Kia Sorento Complaints (2016)

1,262 consumer complaints on file.

#11606796August 6, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle failed to shift into an intended gear, and was stuck in park(P). The contact placed a screwdriver in the shifter to manually shift into the intended gear to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606402August 5, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I keep having problems with the brake lights and all of the back lights, have fixed or replaced them 7 to 8 times in the last 2 years, and my passenger door will not lock, know another person that has a Kia that has the same problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605867August 1, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
while driving at night the headlights will go out. it has done so several times in the past. it is very scary when it happens on the freeway. Also the brake lights, specifically the drivers side, will stop working about every 2 weeks or so. I replace it and shortly after, it will stop working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603581July 20, 2024
POWER TRAIN, VISIBILITY/WIPER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The problem started after a quick stop at a convenient store on the way to work. After starting the engine the vehicle would not shift from park. I was able to bypass this after a quick Internet search by removing a small cover near the stick shut and a small straw to bypass the shift control. I've had the car twice at the mechanics without a diagnosis as to a possible cause and was able to have the mechanic permanently disabled the shift lock but was warned the vehicle could be shifted to drive or neutral at any time and moved with a key. About a month later I found myself without headlights and shortly after this without wiper controls. Another visit to my mechanic would this time show the problems, shift lock, headlights and wipers were all from a faulty PCM. My mechanic has shipped my PCM out twice for repair but both time only caused the replacement part to blow. It's not suggested they use the dealer to further repair the problem. I've been 3 weeks without my vehicle and it's another week before the earliest availability from my local dealer. I'm only hoping now it's not a long backorder to gets the parts necessary to fix my vehicle. I have also read this has been a common problem and costly repair with other 2016 Kia Sorento owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602368July 15, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The button on the gear shift will not push in to move the shifter out of park.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11601322July 11, 2024
ENGINE
Was driving the vehicle down the highway going about 65mph. Vehicle went into limp mode, check engine light came on and started flashing. There was no warning signs prior to this! Had the vehicle towed home and threw a code reader on it, to find the code P1326 come up. Says it's a code for knock sensor. After reading other forums found that most likely I will need to replace the engine. I have only had this vehicle for 2 months!! It is the same 2.4L engine that has been recalled on several other Kia vehicle but not mine. I bought this vehicle to have a reliable vehicle for my family and now I will be out more money!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600642July 9, 2024
ENGINE
Engine rapidly burns and leaks motor oil. Can lose more that a quart a week in an engine that holds 5 quarts and has about 60k miles. Metal fragments found in every oil change while consistently topping off between each change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600653July 9, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving on the parkway, the vehicle would not accelerate and would stall. After pulling over, vehicle would restart but repeated the pattern. Made it to Advanced Auto who ran codes and had the camshaft modulator changed. Vehicle made it back onto parkway. 40 miles from home, the vehicle began to shake, loose power, made loud sound and died. Towed home. Mechanic said out of oil but I had oil changed less than 1000 miles ago when vehicle purchased. New codes showed crankshaft position sensor. Changed part. Replaced starter and a new battery. Still nothing. Stating probable engine failure. I've only owned this vehicle for 2 months!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597902July 1, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:BULBS
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear brake lights became inoperable on several occasions. The contact was pulled over due to the rear lights being inoperable. The contact noticed that the sockets for the bulbs had overheated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the bulbs. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598067July 1, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Car will not shift, I have to manually release it. It just started happening very randomly. I constantly have to release it with a screw driver.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597298June 27, 2024
ENGINE
