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2016 Kia Sorento: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists eight recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento: two for other parts (filed 2015 and 2022), one for the powertrain (filed 2022), one for the engine (filed 2018) and four more for other parts. Owners have filed 1,253 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. For comparison, owners filed 750 for the 2015 and 804 for the 2017 Sorento. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall, with a 15.8% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 8campaigns 1 trailer hitches · 1 power train · 1 engine Source: NHTSA Complaints 1,253filed Owner reports, 2012–2021 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 24mpg combined $2,721/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic 7 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (8)

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 22V703000 Filed Sep 19, 2022

Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving

Trailer hitches
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
29.6% repairedof 70,887 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V703000
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V612000 Filed Aug 10, 2022

Vehicle Rollaway from Faulty Shift Lever Assembly

Power train · automatic transmission · lever and linkage · column shift
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Consequence
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
62.3% repairedof 28,065 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V612000
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V907000 Filed Dec 19, 2018

High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak

Engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
65.5% repairedof 71,653 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V907000
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V862000 Filed Nov 30, 2016

Trailer Brakes May Stay Illuminated/FMVSS 108

Electrical system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
64.9% repairedof 10,212 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V862000
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V770000 Filed Oct 24, 2016

Inadequately Welded Driver Seatback Frame

Seats
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as designed in the event of a rear-end collision.
Consequence
In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC140.
72.8% repairedof 1,408 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V770000
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V480000 Filed Jun 29, 2016

Rear Crossmember Weld Fracture

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
Consequence
The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.
86.1% repairedof 7,901 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V480000
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V446000 Filed Jul 14, 2015

Front Passenger Seat Belt may not Latch

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
Consequence
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC123.
84.1% repairedof 2,587 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V446000
Listed for 2016 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V089000 Filed Feb 13, 2015

Vehicle may not be able to Accelerate

Vehicle speed control · accelerator pedal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
Consequence
If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC115.
97.2% repairedof 12,361 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V089000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Sorento years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Kia SorentoAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (1,253)

1,253 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

29involved a crash
49involved a fire
19injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Sorento, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1,253.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2016 compares with other Sorento years

Best and worst Sorento years →
880 981 987 750 1,253 804 254 428 136 250
2012201320142015201620172018201920202021
This year (2016)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 15.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Kia Sorento suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined

24
mpg combined
21
city
28
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,800
CO₂ tailpipe
377 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,721per year
$227per month
625gallons a year

Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2016 Kia Sorento configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24$2,800377
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900396
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive21 / 25 / 22$3,050397
3.3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21$3,200434
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,200418
3.3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20$3,350436
3.3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550466

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2016 Sorento for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sorento years

Where to next

Which Sorento years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2017 Kia Sorento report804 complaints · 4 campaigns →2015 Kia Sorento report750 complaints · 3 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2016 Kia Sorento FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns: 22V703000 (trailer hitches), 22V612000 (power train), 18V907000 (engine), 16V862000 (electrical), 16V770000 (seat), 16V480000 (suspension), 15V446000 (seat belt), 15V089000 (vehicle speed control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2016 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners filed 1,253 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (695), Unknown or other (165), Power train (126) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2016 Kia Sorento get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 21 city, 28 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2016 Kia Sorento get?

NHTSA rated the 2016 Kia Sorento suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2016 Sorento compare with other years?

Among the 2012–2021 Kia Sorento model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (136) and the 2016 the most (1,253). The 2016 drew 1,253. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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