Kia Sorento Complaints (2016)

1,262 consumer complaints on file.

#11774130October 28, 2026
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal cranking and popping sound. Upon researching the failure online, the contact learned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V480000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773626October 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS
The dash is split all over the soft padded dash from the heat started with 1 small split grew larger and all over the dash even with a windshield shade and dash mat heat cracks could affect the passenger side dash airbag brought the vehicle new has just over 40000 mi photo enclosed show just a few cracks the whole dash is affected
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773631October 26, 2026
STEERING
The Steering binds/ sticks at the 12 o’clock position on the highway, requiring sudden extra physical force to break free, which causes the vehicle to oversteer left to right. For record, Auffenberg Kia verified a steering torque measurement of 7.3 Nm (failure limit: 4.5 Nm) per TSB CHA060, but denied warranty repair under WTY023 solely because the instrument cluster lamp was not illuminated. I paid $163.69 and the dealer released an unsafe car back to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773695October 26, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle caught on fire when driving, putting my mother's life and her passenger at risk. My mother is an elderly Deaf woman, but was able to pull over in time for Fire Department to help contain fire. There were no warning lamps or messages of any problems with car, the car started smoking (smoke also entered cabin) and they pulled over where there was a fire under hood and bystander call emergency services. The car is currently at a tow lot and should be available for inspection upon request. We are waiting for car to be inspected by insurance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772419October 20, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a scheduled service, the contact requested that the dealer inspect the issue. The vehicle was diagnosed with a low-pressure fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the low-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772433October 20, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The failure was associated with Technical Service Bulletin: 253 (Rev 1, WTY035 - Warranty Extension Program). The contact stated that the issue was caused by a failure of the iron screws on the engine. The dealer was contacted and stated that the oil change records were needed before replacing the engine. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,764.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772503October 20, 2026
ENGINE
I am the original owner of a 2016 Kia Sorento and have lived at my original registration address since purchasing the vehicle. The engine suddenly and catastrophically failed/seized due to internal rod bearing failure. The local Kia dealership is denying the recall engine replacement because the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update was not performed. However, Kia America failed to mail me a statutory recall notice to my verified address. The dealership is weaponizing Kia's own notification failure to deny coverage for an acknowledged safety defect."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771909October 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Zubie plug-in obd device for gps tracking and health monitoring of cars. It was triggering an airbag light on the dash which meant in the event of a crash the airbags would not be deployed. My local Kia dealer investigated and found the plug in zubie device was triggering the airbag light in the dash. I contacted zubie and they said they knew about this. This is a huge safety concern for a simple gps obd plugin to be affecting safety systems of cars.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769430October 6, 2026
AIR BAGS
Dear Kia America Customer Care Team, Thank you for your response regarding Case Number While I understand that my vehicle is technically outside the standard factory warranty period, I am formally requesting a managerial review of this decision. This is not a request for a cosmetic repair, but a critical safety concern regarding a life-saving component. The dashboard material directly above the passenger airbag is cracking. As you are aware, the structural integrity of the airbag cover is essential for its correct deployment. My primary concern is that during a collision, these cracks could cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly, or worse, turn fragments of the brittle dashboard into dangerous projectiles aimed directly at the front passenger. A vehicle’s airbag system should not degrade into a safety hazard under normal operating conditions, regardless of warranty mileage. This structural degradation points to a potential material defect rather than standard wear and tear. Before I take further action, I request that Kia America reviews this case under a goodwill consideration (Goodwill Policy), as it directly impacts the crashworthiness and occupant safety of the vehicle. For your records, I am also documenting this issue with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure it is registered as a potential safety risk for this model line. I look forward to your reconsidered response and hope we can resolve this matter safely and professionally. Sincerely Dear Thank you for contacting Kia America, Inc. We appreciate your feedback and the opportunity to address your concerns. We have concluded the research regarding your request for assistance. Your vehicle is out of warranty as outlined in your Warranty and Consumer Information Manual and the
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768490October 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure at 99,000 miles Replaced by dealer under warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767733September 29, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
