10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 27
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,379 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 14 of 29)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #315

Dec 292022

Sorento

  • miles

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

This is the 2nd time. First time back in May 2022. Engine quite, no oil showing on stick while on the interstate. Had a mechanic look at it, usable to gind an oil leak, and replaced the fuel injection system. Told to only use mid grade which I have. Then my 2016 Kia Sorento's engine just quit again while driving down the interstate. With no warnings light or notification alerts the vehicle started loosing power, a loud clicking noise in the engine then it just stopped, cut off. I was able to roll off a ramp to stop. Checked the oil with nothing showing on the stick and had recently just had oil changed with 5 quarts put in.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #314

Dec 272022

Sorento

  • miles
While on a road trip my car started making a clicking sound when I would push the gas pedal to accelerate and the check engine light came on. I was going to have it checked out when I got to my destination as I was driving with my two children. As we neared our location, and I was driving up a hill, when I pressed the gas it would not accelerate. I was able to get it to an auto repair shop. They diagnosed it with needing new spark plugs and coils. I agreed to the repairs. When the mechanic when to start the work, he noticed that the engine was in bad shape and that he recommended it be towed to a dealership as there have been multiple issues with Kias and having engine issues. I had it towed and opened a case with Kia. I learned about the class action lawsuit. In reading the lawsuit, I have done all necessary work to maintain the vehicle, including updating the software required. I was informed today that the engine is not covered under the lawsuit due to the part of the engine, even though it is in the same area as the covered areas. My car was not safe to drive due to it having a faulty engine. My car was serviced for leaking oil in September of 2022 at a dealership, and they never informed me that there was any concern with the engine or issues. My car could have broken down or shut off while driving in the mountains leaving my children and I stranded. Kia has done nothing to resolve this issue, even though they know they are aware that these cars have engines that catch fire and are failing on people every day.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #313

Jan 032023

Sorento

  • miles
Car started to overheat, high temp alert, heater would not warm. Repair shop did high pressure test for head gasket leak, no problems found- Car continues to use Antifreeze (no drips found on cardboard placed under car in garage), car runs well, but a/c, heater do not perform well. spending time at money at repair shop, no answers-

- Arp, TX, USA

problem #312

Dec 312022

Sorento

  • miles

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

i was merging into traffic on the expressway and when i stepped on the gas the vehicle wouldnt accelerate and died on me, i was able to coast to the side of the expressway, the vehicle sputtered when i attemted to restart, and when i put in drive it died. once it was towed home, i was able to start it and back it up to the garage like 3 feet. but it was sputtering and shaking. this vehicle was purchased used, and the dealership replaced the headgasket approximately 3 months ago. i purchased it 4 months ago. now i'm having problems again and don't know how i'm going to fix this on going problem.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #311

Jan 012020

Sorento

  • miles
We have to constant add oil to the engine in between our 3000 mile oil changes, at least a quart or more. There are no oil leaks anywhere on the engine. The engine makes a loud "ticking" noise and doesn't have the power. The transmission also has issues shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. We have even noticed from time to time a smell of gasoline from what seems to be coming from under the vehicle, but no signs of it leaking anywhere. Also the gas pedal doesn't always have the same "feel" when pushing

- Morgantown, PA, USA

problem #310

Jan 152020

Sorento

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

- Sweet Water, AL, USA

problem #309

Nov 172022

Sorento

  • miles

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

My vehicle began blowing cold air instead of heated air. Then the engine began over-heating and it cracked the radiator. After radiator was replaced my 2016 Sorento continued to blow cold air and continued to overheat. KIA dealership says I don't qualify for recall repairs. My mechanic says I do. My mechanic says my vehicle is not safe to drive. I want KIA to FIX MY 2016 Engine problem. On December 2, 2022 my vehicle overheated and began spewing antifreeze. I am glad there wasn't a fire.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #308

Dec 062022

Sorento

  • miles
Engine failed. Car received all maintenance and was burning oil and no leaks detected. It has the Theta II engine that is known to fail.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #307

Nov 302022

Sorento

  • miles
while i was driving on the road, the car installed. i pulled over on the shoulder and i started the car and the engine started knocking. I change the oil on the car regularly and on time. I didnt see any engine warning lights or anything. I am going to tow the car to a kia dealership and see what they say

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #306

Nov 232022

Sorento

  • miles
My 2016 Sorento started using oil in between oil changes beginning November 2022 after recall repairs and other repairs completed by the KIA dealership. We-??re now adding oil every other day, checking the oil almost daily. There is no sign of oil leak where vehicle is parked, does not smoke and no warning lights of low oil pressure. Kia should be made to fix these cars! I took good care of my car with regular oil changes and overall maintenance. This is obviously a case of a bad product on Kia's part, and they should be made to stand by their work!

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #305

Nov 052022

Sorento

  • 84,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage as approximately 84,000.

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #304

Nov 252022

Sorento

  • miles
While driving down the road at highway speeds, the engine died. Losing power brakes and steering. I was able to move over to the shoulder. The engine is seized. Oil changes done every 3,500 miles and with full synthetic and a kia branded filter every time. I believe the 2016 2.4L engine has an internal oil problem. There are 617 complaints on the 2016 Sorento, and every one of them that states Engine, is a seized engine. That's only the people that thought to complain. I have found hundreds of comments on youtube videos and several friends that own similar (2015 2.4L Sorento) that have all had to replace their engines from loss of power at highway speeds. I was passing a car when the Sorento engine died and had to navigate back to the left lane and onto the should with no power steering or brake assist, all while being surprised and confused as to why the engine wouldn't restart. Not taken to the dealer yet for inspection, but a local mechanic said the engine appears seized. No warning lights on the dash until the engine died. No oil pressure light, no battery light, no check engine light, until the engine died.

