2016 Kia Sorento Kia Sorento 2016

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2016 Kia Sorento repairs by problem area

Engine (14%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (8%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (41%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (15%)

Other (7%)

Chart based on 71 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2016 Kia Sorento.

2016 Kia Sorento repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (2%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (27%)

< $100 (68%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 41 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2016 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Kia Sorento in New York, United States
Jul 2015 - Jun 2018
Mar 2018

16000 mi
Dash warning lights, speedometer, tachometer, other signals would cease to function on start up or on shifting into gear. After evaluation, it was determined that the rear backup camera was causing the interference, The rear camera was replaced and the problems were resolved. 
Kia Sorento in Manitoba, Canada
Jul 2017 - Jun 2018
Aug 2017

19840 mi
Cleaned sunroof tracks roof would not close 
Mar 2018

24180 mi
Knob for left rear air vent came off they replaced the vent 
Kia Sorento in Alberta, Canada
Jan 2016 - Jun 2022
Mar 2021

57660 mi
Oil leak. Fixed under warranty even though it had expired 3 days previously. 
Kia Sorento in Ohio, United States
Jan 2015 - Sep 2019
Jun 2016

19000 mi
Noisy rear wiper motor. replaced motor under warranty 

Return to top

2016 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

290-horsepower 3.3L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Kia Sorento in Georgia, United States
Jul 2015 - Jan 2024
Aug 2017

37000 mi

US $200
Battery died would not hold charge, just outside warranty had to replace. 
Kia Sorento in Florida, United States
Feb 2015 - Apr 2017
Aug 2016

23000 mi
Electrical connection behind the dashboard loosened and wouldn't allow the air conditioning fan to run properly. 
Feb 2017

28000 mi
Electrical harness powering the blower motor and a/c failed. Replace wiring harness and blower motor. 
Apr 2017

30000 mi

US $180
Car failed to start in four attempts. Push button start finally worked on fourth try. Replaced the battery. Failure to start, again. The dealer had the car for two days and called me early on the third. Service said the battery in the key FOB was very weak and replaced it. I''ll be patient but my gut feeling is that I haven''t seen the end of this mess. 
Kia Sorento in Florida, United States
Mar 2016 - Mar 2018
Nov 2017

17000 mi
Control head unit was replaced 
Jan 2018

18800 mi
Car wouldn’t start 
Kia Sorento in Saskatchewan, Canada
May 2015 - Jun 2018
Jan 2018

12789 mi
Electronic Parking Brake would not disengage and release vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer could not replicate problem, so picked it up the next day. No charges Problem has not re-occurred 
Kia Sorento in Mississippi, United States
Oct 2015 - Jun 2022
Nov 2015 Tire Pressure Monitoring System malfunctioned. Problem existed upon purchase. Dealer has parts on order. 
Dec 2015

1000 mi
TPMS parts came in and were installed 
Dec 2017

14000 mi
Headlight adjustment 
Kia Sorento in Texas, United States
Apr 2015 - Oct 2016
Sep 2015

4000 mi
Airbag warning light came on. Computer scan indicated a bad resistor in monitor circuit. Board replaced. 
Nov 2015

7000 mi
Airbag light came on for second time. Returned to dealer. They conferenced with KIA and replaced circuit board for airbag. 
Oct 2016

19000 mi
Replaced clock spring assembly and air bag control module. Seven days in shop. 

Return to top

2016 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

290-horsepower 3.3L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Kia Sorento in California, United States
Mar 2015 - Jul 2022
Apr 2021

79000 mi
Small oil leak from timing chain cover, replaced gasket under factory warranty for free. 
Kia Sorento in Ohio, United States
May 2021 - Jun 2021
Jun 2021

58000 mi

US $2701
Found multiple oil leaks upon inspection, via a diagnostic or KIA multi-point inspection. FEE $10 Found oil pan, timing cover, oil sender plate, and oil housing to all have leaks. Oil was coming down the top of the transmission, as well, as down the front and rear of the timing cover/engine assy. KIA also recommended spark plug replacement for $412. In addition, to OIL PRESSURE SWITCH and Pipe assy - FUEL HIGH. Paid $430.70 Service contract or power train warranty furnished and paid for a KIA LOANER and these parts Bolt-Flange O-ring Washer -injector Brkt Tip Seal - injector Backup O-ring Upper o-ring Threebond 1217 H (6) Antifreeze coolant (6) Gasket - water pump LH Gasket - water pump RH O-ring Gasket outlet LH Gasket outlet RH Seal - oil Oil seal RR Gasket -cover o-ring Resealed timing cover, oil pan assy, replaced sender gaskets, oil housing seals, ATTEMPTED de-greasing the engine 
Kia Sorento in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2015 - Jun 2022
Nov 2017

