Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated and while coming to a stop, the oil warning light illuminated while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that on several occasions, upon start up, the vehicle lost power after hearing the engine rev. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and placed on a diagnostic machine, and it was determined that the power train, throttle pedal position sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer 3 months ago for an undisclosed failure however, after the vehicle was retrieved, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate or fail to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal; the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic code showed that the throttle position sensor was defective. Upon further investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V089000 (Vehicle Speed Control) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and he was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided information about an extended warranty that the vehicle qualified for; however, upon calling the dealer, the contact was informed that his vehicle did not qualify for the warranty. …
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, she placed the vehicle in park; however, the RPM's increased rapidly and the engine revved. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that her husband turned off the vehicle and disconnected and reconnected the battery cables however, he restarted the vehicle and the failure recurred. The contact stated that she notified multiple dealers of the failure and was informed that no appointments were available until February of 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V089000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximate 110,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that occasionally while stationary and attempting to accelerate, the RPM would increase significantly before causing the vehicle to experience unintended acceleration. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V089000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000. The consumer stated that the dealer was able to replicate the issue and repair it. But even after the repair, the vehicle still stalls just a bit.
I was backing up a residential driveway. My backup camera showed my wheels were in line. My steering wheel turned and my car had a sudden unintended acceleration. My car destroyed a double steel garage door. Pushed a parked vehicle forward approximately 10-12". The vehicle crushed a riding lawn mower, pushing the mower through a sheet rock wall. If anyone had been in this area of the garage, they could have possibly suffered serious injury or even fatality. I am trying to arrange to have my vehicle taken to local Kia dealership for diagnostic testing. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning signs that appeared and I did not hear my backup camera alert.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Later after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle would not exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle body to the accelerator pedal was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration causing the RPMs to increase and the vehicle to suddenly drive forward and almost crash. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no problem was found. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Sometime Mid May 2022 I was driving back from Tri City Washington. As I was passing a semi truck I noticed my car was losing some power. I ten was able to to get in front of the semi when I seen a place to pull off. During this time I noticed my dash lights were coming on. Engine light. I was lucky enough to pull off where on a side road in Warden, Washington. My car then ceased and would not start. I had to have it towed in my home town of Moses Lake, Washington to a auto mechanic by my resident. The name is Customs Auto on Broadway. They said it needed to go to a Kia Specialist/Mechanic for repairs. So I then had it towed to Over Turf Kia Dealership in Tri City, WA. where my car has been sitting since the end of May 2022. Nathan from Over Turf said I needed to replace my engine and quoted me at $6300.00 which is what I owe my bank loan with Wells Fargo. …
I was driving down the road and heard a grinding noise from engine. I pulled over to check under the hood for fluid leaks or check engine lights which everything checked out good temp gauges and everything giving normal readings. I then proceeded to keep traveling my route and about 5 minutes in I was loosing power and my car wasn't accelerating any more. I contacted the dealership I received my car from letting them know of these problems and informed them of a recall that was in affect a couple years back and also about the recent one I then asked if they fixed this problem or had any Knowledge of these defects which they stated it's not on them I have to take it up with the manufacturer even though I wasn't informed of these problems before my vehicle purchase. …
On January 17 2024 as I am making my usual drive to work on a very busy interstate highway my 2016 Kia SORENTO EX V6 FWD AUTO 3.3 liter engine completely seizes up and so begins my nightmare. The same nightmare I am seeing time and time and time again reported on this site, and every site you do a simple search on 2016 KIA Sorento's for. As a result of the catastrophic engine failure, I (a female, original owner of the KIA,) was left in a very dangerous position to try and maneuver through and not be killed by oncoming cars and further not get jumped in a very bad part of the metro. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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.
Remedy: 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.
Acceleration complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2016 Kia Sorento, 5% of the model year's 1,256 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Kia Sorento acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-089 (accelerator pedal, Feb 13, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.