2016 Kia Sorento Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 1,237 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Kia Sorento overview page.
What owners report
“MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING, STOPPING AND PICKING UP BECAME UNSAFE. I TOOK IT INTO A KIA DEALERSHIP SINCE IT BECAME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I…”NHTSA complaint 11129977 — filed 09/17/2018
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11110474 — filed 07/10/2018
“NO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN PRESSED AT IDLE WITH CAR STATIONARY IN GEAR. PRESSING MORE ON ACCELERATOR TO GET CAR MOVING CAUSES CAR…”NHTSA complaint 11084479 — filed 04/10/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Kia Sorento: 117 of 1,237 complaints on file (9.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Kia Sorento have in total?
1,237 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 29 involved a crash, 49 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
