2016 Kia Sorento transmission problems

The 2016 Kia Sorento has 120 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

120

Transmission complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Sorento transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

22V612000TransmissionAugust 10, 2022 · 28,065 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.

Remedy

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 owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON AN INCLINE, THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 30, 2015 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2016 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA has 120 complaints about the 2016 Kia Sorento transmission — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Kia Sorento transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 22V612000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.