I am the original, single owner of a 2016 Kia Sorento in Snow White Pearl. My vehicle currently has approximately 96,000 miles on it. Roughly one year ago, the factory paint began catastrophically peeling, flaking, and deteriorating in large sheets on the roof and near the passenger-side door. This damage is not the result of environmental wear, stone chips, or poor maintenance. It is a documented, widespread manufacturing defect—specifically, a factory primer-adhesion failure (delamination)—that uniquely impacts Kia and Hyundai vehicles painted in this specific Snow White Pearl finish. I contacted Kia Consumer Care to resolve this issue and was assigned Case Number 26409995. Despite my status as a loyal, original owner of a vehicle under 100,000 miles, Kia issued a blanket denial of assistance. Kia is well aware of this systemic manufacturing defect, as their sister company Hyundai has previously extended paint warranties to 10+ years for identical white paint delamination issues. Kia’s refusal to remedy this known defect constitutes unfair and deceptive consumer business practices under California law. My vehicle specifically features Kia’s "Snow White Pearl", which is widely documented to have a latent factory defect. The core issue stems from an original chemical failure where the white base paint layer did not properly bond or fuse to the factory primer layer. Over time, exposure to atmospheric heat, rain, or vibration causes the top layers to completely delaminate and flake off in massive chunks, often exposing the bare gray primer underneath. When multiple panels peel, it presents a safety hazard if paint flakes off into the vision of drivers behind me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767550September 28, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle equipped with 3.3L V6 Lambda II engine, covered under active Kia Warranty Extension Campaigns WTY035/WTY039 for engine block head bolt/gasket failure.In July, the vehicle experienced a cooling system issue and was brought to authorized dealer Westgate Kia. Despite explicit campaign guidelines mandating a coolant pressure test and chemical combustion block test for cooling complaints on this engine, the dealership failed to follow the TSB protocol. They attributed the issue solely to an external hose, recommended unrelated peripheral repairs, and released the vehicle without performing the required campaign diagnostics.A few months later, the unchecked progressive manufacturing defect resulted in catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle exhibited intermittent overheating, blew heavy white smoke from the tailpipe (indicating a massive head gasket breach/coolant entering combustion chambers), and ultimately suffered a total loss of cylinder compression, requiring it to be towed back to Westgate Kia.The dealership is currently trying to evade the 15-year/180,000-mile WTY035/WTY039 campaign coverage. The service department is refusing to follow the mandated diagnostic flowchart to check for stripped engine block head bolts, instead claiming the failure is due to a "melted radiator." They are attempting to blame the consequences of the extreme engine overheating on peripheral parts to avoid performing the required engine sub-assembly replacement under the federal campaign.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766727September 24, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Hard shifting and kia said I need a new transmission, 99,500 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765637September 20, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Upon a catastrophic engine failure Tasca Kia replaced engine under Theta II settlement. I picked up my kia on 9/12. Engine is not running properly. It’s jerking and there is loud mechanical knocking. I don’t feel safe driving. I’ve contacted Kia corporate beginning 9/16 who contacted Tasca to arrange for tow and loaner. They said Tasca service mgr would contact soon to set up. They never did. I called corporate again later that day and after they called Tasca they were told service mgr went home for the day. As of this date Tasca Kia has not contacted me. I again called Kia corporate 9/17 asking to please escalate and allow me to use another service dept. The only other service location with loaner is a half hour away and I cannot afford another tow or another rental. I am stranded with a car that is not safe due to installation failure or another defective engine. No one from Kia will help in a reasonable time frame. I’m now told it can take up to 48 BUSINESS HOURS for any assistance. In the meantime I’m being forced to decide on whether to risk driving an unsafe vehicle to the service dept or to continue waiting for Kia to contact me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762746September 8, 2026
ENGINE
I am filing this complaint regarding a 2016 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle suddenly broke down while my [XXX] daughter was driving in [XXX] and was taken to Sooner Kia in [XXX]. The dealership diagnosed the engine as seized and stated that it failed because there was no oil, requiring engine replacement. We dispute that conclusion. Within approximately five minutes of the breakdown, my daughter checked the oil at her father’s direction, and the level appeared normal. A mobile mechanic later inspected the vehicle and also reported that the oil level was normal and appeared clean. Sooner Kia now claims the engine was “bone dry” and that lack of oil caused the seizure. We have requested documentation showing how much oil was found, whether any oil was drained, what testing was performed, what internal damage was identified, and what evidence proves that oil starvation caused the failure. We have not received documentation establishing the cause. This is concerning because NHTSA previously investigated loss of motive power involving 2016–2017 Kia Sorento vehicles with 3.3L Lambda II engines under PE23-019. Kia later created extended warranty campaign WTY035 for certain related failures. Please document this complaint and review whether this engine failure may be related to those known issues. We are being asked to authorize an expensive engine replacement without evidence supporting the dealership’s conclusion. Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento VIN: [XXX] Dealership: Sooner Kia, [XXX] Manufacturer: Kia America 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
