There are 13 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2016 Kia Sorentoin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Fuel pump leaking gas from a crack around electrical connections on top of it. Fire hazard.
Fuel pump is leaking, unsafe to drive vehicle, no check engine light just really bad smell of gas
Check engine light came on again after recall for engine bearing failure and engine block was determined to qualify for replacement by home Kia dealer , est July / August 2024 in North Hampton NH . After motor block changes the engine light came on and off while in Florida vacationing . Today’s date is February 17 , 2025 and my vehicle is presently in the hands of a local independent service center here in Florida . Other indicators recently noticeable were rough idle starting in the morning . The service center initially suggested problem might be injectors , and gasoline was noticeably in the oil pan . I’m presently waiting for a further / complete diagnosis from the service center . Relative to myself and my spouses safety further research on my own fire could be a potential with injectors causing a garage to be ignited and life threatening to us .
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear sway bar link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure occurred. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the brake pedal was released, and the "check oil" warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The failure persisted, and the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the spark plugs, and the piston rings had failed. The contact was informed by the dealer to add oil every 1,500 miles driven. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that since the piston rings and the engine had failed, NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) would not apply. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Warning engine light keeps activating saying major fuel leak. Supposed recall sc 172 but according to kia, not associated with my vin and needed to be reported
I NOTICED A GREENISH LIQUID LEAKING ON 12/4/20 AFTER I HAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS BUT I DO SEE THERE IS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY CAR SPECIFICLLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AND BLOW THEIR HORN AT THEM. THE CONTACT STATED THEY DECIDED TO PULL OVER TO FIND OUT THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH WHERE THE FUEL LINES WERE. THE FIRE CAUSED GLASS TO SHATTER AND CAUSED A LARGER FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER (BUCHANAN KIA 119 RAILROAD AVE, WESTMINSTER, MD 21157; (410) 876-2251) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND PROVIDED THE PAPERWORK FOR ALL PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION PURPOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN DRIVING AND STATIONARY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPEWED OUT OF THE FUELING HOLE. THE FUEL NOZZLE WOULD CONTINUE TO CLICK WHILE FUELING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NATIONWIDE KIA (22 W. TIMONIUM RD, TIMONIUM, MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VAPOR RECOVERY LINE WAS DAMAGED BY INSECTS. THE RECOVERY LINE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500. *TT*JB *TR
WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY VEHICLE WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. ENGINE WOULD REV SLOWLY. PULLED OVER SHUT VEHICLE DOWN AND RESTARTED IT AND THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN. TOOK TO DEALER AND IT HAD A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HISTORY CODE. WAS TOLD THAT IF THAT PUMP FAILS IT WOULD CAUSE WHAT I EXPERIENCED. SINCE PUMP WAS NOW WORKING THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT PER KIA POLICY. I ASKED AGAIN WHY THEY WOULDN'T JUST REPLACE IT IF WAS SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THEY COULDN'T UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS IT FAILED, WHICH WOULD MEAN BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR CRASHED INTO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN ONCOMING MOTORIST THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE FUEL LINE BY THE FIREWALL. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. KENDALL KIA OF NAMPA (LOCATED AT 15700 N IDAHO CENTER BLVD, NAMPA, ID 83687, (208) 467-7000) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTERWARDS, FLAMES EMERGED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND THE VEHICLE BLEW UP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,555. *TT
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026