14260 mi
air conditioning began blowing warm air on a lengthy trip but after 3 days corrected itself. Took the car into dealer who examined the AC and said all was fine. They indicated they would keep it on file in case it happens again. 
Jul 2021

29140 mi

C $260
Wheel alignment 
Kia Sorento in Colorado, United States
Nov 2017 - Jun 2022
Mar 2018

16000 mi
Had TSB performed to deal with panoramic sun roof that would not close without a lot of manual assist. 
Mar 2022

56000 mi

US $250
Squirrels had chewed through cables for both front wheel speed sensors while car was parked at work! Not Kia's fault! 
Kia Sorento in Ontario, Canada
Jul 2016 - Jul 2018
Jul 2018

43400 mi
Horn low note required replacement on war 
Kia Sorento in North Carolina, United States
Sep 2016 - Sep 2021
Mar 2017

17000 mi
Car was difficult to steer and keep in your lane. Almost as if the electric power steering had shut off. Steering column replaced. 
Jun 2021

58000 mi
Steering anomaly apparent on vacation trip. Decided to live with the problem since dealership cannot duplicate the problem. Occasionally the steering is a little more difficult, almost as if it’s stuck, or the power assist is off for a fraction of a second. 
Kia Sorento in Wisconsin, United States
Jul 2015 - Jan 2022
May 2017

38000 mi
Head rest plastic piece was loose. Fuel door gas cap holder broke in extremely cold weather. Oil observed under engine and transmission, looked lighter and clearer than engine oil which was being serviced at the time. Area around drain plug was clean and dry. Oil drain plug replaced by dealer. Hopefully the dealer got this right, will be keeping an eye on the oil leak. 
Apr 2018

57000 mi

US $185
Driver's side speaker was distorting, especially during low notes in music. Purchased OEM replacement speaker and that fixed the problem. 
Jan 2020

86000 mi

US $115
Low horn stopped working and high horn sounded feeble. Replaced both horns. 
Kia Sorento in Connecticut, United States
Nov 2015 - Jul 2018
Apr 2016

5500 mi
Rear right single seat track stuck and seat wouldn't go down. Seat rail was determined to be defective. Took 3 days to repair. Repaired at dealer. Got car back with nothing fixed and many interior pieces damaged. Took back and fixed well. 
Mar 2018

32000 mi
Broke down on I84 in the center of a 4 lane highway on a late Friday night. Literally was almost killed. Car shuttered and, jerked, and stopped within seconds. Dealer states it is a broken fuel pump. Initially told me I just ran it out of gas. However, I had filled it up 30 min. before. Car burned entire tank gas in less then 30 miles. Just happened so Im still in angry mode. Worse, Kia couldn't find me in the roadside assistance. They answered quickly when I called but it took 20 min on the side of the highway for them to agree to send a tow truck. They still didn't see me or my VIN in their system. I was without car for 8 days. They gave me a rental. I paid nothing for anything accept a lot of aggravation. Also, the problem turned out to be a bad fuel injector. They replaced the whole system. The gas burned out the catalytic converter. That had to be replaced with entire exhaust system which melted. Fluke of a problem, not typical but it did happen. Otherwise great SUV, but I almost ended dead. 
Kia Sorento in Virginia, United States
Aug 2015 - Dec 2021
Sep 2016

18000 mi
Bluetooth, louder sounds from incoming phone call rear hatch door latch 
Kia Sorento in British Columbia, Canada
Nov 2015 - Jun 2022
Mar 2016

3720 mi
Driver's door handle didn't feel quite right. Fixed 
Kia Sorento in Georgia, United States
Jun 2015 - Jul 2022
Jul 2015 Both tail lights had cracks and condensation on the top of the tail light 
Sep 2017

43500 mi

US $200
Cell went bad in the battery. Died just out of warranty. 
Jan 2022

145000 mi

US $1565
Body control module went out. Could not shift from park. 
Jun 2022

144000 mi

US $4400
Had to have transmission rebuilt from issues with 1st and 2nd gear. 
Kia Sorento in Quebec, Canada
Jul 2016 - Jun 2022
Oct 2016

3200 mi
Some small scratches inside passenger window front. Repair soon under warranty as said by dealer. 
Feb 2017

3782 mi
The vehicule started as usual and i was unable to turn the steering. The car have been remorqued to the dealer for inspection. The dealer said that my remote starter module have been installed too much near the steering module and interfered with it. The dealer replace my remote starter module et that solved the problem. The Kia Sorento was not defective, it was my remote starter module !!!! 
Jul 2017

4340 mi
Sunroof wont close... Dealer change tilts (TSB 125) lever and grease rails. Work done under warranty. I got black screen with backup camera occasionally. Dealer changed camera with a new one. Work under warranty. The two problems have been solved. 
May 2018

