2016 Kia Sorento

1,252 complaints on file, page 1 of 63.

1. Filed Sep 29, 2026Failure Sep 25, 2026Dublin, CABody

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11767733
2. Filed Sep 28, 2026Failure Sep 9, 2026Raleigh, NCEngine

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11767550
3. Filed Sep 24, 2026Failure Sep 2, 2026Lake worth, FLPower train

   Hard shifting and kia said I need a new transmission, 99,500 miles

   NHTSA complaint 11766727
4. Filed Sep 20, 2026Failure Sep 16, 2026West Babylon, NYEngine, 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.

   NHTSA complaint 11765637
5. Filed Sep 8, 2026Failure Apr 14, 2026Ocean Township, NJElectrical 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.

   NHTSA complaint 11762893
6. Filed Sep 8, 2026Failure Aug 30, 2026Conroe, TXEngine

   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)

   NHTSA complaint 11762746
7. Filed Aug 31, 2026Failure Jul 10, 2026South Riding, VAEngine

   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)

   NHTSA complaint 11761133
8. Filed Aug 24, 2026Failure Apr 8, 2026Ringgold, GAEngine, 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.

   NHTSA complaint 11759097
9. Filed Aug 20, 2026Failure May 27, 2026215,640 milesKnoxville, TNExterior lighting, Structure, Exterior

   See attached document for complaint.

   NHTSA complaint 11758158
10. Filed Aug 20, 2026Failure Aug 20, 2026West Columbia, SCBody

    THE PAINT ISCOMING OFF AND DON'T STICK TO THE VEHICLE. I NEED KIA TO PAINT THIS CAR ASAP

    NHTSA complaint 11758147
11. Filed Aug 14, 2026Failure Oct 20, 2025Rancho Cordova, CABody

    Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento EX VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 67,000 Component: Paint/Body (Exterior Finish) My 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl / Pearl White) has developed premature, multi-panel paint failure. Flaking began appearing on the roof rail area above the front doors in late summer 2025, followed by flaking on the hood, and later bubbling on the rear driver-side door. Flakes recovered from the ground beneath the vehicle have consistently been approximately the size of a 50-cent piece. At the manufacturer's request, three independent, licensed California collision repair facilities inspected the vehicle. All three independently identified a paint adhesion or chemical bonding failure, not ordinary wear. One shop's written estimate states verbatim that "the sealer did not chemically bond when basecoat was applied." Another states it cannot warranty a repair unless affected panels are stripped to bare metal and fully refinished. Repair estimates to properly address the condition range from approximately $9,000 to $17,000. Kia has already acknowledged this as a defect meriting manufacturer assistance, having extended a goodwill offer covering partial repainting costs. I am filing this report to document a paint system manufacturing defect, consistent with a pattern reported by other Kia Sorento owners and referenced in at least one prior Kia service bulletin (SA166) addressing paint peeling on Sorento door panels. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11756972
12. Filed Jul 26, 2026Failure Jul 23, 2026Plano, TXEngine

    While I was driving, my 3.3 V6 engine on my 2016 Kia Sorento seized up with no warning. There is no visible oil on the dip stick, although I have changed my oil routinely. There has never been visible oil outside of the engine or on the ground. I never had any warning light come on. I believe the engine burns an extreme amount of oil, which is putting people in a dangerous situation and financial hardship.

    NHTSA complaint 11752935
13. Filed Jul 23, 2026Failure Jul 18, 2026Bremerton, WAEngine

    On Saturday the 18th of July, the car was fine, on Sunday 07/19/2026 got ready to take car to regular scheduled oil change and it was making a blown engine noise, the rod had failed, Safety issues where the people at oil change could have had a rod thrown out the bottom of the engine, or my car could have failed in the middle of the road causing an accident. No warning signs, no limp mode, no engine light, no noted metal in oil on previous oil changes. Inspected at Kia, does not meet any recall warranties, however service manager at West Hills Kia stated this is in an internal engine failure and should not have happened with our service records and care of vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint 11752340
14. Filed Jul 19, 2026Failure May 6, 2026Forney, TXEngine, Power train

    I recently took my 2016 Kia Sorento L to the Kia dealership for the Emissions update recall. The next day when I started it up and put it in drive, it started jerking hard when I was trying to speed up (going from first to second gear). I had to stop and then slowly push the gas so it wouldn't jerk so hard, then it finally switched gears and was smooth. Ever since it's happening only at the first cold start up of the day, and have sluggish acceleration throughtout the day. No lights on or codes. I took back to dealership twice and they said they couldn't replicate it and so they aren't sure, but it definitely still does it (anyone riding with me notices before I even mention it).

