10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,087 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Kia Sorento drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #33

Jul 202021

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We had issues with the TPMS in 2020. Took it to Tempe Kia on 7/30/2020. The following was done on vehicle. 1. Installed 37110 H7A00U 2. Complete Transmission service W/BG Cleaner installed Um013, KBG3020-Cooling system kit, UM040 antifreeze/coolant, 58101 C6A00 Pad kit- Front disc b, Replaced air filter 28113 A9100 Total amount paid $1,019.96. At that time oil was checked off as green. 11/25/2020 four new tires from Costco were put on. TPMS issue came back in May of 2021 when vehicle was parked outside. We live in AZ so the temperatures get hot but when the TPMS light come on it shuts the car down where it could not go into gear until it cooled down. Moving forward to July the TPMS light stayed on and the check engine light came on and vehicle began to sputter. We took it to our mechanic and he diagnosed that we needed a new engine. There was sludge build up, knock sensor codes came up, miss fires on bank 1, and internal engine noise. We had the vehicle towed to our dealer Tempe Kia. They concurred that a new engine would be necessary. Many codes were found P0300, P0306; P0304; P0302; P0018. Had a conversation with Debby 10:00 a.m. for 55 minutes 7/20/21from Kia and was told that due to lack of maintenance on the vehicle that Kia would not cover this engine under warranty. We were told that our oil changes were out of the time frame that Kia specifies in the owners manual that the 2016 Kia Sorento should have an oil change every 7,500 miles. We had oil changes every year from purchase to failure. Some at 8,000 miles to 15,000 miles. There are MANY complaints and cases open for the 2016 Kia Sorento engine failure. We have a 2012 Kia Sorento that the engine failed but a recall was issued for finding metal shavings in the engine. We purchased a 2021 Telluride in June but, moving forward we will not be purchasing anymore Kia vehicles. We are truly disappointed that Kia found a way out of our case and will not warranty our engine.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #32

Jun 032021

Sorento

  • miles
leaks oil like crazy and constantly adding oil but no obvious leak engine shaking very bad, idling very hard and not shifting properly

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #31

Mar 192021

Sorento

  • 57,365 miles
I'm highly disappointed in my 2016 Kia Sorento ex AWD. Just yesterday I brought the vehicle in for an oil change tire rotation and coolant flush. One of the service advisors had let me know that the vehicle is leaking oil and I'm going to need a new oil pressure switch and a new drain pan since that's where it's leaking from. For a price of $425. Upon looking and scouring the internet it looks like this is a very common problem with Kia and just the step before of engine failure. I don't know why NHTSA doesn't make this a standard recall considering the sportage has the same recall available. I mean it's a known fact Kia engines are lacking in oil, catching on fire and failing. I bought this car as a certified pre-owned to be rest assure with my uneasiness about buying a used car and I've been at the dealership getting repairs left and right. I'm not even at 60,000 miles and that's how ludicrous this is! granted the first person who owned the vehicle or at least it rather put 19,000 miles on it. It's already been in for service with the transmission I needed a torque converter and that was covered under the warranty thank goodness and now this oil leak from the oil pressure switch and oil pan needs to also be covered under warranty but I'm out of luck. There's thousands of complaints online about the same darn problem.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #30

Mar 012021

Sorento

  • 101,206 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Started going up a mountain highway and my car started jumping and immediately decreased speed. It would not go and kept skipping, like a stop and go type of deal. My check engine light starting flashing and I had to pull over. After I got my car towed it was found that the car had zero oil in it. Like bone dry but with zero leaks anywhere. The mechanic checked everything twice to make sure everything else was intact and it was. My oil light never came on and it never smoked or overheated. I had zero indication that the car didn't have oil. I was 900+ miles from my next oil change. It was like the oil evaporated into thin air. We are completely baffled as to what happened and why the car didn't have any oil in it. Because of no oil, a piston broke and the engine threw a rod and it is ruined. My car needs a whole new engine now. The mechanic stated that the only thing wrong with the car was no oil and that it was like it just disappeared because there was no oil residue anywhere.

