What 1,236 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento

Driving vehicle and check engine light came on, pulled over to an advance auto to have codes pulled. When lifting the hood to double check everything while waiting on codes to be pulled, I could smell a burning smell. After codes pulled, I sat in parking lot and researched codes P001100 and P208800. With codes and smell of burning, I had vehicle towed to Ferber's Tire & Auto Service, Inc. at 10383 Leadbetter Rd. Ashland, VA. 23005. They pulled codes and found that a recall was issued by KIA for this issue with CVVT Assembly. I called KIA and I was told that my VIN was not covered for this recall but that if the recall was expanded and covered my VIN that they would notify me. At this point I had no choice but to repair vehicle on my own even though KIA knew of this issue with their product. This repair is not cheap! Because of the location and what you have to do to get to part that needs to be replaced. My bill was $2,492.23 just to fix a car that KIA is aware. So aware that a recall was issued, just didn't go far enough for all the VIN. If my vehicle had caught fire or engine locked up because of the metal and plastic now sucked into the engine, I would have no car and all because KIA not doing right by the customer. I still have parts the old parts that were replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11547212

Car ran fine until we stopped for gas, went to get back on the highway when the car wouldn't accelerate >25mphs,almost got hit from this. The car was then towed to the near by Kia dealership and they found that it was a compression issue with a known issue in the engine and now we need a new engine or scrap the car. Kia is not willing to fix their horrible product and has told us to just suffer.

NHTSA ODI 11547231

UNKNOWN Possible head gasket, radiator or water pump damage. Light smoke from engine. Constantly have to fill car up with antifreeze & water every few miles. Car is never driven over 45 mph.Car easily overheats & leaves us stranded as we live in a rural location. Have to purchase antifreeze every 3 days that we cannot afford. Have VERY LIMITED funds to assist with mechanical work, but we can contribute a little. No income whatsoever coming in due to job loss. Can't rely on car to get to work, but can work from home. Currently seeking employment, but competition has been tough. This is our only car for our family of 4. 2 kids in school age 8 & 4. No bus or friends/relatives who can help.Was referred to this program by a friend as they informed me that it offers financial assistance for some repairs. This affects the safety of the vehicle as we have small children, and the car constantly overheats leaving us stranded in areas without sufficient cellular coverage to make calls. Located in Sevierville, TN.

NHTSA ODI 11546920

this vehicle is a match box waiting to kill someone. I've been reporting these problems an nobody has follow up. on 08/20/2023 fuel pump had to be replaced after fumes coming into vents report one on 06/03/2023 issue happened again, 0n 09/04/2023 engine went out. after getting vehicle back catalytic converter and manifold was burnt out do to engine .had it inspected by a muffler shop. kia will not replace anything even if they are told it was caused on behalf of there produce

NHTSA ODI 11546630

My engine failed with no warning, my car shut down on the hwy. It was a safety issue because the car shut down while driving on the hwy and could have resulted in a traffic accident. This problen is all over the internet. There were no warning lights. Car ran fine up until it stalled and lost power and shut down. When towed to the repair shop, I was told it was completely out of oil, metal shavings were in the oil filter. The shop replaced oil and the car ran for a bit with knocking noise. On the way to the kia dealership, after learning this was an issue with my type of vehicle, the car shut down again and had to be towed to the dealership. My request for engine replacement was denied even though it is well within 100.000 miles and or 10yrs. It has 84,000 miles. I feel this is KIA's responsibilty to replace my engine. At this time, they are charging me $10,600 to replace my engine.

NHTSA ODI 11545352

Sometimes the cruise control works. Sometimes it doesn't work. Even after vehicle is warmed up still no resolution. Engine oil disappears without notice or warning.

NHTSA ODI 11544991

Car shutters and stalls and metal shavings in the oil pan

NHTSA ODI 11541565

2016 Kia Sorento suddenly without any warning lights started losing power while driving on busy intersection. Vehicle dies, have towed, they say looks like there was no oil despite fairly recent oil change and without oil light popping up. Mechanic states it was ok for now but would need to start thinking about a new engine. Pick up vehicle and it didn’t even make it home before it lost power in an intersection again. Called Kia multiple times and despite other Kia’s having this issue apparently my vehicle is not one of the ones with a recall. There is nothing they can do for me. Owe 11k on vehicle, motor will probably be close to that. For now I am making payments on a vehicle that won’t go anywhere. Went to Kia dealership to see what help they could provide and their suggestion was to stop making payments and let them take vehicle back. Obviously I’m still making payments. But then they sold me a used Hyundai which subsequently caught fire a month later. Turned out while it didn’t have a recall on the Hyundai it had a campaign about a software update that would have indicated a problem before my engine caught fire. Dealership couldn’t have cared less, I’m aware that one was a Hyundai but that’s the level of customer service Kia provides. And will also sell you a vehicle with outstanding issues and not bring to your attention.

