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

My shifting lever acts all wonky. Feels lose. It acts as if it does not want to go into the gears I put it in, especially park. I have to wiggle the lever before it will lock. When I put it in reverse it takes a minute before the R comes up and then my back up camera won’t come on because I feel it’s not telling it that’s it’s in reverse. Yesterday I was driving the SUV and going down the road and all of a sudden it was like my SUV was put into to neutral going down the road, nothing touched the shifting lever but it was as if the car had no idea what gear it was in. This worries me as if someone was behind me I could have been rear ended. This is a real safety concern to me and my family. The SUV only has 60,000 miles on it. Are there any issues with this make and model? I would really hate to get into an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11533915

Shift lock does not come out of park. Started September 2022. Excessive oil burning 2 quarts a month( every 500 miles) Started June 2022 Low oil light does not turn on ever Electrical issues. Locks turn on and of every time I open door. Check engine light is always on. Since I bought the car. Kia tried fixing but it didn't help. Now have engine failure.

NHTSA ODI 11529589

Yesterday while driving the engine began to shake and seize, it would not accelerate above 40 mph. I was seconds from entering the hwy but pulled into quick trip where it died and had to be towed at own expense. Oil pressure sensor had been flashing on periodically when breaks were applied between regular oil changes. Vehicle was consuming 3-4 qts of oil between oil changes, which is not normal. There were no signs of any oil leaks, oil light did not remain illuminated to suggest low oil levels, nor a check engine light warning. Vehicle has less than 100,000 miles. When contacting KIA was told I would need a warranty to fix. This is not a warranty issue, this is a KNOWN issue and class action lawsuit related to these symptoms. I was seconds from a possible fatal accident on the highway and I'm sure a buy back or vehicle exchange would be better than a lawsuit involving corporate negligence resulting in a death.

NHTSA ODI 11529393

automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, fuel pipe exhaust causing fumes to come through the vent area causing fire and smoke. accelerator assembly issues when driving

NHTSA ODI 11529055

Vehicle is consuming an excessive amount of oil, I see this is a common issue with this make and model , even a TSB regarding this issue. Yet, dealership states it is normal. I’m sorry but I have never owned a vehicle where it is normal to have to add 4 qts of oil between oil changes. This is a serious concern for engine wear and tear. I would like to escalate this issue to seek resolution. Another issue I see is both rear window regulators failed at same time. This I believe is due to poor design and low quality parts being used. Plastic pieces are used to hold metal wire in place to raise and lower windows. This plastic easily breaks over time causing windows to fall down suddenly and potentially shatter sending glass and debris in rear passengers. Headlight switch is defective causing headlights to turn off randomly while driving and then not being able to turn back on immediately. Huge safety concern at night.

NHTSA ODI 11528652

Recently, while driving on a busy multi-lane highway my 2016 Kia Sorento suddenly lost power, started shaking and slowed down causing traffic safety hazard. The engine stalled after slowing down. The car needed to be towed at my expense.my check engine light came on for my KSDS, the engine went limp mode and unable to accelerate over 50 miles and hour on the highway. My engine is blown. gasoline smell fumes came through vent causing me to have an attack car started to catch fire.

NHTSA ODI 11528170

This is the second very similar incident with the engine of this vehicle. On Monday, May 29, 2023, the engine failed at a stop light in Fort Wayne Indiana. A few miles before it failed, it suddenly got very noisy and wouldn’t go over about 15 mph. It wouldn’t really react to the accelerator pedal. At the stop light it just quit at a major intersection leaving me stranded in the middle of the road. It has been towed to the Kia dealer in Fort Wayne. They have not diagnosed the problem yet but I have read many reports on line and my experience was similar: vehicular just quit, engine lost oil, accelerator pedal not responsive, and loud ticking sound. I’m afraid the repair will be thousands of dollars and I’m a senior citizen on Social Security. This is a second incident. On October 20, 2022, my daughter in law drove my car to IU Health Hospital in Indianapolis to visit me in the hospital (major surgery). In an hour and a half she used a full tank of gas and 3 quarts of oil — the car slowed to 40 mph, accelerator pedal didn’t work and she was on Route 69 a 4 lane major highway and was very scared. She pulled off at the next exit. The car had to be towed from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne. My mechanic worked on it, got it running ok but it had a major oil leak. I was recovering from my surgery so drove it little. I now find out that the engine in my car has major problems just like what I have experienced and that Kia is refusing to fix them unless people pay in excess of $6000. This is a safety issue!!!! Having the car fail and just quit while on local or interstate roads leads to accidents and injuries. This engine needs to be recalled. Kia knows it and has settled claims out of court so they don’t have to admit responsibility. This is a serious safety hazard. The recent date of May 29, 2023 is provided but the previous date this happened is October 20, 2022. So there were two incidents.

