Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 15 MPH, she attempted to park the vehicle in her driveway. As the contact tapped on the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated as the contact slammed on the brake pedal and steered the vehicle out of the way of her home. The contact ran over a gutter and a bird feeder before applying the emergency brake, which stopped the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The contact was not injured, the air bags did not deploy, and a police report was not filed. The next day, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that rust was discovered on the vehicle's brake rotors; however, they had yet to determine the cause of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at less than 10 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly without warning. The contact was able to shift into neutral (N), which stopped the unintended acceleration and caused the vehicle to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure as the vehicle had operated as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the failure reoccurred without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated unintendedly at a higher speed. The contact depressed the brake pedal and pressed the ON/OFF button, however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then drove into a vacant parking lot and shifted into neutral (N), which stopped the acceleration. …
My engine failed with no warning, my car shut down on the hwy. It was a safety issue because the car shut down while driving on the hwy and could have resulted in a traffic accident. This problen is all over the internet. There were no warning lights. Car ran fine up until it stalled and lost power and shut down. When towed to the repair shop, I was told it was completely out of oil, metal shavings were in the oil filter. The shop replaced oil and the car ran for a bit with knocking noise. On the way to the kia dealership, after learning this was an issue with my type of vehicle, the car shut down again and had to be towed to the dealership. My request for engine replacement was denied even though it is well within 100.000 miles and or 10yrs. It has 84,000 miles. I feel this is KIA's responsibilty to replace my engine. At this time, they are charging me $10,600 to replace my engine.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the shift lever was easily moved without the brake pedal being depressed. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was rescheduled several times. The contact stated that once the parts were available, the dealer informed the contact that there would be a charge to replace the shifter assembly, even though the VIN was included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and assisted the contact with scheduling an appointment with another dealer. The failure mileage was 134,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, his wife was unable to shift into drive (D) as the gear shifter remained stuck in park (P). The contact's wife used a screwdriver to depress a button as instructed by an online tutorial. The contact's wife was then able to shift into drive (D) and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred whenever the vehicle was parked. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not be repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (Power Train) as the VIN was not included due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Engine Failure - 3.3L Head Bolts Backed Out of Block Emissions Seeping In to Cooling System (coolant blowing out of reservoir tank) Dealer Verified Issue and Know this to Be an Issue (with various 3.3L cars) Overheating Claimed to Be the Cause - Car Maintenance By Dealer Only on Routine Basis Vehicle Driven Around Town - Not Pushed Beyond Local Driving Internet Search Shows Others with Same Problem Reports from Mechanics of Blocks with Poor Castings and Material/Quality Issues 119,000K miles with no prior mechanical issues Dangerous Issue Repair Estimate $10000 - Unethical, Unsafe, Predadatory for those who Still paying off vehicles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after shifting the vehicle into park(P), the gear shifter would fail to shift out of the park(P) position. The contact would be forced to use a screwdriver to open the shift lock release button in an effort to shift gears. The contact also mentioned that the check engine had appeared on the instrument panel. The contact used a code reader that determined that the transmission range sensor circuit was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,747.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while pulling the gear shift lever to shift the vehicle into reverse, the lever then would not shift into drive or any other gear. The check engine warning light illuminated but turned off after a couple minutes. The contact noticed that the gear shift lever was locked and placed a screwdriver into the shifter lever lock and the contact was able to shift the lever to reverse and drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary when the engine stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was not towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted. However, the contact did not speak with anyone. The contact parked the vehicle to be not driven any longer as it was a safety concern. The contact received 3 notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (POWER TRAIN ). The failure mileage was 153,000.
Recently, while driving on a busy multi-lane highway my 2016 Kia Sorento suddenly lost power, started shaking and slowed down causing traffic safety hazard. The engine stalled after slowing down. The car needed to be towed at my expense.my check engine light came on for my KSDS, the engine went limp mode and unable to accelerate over 50 miles and hour on the highway. My engine is blown. gasoline smell fumes came through vent causing me to have an attack car started to catch fire.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 126 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Kia Sorento, 10% of the model year's 1,256 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Kia Sorento transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-612 (column shift, Aug 10, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Sorento transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 4 fires and 5 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.