2016 Kia Sorento electrical system problems
106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2016 Kia Sorento — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“(Transmission and motor) I had taken my car to the dealership on XXX for recalls and all the signal were fine before going there. They took my car back to do the recalls and my son and I waited . Once they were done we left closer to closing time is noticed there was a burn mark on my dash board…”
filed Jul 7, 2026
“To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my Kia Sorento and a recurring brake light failure that poses a serious risk to my safety and the safety of my children. After every single oil change, without exception, my brake lights stop functioning properly. This has…”
filed Apr 26, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL 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 additional information. New/revised sections…
SC340_TSB_R4 · Emissions · issued Mar 6, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 18 | 26% |
| 2024 Sorento | 10 | 28% |
| 2023 Sorento | 35 | 32% |
| 2022 Sorento | 28 | 15% |
| 2021 Sorento | 45 | 19% |
| 2020 Sorento | 19 | 15% |
| 2019 Sorento | 67 | 16% |
| 2018 Sorento | 29 | 12% |
| 2017 Sorento | 93 | 12% |
| 2015 Sorento | 57 | 8% |
| 2014 Sorento | 152 | 15% |
| 2013 Sorento | 116 | 12% |
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.