Representative model. Photo: TTSK.14, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Kia Sorento recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 8
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 1,254
Latest campaign: Sep 19, 2022

Recall summary by component8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Trailer hitches	2	1	Sep 19, 2022	22V703000 16V862000
Power train	1	–	Aug 10, 2022	22V612000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000
Seats	1	–	Oct 24, 2016	16V770000
Suspension	1	–	Jun 29, 2016	16V480000
Seat belts	1	–	Jul 14, 2015	15V446000
Vehicle speed control	1	–	Feb 13, 2015	15V089000

Safety recalls8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 19, 2022Latest campaign


Sep 19, 202222V703000	Trailer hitches A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 22V703000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022
Aug 10, 202222V612000	Power train: automatic transmission lever and linkage A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V612000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 22V612000 · Aug 10, 2022
Dec 19, 201818V907000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V907000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Nov 30, 201616V862000	Trailer hitches If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V862000 What's wrong 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." Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V862000 · Nov 30, 2016
Oct 24, 201616V770000	Seats In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V770000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V770000 · Oct 24, 2016
Jun 29, 201616V480000	Suspension: rear The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V480000 What's wrong Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V480000 · Jun 29, 2016

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2016 Kia Sorento? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component1,254

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,254Complaints filed

29Involving a crash

49Involving a fire

19Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	695	55	4	32	5
Unknown or other	165	13	2	10	1
Power train	126	10	6	4	5
Structure	111	9	2	4	2
Electrical system	107	9	3	8	2
Steering	80	6	2	1	0
Exterior lighting	67	5	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	62	5	5	2	3
Fuel/propulsion system	53	4	0	8	3
Engine and engine cooling	30	2	0	1	0
Service brakes	23	2	1	1	0
Air bags	17	1	10	0	8
Visibility/wiper	16	1	0	0	0
Suspension	12	1	0	1	0
Trailer hitches	11	1	0	0	0

13 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Air bags
“Dear Kia America Customer Care Team, Thank you for your response regarding Case Number While I understand that my vehicle is technically outside the standard factory warranty period, I am formally requesting a…”
Filed 10/06/2026 · ODI 11769430
Power train
“Transmission failure at 99,000 miles Replaced by dealer under warranty”
Filed 10/02/2026 · ODI 11768490
Structure
“I am the original, single owner of a 2016 Kia Sorento in Snow White Pearl. My vehicle currently has approximately 96,000 miles on it.”
Filed 09/29/2026 · ODI 11767733

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2016 Kia Sorento recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento. The most recent, 22V703000 (reported September 19, 2022), concerns trailer hitches. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Kia Sorento recalls for?

The largest group is trailer hitches, with 2 campaigns. Others: power train (1), fuel system, gasoline (1), seats (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Kia Sorento?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 695 complaints out of 1,254 filed with NHTSA (55%). Across all complaints, owners reported 29 crashs and 49 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Kia Sorento?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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