The 2016 Kia Sorento’s impressive powertrain options are overshadowed by severe safety and mechanical problems. Kia’s engine lineup is notorious for burning excessive oil. A sudden drop in the oil level without any warning lights illuminating has left many owners no choice but to swap the engine.
Key Points
- The 2016 Kia Sorento has six recalls, one investigation, and over 490 complaints registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- The most important recall is about a fuel leakage problem in over 71,000 Kia vehicles.
- Many 2016 Sorento owners have complained about excessive oil consumption ruining the engine.
- Another common com plaint cited by 2016 Kia Sorento owners is over a malfunctioning acceleration pedal.
- Paint peeling off from different panels of the vehicle has made owners spend as much as $1,000 to resolve the issue.
Kia Recalled 2016 Sorento Six Times Over Problems With Improper Acceleration and Fuel Leaks
The 2016 Kia Sorento comes in five trims and offers three different engines. Although the SUV’s variety of options makes it attractive, its shortcomings drag the midsize SUV behind its competitors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2016 Kia Sorento was recalled six times over some serious safety issues
The first recall concerns a problem with the SUV’s acceleration. With the recall, Kia acknowledged that an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal does not allow the driver to accelerate the vehicle correctly.
Kia recalled the 2016 Sorento for a flawed front passenger seat belt that couldn’t be latched. About a year later, Kia opened another recall covering to fix an improper weld that could break and affect the rear suspension alignment.
Kia also recalled certain 2016 Sorentos that previously received an engine replacement under a previous recall. A high-pressure fuel pipe may have been damaged during the replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
2016 Sorento Owners’ Top Complaint is About Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Engine Failure
About half of the nearly 500 owner complaints registered with the NHTSA are about the engine, including experiences with loud knocking sounds coming from under the hood followed by a loss of power, leaving owners to have to replace the entire engine.
However, the most common cause of engine failure in the 2016 Kia Sorento is excessive oil consumption. According to Car Complaints, owners have spent $6,330 on average to swap the powertrain.
According to several reports, owners have noticed the oil level dropping significantly not long after an oil change. “We change it every 6,000 miles, and within less than 2,000 miles, it is over a quart low. It does not smoke or leak anywhere with 96,000 miles on the car,” posted one 2016 Sorento owner on Kia Forums.
High oil consumption is a widespread issue in Kia’s GDI engines and comes from carbon deposits accumulating in the intake valves.
problems With Rough Shifts and Improper Acceleration Have Been Reported By 2016 Kia Sorento Owners
The 2016 Kia Sorento also has a common transmission problem resulting in rough shifting when the engine is cold. One Car Complaints user reports, “The transmission shifts very hard between first and second [gear] when the engine is cold. Once warmed up, there’s no problem. Have been to the dealer six times and tech can find no problems.”
Despite Kia’s attempt to solve acceleration issues through a recall, some owners continue to deal with a faulty acceleration pedal.
“My vehicle is exhibiting symptoms of a defective gas pedal as described in Kia’s recall for the 2016 Kia Sorento,” says one owner in a complaint registered to the NHTSA. “However, my vehicle is not part of the recall group. I took my car to the dealer to request this recall be done on my vehicle, but they would not make an exception.”
2016 Sorento SUVs Have Reportedly Experienced Paint Peeling Off and Exterior Lights Malfunctioning
There is approximately four dozen complaints registered with the NHTSA about the 2016 Sorento’s paint peeling off. The problem is due to the manufacturer failing to prime-coat some panels. Even owners who have kept their Sorento in great condition and stored it in a garage have mentioned dealing with this issue.
Since it’s not a safety issue, Kia has not recalled the SUV to provide a remedy for the paint job problem. Besides damaging the car’s looks, paint peeling off can lead to corrosion too. Some owners report having spent as much as $1,000 to fix the issue.
Another frequently cited problem with the 2016 Sorento pertains to malfunctioning headlights. Most of the owner complaints mention the headlights turning off randomly for a few seconds when they are on “Auto” mode. Some other owners have mentioned the headlights burning out.
Due to Widespread Safety Issues, the 2016 Kia Sorento Falls Short of Other Popular Midsize SUVs
The 2016 Kia Sorento’s reputation as a reliable family hauler is plagued by widespread issues like excessive oil consumption and improper acceleration. According to real owner reviews on Vehicle History, the 2016 Sorento ranks near the bottom of the list among 17 other midsize SUVs.
Based on Kelley Blue Book prices, a used 2016 Kia Sorento goes for around $18,687 to $26,151. Within the same price range, a used 2016 Mazda CX-9 can offer better reliability and a more stylish exterior design. Where the Sorento stands out is fuel consumption, with up to 29 mpg on the highway.
Photos: Kia
