2016 KIA SORENTO Complaints

View complaints related to 2016 KIA SORENTO. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 1,160 complaints submitted for the 2016 KIA SORENTO. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Floyds Knobs, IN

    I am receiving an engine problem on uvo. I took it to autozone to run a diagnostic test and states cam sensor engine problem. It is using excessive oil. I keep my engine oil changed consistently on time. It is not making it to the next oil change date before I have to add oil. This is my main source of transportation and I am on social security and cannot afford engine failure repair. This should not be happening since I have my oil changed consistently. Please advise.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Tacoma, WA

    My KIA, engine just died. I was at a stop light, the light turned green I pressed on the accelerator to go and at the middle of the intersection the engine died. Not certain what had happened or why the engine would die. After a week I had the vehicle towed to a car shop. The same shop that had just done a maintenance on the vehicle in July 2025. I have attached the copy of receipt from the work that the shop had done. When they looked at it they thought at first it was the key fob, so a new key fob was done, it still did not start. Then it was thought to believe it was the starter, so a new starter was installed, vehicle still did not start. At that time I was advised that it was the engine that had siezed. My complaint is that there was no warning signs or signals in the vehicle of anything mechanical going wrong or needing any kind of attention. No warning light displayed on the dash. I drove the vehicle not knowing why would my engine just die, my miles is between 175,000 - 178,000 so the last thing I would think to happen is my engine siezing up on me. Warning lights give you something needs to be looked at and figured out. But as a safety you get nothing displayed then your engines just dies, anything could happen when you are in the middle of traffic, highway or even if it was in the middle of the train tracks. I had spoken to KIA Dealer Service and he advised my vehicle does not have an engine recall but there were a recall in the past for engines such as mine. The KIA Dealer Service advised that they would have to do an inspection, at a cost of $270.00 dollars, and unfortunately it would have to be towed. Advised me that if I wanted to get a new engine it would cost $12,000.00. The vehicle is available for inspection just need to be towed.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Topeka, KS

    Just bought the car, was perfectly fine during the test drive, no lights on or engine codes present. On my way home check engine light came on showing code P0420 , catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank 1), saying the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Did some research and found there were certain 2016 Kia Sorentos recalled for this issue, but doesn’t show up on affected vehicles list when I look up my VIN # .

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Coral Springs, FL

    Fuel pump leaking gas from a crack around electrical connections on top of it. Fire hazard.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Tacoma, WA

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Arizona City, AZ

    Engine seized up while driving. I had just visited the dealership and had 5 RECALLS done.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Clayton, NC

    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

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Pasco, WA

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Raleigh, NC

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Indianapolis, IN

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE