2016 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 107about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,261 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,747miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 107 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Kia Sorento, 8% of the 1,261 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,747 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving at night while my headlights are in auto position they will randomly turn off for a few seconds and then click back on. This has happened twice in one week. The last time, was while driving 70 MPH down the interstate and my headlights went out without warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11141057, filed 2018-10, 33,000 miles“My wife had the vehicle parked on a slight slope in her moms drive way maybe a 10 degree hill. She placed the vehicle in park and left it running while my daughter finished a birthday card she was making in the back seat. My wife stepped out of the vehicle to get some tissue paper out of the back with the drivers door open she pressed the rear door /hatch release or open button located on the dash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10893348, filed 2016-08, 9,000 miles“The headlights went out while I was driving on the highway going 70 miles per hour. I was getting ready to brake and turn and was unable to see anything outside of the vehicle. The lights were off for approximately 10 seconds.”
NHTSA complaint #11377603, filed 2020-12, 38,097 miles“Sometimes while driving at night with my lights in the auto position, they will turn off for about 5 seconds before coming back on. This is very dangerous and has happened to me while on a dark highway before.”
NHTSA complaint #11319956, filed 2020-04, 30,000 miles“Sparks coming from battery box, lights in dash go off and on can not acceleration and back axle is loose. I bought this used in dothan Kia last yr. The car just went down past 2 months. Can't drive my expensive car”
NHTSA complaint #11180588, filed 2019-02, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037563Sep 25, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330 Flight 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to…
- 11033996Jun 16, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024468Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC340) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
- 11024467Oct 23, 2025Voluntary emissions service campaign: sc340_poc: proof of correction card
- 11024462Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia…
- 11024445Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary…
- 11023265Sep 15, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the…
- 11013247Feb 1, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC330) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 22 | 29% |
| 2024 | 11 | 26% |
| 2023 | 38 | 30% |
| 2022 | 31 | 16% |
| 2021 | 47 | 18% |
| 2020 | 20 | 14% |
| 2019 | 68 | 16% |
| 2018 | 30 | 12% |
| 2017 | 97 | 12% |
| 2016 | 107 | 8% |
| 2015 | 58 | 8% |
| 2014 | 153 | 15% |
| 2013 | 116 | 12% |
| 2012 | 127 | 14% |
| 2011 | 246 | 16% |
| 2009 | 14 | 25% |
| 2008 | 32 | 15% |
| 2007 | 21 | 14% |
| 2006 | 53 | 22% |
| 2005 | 49 | 16% |
| 2004 | 28 | 13% |
| 2003 | 29 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Sorento
697 complaintsOther or unknown
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
126 complaintsBody and structure
111 complaintsSteering
81 complaintsExterior lighting
67 complaintsVehicle speed control
62 complaintsFuel system
58 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsAir bags
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology