2016 Kia Sorento: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2016 Kia Sorento? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 1,215 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2016 Kia Sorento Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 7 2016 Kia Sorento trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 7 trims analysed.
2016 Kia Sorento Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2016 Kia Sorento SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
15% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
15% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2016 Kia Sorento has 1,215 owner complaints, 28 crash-related complaints, and 8 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Sorento
- Model year
- 2016
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 1,215
- Crash-related complaints
- 28
- Safety recall campaigns
- 8
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2016 Kia Sorento Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2016 Kia Sorento?
The 2016 Kia Sorento shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2016 Kia Sorento
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, transmission, and structural components.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues and unintended acceleration.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, transmission, and structural components.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues and unintended acceleration.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2016 Kia Sorento, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2016 Kia Sorento are heavily concentrated in engine problems, with over half of all reports citing this component. Transmission, structural, and electrical issues also appear frequently, though the overall confidence in this data is low due to its consumer-submitted nature.
- Engine Problems account for the majority of complaints (701 out of 1215).
- Transmission/Drivetrain and Structural Problems each have over 100 complaints.
- Unintended Acceleration is reported in 62 complaints, though not linked to a specific component.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission/Drivetrain
- Structural Problems
All 2016 Kia Sorento Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Sorento. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 701 | 4 | 32 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 159 | 2 | 9 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 116 | 6 | 4 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 106 | 2 | 4 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 104 | 3 | 7 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 79 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 66 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 62 | 5 | 2 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 49 | — | 8 | — | |
| Brake System | 22 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 14 | 9 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 10 | 4 | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 9 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Lane Departure | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Firerelated | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 functionin…
My 2016 Kia Sorento was stolen because it wasn’t updated and also the engine caught fire because it wasn’t updated
My car has only 68,800 miles and the dealer is telling me I need a new engine assembly i reached out to the kia corporate because I am the 2nd owner and I have had this car for 8 years and I have taken it for all the oil changes and maintenence to the dealer and have read on the …
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the battery, check engine, and oil warning lights were simultaneously illuminated. The driver reported hearing a low rattling sound and observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The …
3 to 4 months ago my truck steering wheel light with an exclamation point will appear and my steering wheel will lock up and it is hard to steer unless I cut the truck off and back on, it is so dangerous that it went out when I was in the middle of a turn that I almost ran into a…
Shifter Lock is engaged and would not shift from park unless I bypass the lock by pressing the release. It was a recall item, I had it replaced, but if failed a few days later. I called the dealership, I told them about the problem. They told me they replaced it and I could bring…
All tail lights of suv go in an out randomly.
My 2016 Kia Sorento with 2.4L GDI Theta II engine began consuming excessive oil despite regular documented oil changes. At approximately 86,000 miles, the engine failed and requires full long block replacement. The vehicle has been at a Kia dealership for 5 months while I went ba…
Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting a formal safety complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding my Kia Sorento. Over the past six months, this vehicle has required replacement of the engine, transmission control module (TCM), and the entire transmiss…
The engine stalled while driving on the expressway. Myself and my daughter and her friend were in the car. The vehicle started right back up, and I was able to drive the car home (less than 2 miles away). The following day, my wife got an oil change, and went on the expressway, a…
Steering has a "sticky feeling". While driving, when you try to turn steering wheel a fraction to one side or the other there is resistance and then a release which results in in oversteering that has to be corrected. When trying to correct the oversteering, there is again resi…
My car totally stopped on me due to one of the 8 recalls I have undone related to my car. My insurance company verified that the recalls were open related to my car. I verified it to make sure by vin number at NHTSA.gov. up until today 2/13/2026 as I spoked with a representative…
Gear shifter gets stuck. Car jerks back when trying to speed up
Our 2016 Kia Sorento had 96k miles on it, my 2.4 Liter, V4 GDI engine. I was driving it to my house on the streets, when the vehicle it completes died on me in the middle of the streets, it won't turn on, had it tow to my house. Made an appointment to take it to body shop on 2/12…
2016 Kia Sorrento Ex paint is coming off in panels and different areas of car. I called KIa and they cant do anything about it
3 times head gasket has been replaced and repaired and every time oil is changed, they say I am losing oil
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, while driving to the residence, the coolant temperature gauge went from COLD to HOT. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that smoke was coming from the engine compartment. The …
On [XXX] I was in a car accident. When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work. This i…
Pearl white paint has begun flaking, and peeling.
The shifter is not working have to use shift lock release
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Kia Sorento.
2016 Kia Sorento Recalls
8 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento. 8 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2016 Kia Sorento Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2016 Kia Sorento reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 1,215 owner complaints, 28 crash-related complaints, and 8 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 Kia Sorento shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sorento?▾
#1: Engine Problems (701 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (159 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (116 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Kia Sorento?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Kia Sorento?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Kia Sorento, NHTSA complaints include 28 crash-related reports and 47 fire reports out of 1,215 total complaints. 18 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have any recalls?▾
Yes. 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Kia Sorento. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 8 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2016 Kia Sorento?▾
The 2016 Kia Sorento shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2016 Kia Sorento based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.