- Sheridan, AR, USA

problem #303

Nov 132022

Sorento

  • miles
Excessive consumption of oil. At my last oil change, I was told that my motor was completely dry. Engine knocks and shuts off. Need to monitor and top off motor oil every week.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #302

Oct 082022

Sorento

  • miles
My 2016 Sorento started using oil in between oil changes last summer. Per Kia dealership's instructions, I performed an "oil consumption test" which resulted in being told that it was using oil, but not enough to qualify for any type of repairs or assistance from Kia. I continued getting the oil changed on schedule and adding additional oil in between changes, checking the oil almost daily. Now, my engine has completely locked up and have been told I need a new engine, at my own expense of course. Kia should be made to fix these cars! I took good care of my car with regular oil changes and overall maintenance. This is obviously a case of a bad product on Kia's part, and they should be made to stand by their work!

- Shubuta, MS, USA

problem #301

Nov 202022

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, she placed the vehicle in park; however, the RPM-??s increased rapidly and the engine revved. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that her husband turned off the vehicle and disconnected and reconnected the battery cables however, he restarted the vehicle and the failure recurred. The contact stated that she notified multiple dealers of the failure and was informed that no appointments were available until February of 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V089000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximate 110,000.

- Bay Minette, AL, USA

problem #300

Nov 202022

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle uses excessive amount of engine oil. It burns appx a quart of oil every 750 miles. There is no evidence of a leak in the driveway or on the undercarriage of the car. Informed dealer and was told it may be a bad oil drain plug. This is not evidenced by any visible oil loss. Loss of oil in this amount could cause engine failure where traffic conditions would put driver and other vehicles at risk.

- Booneville, KY, USA

problem #299

Mar 152022

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a routine oil change. After the vehicle was retrieved, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the oil was low but found no evident leaks. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic who confirmed that the oil level was low. The mechanic determined that the vehicle was losing pressure and the spark plugs were changed, and another oil change was performed. The contact was informed there was no compression in cylinder #2. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for further diagnostic testing and repair. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a Kia dealer since the VIN was under recall. The dealer confirmed that cylinder #2 was faulty, and the repairs would be the Customer's responsibility because he had not gotten the recall repair completed. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000. The contact has requested to close this claim due to the manufacturer resolving all of the issues.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #298

Mar 182022

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles
We purchased a 2016 KIA Sorrento from JTs Chrysler Jeep Dodge located at 5215 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072 on September 27, 2021. In February of 2022, we had the oil changed and it the vehicle seemed to be burning oil but no oil leaks. We took the car to the Galeana Kia dealership on Greyston Blvd and they were backed up for months. The car has sat dormant for the past 5 to 6 months as we were searching for who could work on the vehicle. We took the vehicle back to Galeana Kia and they informed us that the #2 cylinder had no compression. They further proceeded to share with us that a recall was issued several years ago for an ECU upgrade and KSVS(not sure what that is) and this would have given them a code for KIA to authorize replacing the engine. Their claim from KIA is that since this was not done according to the lawsuit against KIA they could not replace the engine. The website that the dealership used to verify if there were recalls was https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/vinLookup and i have attached a copy for review. i am now saddled with a vehicle needing an engine replacement due to improper recall reporting by the sites and lack of due diligence by the JT's dealership. What do i do now?

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #297

Oct 302022

Sorento 6-cyl

  • miles
October 30th 2022 I was driving with my 3&4 yr old son's after dropping my fiance off to fish. I had run to the store and on the way back to pick him up the car completely died without ANY waring at a Stop sign. Everything just shut down Completely! I called a tow truck and he was unable to jump me so the car was towed. The mechanic said my engine was seized and sounded like it had bolts rattling around the engine, he also mentioned he has seen this in 5 engines this past couple weeks!!! I was recommended to bring it to a Kia dealership to further inspect. I found paperwork for an extended warranty on Oil Pressure Switch Leaking, the dealership only looked at this part and said it was ok and the warranty doesn't cover the engine only that part. The dealer and mechanic said there was oil in the car and they could tell we put new filters recently ( which we did on our last oil change ).I was then recommended to contact Kia consumer affairs to enter a claim. I have done so and been denied. I will call today to file again. A new engine was quoted to cost $13,000. I was told to have the engine examined would be $1,500. And I would be responsible and still have to pay for the new engine. My car has 90,366 miles and is our only vehicle. After researching how many other poor people this is affecting and had almost exact same thing happen to them is CRAZY!!! Something needs to be done. Reading Kia is known for engine failure and leaking head gaskets being a manufacturer error but something they won't help you with is criminal. How is anyone supposed to be able to afford this problem? I'm hoping with enough reports something will happen so this gets resolved. I know we were lucky to be unharmed but I know some have not been so lucky. We need to feel safe in our car, especially with our boys.

- Saco, ME, USA

problem #296

Nov 132022

Sorento

  • miles
Car stalled on the major freeway at highway speed at 65 mph. With no advanced warning lights on dash. Lost power and stalled. Was able to steer without power steering over to the side of the road. Towed to the shop. Mechanic found #4 cylinder has no compression. Engine is making noise. I have problems with Engine using oil. Been to the dealership many to address the engine concerns. No help. Now the engine is inoperable.

- Cumby , TX, USA

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