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

My husband and I got the oil changed at Walmart, one week later we took a trip to Cincinnati zoo with my children. On the way home we were driving on the interstate, car jolted and caught fire. something went through the oil pan and the oil dumped on the exhaust and caught flame. The car had to be towed to my parents and has been sitting since. We are paying on a car just for it to sit. No one will give us answers.

NHTSA ODI 11742930

My 2016 Kia Sorento was stolen because it wasn’t updated and also the engine caught fire because it wasn’t updated

NHTSA ODI 11733870

Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX] Incident Date: November 13, 2025 Incident Location: Durham, NC (3828 Guess Rd) Cause of Loss: Engine Fire, confirmed by Durham Fire Department Report (Incident #253663) as "originated from under the hood." TECHNICAL NARRATIVE & SYMPTOMS (CRITICAL FOR LIABILITY): I am filing this complaint to report a catastrophic vehicle fire that I believe is directly linked to multiple acknowledged manufacturing defects that create a fire risk in Kia vehicles. ABS/Traction Control Light Warning (Direct Fire Risk Symptom): Immediately prior to the loss, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights were constantly illuminated. This is a known precursor symptom for the defective Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) or ABS Module short-circuit, which has been cited in numerous Kia fire recalls (e.g., NHTSA 20V019, 20V519). The fire's origin under the hood is consistent with this component failure. Prior Engine Failures (Systemic Defect History): This vehicle has a history of catastrophic manufacturing defects: The engine assembly was replaced in 2023 due to the known Theta II Rod Bearing Failure. The knock sensor was replaced in September 2025 as part of the KSDS Product Improvement Campaign, demonstrating the vehicle was still under active service for critical engine monitoring defects just weeks before the fire. Potential Tow Hitch Wiring Fire Risk: The vehicle was fully engulfed, but the fire may also be linked to the defect cited in NHTSA Recall 22V703 (tow hitch wiring harness short circuit, which also poses a fire risk). I require a full investigation into this defect leading to compensation for the total loss of the vehicle and consequential damages. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11703758

This scenerio happened and fire resulted with total loss. Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings Recall date 2018-12-18 Recall no. 18V907000 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. Hide details Recall consequence A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall action 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.

NHTSA ODI 11679556

The engine was smoking. I had smoke coming through the vents in my car. The turbo is leaking and now it’s dangerous to drive. The dealership isn’t even recommended fixing it. The car is not safe to drive and has not been since I purchased it.

NHTSA ODI 11631291

We were driving on the [XXX] on [XXX] with a speed of around 70 miles per hour. We started to see a small amount of white smoke coming from under the hood and at the same time the truck started to slow down by itself unexpectedly and then started to jerk back and forth. No indicators showed up on the dashboard. The speed reduced quickly and hitting the gas pedal did nothing to accelerate our speed. The white smoke started to increase and it became difficult to see. We then saw the temperature gauge go all the way up to hot out of nowhere. There were vehicles all around us and the passengers in the car started to yell to try to get to the shoulder. We had to maneuver very quickly through traffic with the car continuing to jerk at a very slow speed, which was very scary and dangerous. We were finally able to slowly get over to the shoulder. We turned off the truck. When we opened the hood, white smoke was everywhere coming from the engine and the coolant in the plastic receptacle was bubbling. The coolant looked like it was about to explode and the driver got burned trying to remove the cap. There was significant heat coming from the engine. The coolant then drained out of the receptacle. When we tried to start the truck again it would not start. We spend hours trying to get a tow to a shop in NJ miles from where we live in NY. Several days later, the mechanic in NJ took a look at the car and he reported this week that the head gasket is blown and that we need a new engine. We plan to tow the truck back to NY to KIA where we have the car serviced normally to have it looked at. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11572483

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that as he had parked and shut the vehicle off, he saw smoke emitting from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle and saw flames from under the front of the vehicle. As the contact was stepping away from the vehicle he saw that flames were issuing from the rear passenger side wheel well where the fuel filler door was located. The contact stated that there was no warning light. The fire department was called and extinguished the flames. The police were on the scene and issued a report. The vehicle was towed away to an impound lot and later declared a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11559179

In November last year, my car caught fire while I was driving on a highway at a rate of about 70 mph. Some good Samaritans flagged me down and I was able to pull off the road and escape injury. My car was a total loss as were the contents of it. The fire department tapped out the fire. Kia admitted responsibility saying it was a manufacturing defect (I have the email conversation saved) but only wanted to pay my insurance company back and refund me my deductible. Kia would not pay for my lost iPhone and belongings because they said they could only do so if I provided a receipts for those items. Who has a receipt for everything in their car? I didn't claim to loss a Rolex or anything crazy. I refused the offer and am out for the loss of my car, deductible and its contents (though insurance cut me a check for the blue book value of my car minus the deductible). Kia is the worst.

NHTSA ODI 11550764

Car got caught on fire while driving with my 5kids

NHTSA ODI 11547542

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

Fire from fuel pump engine failure catalytic converter issues from engine

NHTSA ODI 11535533

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

NHTSA ODI 11533003

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

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

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 car lost power while driving and the engine caught fire.

