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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
126about this part
Share
10%of 1,261 total for the year
Median mileage
71,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 126 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Kia Sorento, 10% of the 1,261 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My Kia Sorento does not shift out of p (park). The lock release button does not engage unless I activate the shift-lock override. I am extremely concerned for the safety of my children, toddler, and entire family. Please help us repair this and ensure the manufacturer is held accountable.”

NHTSA complaint #11351686, filed 2020-08, 82,000 miles

“Takata recall while driving my car, it completely shut off in the middle of the road. It was almost like it was out of gas but had a full tank gas. We tested the battery also. It still failed to start back. It would not start back after multiple attempts and I had to get it towed yesterday. The mechanics I had it towed to says they think it may have something to do with the engine but are unsure.”

NHTSA complaint #11231283, filed 2019-07, 110,000 miles

“I was driving around 30 MPH on a local side street and the car shut off with no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The dashboard went black and the car stopped running. I had to pull the car over, put it in park, turn the key to the off position. I waited a few seconds and started the car again and drove it home (~1 mile from home). I had it towed to the dealership as I did not feel it was safe to drive it there.”

NHTSA complaint #11110474, filed 2018-07, 39,400 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

“My vehicle started running hot after driving down the highway and kept cutting off out of the blue. Then I checked all the coolant and radiator to see if fluid was leaking no sign of a crack. Then took it to o'reillys auto parts because check engine lighr shows codes p0087, defected transmission fluid temperature sensor, defected PCM/TCM. Poor connector and the fuel rail pressure sensor. After having it towed to Kia they open it up and said I needed a new engine and my head gasket was cracked. And”

NHTSA complaint #11376778, filed 2020-11, 108,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251925%
2024511%
20232218%
20226835%
202114456%
20201813%
20195112%
201894%
2017375%
201612610%
2015426%
2014727%
2013697%
2012556%
201126517%
2009916%
20082311%
20072013%
20063514%
20053812%
20044018%
2003227%

Other parts of the 2016 Kia Sorento

Engine
697 complaintsOther or unknown
178 complaintsBody and structure
111 complaintsElectrical system
107 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 30, 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