Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Kia Sorento
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Kia Sorento has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,262 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22V703000 Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V612000 Vehicle Rollaway from Faulty Shift Lever Assembly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V907000 High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V862000 Trailer Brakes May Stay Illuminated/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V770000 Inadequately Welded Driver Seatback Frame NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V480000 Rear Crossmember Weld Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V446000 Front Passenger Seat Belt may not Latch NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V089000 Vehicle may not be able to Accelerate NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 697 complaints
- Unknown or Other 167 complaints
- Power Train 126 complaints
- Structure 111 complaints
- Electrical System 107 complaints
- Steering 81 complaints
Of the 1,262 complaints on file, 29 report a crash and 50 a fire; across all 1,262 complaints, owners report 19 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Kia Sorento shows a below-average reliability primarily due to a high number of engine and powertrain complaints, along with several recalls. The extensive report of engine problems, coupled with issues related to the transmission and fuel system, significantly impacts its reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $3,000–$6,000 | very common |
| transmission | 60,000–90,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| fuel system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
| electrical system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Coolant system flush
- Battery inspection and testing
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noise or vibration
- Transmission slips or delays
- Fuel odor near vehicle
- Electrical issues or failures
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Kia Sorento at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.