What 1,237 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the battery, check engine, and oil warning lights were simultaneously illuminated. The driver reported hearing a low rattling sound and observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the dealer declined to service the vehicle because the knock sensor was not installed by the previous owner. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a connecting rod bearing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11725363

3 to 4 months ago my truck steering wheel light with an exclamation point will appear and my steering wheel will lock up and it is hard to steer unless I cut the truck off and back on, it is so dangerous that it went out when I was in the middle of a turn that I almost ran into a truck. I cannot get this issue fixed because my warranty ran out. So what am I to do. It's terribly scary. I Haven't had it checked put i had a paper from Kia headquarters for it to be fixed free of charge within the warranty date but it has expired and I can't get it done. Something to do with the electric power steering

NHTSA ODI 11722948

Shifter Lock is engaged and would not shift from park unless I bypass the lock by pressing the release. It was a recall item, I had it replaced, but if failed a few days later. I called the dealership, I told them about the problem. They told me they replaced it and I could bring it in for a $200 diagnoses fee, but it would not be covered as it was replaced already. I was made to feel like I was the one that was causing it to fail. I have the paperwork but am not sure on the accurate date.

NHTSA ODI 11721411

All tail lights of suv go in an out randomly.

NHTSA ODI 11721535

My 2016 Kia Sorento with 2.4L GDI Theta II engine began consuming excessive oil despite regular documented oil changes. At approximately 86,000 miles, the engine failed and requires full long block replacement. The vehicle has been at a Kia dealership for 5 months while I went back and forth with Kia Corporate. I was quoted over $8,000 for replacement. Kia has declined assistance. This appears consistent with known oil consumption and bearing failure issues in the 2.4L Theta II engines. This failure occurred without warning and creates a safety concern due to potential engine stall while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11721055

Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting a formal safety complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding my Kia Sorento. Over the past six months, this vehicle has required replacement of the engine, transmission control module (TCM), and the entire transmission. Although the engine and transmission were replaced at no cost to me, the extent of these major repairs within such a short period raises serious concerns about the vehicle’s overall safety and reliability. In mid-January, shortly after picking up the vehicle from the dealership following the transmission replacement, the vehicle suddenly stalled while I was driving through an intersection. The engine lost power without warning, leaving me stopped in active traffic. To get the vehicle moving again, I had to shift into park, turn the engine completely off, and then restart it before it would drive again. This unexpected loss of power in the middle of an intersection created a dangerous situation with oncoming traffic approaching. Thankfully, my children were not in the vehicle at the time. After repeated major component failures and this stalling incident, I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. A vehicle that loses power without warning poses a serious risk to the driver, passengers, and other motorists. I respectfully request a thorough investigation into this matter, including whether there are known defects, recalls, or related complaints involving this model. I am prepared to provide repair records and documentation upon request. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11720623

The engine stalled while driving on the expressway. Myself and my daughter and her friend were in the car. The vehicle started right back up, and I was able to drive the car home (less than 2 miles away). The following day, my wife got an oil change, and went on the expressway, and the engine stalled again causing her to have to navigate the car, with no engine power, to the side of the highway and wait for myself and a tow truck. Both times were very dangerous. We had the vehicle towed to a mechanic, who said the crank shaft & rods and bearings for the engine look like they failed and seized up, causing the engine to complete lock up and stall, requiring a full engine replacement. Kia is refusing replacement saying we are not covered by the previous complaints and concerns, stating our vehicle is not covered specifically, stating that the 3.3L engines were not covered under the previous recall/extended warranty offered on engines in the same yr/make/model as our vehicle. The check engine light came on, and there was a slight knocking sound as the car was idling just before the engine stall, and as the engine stalled, the oil lamp and the battery light came on. This happened both times. The symptoms appeared just before complete engine failure. We get the vehicle serviced at Kia, and had the oil changed by Strickland Brothers the day of. We were concerned that the engine light came on due to potential of the oil needing to be changed. We do not have any electronic files or reports for this issue yet.

NHTSA ODI 11719383

Steering has a "sticky feeling". While driving, when you try to turn steering wheel a fraction to one side or the other there is resistance and then a release which results in in oversteering that has to be corrected. When trying to correct the oversteering, there is again resistance and then release with oversteering again. So it constantly goes back and forth. There is a string of posts on [XXX] " with owners of the Kia Sorento having this same issue. Not only is this annoying but also unsafe. This has been going on since about summer of 2025. I do not driver this vehicle very often or I would have gotten on this issue sooner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11718531

My car totally stopped on me due to one of the 8 recalls I have undone related to my car. My insurance company verified that the recalls were open related to my car. I verified it to make sure by vin number at NHTSA.gov. up until today 2/13/2026 as I spoked with a representative at NHTSA my 8 recalls went from 8 to 0 recalls all of a sudden. I'm pretty sure the young lady went updated they website to read just that. I still have some proof that the 8 recalls pertain to my car and needs to be repaired.the dealership had me to bring my car in due to the recalls but because it had a motor failure now they're saying it's my fault for going over the approximate mileage of getting an oil change which is not true. The recalls were due way before my time and should have been taken care of before the car was sold to me. I purchased the car in March of 2025 and the car just failed on me in November of 2025. Within that time frame of me purchasing the car, I took good care of the car getting and oil change as well. Providing all oils where needed replacing tires that were needed, keeping gas tank clean. Changing air filters, and just keeping up with the maintenance. The car had no accidents no losses perfectly good car other than the recalls that were pointed out. When I brought the car in they told me everything was fine and that they would take care of those for me. My car has been there for like three weeks now and now they're telling me that the car is showing that the car was driven 11 thousand miles before it had an oil change. I have no idea of who drove the car before I purchased it and that I can only provide them with documents of what I took care of within the time frame I drove it up until the day it just stopped on me while I was driving. I really need my car and they is holding my car doing nothing to it all this time just to tell me that it's up to the manufacturer and sending him my documents for them to decide wether they will approve the repairs or not.

