2016 Kia Sorento Recalls, Problems & MPG

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 1,258 owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Sorento. The EPA rates it 19 to 24 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Recalls
8
Owner complaints
1,258
Crashes / fires reported
29 / 49
EPA combined
19–24 MPG

2016 Kia Sorento recalls

  • Trailer HitchesSep 19, 2022 · NHTSA 22V703000+

    Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    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.

    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.

  • Power TrainAug 10, 2022 · NHTSA 22V612000+

    Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.

    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.

    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.

  • Fuel System, GasolineDec 19, 2018 · NHTSA 18V907000+

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    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.

    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.

  • Trailer HitchesNov 30, 2016 · NHTSA 16V862000+

    Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

    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."

  • SeatsOct 24, 2016 · NHTSA 16V770000+

    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.

    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.

    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.

  • SuspensionJun 29, 2016 · NHTSA 16V480000+

    Risk: The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.

  • Seat BeltsJul 14, 2015 · NHTSA 15V446000+

    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.

    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.

    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.

  • Vehicle Speed ControlFeb 13, 2015 · NHTSA 15V089000+

    Risk: If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.

    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.

    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.

Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.

Most reported 2016 Kia Sorento problems

Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.

  • Engine696
  • Unknown or Other166
  • Power Train126
  • Structure111
  • Electrical System107
  • Steering80
  • Exterior Lighting67
  • Vehicle Speed Control62

2016 Kia Sorento gas mileage

EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).

VersionEngineCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sorento FWD2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)212824$2,700
Sorento FWD2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)202723$2,800
Sorento AWD2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)212522$2,900
Sorento AWD2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)192521$3,050
Sorento FE AWD3.3 L 6 cyl, Automatic (S6)182521$3,050
Sorento FWD3.3 L 6 cyl, Automatic (S6)182520$3,200
Sorento AWD3.3 L 6 cyl, Automatic (S6)172319$3,400

Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.

Questions

Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Kia Sorento, most recently for the trailer hitches (Sep 19, 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2016 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners filed 1,258 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (696), unknown or other (166), power train (126).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Sorento get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Kia Sorento at 19 to 24 MPG combined (best version: 21 city / 28 highway).

Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.