6200 mi
Rear antenna for the trunk dont recognize inteligent key. They changed rear antenna (it was in the rear bumper) under warranty and the problem is fixed. 
May 2022

13640 mi

C $150
i change the two front links because small noise when driving. I repaired myself cause it was easy ... 
Jun 2022

13702 mi

C $385
When driving my car at speed 30 km, i heard a big bang from side front passenger. I check my wheel and all seem ok. I went to the garage and they discover that spring of McPherson was broken !!!! The garage change the McPherson with a used one and the cost for me was 385 $ . 
Kia Sorento in Saskatchewan, Canada
Mar 2015 - Sep 2016
Nov 2015

5620 mi
A few times on a three-day trip a "BSD cancelled" warning appeared. If the vehicle was stop and restarted or simply driven for a while the message went away. Dealer says it's a known problem, but no fix. 
Sep 2016

14260 mi
Replaced blind spot module 
Kia Sorento in Quebec, Canada
May 2015 - Sep 2018
Oct 2015

4020 mi
Squeaks comming from the cross-beam of the panoramic sunroof. Appears a piece of the trim was broken at assembly plant. Replaced and covered by warranty. Tail gate electric door latch failed after first trip to dealer. Door latch won't stay closed and locked so tail gate was free to open ... Latch module was replaced in same trip at no cost (warranty). 
Jun 2016

9300 mi
Panoramic sunroof squeezing. Pinch protection engaging and won't close. Had to bypass protection and pull on it to close. Manufacture bad installation. Dealer realigned tracks and lubricate. Problem solved. 
Dec 2016

14880 mi
Both ball joint replaced for upgraded quality parts as requested by Kia TSB. Transmission get briefly on neutral between 2nd and 3rd gear on hard acceleration at cold causing a rough shift. Couldn't replicate since transmission is now hot and shift smoothly. Will have to bring back vehicle for investigation at cold. 
Jan 2017

15500 mi
Cold road test and data collection for transmission rough shift issue. After Kia headquarter investigation, they reflashed transmission ECU with upgraded software to prevent this issue. So far, problem seams solved. 
May 2017

18600 mi
Panoramic sunroof closing slowly with some noise. Even had to pull on it to close it since it was returning in open position because of reversing safety feature (so hard to close it thinks something is trapped in the opening). Dealer cleaned the rails and lube them. Second time the issue appears after winter period. 
Aug 2017

22320 mi
On load (towing a trailer), vehicle drivetrain seem to have a parts which slip as we feel regular rapid hesitation in maintaining the speed or while accelerating ... same feeling was perceptible without trailer but less concerning. Appears the AWD viscous coupler was defective. Replaced under warranty by dealer. 
Kia Sorento in Alberta, Canada
Apr 2016 - Jul 2016
Apr 2016

10540 mi
Dealer trip for a few issues: Drivers rear door not unlocking- Bluetooth and Sat radio cut out at times- rattle from back hatch area 
Jun 2016

14260 mi
Rough idle with a/c on.Very noticeable at times. Dealer insists its normal 
Jul 2016

14260 mi
Dealer replaced alternator and tensioners relating to earlier vibration complaint. No change in operation 

Return to top

2016 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

185-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Kia Sorento in Arizona, United States
May 2016 - Jan 2020
Mar 2018

64000 mi
Leaking at [transmission] seal. Seal replaced under warranty. 
Jun 2018

68000 mi

US $130
Recharged A/C 
Kia Sorento in British Columbia, Canada
Jan 2016 - Jun 2018
Feb 2017

3938 mi
Parking brake was not holding. They adjusted parking brake so that it would hold. 
Kia Sorento in California, United States
Sep 2015 - Mar 2021
Dec 2017

48000 mi
oil light would come on sometimes, took in for oil change and they also had a recall for a valve on engine. no problem since. 
Kia Sorento in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2016 - Jun 2018
Dec 2016

3720 mi
Tried to shift out of park, gear selector required enormous force. Went to put it back into park, could not engage park - gear selector jammed in R-N-D positions. Dealer found gear selector lever popped out of placed, popped back in. 
Kia Sorento in Korea, South
Dec 2015 - Aug 2018
Mar 2017

19840 mi
Fuel gauge not functioning. 
Jan 2018

32240 mi
Replaced transmission and toque converter. Under warranty 
Kia Sorento in Texas, United States
Oct 2015 - Jan 2022
Feb 2018

18000 mi

US $250
Collision while backing out of a diagonal parking space in shopping center. Rear bumper straightened and nearness warning detector replaced. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.

2016 Kia Sorento Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2016 Kia Sorento problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.