NHTSA ODI 11717847

Gear shifter gets stuck. Car jerks back when trying to speed up

NHTSA ODI 11717885

Our 2016 Kia Sorento had 96k miles on it, my 2.4 Liter, V4 GDI engine. I was driving it to my house on the streets, when the vehicle it completes died on me in the middle of the streets, it won't turn on, had it tow to my house. Made an appointment to take it to body shop on 2/12/2026, when it died while driving it to the auto shop, won't turn on, had it tow to auto shop. It has been burning oil for quite a while, keep putting engine oil very often. Auto shop confirmed vehicle found no codes, inspect engine oil, engine oil is very dark, manually rotated engine crankshaft, found engine seized. Vehicle has internal engine damage, possible connecting to the rods and bearings damage. Estimated repair is 9k. It is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11717911

2016 Kia Sorrento Ex paint is coming off in panels and different areas of car. I called KIa and they cant do anything about it

NHTSA ODI 11717635

3 times head gasket has been replaced and repaired and every time oil is changed, they say I am losing oil

NHTSA ODI 11716762

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, while driving to the residence, the coolant temperature gauge went from COLD to HOT. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that smoke was coming from the engine compartment. The contact waited for the engine to cool down before driving to the residence. The coolant reservoir was extremely low, and coolant was added; however, the engine continued to smoke, and the coolant reservoir was empty after an hour. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that coolant was leaking from the coolant reservoir. The coolant reservoir was replaced; however, the failure returned within 5 minutes of restarting the vehicle. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle with complete engine failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact requested information on a Limited Extended Warranty Extension and a recall; however, there was no coverage for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11715851

On [XXX] I was in a car accident. When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work. This is a major safety risk INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11715696

Pearl white paint has begun flaking, and peeling.

NHTSA ODI 11715158

The shifter is not working have to use shift lock release

NHTSA ODI 11714710

I was leaving my home and was pulling out of my driveway when my vehicle suddenly caught fire. I was able to exit the vehicle with no injuries and called the fire department to put out the fire. the vehicle was a total loss. There were no warning signs, the car just caught on fire in the engine and spread fast.

NHTSA ODI 11714474

On [XXX], our 2016 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ) caught fire while being driven on a public highway in Houston, Texas. The vehicle had been operating normally and displayed no warning lights, alerts, or diagnostic trouble codes prior to the incident. The driver was forced to pull over immediately for safety. The fire caused catastrophic damage and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Law enforcement authorized towing and impound. Photographs and third-party documentation confirm extensive fire damage. Prior to this incident, the vehicle had a clean title with no accident, fire, or salvage history. The 2016 Kia Sorento model year has been subject to multiple safety recalls, including recalls that acknowledge fire risk related to electrical and fuel system components. A vehicle igniting during normal operation without warning presents a serious safety risk and warrants investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11713755

The vehicles is showing all this codes P0340, P0365, P0780, PO010.

NHTSA ODI 11711571

I have a white pearl 2016 Sorento and Paint started peeling around windshield. Now paint is peeling all over. Recently had windy day and sheets of paint are laying on ground. I take care of my car and this is embarrassing. Kia should be embarrassed as well. Not good for sales I’m sure.

NHTSA ODI 11711575

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a red traffic light, the temperature gauge went from the normal engine temperature to HOT. The contact turned off the vehicle and allowed the engine to cool down, and the gauge returned to normal. The contact continued to drive. The following morning the contact inspected the vehicle while parked at the residence and while checking the radiator cap, there were no noticeable issues found with the cooling fluid. The dealer was contacted and informed that the thermostat had fluctuated; however, there were issues found regarding the fluid. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that Stop Leak might have been used in the radiator to prevent a leak. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with head gasket and radiator failure and stated that both parts needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that there was copper in the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11711093

Our 2016 Kia Sorento had 86k miles on it, loud knocking began and days later catastrophic engine failure. Rods and bearings are busted on my 3.3 Liter, V6 GDI engine. It died while my wife was driving it to the dealership. Estimated repair is 19k, metal shavings in the oil. It is available for inspection. My wife was driving it on the highway when the engine failed. Dealer confirmed the rods and bearings were broken.

NHTSA ODI 11710564

Failed oil pressure switch and now my engine is no good

NHTSA ODI 11710773

Head gasket leaking, yes Causes engine to overheat. Radiator looses coolant and backs up into overflow. Makes heat and ac flow coolant fumes into vehicle. No longer clear air. Not yet. Still researching. Independent Mechanics shop. No There was no warning when the vehicle overheated

NHTSA ODI 11708211