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

The exterior paint on my 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl, paint code SWP) is peeling off in large chunks across multiple panels. The clear coat is delaminating and lifting in sheets from the surface, exposing bare metal underneath which is now actively rusting. This is consistent with a known defect documented in hundreds of complaints about 2013-2016 Kia Sorentos in Snow White Pearl (SWP). I have photographic documentation showing significant progression of this damage over the past few months. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer regarding this issue. No warning was given prior to the paint failure — it began suddenly and has spread rapidly. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Additionally, the gear shift randomly locks in Park without warning, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. This has occurred on multiple occasions and presents a direct safety risk as it strands me without notice. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the shift lock engaging. The dashboard is also cracking in multiple locations, including near the airbag housing, which may present an additional safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11746729

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my Kia Sorento and a recurring brake light failure that poses a serious risk to my safety and the safety of my children. After every single oil change, without exception, my brake lights stop functioning properly. This has happened repeatedly and consistently. Most recently, immediately after an oil change, both brake lights went out. I replaced the bulbs, but the issue did not resolve. Instead, the lights are now stuck on continuously, which strongly suggests a failure related to the brake light switch or associated electrical components—not normal wear and tear. This pattern is extremely concerning. The fact that the failure occurs every time the vehicle is serviced indicates either a defect in the design or a component that is highly susceptible to failure during routine maintenance. Brake lights are a fundamental safety feature. When they fail, other drivers are not alerted when I am slowing down or stopping, putting me, my children, and everyone around me at risk of a serious rear-end collision. I understand that brake light switch failures have been a known issue in Kia vehicles in the past, including recalls for similar defects. Given the repeated nature of this problem and the safety implications, I do not believe I should be responsible for the cost of repairs for what appears to be a known or recurring defect. I am requesting that this issue be formally investigated and that Kia be required to repair or replace the faulty brake light switch and any related components at no cost to me. Additionally, I ask that this matter be reviewed to determine whether further action, including a broader recall or service campaign, is necessary to protect other drivers. This is an ongoing and dangerous issue that has now occurred multiple times. I should not have to worry that a routine oil change will leave my vehicle unsafe to drive. I urge you to take this complaint seriously and act quic

NHTSA ODI 11733830

The electric power brake (EPB) on my vehicle had a fault three separate times. The first time, the rear brakes were engaged by the EPB for approximately a half an hour. The second time a few weeks later, they stayed locked for approximately one hour. A few weeks after that, the brake locked up while the car was parked, and would not release for almost 7 days. It isn’t the fault itself that is of the greatest concern. It is the fact that there is no apparent emergency release for the parking break. I’m grateful I did not need to use the car to drive my kids to the emergency room, for example. I’m very surprised and disappointed that Kia, throughout all of their other innovations, does not have an emergency EPB/brake release handle. One could easily be put in the back of the car, near the spare tire, with a cable and set of release pins, which when pulled, would release the EPB and the car could be driven.

NHTSA ODI 11670650

My cars shift lock release keeps getting stuck. I replaced the shift solenoid but that didn't work. I see there was a recall for 2016 kia sorentos for this issue but my VIN was not included in the recall. Can you direct on where I can go from here please! Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11651585

My grandchildren and I were on our way to the Dentist, I stopped at a store, put the vehicle in park while waiting on my grandson to come out of the store. Then I proceeded to try to put the gear shift in drive but it was stuck in park. I could not remove the gear shift out of park. I was scared and so was my grandchildren.

NHTSA ODI 11636188

ABS light and Traction Control light are coming on intermittently-noticed that when vehicle is in park the needle on the mph will jump-nothing has really happened yet-it’s just intermittent. I have researched and noticed quite a few others have had the same instances

NHTSA ODI 11615136

In April 2022, I received a letter dated April 7, 2022, informing me of an extended warranty coverage for the Oil Pressure Switch leak in 2014-2018 Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3L GDI Engine, extending from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles. Additionally, I was notified of an Important Safety Recall (NHTSA Recall Number: 22V612) indicating a defect that could lead to vehicle rollaway, significantly increasing the risk of a crash and injury. The letter assured me that Kia would inspect and, if necessary, replace the shift lock lever and holder at no cost. I took the vehicle in for inspection in May and the vehicle has not been returned to me yet. the vehicle has been at the dealership with no indication on when the issues would be remedied. The vehicle is used for services to minority and low income youth and it appears that the company does not care about BIPOC safety.