NHTSA ODI 11524599

I would like to confirm if the recall for 2016 Kia Sorento Transmission Shift Level Assembly also covers all of us who have reported complaints about having to use a screw driver to engage our vehicles out of park? This is a safety concerns just as well as the cars that are impacted by the shift lever slipping out of park while engine off. using a screw driver because Kia refuses to replace the part they have acknowledged is faulty, is something that customers should not be responsible for fixing. If there was an issue identified (and clearly there was) the exact same year, make and model and part (the shift lever itself) then the investigation either needs to be expanded or Kia needs to just own that these parts need replaced in a larger span than the recall currently covers. please let me know as I am getting no assistance with these issues from my dealership - Shawnee Mission Kia in Kansas. thanks

NHTSA ODI 11523607

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while pulling the gear shift lever to shift the vehicle into reverse, the lever then would not shift into drive or any other gear. The check engine warning light illuminated but turned off after a couple minutes. The contact noticed that the gear shift lever was locked and placed a screwdriver into the shifter lever lock and the contact was able to shift the lever to reverse and drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520266

Engine Failure - 3.3L Head Bolts Backed Out of Block Emissions Seeping In to Cooling System (coolant blowing out of reservoir tank) Dealer Verified Issue and Know this to Be an Issue (with various 3.3L cars) Overheating Claimed to Be the Cause - Car Maintenance By Dealer Only on Routine Basis Vehicle Driven Around Town - Not Pushed Beyond Local Driving Internet Search Shows Others with Same Problem Reports from Mechanics of Blocks with Poor Castings and Material/Quality Issues 119,000K miles with no prior mechanical issues Dangerous Issue Repair Estimate $10000 - Unethical, Unsafe, Predadatory for those who Still paying off vehicles

NHTSA ODI 11517910

Car will not drive, sputters and will not accelerate at all. Car shakes and then loses power.

NHTSA ODI 11516618

Most recently the engine burned up the oil prior to my next service date. After oil was added and the engine drove fine. The next day the engine ran fine and after driving through an intersection 1/2 mile from my house the car died. It lost complete power, putting myself and my family in danger. (Thank God we were able to get off to the side of the busy roadway safely). At that moment, a battery light came on first, then an oil and engine light illuminated at the same time. The car wouldn’t start and had to be towed off the side of the road. The mechanic that looked at it said it needed an engine. Due to lack of maintenance records, the extended warranty company chose to deny my claim. The dealer has my car and will do a diagnostic test. About a year ago I had the transmission looked at for hard shifting into first and the dealer said it needed a flush. The problem continued not too long after they flushed it. It only happens if you release the brake and push to start too quickly and put in gear too quickly. No recalls I’m being told for that issue as well. ZERO indicators on dash prior to any issues happening that would have given me the opportunity to maintenance/service my vehicle before resulting in engine failure and potentially costing my thousands I don’t have. I love my Kia and want my baby back in great working order but I’m afraid I won’t be able to have her back if the repairs are more expensive than the cars worth. I’m still financing this vehicle as well. Please KIA/Hyundai I need your grace and good faith to repair my vehicle under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11516272

My gear shift locks in place unless the shift lock release is pressed. Multiple other vehicles of this same Make and Model have a recall for this same issue but my car isn't on the list for it's vin number so the dealer wants to charge $950 for the BCM to be replaced first before then moving to the shifter and components which will total almost another $600. My sister's 2016 Kia Sorento is also experiencing the same issue. I don't understand how my vehicle has the same issue but they want to charge me to correct an issue that manufacturing causes in so many of this Make and Model. Side note: after recall for anti theft system was "fixed" my steering wheel controls for menu settings and stereo no longer work.

NHTSA ODI 11516379

While daughter driving home on interstate, Sorento started losing power and slowing down, no warning lights turned on. She pulled off interstate when she noticed it was missing and cut the car off. When trying to start the vehicle again, engine light came on, but the car was missing so bad, we had it towed home. Next day had it towed to auto repair, was told it was losing compression in one and two cylinder and coming out tailpipe. The oil was checked and good and the vehicle did not have any warning lamps, even when it failed her on interstate. The vehicle never register or run hot. No lights came on until after pulled over and turned off and then on again. Had the knock sensor installed for recall when received in mail and it was updated. Vehicle has not been repaired because I can't find anyone that will work on a Kia! Making payments & Insurance on a car that cannot drive.

NHTSA ODI 11514761

I was driving my Kia Sorento and the check engine light came on. Took to Autozone to scan the code. And it came back as a KNOCK SENSOR CODE. It went to LIMP MODE I couldn’t accelerare and Was so slow. And consuming oil. And the engine had a knock. Problems with the shift gear. I took it to GREENBRIER KIA DEALERSHIP IN CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA. They told me that it just need it a software update. I told them that I hear many owners having the same issues. Now they did a diagnostic for $199 dollars. They told me it needs a new knock sensor. The total I will have to pay is close to $600 dollars. I told them if they do ROD BEARINGS TEST. They say they do. I’m just frustrated because it seems like the engine needs to be replaced. The technician told me my Kia Sorento was not on the knock sensor recall nor engine recall. I can’t drive the car and still making payments on it.

