2016 Kia Sorento problems and complaints
Owners have filed 1254 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento. The most-reported areas: Engine (695), Unknown Or Other (165), Power Train (126).
Key takeaways
- 1254 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 29 involve a crash, 49 a fire, 19 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 695 | 55% |
| Unknown Or Other | 165 | 13% |
| Power Train | 126 | 10% |
| Structure | 111 | 9% |
| Electrical System | 107 | 9% |
| Steering | 80 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting | 67 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 62 | 5% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 53 | 4% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 30 | 2% |
| Service Brakes | 23 | 2% |
| Air Bags | 17 | 1% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Sorento SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2016 Kia Sorento SUV FWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Air Bags - filed 2026-10-06
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 conc...
Power Train - filed 2026-10-02
Transmission failure at 99,000 miles Replaced by dealer under warranty
Structure - filed 2026-09-29
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 re...
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More for the 2016 Kia Sorento
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.