NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento, 1 of them with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. The newest was filed on July 9, 2023. A campaign covers some or all cars of this model year. To check one car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Some campaigns carry a safety warning
One campaign is flagged by NHTSA with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. If you own a 2016 Kia Sorento, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls today.
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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, as filed: 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.
This list is for the model year. Only a VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows which recalls are still open on one car.
Confirm the build
Recalls often cover one engine, trim or build period. Decode the VIN to see what the car left the factory with.
Retiring the car?
See a rough scrap and parts value with the working shown. It is an estimate, not an offer.
Source: NHTSA recall data, checked November 1, 2026.Not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia.
2016 Kia Sorento recalls: common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento as of November 1, 2026. Each campaign covers some or all vehicles of that model year, so not every car is affected by every recall.
How do I check if my 2016 Kia Sorento has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or on the manufacturer's own recall page. That lookup shows the recalls still unrepaired on that one car, which this page cannot do. The VIN is on the driver's side of the dashboard, seen through the windshield, and on your registration card.
Do I have to pay for a recall repair?
Under federal law the manufacturer generally has to fix a safety recall at no charge to the owner. There are limits, for example for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall was issued (5 years for tires). A Kia dealer does the work, so call one with your VIN to book it.
What do "do not drive" and "park outside" mean on a recall?
They are warnings NHTSA flags on some campaigns. Do not drive means the manufacturer advises owners not to drive affected vehicles until the repair is done. Park outside means it advises parking affected vehicles outdoors and away from buildings because of a fire risk. For the 2016 Kia Sorento, 1 campaign carry the park-outside flag.
Where does this recall list come from?
From NHTSA, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which publishes recall records as public data. We refresh the list every week and show NHTSA's own wording for each campaign. We are not affiliated with NHTSA or with any vehicle manufacturer.