2016 Kia Sorento
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 716 of 1,248 complaints (57%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 749 in 2015 to 1,248 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,100 | 2,700–3,100 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–22 | 20–23 | 19–24 | 19–24 | 19–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–20 / 23–27 | 18–20 / 23–27 | 17–21 / 23–28 | 17–21 / 23–28 | 17–21 / 23–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 398–449 | 390–449 | 377–466 | 377–465 | 377–465 | |
| Complaints filed | 984 | 749 | 1,248 | 801 | 252 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 23 | 20 | 29 | 13 | 12 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 45 | 14 | 49 | 32 | 11 | |
| Injuries reported | 24 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Engine: 716 of 1,248 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Kia Sorento?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 434 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 396 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 377 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 436 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 418 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 397 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 466 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 716 | 4 | 33 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 123 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 56 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical | 107 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 80 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 75 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 129 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 84 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 165 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (8)
TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 22V703000 · Sep 20, 2022
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT · Campaign 22V612000 · Aug 10, 2022
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; ENGINE · Campaign 18V907000 · Jan 30, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 16V862000 · Nov 30, 2016
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
SEATS · Campaign 16V770000 · Oct 24, 2016
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as designed in the event of a rear-end collision.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC140.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 16V480000 · Jun 29, 2016
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
Consequence: The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 15V446000 · Jul 14, 2015
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC123.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL · Campaign 15V089000 · Feb 13, 2015
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
Consequence: If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC115.