The engine seized while driving. No check engine light turned on or oil pressure light illuminated prior to seizure. This happened on 5/11/2023. I had the oil changed on 4/20/2023 and regularly checked the oil levels because of previous oil consumption issues. Previously, I completed oil changed on 6/17/22, 7/27/22, and brought it to a KIA dealership on 8/1/22 for oil consumption issues. They completed a valve gasket cover replacement at that time which I paid out of pocket. The vehicle continued to have oil consumption issues after that repair and which eventually lead to the engine failure. Kia refused to replace the engine under warranty or recall and it cost me $7,494 to replace the engine at the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597360June 27, 2024
ENGINE
Engine failed due to apparent head gasket leak. Incident happened on [XXX] near Richmond, Kentucky. Failure of engine caused loss of speed and power. Fortunately, an exit was available to get the car off the road quickly. We had to tow the car home and replace the engine at a cost of $8,000. Kia has had to recall 4 cylinder engines for this year. They should be recalling the 6 cylinder engine as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11596079June 24, 2024
ENGINE
I change my oil regularly and driving my car started knocking and I let a mechanic checked it and he said the engine was blown and I didn't understand why that happened. it was not out of oil and I still don't know why it happened
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11596088June 24, 2024
STEERING
At driving speeds steering catches with no control for a few seconds during slight turns. Has happened multiple times. Took to mechanic and was told there was an overheat code showing that could only be resolved through Kia software.Took to Kia dealership in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and was told it would resolve by putting in an actual Kia battery, $500+. Had no issues for 2 months Then happened twice. Took Back to the same dealership and was told needed new steering column $1,000+. As of today, my Sorrento is at the dealership in St. Cloud, Minnesota Waiting for part. 6/24/2024
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595479June 20, 2024
ENGINE
Was driving down the street no lights on the dashboard no overheating no warnings whatsoever and I heard a click and the engine just went out and the Dashboard lit up if this had happened on the expressway, it could’ve been very dangerous It appears the engine is seized, but it had oil . Apparently, this is become a common problem with this vehicle. Once they hit over 100,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595263June 19, 2024
ENGINE
I was burning oil in my car. I had put oil in my sorento every 1000 miles. I had ask the service dept about when I had 92000 miles. She then informed me that was normal and if I had put more oil in there that I might have a problem. I thought I was under warranty at that time through Kia but was informed that I didn’t have warranty unless I bought it extra. I gave over 109783 miles on it now and blown a rod. I got a tune up about 2 weeks ago and they told me I burning oil and they thought I might have a leak inside the motor possibly in one my rods. A week after I got a tune I blew a rod. I have read that sorento are known to have these problems. What they said they built the engines and never fixed the problem they had on blowing there engine. They’d said they don’t drill there heads properly. They don’t allow enough oil into cylinders and the engine blows. I have put oil in the car every 1000 miles . I should not have replace that much oil all the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595303June 19, 2024
ENGINE
Engine lost power while driving at normal speed(45 mph). Car will not start after stalling after coming to stop. This is after three years of massive oil usage and dozens of spark plug failures. Dealer and manufacturer were made aware of situation. They couldn't or wouldn't replace engine unless it completely failed or caught fire. Now that it has failed, it is beyond the "warranty". Researching this model year, it is obvious they have an issue that needs to be addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594814June 17, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint color - white pearl- is peeling off the hood of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594655June 16, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine overheating, no warning lights. Changed thermostat, no change, new radiator- some improvement but still getting hot. Oil and coolant levels were fine. Got it tested and they told us we needed a new engine. We just had purchased the car and we just barely missed it being covered under warranty. This leading us to search forums for others that have had this issue with Kia Sorento 3.3 engine. Turns out there are quite a a few due to the head bolts coming loose, leaking head gasket, and ultimately ruining the engine. We are paying for a vehicle that is not drivable due to faulty parts by design. We were not made aware of this issue or that it may need to be repaired otherwise we would have steered clear of KIA. Will not be buying a KIA ever again. So many issues and no accountability for their mistakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594437June 14, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Snow White Pearl paint is coming off of the vehicle due to issue of the paint is not adhering to the sealant coat on the car. This is causing big chunks of paint being removed when it rains heavily. KIA knows about this issue, when I talked to a manager at their body shop he informed me that this is a ongoing issue with this paint color. KIA doesn't want to take ownership of the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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