NHTSA ODI 11540700

3.3 liter engine - no warning not part of recall or knock sensor per Kia - driving slow ( thank God ) just died . Towed to the dealer - hearing 3 different story’s ? Diagnosis ? Manifold or Rod Bearing issue - whole engine needs replaced over 15k cost . Doing research on this issue snd see many complaints on all makes and models / expect a recall on this vehicle in time as well - it’s only a matter of time till someone is hurt or killed due to Kias repeated negligence in regards to engine failure - the dealer and corporate are ignoring this and that is not acceptable .

NHTSA ODI 11539898

Car engine suddenly started to fail, no power, engine knocking, died in traffics turning into an intersection extremely dangerous

NHTSA ODI 11539123

The vehicle lost.all power engine started to knock stopped in the middle of traffic in 4 lanes almost causing an accident 700 miles from home. Mechanic states engine is blown and that Kia engines don't last past 100000 it will cost me almost 11000 to get a new Kia plus had to pay for rental car motel etc to get home. Pathetic and extremely dangerous and car has to be pushed out of traffic and get a tow truck to haul it. I will never ever purchase a Kia again and will tell everyone I know not to purchase and of course the warranty was off so I have no can and lose 110000..Kia should be held responsible as it looks like this is a continuing and dangerous issue.

NHTSA ODI 11539126

I purchased a like new 2016 KIA Sorento with about 6000 miles on it. Maintenance was performed by Dealer on regular schedule. After appx 40,000 miles, early in 2021, I noticed obscene oil consumption, at least 1 quart every 325 miles. Dealer checked the engine and said "Yes, it is losing oil somewhere.", but did nothing to fix it. High oil consumption continued and eventually cylinders 2 and 4 blew out on interstate with a car load of kids mid-year 2022. Dealer fixed this at my cost of about $1700.00. Late 2022, just past 100,00 miles, one of the exhaust valves broke and pretty much destroyed the engine. Dealer confirmed the issue and stated they would not replace the engine or repair the engine, and recommended I find a mechanic. Since December 2022, I've had the car towed multiple times to the Dealer and then to 2 different shops and no one can or wants to fix the engine. The mechanic where the car has been sitting since February 2023 now says I need to look for an engine myself and he will switch it out. What a sorry company KIA is. I've bought 3 KIAs from the Dealer and I bet this will be my last one. Is there any help is getting my problem resolved?

NHTSA ODI 11539197

My oil light was not working and even though I was having maintenance done on my car regularly, my piston rings failed and my car was burning oil between oil changes and I did not know it. Now, my car needs a new engine which I cannot afford and Car Shield is refusing to honor their warranty. I have been without a car for 4 months while it sits at a shop

NHTSA ODI 11538843

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that she noticed that the temperature gauge was continuously fluctuating. The contact checked the oil level and noticed that there was no oil in the vehicle; even though the engine oil had been changed two weeks prior. The contact added 3 quarts of oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced, and that the failure was related to Kia Campaign Number: 2002B. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that they could not replace the engine unless it had completely failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised as the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ODI 11538902

My engine was replaced under the recall approx 10,000km ago. Now, my car is over heating. Check engine light has NOT come on ever. There seems to be oil in my radiator as the colour is that of a milky brown.

NHTSA ODI 11539038

The engine on our 2016 Kia Sorento blew in February (2023) with 120k miles on it. When this happened, it blew a fist sized hole on each side of the engine. A brief fire was seen under the car but quickly went out. Since it was over the MFG warranty, we had to buy a used engine for $7k. Labor was $3k. There were absolutely no warning lights on the dash. Fast forward 6 months, the replacement engine now just seized. You just can't make this up. Kia should not be allowed to make cars. The car broke down in a small town 3 hours from home. With $11k still owed on the vehicle, I just can't justify spending another $10k to replace the motor again. There were no warning signs this time either. Our engine is the 3.3L which Kia is not offering lifetime warranty on and out of pocket expenses like the 2.0L and 2.2L engine which lawsuit was just won.

NHTSA ODI 11537864

Total engine failure on highway with no warning. Kia dealership says a piston broke and a valve is stuck open. Total engine replacement required with a cost of $12,000. Kia refused to help with cost due to car being at 101,000 miles. Only 1,000 miles over the powertrain warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11536952

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle lost oil , the low oil and low fuel warning lights did not illuminate. The vehicle started to slow down and it made an abnormal noise and lost power. When she depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would make a jerking motion. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder and the vehicle was towed to a safe area. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11536575

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to drive at highway speeds, the vehicle lagged and was unable to exceed 50 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11536318

Fire from fuel pump engine failure catalytic converter issues from engine

NHTSA ODI 11535533

My kia Sorento 2016 uses excessive amount of oil resulting in engine failure. At the moment my car need an engine replacement. I took my car to get a diagnostic at the auto shop, I was informed that my car engine was dying. I did some searching online, and I find out that Kia Sorento are known to have engine issues and unusual excessive consumption of oil.

NHTSA ODI 11535139

My Kia Sorento 2016 use alot of oil, resulting in my car needing a new engine. The contact stated to cancel the complaint because the wrong vehicle was entered.

NHTSA ODI 11535059

Replaced engine 6 months ago only to have the same problem again engine is locked won't start cut off while driving excessive oil consumption

NHTSA ODI 11534938

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

Car was in an accident; started on fire, car is totalled

NHTSA ODI 11533003