NHTSA ODI 11523581

I was backing up a residential driveway. My backup camera showed my wheels were in line. My steering wheel turned and my car had a sudden unintended acceleration. My car destroyed a double steel garage door. Pushed a parked vehicle forward approximately 10-12”. The vehicle crushed a riding lawn mower, pushing the mower through a sheet rock wall. If anyone had been in this area of the garage, they could have possibly suffered serious injury or even fatality. I am trying to arrange to have my vehicle taken to local Kia dealership for diagnostic testing. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning signs that appeared and I did not hear my backup camera alert.

NHTSA ODI 11518870

Smelled something burning. Pulled over and noticed smoke coming from under hood. Called the fire department. It was fully engulfed by the time they got there. Pictures of it burning are available. The vehicle is a total loss. Police report taken today 2-9-2023. Insurance company being notified. No warning lamps. No check engine light. No inspections made yet.

NHTSA ODI 11506372

Vehicle uses excessive amount of engine oil. It burns appx a quart of oil every 750 miles. There is no evidence of a leak in the driveway or on the undercarriage of the car. Informed dealer and was told it may be a bad oil drain plug. This is not evidenced by any visible oil loss. Loss of oil in this amount could cause engine failure where traffic conditions would put driver and other vehicles at risk.

NHTSA ODI 11494315

My 2016 KIA SORRENTO caught fire. I was driving off of the highway, with no issues, when i heard a tapping noise. I stopped at the light, turned right, and as I started turning it suddenly sputtered and stopped. I tried to accelerate to get the car out of the lane of traffic, when smoke started coming out from under the hood. People next to me started yelling that my car was on fire and that I should get out. At this point I got out of the car, and within minutes the entire undercarriage and front part of car was engulfed in flames. The fire dept put the fire out, and the fire marshal and my insurance is investigating.

NHTSA ODI 11468493

We drive, a lot. Across state. On highways. Our car engine caught fire and everything shut off. Prior to that. I kept hearing a knocking noise, it was hard to accelerate. Jerky to brake. I was advised by Kia we were in that awful theta 2 claim, but now they won’t reimburse us for this mess. Don’t they have a responsibility after putting my entire family in danger?

NHTSA ODI 11444910

In May 2021, my husband was driving the car and was bout 50 miles away from home when the engine caught fire. The car was towed to a repair shop where they confirmed the engine fire and stated the engine had thrown a rod. The car is only 5 years old and has 107,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11430428

ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. ONCE PULLED OVER LOWER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WAS NOTED. PROPER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED THROUGH OUT LIFE OF OWNERSHIP

NHTSA ODI 11406728

HELLO I AM GOING TO BE BLUNT AND STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. YOUR $30,000 VEHICLE, FINANCED, APPROVED AND PAID FOR BY ME NEARLY STOLE MY LIFE ON JAN 16, 2021 : ON MILE POST 46 ON I-40, EAST BOUND LANES IN KINGMAN, ARIZONA AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 PM ON WHAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL TRIP THROUGH ROUTE 66, WHICH SOON BECAME A DEATH TRAP MY PARTNER: ANTHONY [XXX], CO-FINANCER AND SIGNER OF THIS DEATH-TRAP AS WELL AS OUR TWO INNOCENT PARSON RUSSELL TERRIERS WERE NEARLY BURNED TO DEATH IN WHAT COULD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPLOSION LIKE THAT OF THE PRESS KIA & THE LIKES ARE BEING SUED FOR. NUMEROUS INNOCENT LIVES HAVE BEEN EXCRUCIATINGLY ENDED DUE TO GREED, DECITE AND BLATANT DISREGARD FOR LIFE TO ADD TO AN ALREADY GLUTTONOUS BANK ACCOUNT, AS YOU SUCK AND DRAIN ME DRY ALL THE WHILE AWARE OF THE DANGER YOU KNOWINGLY MAKE US LEGALLY PAY FOR. I FILED AN EXTENSIVE REPORT AND COMPLAINT WITH KIA AND NOW YOU. MY CASE NUMBER IS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS LETTER, I SUGGEST B YOU GET A HOLD OF KIA CUSTOMER CARE, JUST AS I HAD TO AFTER NEARLY LOSING MY SOULMATE, DOGS AND LIFE TO BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A STATE WE HACE NEVER BEEN, NO MONEY, FOOD OR VEHICLE NYIU JUST CHARHED ME FOR. I HAVE PROVIDED MY CASE NUMBER AND I EXPECT ALL PAYMENT TO CEASE AND BE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID INVOLVEMENT IN THIS DISGUSTING ACT OF DISTASTE OF HONESTY. I AM NEVER PAYING A PENNY MORE FOR YOUR DIRECT, IGNORANT AND ABHORRENT YET BLATANT ACTIONS. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT REGULAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

NHTSA ODI 11390697

COMPLETE ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11386205