2016 Kia Sorento engine problems
690 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2016 Kia Sorento — 56% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While I was driving, my 3.3 V6 engine on my 2016 Kia Sorento seized up with no warning. There is no visible oil on the dip stick, although I have changed my oil routinely. There has never been visible oil outside of the engine or on the ground. I never had any warning light come on. I believe the…”
filed Jul 26, 2026
“On Saturday the 18th of July, the car was fine, on Sunday 07/19/2026 got ready to take car to regular scheduled oil change and it was making a blown engine noise, the rod had failed, Safety issues where the people at oil change could have had a rod thrown out the bottom of the engine, or my car…”
filed Jul 23, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
SC340_TSB_R5 · Emissions · issued Apr 4, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
WTY026_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / UM) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions…
SC340_OWNR_UM103 · Emissions · issued Dec 19, 2025
Engine problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 18 | 26% |
| 2024 Sorento | 4 | 11% |
| 2023 Sorento | 28 | 25% |
| 2022 Sorento | 50 | 27% |
| 2021 Sorento | 61 | 26% |
| 2020 Sorento | 63 | 48% |
| 2019 Sorento | 151 | 36% |
| 2018 Sorento | 102 | 41% |
| 2017 Sorento | 381 | 48% |
| 2015 Sorento | 359 | 48% |
| 2014 Sorento | 384 | 39% |
| 2013 Sorento | 496 | 51% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.