- Franklin, NC, USA

problem #29

Jan 162021

Sorento

  • 89,492 miles
Hello I am going to be blunt and straight to the point. Your $30,000 vehicle, financed, approved and paid for by me nearly stole my life on Jan 16, 2021 : on mile post 46 on I-40, East bound lanes in kingman, Arizona at approximately 3:00 pm on what was a beautiful trip through route 66, which soon became a death trap my partner: Anthony [xxx], co-financer and signer of this death-trap as well as our two innocent parson russell terriers were nearly burned to death in what could and should have been an explosion like that of the press Kia & the likes are being sued for. Numerous innocent lives have been excruciatingly ended due to greed, decite and blatant disregard for life to add to an already gluttonous bank account, as you suck and drain me dry all the while aware of the danger you knowingly make us legally pay for. I filed an extensive report and complaint with Kia and now you. My case number is at the beginning of this letter, I suggest B you get a hold of Kia customer care, just as I had to after nearly losing my soulmate, dogs and life to be stranded in the middle of a state we hace never been, no money, food or vehicle nyiu just charhed me for. I have provided my case number and I expect all payment to cease and be returned immediately to avoid involvement in this disgusting act of distaste of honesty. I am never paying a penny more for your direct, ignorant and abhorrent yet blatant actions. We were driving on the highway at regular highway speeds. Redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Port Huron, MI, USA

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problem #28

Nov 012020

Sorento

  • miles
Shifts are going into 2nd. Down shifts hard when stopping. When I say it shifts are it jerks. Typically stopped after shutting car off and restarting. Now will not stop

- Edinburgh, IN, USA

problem #27

Nov 272020

Sorento

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle started running hot after driving down the highway and kept cutting off out of the blue. Then I checked all the coolant and radiator to see if fluid was leaking no sign of a crack. Then took it to O'reillys auto parts because check engine lighr shows codes P0087, defected transmission fluid temperature sensor, defected PCM/tcm. Poor connector and the fuel rail pressure sensor. After having it towed to Kia they open it up and said I needed a new engine and my head gasket was cracked. And

- Paradise, NV, USA

problem #26

Nov 012020

Sorento

  • 75,000 miles
The entire vehicle shakes on the transition from 1st to 2nd gear. It previously would only do this once at the beginning of every drive, but now it happens during every acceleration from a stop. In other words, after every stop sign or light, the SUV will kick with a significant jolt as it shifts from 1st up to 2nd gear.

- Burbank, CA, USA

problem #25

Jun 262020

Sorento

  • 97,000 miles
Car kicks when driving. Oil burns out after oil change. Every week or 2 I have to put oil in. Problem still continues after kicking problem was somewhat fixed. Car still kicks but not as hard today. Engine oil is still burning up quickly

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 252020

Sorento

  • 82,000 miles
My Kia Sorento does not shift out of P (park). The lock release button does not engage unless I activate the shift-lock override. I am extremely concerned for the safety of my children, toddler, and entire family. Please help us repair this and ensure the manufacturer is held accountable.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 042020

Sorento

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Kia will not shift out of park. Took it to a shop and they said it was a solenoid

- Heartland, TX, USA

problem #22

Jul 092020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
Lose of power. Mechanical put in computer. Turbo defective. Told shouldn't drive, as lose of power while driving, severe safety issue. This issue is applicable toward driver and orher vehicles and its driver/passengers on the road.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #21

Mar 042020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles
I had power lose while I am driving on high way or on street where you go a little uphill. Even after they replaced engine on my 2016 Kia Sorento. It does not happens on the straight road, only if there is uphill.

