports).
Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 8 recalls on record for the 2016 Kia Sorento. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.