Kia Sorento Complaints (2016)

1,262 consumer complaints on file.

#11687042September 13, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel pump leaking gas from a crack around electrical connections on top of it. Fire hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686785September 12, 2025
ENGINE
got into my vehicle pushed button to start, could hear a clicking for the first few seconds, then clicking went away. Drove off, went approximately 0.30 mile at a stop light when started to go it stalled in the the middle of an intersection. No warning light no other warning of anything wrong with vehichle, no other warning signs that there could be anything wrong. In July 2025 I had just took vehicle in for a major maintenance, oil, air filters, spark plugs, timing belt, and I checked oil and again no warning signs that there was anything wrong with vehicle. Took to a shop, mechanic believed it was the key fob, due to immobilize, had a new key reprogrammed and still not start, then proceeded to check the starter and installed a new starter still not start and found to be engine siezed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686329September 10, 2025
ENGINE
Engine seized up while driving. I had just visited the dealership and had 5 RECALLS done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685439September 6, 2025
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The red steering wheel with an exclamation point pops up on the dashboard and instantly I lose power steering the wheel gets really hard, it went out as I was making a turn and I almost hit the truck . I had to yank the wheel really hard to control the steering, then had to pull over turn the truck off then back on to reset the problem. This have been going on mildly for a few years now has gotten to its worst
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685118September 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a pearl white painted Kia (2016) and the paint has severely flaked off where no damage has caused this. I believe the paint is defective, exposing the car to rust.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682890August 25, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
I now believe I've had a lemon. Since I purchased my car in 2016 they have been trying to diagnose a smell from the exhaust and started replacing parts, this was in Miami. Then for a few years in Vegas the car spent months at the dealership trying to fix a burning oil issue which I've been told there is a known problem with the turbo still isn't fixed. From the first year I had paint peeling on my snow white pearl color which has numerous forums about KIA/Hyundai paint issues especially with my color. I had them repaint the hood which took twice after the bad job the first time. I saw little bumps in the paint which I thought was over-spray from that incident and now I have peeling from one of those spots which is how they form from what i read. My car is 2016 but only has 65k miles. The spot now is getting bigger by the week, the rain isn't helping. there are other spots around the edges and a big spot on the roof and others I've already filled in with a paint pen which looks ugly. If you see my car, inside and out it looks pretty close to new from the way I've taken care of the car. The paint started in August of 2016 but most recently 2025. The engine issues were day one but most recently 2024 they fixed a cylinder that got a hole in it after consuming all the oil and it seems to be headed down that path with the remedy they are offering at KIA. The engine and paint should be convered under a class action lawsuit or recall to hold them accountable and fix the issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682777August 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My headlights flicker when the left turn signal is used. I have taken this vehicle to the dealership previously for headlight flickering issues. I have owned it since 2019. When the lights flicker at night driving at highway speeds, it is dangerous for me and other drivers around me. The Ray Skillman Kia dealer has confirmed these issues and offered fixes that have not lasted. the most recent flickering did not come with warnings or messages prior to malfunctioning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681855August 20, 2025
ENGINE
83,000 miles just changed oil and knock sensor and engine seized
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681577August 19, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
manufacture paint peeling all over my car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681282August 18, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint on our Pearl White 2016 Sorento is beginning to delaminate on the front of hood and the two pillar posts. It began as a small bubble and continues to spread and chip off. Several quarter-sized spots now and two hand-sized places.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681447August 18, 2025
STEERING
Driving on the freeway going 75-80 mph and my steering wheel locked up. When this happens I am unable to turn my steering wheel. Have to let my foot of the gas and try with all my muscle to get the car to go to the side of the road to put the car in park. Turn it off and turn it back on. This exact incident has happened to me 3 times in a row on the freeway on [XXX]. Once while the road had a curve. 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
#11681134August 17, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The had the same oil leakage recall fixed two times by a dealership which it is still leaking BAD! That was said to be an oil pressure switch. My trunk also will not open.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680806August 15, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Lights shut off by themselves at night in auto mode in dark environments!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680780August 14, 2025
ENGINE
My son was driving on the hwy and a banging sound started- lights started flashing on dash and it lost speed. Stranded on road. Read that 2016 KIA SORENTO v6 engines have this prob but apparently ours doesn’t??? According to Kia these run quite a while so 160K isn’t many miles! And all maintenance done at same location the life of vehicle. Makes no sense that it states everywhere I’ve read 2016 V6 have this problem, why not ours?? Now we battle with putting a new motor in a vehicle I just bought less than a year ago for the same price that I bought it for! It’s very nice interior and body but that does me no good with no engine! UNFAIR KIA!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679533August 9, 2025
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
We have been having problems with the speed control not functioning. Sometimes we couldn't set the speed or slow it down. Now it doesn't function at all! When it was working the cancel switch would also not work and we had to use the brake pedal to shut it off. Later on while driving through town with the cruise control still on, I stopped at a traffic light and the engine began to race at a high rpms. I took my foot off the gas pedal not knowing exactly what it would do and rpms settled down. Luckily the suv didn't accelerate into the vehicle in front of me. The engine has done this a couple of times with or without the cruise control on. My wife drives this vehicle with our grand children onboard and I am highly concerned about their safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679556August 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This scenerio happened and fire resulted with total loss. Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings Recall date 2018-12-18 Recall no. 18V907000 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. Hide details Recall consequence A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall action 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678647August 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, WHEELS
My traction control light is on along with my abs sensor light and another light indication red figure with like a stop sign only when someone in passenger seat as well as a exhaust issue my vehicle sounds loud driving out of no where
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678129August 4, 2025
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
I purchased my Kia sorento in August of 2024 in April 2025 my Kia went into limp mode p1326. It was determined to be part of the ksds recall but all they did is replace the sensor. Something caused that sensor to go off and I feel they just masked the problem. At the same time in April I was told that there is a severe case of oil consumption that the Kia dealership requested information i do a $700 engine cleaning but actually made the oil consumption worse. Also just in the last 11 months ive had excessive paint issues where overall there's random chips, then peeling on the hood, side of the windshield and top of vehicle. I messaged Kia USA where I was informed neither situation is covered under warranty. My thoughts on oil consumption is i myself and the previous owners via carfax show consistent maintenance which in turn make it seem to be a manufacturer issue. I'm in imperial MO 63052 USA Not sure if your company can help or refer me to someone who can.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677807August 1, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2016 Kia Sorento has a paint peeling on the hood and roof. I have reached out to Corporate but they will not help due to expired warranty. Learned on FB group chat that the paint is defective also the same color paint white pearl. Have you had any other complaints?Any idea on what I need to do? Thanks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677362July 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 97,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Sorento