- Middle Village, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 202020

Sorento

  • 62,500 miles
I had about 62,500 miles on the vehicle. We were driving down the highway and it was just blowing cold air from the heater. The vehicle started to stall and rapid decellerate. Thankfully the highway wasn't too busy and we just made it across the lanes to the shoulder; it could've been very tragic if we got stuck in a lane, especially since there was no warning with a check engine light before this. The vehicle was smoking. We got it towed to a repair shop and they confirmed it was overheating but couldn't diagnosis full engine issue. We had to get to a Kia dealer to do an engine tear down. They found 6 threads stripped and decided then it needs a new engine. We've consistently done our oil changes and maintenance so is very concerning how quickly and severely this engine issue came up. Unfortunately we are just past the 60K mile warranty and Kia is willing to only offer minor assistance despite evidence of other vehicles having similar engine issues.

- E Palo Alto, CA, USA

problem #19

Dec 202019

Sorento

  • 82,000 miles
While passing, sudden loss of all power. The check engine light came on. From that point on, very low power. When I got home, there was a fairly loud engine knock and oil coming from tail pipe. Took car to independent shop who diagnosed the issue as rod knock. Had the car towed to Kia dealer who then said it needed a new engine. Only 82,000 miles on vehicle. Kia covered the parts and labor to replace. When the shop dropped the engine, they noticed the drive splines on both the AWD transfer case and transmission were both rusted and all teeth sheared off on the fwd side of the spines. Rwd still intact. Kia would not cover neither would the extended warranty company because of the rust. That is a sealed unit with multiple rubber gaskets. How could it possibly have rusted? this is a major design flaw as there should been adequate heavy lubricant as well as sealing to prevent these parts from rusting. New transmission required $1800, and new transfer case would have been another $2500. Chose slightly used unit for $1000. It took almost 8 weeks to resolve. Now car is leaking oil on to exhaust. Back to dealer it goes...

- Ionia, MI, USA

problem #18

Oct 012019

Sorento

  • miles
Two oil change stations told me I need a new power train. I know power train is covered under 100,000 miles for Kia. Want to see if I need your help in the process for defect or anything else to assist me at nearest Kia dealership?

- Bonaire, GA, USA

problem #17

Dec 232019

Sorento

  • 50,000 miles
Total engine failure at 50 thousand miles at highway speeds. Transmission acting funny & shifting hard in weeks prior to engine failure.

- Palm City, FL, USA

problem #16

Aug 292019

Sorento

  • 71,000 miles
I started experiencing overheating issues in July. Knowing Kia are notorious for engine trouble, my mechanic checked the head gasket. It was fine but my radiator fan needed replaced. The very next day after having my fan replaced, my head gasket blew, driving down a state route. No warning, no check engine light, nothing. I have now had my entire engine replaced (long block, cylinder head, and gaskets). They have now discovered that my radiator is leaking, which like the radiator fan, is not covered under warranty. It seems that Kia knows there is an issue with these cars and is doing nothing to recall them.

- Franklin, OH, USA

problem #15

Sep 162019

Sorento

  • miles
2016 Kia Sorento with 67,000 miles had flashing check engine light. Car was towed to the Kia dealership in which the service advisor said the fuel injector was broken which spilled fuel into the motor causing $7,800 of damage. The diagnosis sis not and will not determine if it is a faulty injector and Kia will not participate in covering the other parts effected in the warranty. They offered a good grace assistance for $2,500 but offered a higher price on the parts saying they are parts covered in a factory manufacturing warranty. Regardless I never had symptoms of a worn fuel injector and believe the fuel injector is and was faulty and should be investigated further. The Kia managers believe this is normal for cars and that they will not comply with the warranty because of the injector causing the damage. The injector is not covered in the limited 100,000 mile warranty. This happened on Monday September 16, 2019 and was on a access road 5 miles away from my home. Currently the car is at the dealership while I wait for the next supervisor from Kia corporate call me in regards to the final offer on this repair.

- Trafford, PA, USA

problem #14

Jul 112019

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
Takata recall while driving my car, it completely shut off in the middle of the road. It was almost like it was out of gas but had a full tank gas. We tested the battery also. It still failed to start back. It would not start back after multiple attempts and I had to get it towed yesterday. The mechanics I had it towed to says they think it may have something to do with the engine but are unsure.

- Spruce Pine, NC, USA

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