    NHTSA complaint 11751409
15. Filed Jul 19, 2026Failure Jul 13, 2026East Aurora, NYPower train

    I have a 2016 kia sorento I was having a problem with the shifter it would not go into park and had to use the shift override button I contacted the dealer there was an active recall they refused to repair or replace the shifter because it was inspected by the dealer in 2022 and as far as they where concerned that satisfied the recall The recall is still valid, and does not have close date how can they refuse to repair . It is still a safety issue

    NHTSA complaint 11751372
16. Filed Jul 12, 2026Failure Jul 12, 2026Grand Rapids, MIEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

    I took my 2016 Kia Sorento to the dealership for an emissions service update as a result of a service bulliten (SC340) After recieving the car back, the transmission acts unpredictably and the throttle is erratic. This happens when started cold and continues until the engine reaches temperature. It did not do this previous to the update. It is a safetey hazard and almost caused a collision. The throttle response was sluggish, it hunted for gears and as a result I was unable to safely merge into traffic endangering myself and other drivers.

    NHTSA complaint 11749807
17. Filed Jul 7, 2026Failure Jun 27, 2026Rumford, RIElectrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system

    (Transmission and motor) I had taken my car to the dealership on XXX for recalls and all the signal were fine before going there. They took my car back to do the recalls and my son and I waited . Once they were done we left closer to closing time is noticed there was a burn mark on my dash board that wasn’t there before the recalls. Going forward on the way home. We were waved down by a man stating that my signal and brake light weren’t working . So that next day we took my car back to the dealership to see what happen, why all the sudden different alerts were coming up. They had the same mechanic relook at the car and a when finish 31/2 hour latter was told I needed a new transmission, costing $7384.94 which I don’t have . They charge me $179.00 just to confirm what they said about needing a new transmission. I was devastated and confused why I wasn’t told that the day before. So a few days later I took it to another machanic to see if the could see why the lights weren’t working and he ended up putting new bulbs in and got them working but also he put it in a diagnosis machine 2 of them and couldn’t get a reading at all and said I should take it back to find out why he couldn’t get a reading. I was so frustrated at that point I just was upset! I then had a friend of the family mechanic look at it and he said it wasn’t the transmission it was a knock sensor that I needed so I ordered it. When I called him to install the knock sensor he was too busy to do it and it had already been a whole month of waiting so I reached out to a place in Cumberland RI to see if he could install the knock sensor had it towed there and he kept it for three days and said it was a transmission computer and he tried two of them and neither of them worked and charged me $150 for that I was humiliated and crying , I went there to have my car towed home seen him while waiting for the tow truck to come he said I needed a new transmission and now a motor, crying again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

    NHTSA complaint 11748819
18. Filed Jul 1, 2026Failure Jun 22, 2026Smithfield, NCEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Unknown or other

    Hello. I just started smelling gas fumes when my car has been running. I see no drips , etc. It happens everytime I drive it to the point where someone pointed it out to me. I had a new engine put in by KIA for my old engine "going to sleep" about 4 years ago. I have been told that this is a on going problem with the Model I have. I want to know what I should do at this point. Im [XXX] and [XXX] so I dont have the money to take it all over the place if this engine issue is covered. Could you please let me know and how to proceed? [XXX] [XXX] Cell [XXX] THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP ps....You should have record of KIA replacing the engine on file??? Is this a warranty issue since I do have a newer engine? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11747800
19. Filed Jun 26, 2026Failure Jan 15, 2026Tucson, AZAir bags, Service brakes, Body

    The exterior paint on my 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl, paint code SWP) is peeling off in large chunks across multiple panels. The clear coat is delaminating and lifting in sheets from the surface, exposing bare metal underneath which is now actively rusting. This is consistent with a known defect documented in hundreds of complaints about 2013-2016 Kia Sorentos in Snow White Pearl (SWP). I have photographic documentation showing significant progression of this damage over the past few months. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer regarding this issue. No warning was given prior to the paint failure — it began suddenly and has spread rapidly. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Additionally, the gear shift randomly locks in Park without warning, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. This has occurred on multiple occasions and presents a direct safety risk as it strands me without notice. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the shift lock engaging. The dashboard is also cracking in multiple locations, including near the airbag housing, which may present an additional safety concern.

    NHTSA complaint 11746729
20. Filed Jun 24, 2026Failure Jun 23, 2026Batavia, OHEngine

    Took 2016 kia sorento april 22nd to kia services eastgate batavia oh 45103 to have all recalls fixed, few weeks later engine blew, kia services replaced engine then had to replace my battery because they had to for a month and my good battery was now a total loss, replaced my battery then my car started jerking and won't start unless in neutral, now they say my inhibitor switch needs replaced when I NEVER had any issues in the past with shifting and they wont fix it because they claim its not their fault

    NHTSA complaint 11746307