Kia Sorento 2016–2020
3rd generation (UM)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20263,800 complaints, 1,168 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 1,168
- Median of reported failures
- 54,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (36.5%)
- Recalls
- 12
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 20,100 and 83,537 miles.
Figure 1 · Kia Sorento 2016–2020 · 1,168 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 156 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 1 complaints (0.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,073
- 25%
- 20,100
- Median
- 54,068
- 75%
- 83,537
- 90%
- 117,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 156 | 13.4% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 124 | 10.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 78 | 6.7% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 120 | 10.3% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 69 | 5.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 80 | 6.8% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 122 | 10.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 86 | 7.4% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 74 | 6.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 54 | 4.6% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 54 | 4.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 44 | 3.8% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 24 | 2.1% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 27 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 22 | 1.9% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 11 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 11 | 0.9% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 1 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 3,800 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento, and 1,168 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 20,100 and 83,537 miles. The median is 54,068 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (36.5% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (11.5% of complaints, typically around 23,000 miles), the electrical system (8.3% of complaints, typically around 44,000 miles).
12 recall campaigns cover this generation. 1 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2016–2020 Kia Sorento last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento were filed by 54,000 miles and 90% by 117,000 miles — figures drawn from 1,168 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
1 report (0.1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Sorento reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2016–2020 Sorento: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,168 mileage-tagged complaints, 12 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine. Theta II GDI connecting rod bearing failure continues; addressed through Kia's extended engine warranty and the Knock Sensor Detection System software campaign rather than a fresh mechanical recall for all years.
- Check engine. Engine compartment fire reports associated with oil leakage onto hot components following bearing failure; subject of NHTSA scrutiny across the Hyundai-Kia GDI fleet.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 20,000 and 84,000 miles, with a median of 54,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 23,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Kia Sorento 2016–2020
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise436 reports23,0009,500–61,000Problems owners could not categorise: 436 reports, median 23,000 miles, middle half 9,500 to 61,000 miles.
- Steering215 reports30,00016,000–50,000Steering: 215 reports, median 30,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 50,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting259 reports37,00023,000–67,000Exterior lighting: 259 reports, median 37,000 miles, middle half 23,000 to 67,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline237 reports38,0009,000–83,000Transmission and driveline: 237 reports, median 38,000 miles, middle half 9,000 to 83,000 miles.
- Electrical system314 reports44,00025,000–70,000Electrical system: 314 reports, median 44,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 70,000 miles.
- Body structure187 reports44,00030,000–65,000Body structure: 187 reports, median 44,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 65,000 miles.
- Engine1,387 reports72,00039,000–102,000Engine: 1,387 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 102,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,387 | 36.5% | 72,000 | 39,000–102,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 436 | 11.5% | 23,000 | 9,500–61,000 |
| Electrical system | 314 | 8.3% | 44,000 | 25,000–70,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 259 | 6.8% | 37,000 | 23,000–67,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 237 | 6.2% | 38,000 | 9,000–83,000 |
| Steering | 215 | 5.7% | 30,000 | 16,000–50,000 |
| Body structure | 187 | 4.9% | 44,000 | 30,000–65,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 136 | 3.6% | 62,000 | 31,000–74,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 109 | 2.9% | 31,000 | 12,000–75,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 78 | 2.1% | 98,000 | 75,000–130,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Kia Sorento 2016–2020 · 1,168 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 54% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 78% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.1% of reports (1) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
54% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Steering — median 30,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 39,000–102,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 9,500–61,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 25,000–70,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — middle half 23,000–67,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 9,000–83,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 30,000–65,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
78% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 23,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 44,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 37,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 38,000 mi
- Steering — median 30,000 mi
- Body structure — median 44,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 39,000–102,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
91% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 72,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 23,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 44,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 37,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 38,000 mi
- Steering — median 30,000 mi
- Body structure — median 44,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 54,068 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 36.5% of complaints (1,387 reports, 353 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 102,000 miles.
A single system taking 36.5% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 11.5% of complaints (436 reports, 67 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 23,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,500 and 61,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.3% of complaints (314 reports, 90 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 44,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 70,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 6.8% of complaints (259 reports, 94 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 37,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 23,000 and 67,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.2% of complaints (237 reports, 87 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 38,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,000 and 83,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 5.7% of complaints (215 reports, 93 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 30,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 50,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 1,624 complaints — while 2020 drew the fewest at 188. The median year sits at 622.
That makes 2016 an outlier: roughly 2.6 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
1 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around trailer hitches (2), the reversing camera and sensors (1), the transmission and driveline (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,800 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 113 (3.0%)
- Fires
- 187
- Injury reports
- 87
- Fatality reports
- 4
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine
Theta II GDI connecting rod bearing failure continues; addressed through Kia's extended engine warranty and the Knock Sensor Detection System software campaign rather than a fresh mechanical recall for all years.
Engine
Engine compartment fire reports associated with oil leakage onto hot components following bearing failure; subject of NHTSA scrutiny across the Hyundai-Kia GDI fleet.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,624 | 551 |
| 2017 | 1,032 | 349 |
| 2018 | 334 | 90 |
| 2019 | 622 | 146 |
| 2020 | 188 | 32 |
Recalls (12) — is your car included?
Mar 2024 · 2019 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
What can happen. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282.
Jul 2023 · 2016–2020 · Trailer Hitches park outsideA fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
What can happen. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Oct 2022 · 2016 · Power TrainA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
The 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.
What can happen. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
The free fix. 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.
Jan 2019 · 2016–2017 · EngineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Oct 2018 · 2018 · SteeringIf the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
What can happen. If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Dec 2017 · 2018 · Air BagsIf the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
What can happen. If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
Nov 2017 · 2017 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
What can happen. If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.
Jan 2017 · 2016–2017 · Trailer HitchesIf the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
What can happen. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Dec 2016 · 2016 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as designed in the event of a rear-end collision.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC140.
Jul 2016 · 2016 · SuspensionThe improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
What can happen. The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.
Aug 2015 · 2016 · Seat BeltsIf the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
What can happen. If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC123.
Feb 2015 · 2016 · Vehicle Speed ControlIf the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
What can happen. If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC115.
What owners reported
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while…
2016 · 50 miles · Engine
When a cushion (small pillow) is used (i am a short person) on the front passenger's seat, the air bag detetecor turns off the passenger air bag leaving the passenger unprotected. I have contacted the dealer's service dept. And was told there was no work-around for this problem. I also contacted Kia motors and was…
2016 · 256 miles · Airbag system
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 not diagnosed or…
2016 · 1,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 1,168 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page