Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2016 Kia Sorento recalls
Trailer hitches
NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · reported September 19, 2022 · Kia America, Inc. · 70,887 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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
NHTSA campaign 22V612000 · reported August 10, 2022 · Kia America, Inc. · 28,065 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
- The fix
- 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.
Engine · Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · reported December 19, 2018 · Kia Motors America · 71,653 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Trailer hitches · Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 16V862000 · reported November 30, 2016 · Kia Motors America · 10,212 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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
NHTSA campaign 16V770000 · reported October 24, 2016 · Kia Motors America · 1,408 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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
NHTSA campaign 16V480000 · reported June 29, 2016 · Kia Motors America · 7,901 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
- The risk
- The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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
NHTSA campaign 15V446000 · reported July 14, 2015 · Kia Motors America · 2,587 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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
NHTSA campaign 15V089000 · reported February 13, 2015 · Kia Motors America · 12,361 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Oct 20, 2026 · Fuel system, gasoline · 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a scheduled service, the contact requested that the dealer inspect the issue. The vehicle was diagnosed with…
Oct 20, 2026 · Engine and engine cooling · 148,764 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The failure was associated with Technical Service Bulletin: 253 (Rev 1, WTY035 - Warranty Extension Program). The contact stated that the issue was caused by a failure of the iron screws on the engine. The dealer…
Oct 20, 2026 · Engine
I am the original owner of a 2016 Kia Sorento and have lived at my original registration address since purchasing the vehicle. The engine suddenly and catastrophically failed/seized due to internal rod bearing failure. The local Kia dealership is denying the recall engine replacement because the KSDS (Knock Sensor…
Oct 18, 2026 · Unknown or other
Zubie plug-in obd device for gps tracking and health monitoring of cars. It was triggering an airbag light on the dash which meant in the event of a crash the airbags would not be deployed. My local Kia dealer investigated and found the plug in zubie device was triggering the airbag light in the dash. I contacted…
Oct 6, 2026 · 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 managerial review of this decision. This is not a request for a cosmetic repair, but a critical safety…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 20, 2026.