Kia Sorento Complaints (2016)

1,262 consumer complaints on file.

#11667186June 16, 2025
ENGINE
Possible Head Gasket Failure, present problems Coolant leak, scent of coolant, oil leaks, overheating, hydrocarbons where found in cooling system, Engine failed Coolant pressure test. Complete engine may need to be replaced.Car presently has 74,000 miles break down reported at AllStar Kia, San Bernardino, Ca 92408 on May 29, 2025. 909-763-4740 Victor Morales & Joe West. Car running fine, took in for simple oil change, and the problems above were reported.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667023June 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Put vehicle in park while waiting at a gas station. It won't come out of park. Managed to get it to the pump, and used a screwdriver to bypass the shift lock control, and was able to drive home. With the bypass enabled, it puts my family at risk while driving. The car can shift without the brake being applied. I looked this problem up and it is extremely common with Kia Sorento (the BCM fails, and it's not an affordable fix).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666610June 12, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while being turned off. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where unknown diagnostic codes were retrieved. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was flashing continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed, and the cylinder #6 spark plugs were replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil intrusion into the engine and the cylinders. Additionally, the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The dealer determined that the cylinder block assembly and the engine needed to be replaced; however, an unknown spark plug was replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where a scope with a camera was used to inspect the cylinders, and no oil was found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle needed to undergo an oil consumption test. The contact was advised to drive the vehicle for 1,000 miles. The contact had parked and had stopped driving the vehicle due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664908June 4, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663304May 28, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1) I bought this car in October 2021, when it had ~79,000 miles on it. After ~2,000 miles, it showed a low engine oil sign, and it has been showing this issue since then, i.e., I have to change my oil/filter after every ~2000 miles. It has incurred a huge cost. I talked to the dealers, but they did nothing to solve this problem and charged me ~$1200. Funny part. Whenever I go for an oil change, they say that KIA/HYUNDAI cars have this engine problem. It's a joke to this system that the Govt still allows them to roll on the USA roads. 2) Today, this car had a flashing engine light. I will go to a mechanic tomorrow, but afraid of how much they will charge.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661379May 16, 2025
ENGINE
As I drove on the highway, the car made a loud rattling sound and all the lights on the dashboard lit up. I pulled over immediately and turned off my car. I let it sit for a few minutes and tried to turn it back on - it would not start. I was on the side of a 4-lane highway in the early evening, with my 3 children in the car with me. I had the car towed to a mechanic - they discovered the oil tank was completely empty - I was not overdue for an oil change. They conducted an oil change - the car started and then immediately the engine seized and shut down. However they could not conclude what happened to cause the engine to fail. I took the car to the Kia dealership for an evaluation. The engine had seized due to bearing failure (bottom end). There is an open class action lawsuit and engine warranty for the same system failure, but on a different-sized engine. There were no warnings of an engine failure or a problem with the vehicle prior to the engine shut-down. It all happened within a matter of seconds as I was driving. The transmission, catalytic converter and flex hose had been replaced 8,000 miles prior to this incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659957May 9, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint on hood is peeling
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658600May 2, 2025
ENGINE
Driving my KIA on a highway, no engine light came on and it slowed down and eventually turned off. Tried starting it and heard rattling noise. Had it towed to KIA dealer in Fargo, ND and told me it was normal wear and tear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656690April 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The shift interlock system stopped allowing the car to come out of park however the vehicle would still roll when in Park, have to do a manual override to take it out of park but it will hesitate on the highway. I have had too many near miss accidents with this vehicle. Especially due to my break lights working intermittently although they've been replaced. I'm not sure if it's electrical (my locks would randomly lock and unlock) or due to the shifting gear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656108April 22, 2025
STEERING
Steering wheel has a "sticky" feeling when driving at high speeds. You have to keep the steering wheel moving back and forth or else it sticks while driving high speeds. I have reported to dealership multiple times, but I have been told there is no issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655946April 21, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654937April 16, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652827April 4, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PAINT ON MY PEARL WHITE CAR IS PEELING OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651585March 30, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
My cars shift lock release keeps getting stuck. I replaced the shift solenoid but that didn't work. I see there was a recall for 2016 kia sorentos for this issue but my VIN was not included in the recall. Can you direct on where I can go from here please! Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651050March 27, 2025
ENGINE
The car started to shake really bad and the engine light came on, pulled over called the tow truck service took it to the shop where they informed me the engine was blown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651210March 27, 2025
ENGINE
Starting getting rid of coolant and engine oil and starting smoking really bad out of nowhere .. had to park it and haven’t drove it since unfortunately … need it fixed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648580March 16, 2025
ENGINE
Without warning vehicle stalled. Started right up and had ticking sound at low rpm which went away. Oil change and next day same thing happened. Won't start and engine has seized.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647509March 10, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving into the driveway, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife stated that on a separate occasion while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer jumpstarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact's wife stated that on a separate occasion, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The Extended Warranty field technician later informed the contact that the repair could not be covered since the knock sensor was not installed back in 2021. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 62,598.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647229March 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The instrument cluster blacks out in the middle of a drive or will not come on when initially started. Seems to work when it wants to. Yes, vehicle is available for inspection and we have a video of this defect. Yes, this is a safety issue because no other warning lights or warning system can work. Sometimes the speedometer shows 60mph while sitting still or 0mph while driving. This glitch makes it impossible to verify the speed, if lights and signals are working, airbags active, etc The dealership was advised but nothing done and was told no recalls so can't help without having to come out of pocket. At first it would flicker and get lines like a broken TV screen. We bought car in 2023 about 6 months in is when flickering started. It stopped for awhile. It is on more than off but presents a safety issue for my 18 yr old daughter who it was purchased for.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647231March 9, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car paint peeling
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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