NHTSA ODI 11614373

After parking and turning the car off, when restarting the vehicle the shift lock would no longer release to shift out of park. In order to shift out of park it requires the shift lock clip to be removed, a screw driver placed down and pressure applied to release the shifter. The vehicle was taken to the dealership to be assessed and owner was told it was the BCM and the entire component would need to be replaced as it is not sensing that the brake is being applied. There are no service or warning lights. The BCM controls several other safety features including park assist, the heated seats, and other electrical components Serious safety concern if the computer system within the vehicle is not able to detect that the brake is being applied. It could also lead to other electrical failures throughout the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11560408

the anti lock button does not work, kia will not fix it, they stated that there recall on it was for locks that can move the car forward and backwards. I've never used my anti lock button its down beside the gear shift so the only way I can drive my suv to put my car in drive, reverse etc to use the gear shift is by holding a screwdriver down in it the whole time and I complained to kia about that knows that but they won't do anything about it unless I pay out of pocket for something I've never even used since I had the vehicle/I'm not at fault for. I suddenly could not put my suv back in drive after cutting my car off at my daughter school in 2022 bc of the anti lock button being stuck or something of that nature and kia done nothing about it since, they turned my down to fix n/or replace it. And my dashboard is cracking by the airbag on passenger side from the top all the way down unknowingly on its own. Also my engine light suddenly comes on and stays on for days then goes off and that happened on several occasions/ twice so far, kia was notified about it and said if its not jumping or flashing I'll have to pay to get it checked.

NHTSA ODI 11547269

I was traveling on the interstate, I heard a slight tapping noise, after about 5 miles, there was no warning light indicators, the car just died, I lost all power, there were no brakes, I was able to get pulled off the highway to the warning track that helped slow the vehicle down, smoke was coming from under the hood & into the cabin, then I saw flames, at about 20mph I knew I had to get out so I put it in park & it finally stopped. I had just enough time to grab my purse & suitcase out of the back & it was in engulfed in flames immediately. I had just had the car serviced 1 month prior for oil change & Anti theft recall but was advised that recall wasn't being done at this time. The engine light had came on the day before I took it in for the oil change, they reset it stating it was a CO2 sensor & if it came back on to let them know. It did not. It has been reported to my insurance& deemed total loss, I filed a claim with Kia & have not heard back, the Kia service dept. where it was taken said there was nothing they can do, that it will have to be investigated by insurance.

NHTSA ODI 11526501

The brake is not sending a signal to the switch. When I try to switch out of park, It will not move. My car is a great car. I have no other problems besides trying to switch out of Park. I had the vehicle checked out and everything is in order. I was told the problem might be behind the Body module of the car...Please help me with trying to find out what is going on. My car has less than 79k miles and this should not be happening. Please call or email [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11512848

Brakes applied but vehicle does slow down but not stop. In a few seconds brakes do stop. This problem was intermittent but getting worse. Confirmed operation by others driving vehicle and at the auto dealers service department. Vehicle was declared a safety hazard until problem solved. Service record indicates check valve replaced and vacuum pump service. No dash warning lights indicated a problem. Replaced part was not inspected but the problem has returned 10 days after repair, it is back at the dealer. Cost $1100.00

NHTSA ODI 11491952

El mes de 01\22\2022 compre un beiculo y el primer problema que tube fue como alas dos semanas de tenerlo con migo y fue con los frenos y lo lo llebe a que lo areglaran pero el gran problema bino con el motor que se quemo cuando iba de camino a mi trabago y apenas tenia dos meses con el beiculo y en el lote cue la compre ni mis aseguransas que le puse al beiculo quieren alludarme

NHTSA ODI 11485632

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration causing the RPMs to increase and the vehicle to suddenly drive forward and almost crash. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no problem was found. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 11435922

THERE ARE NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES I HAVE FOUND WITH THIS CAR I JUST FINANCED. FIRST, AT RANDOM MANY DIFFERENT LIGHTS JUST BLOW, THEN ON MY DASH VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS WILL GO ON AND OFF, ON TOP OF THAT MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF FOR NO REASON AND SO ARE MY PASSENGER AIR BAGS. MY BRAKES SCREAM SOMEDAYS AND ARE TOUCHY OTHERS IVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND ONLY OWNED IT 3 MONTHS. I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES YET THE SUSPENSION IS AWFUL THE FUEL IS GOING FAST AND MY OIL NEEDS CHANGING VERY OFTEN AND IT IS UNDER 100000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11406983

THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF MY DASHBOARD FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. IT WILL BE ON ONE DAY AND THEN OFF THE NEXT OR ON FOR A FEW DAYS THEN SHUT OFF. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SEEN THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11400293

KIA KEARNY MESA, CA DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A CLASS III TRAILER HITCH TOW PACKAGE INSTALLATION WITH VIN PURCHASE THAT INCLUDED PART NUMBERS C6061-ADU00 AND RECALLED PART NUMBER C6061-ADUS9. THE CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRED ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER WAS EXCLUDED. I COMPLETED THE CLASS III TOW PACKAGE MYSELF FOR ~$500.00 PARTS CHARGE AND USED IT AS A LEGAL TOW VEHICLE WITH A 3000 # RV FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS THEN EXPERIENCED THE TRAILER LIGHT SC142 FAILURE. I REPLACED THE SC142 RECALLED PART NUMBER C6061-ADUS9 WITH AN ETRAILER COMPANY PART NUMBER TEKONSHA 118269 SUCCESSFULLY AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL LATER. I PROVIDED THE RECEIPT OF DEALERSHIP INSTALLED INCOMPLETE TOW PACKAGE PART NUMBERS AND THE ETRAILER PART INSTALLED TO BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND KIA CORPORATE CUSTOMER CARE WITHOUT RESOLVE FOR OVER A YEAR. I REQUEST THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND/OR KIA CORPORATION REIMBURSE $500.00 PARTS AND CURRENT LABOR COSTS FOR NEGLECT TO INSTALL A COMPLETE CLASS III TOW PACKAGE AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALLED PART NUMBER REPLACEMENT COSTS.

NHTSA ODI 11390630

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SHORT MY KIA WOULD STOP I HAD TO SWERVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP. I NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE HOOD SO I WAITED UNTIL IT STOPPED AND SLOWLY MOVED INTO THE ALREADY SLOWED TRAFFIC AND WENT HOME PARK THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED TO KIA BUT THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT OFFER REPAIRS UNLESS I PAID FOR IT

NHTSA ODI 11388417

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A PERSON SUDDENLY BRAKES IN FRONT OF ME DRIVING NORMAL SPEED OF ABOUT 35- 55, MILES PER HR, , I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND MY SUV, DID NOT STOP, I MERGED TO LEFT NOT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , GOD DID THE REST. I SLUMPED OVER WITH MY ANXIETY OUT OF THE ROOF, I REALIZED IT WAS SMOKING SO I TURNED OFF, THE ENGINE,, THERE WAS GRID LOCK TRAFFIC AHEAD, WAITED UNTIL I AND IT COOLED DOWN, CALMLY I REALIZED THERE WAS NO MORE SMOKING, DROVE HOME SAFELY, THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND EACH TIME, THEY KIA DEALER AND KIA CONSUMER SERVICE SAID, THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOWING AND FINDINGS AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE 2016 KIA SORRENTO, PLEASE HELP I AM ON ANXIETY MEDICATION INCREASE , I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE HOWEVER NO ONE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH KIA, AS OF TODAY, I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR ASSISTANCE

NHTSA ODI 11377859

MY AC/HEATER FAN IS NO LONGER BLOWING OUT AIR. IN ADDITION, WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD.

NHTSA ODI 11308862

WHILE DRIVING OUR KIA SORENTO AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN AND THE BRAKE ENGAGED BRIEFLY.

NHTSA ODI 11244643

I WAS GETTING OVER INTO THE TURN LANE TO THE HWY THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T PUSH ON THE BRAKES THEY WERE REALLY HARD TO PRESS DOWN IT WAS LIKE A STONE THAT I WAS TRYING TO PUSH ON THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP I HAD TWO CHOICES RUN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR RUN OVER A CURB FULL OF ROCKS SO I CHOSE THE ROCKS I HAD NO BRAKES

NHTSA ODI 11229824

YOU CAN SHIFT THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE/DRIVE WITHOUT PUTTING ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO ACTUALLY ENGAGE THE BRAKE PADS TO THE BRAKE ROTORS. IF YOU AREN'T PAY ATTENTION TO HOW HARD YOU ARE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE, THE CALL WILL START TO MOVE AT A NORMAL SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO KIA DEALERSHIPS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NORMAL AND SAFE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ONE DEALERSHIP EVEN CHECKED OTHER 2016 SORENTOS ON THE LOT AND IT WAS THE SAME FOR THEM AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

NHTSA ODI 10818710