NHTSA ODI 11513321

Would not shift out of park Dealership repair cost $1000 - told “not part of transmission so not under the warranty “ - now reading online and on recall site lever and linkage column shift issue but now dealership says “not the same” but reading lots of Kia owners reporting same problem? Should be a recall!!

NHTSA ODI 11507785

Car started to make a knocking noise especially when accelerating , however no lights on dash indicated anything was wrong. Car started fluttering and engine died. Started the car again, more knocking and fluttering before the engine died. Pulled over and checked oil. It was low so had someone bring me oil. Put in 3.5 quarts and got the car started again. The car was still making the knocking sound but was able to drive .5 mile to the closest mechanic. They said it is a serious engine problem from the sounds of it and instructed me not to drive it but to get it towed to the dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11502208

Car started to make a knocking noise, however no lights on dash indicated anything was wrong. Checked oil and the oil was low, had to add 4 quarts of oil, checked for leaks and nothing was leaking. Two weeks later noticed the car was driving a little different, checked oil and had to add two more quarts of oil.

NHTSA ODI 11501565

Twice now my 2016 Kia GDI has had the same problem as many others. I had my oil changes made and they said there was no oil in the car. the oil light never came on. I am afraid to drive my car. Has there been a recall on this. or for a engine recall. My car is under warranty. Is

NHTSA ODI 11500694

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.

NHTSA ODI 11499724

We bought our vehicle in April of 2020. In July 2020 our car broke down and Kia replaced the engine due to a recall that caused the engine to fail. We continued to get our oil changed per the recommended miles. In August of 2022, our turbo failed. We brought it into the dealership and were advised that the engine was bone dry of oil. There has been no oil leaks, nor was our oil light on. After some research we discovered despite this being a common issue with this motor that there is not a recall. Our turbo was replaced and now our entire engine of only two years old needs to be replaced again.

NHTSA ODI 11497080

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at less than 10 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly without warning. The contact was able to shift into neutral (N), which stopped the unintended acceleration and caused the vehicle to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure as the vehicle had operated as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the failure reoccurred without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated unintendedly at a higher speed. The contact depressed the brake pedal and pressed the ON/OFF button, however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then drove into a vacant parking lot and shifted into neutral (N), which stopped the acceleration. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while taking the vehicle back to the unknown dealer. Upon arriving at the dealer, the contact informed the dealer that he no longer wanted possession of the vehicle as it was unsafe to drive. The dealer provided the contact with a rental vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact sent a letter to the manufacturer informing them of the failure, but the contact had not yet received a response. The contact stated that the whereabouts of the vehicle were unknown. The failure mileage was 27,093. Manufacturer Safety Recall Campaign issued. NHTSA #22V703 Recall #SC249B SC249B TOW HITCH (REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE) Status: Remedy Not Yet Available

NHTSA ODI 11489090

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, his wife was unable to shift into drive (D) as the gear shifter remained stuck in park (P). The contact's wife used a screwdriver to depress a button as instructed by an online tutorial. The contact's wife was then able to shift into drive (D) and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred whenever the vehicle was parked. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not be repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (Power Train) as the VIN was not included due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11486403

I have a 2016 Kia Sorento that was purchased Certified Pre-Owned on 5/18/2022. On 9/16/2022, I was driving the car at approximately 50 MPH when the care began to lose significant power. The car completely lost power making it hard to drive and adjust steering. I was able to safely pull over; however, being stranded in the dark as a woman is not safe, and I feel had another car been in front of or near me, I could have easily crashed. At that time, the car would not restart, and I noticed when I tried to start the car, smoke coming from under the hood. I sat for about 30 minutes, tried to start the car again, the car would not start. Prior to the car shutting down, there was no warning. The engine light has never been on in the car. What I did notice is the engine light flashed just before it went into this coasting mode. So, whatever was happening, happened without any warning at all. I had the car towed to my home. The tow driver parked the vehicle in a spot where I do not park; I noticed upon inspection oil had puddled on the ground. The car has never had or shown any previous leaks. I park in the same spot daily and have never seen a leak. Since having the car towed into the dealer, I have learned from Kia, the engine locked up; however, they have not been able to determine the cause as of yet. What they have shared with me is that they ran the diagnostic on the vehicle and confirmed that oil was everywhere (as I reported). They stated although the oil was dirty, the oil was full in the engine. They have confirmed the engine is locked but stated any claim with Kia against the Theta II Settlement Claim was denied because the KSDS had not been upgraded. When I asked how would I have known the car needed this recall because my car's VIN does not produce any recall notices on neither the KIA site nor NHTSA, I was told Honda (the Seller) should have performed the update before selling the car to me. So currently I am looking at $8K-$12K in repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11486221

My 2016 Kia Sorrento is burning oil, about 1 quart every 300 miles. It only has 64,000 miles on it. We have the oil changed every 3000 miles and last time it was black and sludge like. This is not acceptable and called the dealership and they suggest paying $700 to do a carbon test. Not paying that when the car has a warranty still!!!! This issue needs to fixed!!! We have dealing with this for months!! Also the lights on dashboard flicker once in a while.

NHTSA ODI 11479588