#11762893September 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a severe, sudden electronic and mechanical failure of the shift interlock system and the Body Control Module (BCM) that compromises vehicle control and leaves the vehicle stranded in active traffic conditions. While attempting to operate the vehicle, the shifter lever suddenly became physically jammed and highly resistant, refusing to shift out of the "Park" position or smoothly engage into "Drive." Simultaneously, the gear selector indicator (P-R-N-D) on the digital dashboard display went completely blank, indicating a total loss of network communication between the transmission range system and the vehicle's central computer network. Because the vehicle's electronic safety "handshake" failed, the vehicle suffered a no-start condition. To operate the vehicle or move it out of harm's way, I am forced to use the mechanical manual shift-lock override tool. Diagnostic scanning at a professional repair facility confirmed a hard Code P0955 (Auto Shift Manual Mode Circuit Malfunction) due to an internal electronic failure inside the Body Control Module (BCM), which handles the safety grounding circuit for the shift interlock solenoid. Safety Risk Statement: This component failure introduces a severe safety hazard. If a driver is required to quickly shift gears or move the vehicle out of an active roadway, intersection, or railway crossing during an emergency, the physical locking of the shifter and sudden communication dropout prevents immediate vehicle control. Bypassing a safety system via a physical override tool while stranded in traffic is a dangerous distraction. There is an existing safety recall for this model year regarding shifter rollaways (Recall SC246), but it does not address this opposite, widespread BCM circuit failure that permanently traps the shifter and disables dashboard monitoring. I request that the NHTSA investigate this systemic Kia BCM failure pattern for a retroactive safety recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761133August 31, 2026
ENGINE
On or about XXX, my KIA Sorento LX FWD Auto 2.4-liter engine with an approximate mileage of 36,000, began having drivability problems, none of which occurred before that date. On XXX the vehicle was serviced at Ourisman Chantilly Kia (VA051) for a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign (SC340) THETA II 2.4L GDI ECM S/W Upgrade. Records reflect that it was a Theta II Emissions Logic Improvement 250A21R1 0.3 M/H. This was a voluntary campaign from Kia America, Inc., [XXX]. Failure to have this performed, as cited from the Kia Corporate Headquarters, could nullify warranty/warranties. What ensued was a vehicle that stalled, seized, hesitated, and/or jolted at low speeds that had the potential to cause severe injury or accident. Uncontrolled rough accelerating and seizing is a serious complaint, and the causation can be linked to the dealership performing the voluntary recall where the vehicle was purchased on March 15, 2015, in [XXX]. Further, this vehicle has a full and complete record of all repairs and symptoms, which includes, and is not limited to, maintenance, Service Campaign, Service Action, Recall, and Product Improvement. This vehicle, included in a class of vehicles with a history of potential engine failures, has a Lifetime Engine Warranty extension coverage included in PI1802 Y/Z Engine R&R Warranty Bulletin 2020-26 and PI1802W/X Warranty Bulletin 2018-10. Therefore, when the records were reviewed for the initial Voluntary Emission Service Campaign recall code SC234 completed in 2022, along with my former NHTSA Complaint Number XXX submitted electronically, an apparent history of obfuscation relating to material safety concerns emerges. KIA America, Inc. sold this Kia as a five-star safety rated vehicle. It now makes me feel uneasy with its defective drivability. 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
#11759097August 24, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I went in a few months ago for a routine oil change. My car has had zero operating issues since I had the engine replaced around 5 years ago. They told me that I need to have a voluntary emissions update performed, so I gave consent. (The letter I received a few days later referred to it as "Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign.")On the way home, it seemed to drive rougher. I figured it was relearning some of the basic operating values. The following morning, it idled rough and then when I began driving, it would lurch forward irradically for the first one or two minutes of driving. I called the dealership and they insisted that it was coincidence. They said they will look at it, but there would be a charge. I have noticed a pattern since then. During normal driving, it is now smooth. It only happens on cold starts. Allowing it to idle elimiates the issue. However, it continues to idle rough on cold starts. If I drive it after it warms up, however, it does lurch forward. After this, it drives normal. Today I went in to the dealership for another oil change and asked about it. They continued to insist that it was impossible, but that I could leave it overnight and pay to have it looked at with the understanding that the two cannot be related. The safety issue is that it will literally make the car lurch forward when barely touching the gas. If this continues to worsen, it will cause a wreck. It has not been formally inspected, but I can provide dash cam footage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758147August 20, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PAINT ISCOMING OFF AND DON'T STICK TO THE VEHICLE. I NEED KIA TO PAINT THIS CAR ASAP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758158August 20, 2026
STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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