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Important NHTSA Safety Advisory

Federal recall records for the 2016 Kia Sorento include 1 campaign with urgent safety operating instructions:

  • Campaign #22V703000 (TRAILER HITCHES): ⚠️ Park Outside Advisory

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 8 official safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento in AutoUtility's current federal dataset. The primary affected vehicle systems include Other / Miscellaneous, Air Bags & Restraints, Driver Assistance & Safety Tech. NHTSA records include 1 campaign carrying an official Park Outside safety advisory.

Key Recall Findings
  • Official Recall Campaigns: 8 campaigns on file with NHTSA
  • Primary Affected Subsystems: Other / Miscellaneous, Air Bags & Restraints, Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
  • Urgent Safety Advisories: 1 campaign carries urgent Do Not Drive or Park Outside instructions
  • Official Remedy: Detailed per campaign in official NHTSA records below
  • Most Recent NHTSA Report: September 19, 2022
VIN-Specific Notice: Safety recall campaigns apply to specific production date ranges and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). A campaign listing on this model-year page does not establish that every vehicle or trim is affected. Check your 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov or with an authorized dealer to verify whether a safety repair is needed.
Official Recall Campaigns
8
Listed in current NHTSA data
Affected System Areas
7
Broad component categories
Latest NHTSA Filing
September 19, 2022
Most recent campaign report
VIN Verification
Required
Exact applicability depends on VIN

Vehicle Systems Involved in Recalls for 2016 Kia Sorento

Distribution of official safety recall campaigns across automotive subsystem domains

Vehicle Subsystem 2 campaigns

Other / Miscellaneous

NHTSA records also contain 97 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Air Bags & Restraints

NHTSA records also contain 23 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech

NHTSA records also contain 75 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Fuel & Propulsion System

NHTSA records also contain 56 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Powertrain & Transmission

NHTSA records also contain 122 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Seats & Interior

NHTSA records also contain 5 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Suspension

NHTSA records also contain 12 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Domain Mapping Methodology: A single NHTSA recall campaign may involve more than one vehicle subsystem (such as electrical wiring affecting fuel delivery), so domain totals can exceed the total number of unique recall campaigns. Complaint and recall counts are grouped by broad vehicle system; component co-occurrence does not establish that an individual owner complaint is related to a specific recall campaign.

Official NHTSA Recall Campaigns (8)

Complete safety campaign filings including defect descriptions, safety hazards, and free dealer remedies

NHTSA Campaign #22V703000 Other / Miscellaneous
⚠️ Park Outside Advisory
Affected Component: TRAILER HITCHES
NHTSA Report Date: September 19, 2022
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #22V612000 Powertrain & Transmission
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
NHTSA Report Date: August 10, 2022
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

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

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #18V907000 Fuel & Propulsion System
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NHTSA Report Date: December 19, 2018
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V862000 Other / Miscellaneous
Affected Component: TRAILER HITCHES
NHTSA Report Date: November 30, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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."

Safety Risk / Consequence:

If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V770000 Seats & Interior
Affected Component: SEATS
NHTSA Report Date: October 24, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V480000 Suspension
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
NHTSA Report Date: June 29, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #15V446000 Air Bags & Restraints
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
NHTSA Report Date: July 14, 2015
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

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.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #15V089000 Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
Affected Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
NHTSA Report Date: February 13, 2015
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Source Data Notice: Campaign summaries, safety consequences, and remedy descriptions are direct text extracts published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation.

Recall History for Kia Sorento

Official safety recall campaign volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)

Model Year NHTSA Recalls NHTSA Complaints Detailed Report
2015 Kia Sorento 3 747 View 2015 Recalls →
2016 Kia Sorento Current Page 8 1245 Current
2017 Kia Sorento 4 798 View 2017 Recalls →
2018 Kia Sorento 3 252 View 2018 Recalls →
2019 Kia Sorento 2 422 View 2019 Recalls →
2020 Kia Sorento 1 132 View 2020 Recalls →
2021 Kia Sorento 5 26 View 2021 Recalls →
2022 Kia Sorento 9 218 View 2022 Recalls →
2023 Kia Sorento 4 154 View 2023 Recalls →
2024 Kia Sorento 2 45 View 2024 Recalls →
2025 Kia Sorento 4 119 View 2025 Recalls →
2026 Kia Sorento 2 0 View 2026 Recalls →
Historical Reporting Note: Recall campaign counts are shown by model year and should not be interpreted as a vehicle reliability score. Campaigns may cover multiple model years, and newer model years naturally have had less calendar exposure time for new safety campaigns to be issued.

VIN-Specific Recall Verification

How to confirm whether an individual vehicle requires an authorized safety repair

Safety recall campaigns on this page are associated with this make, model, and model year in NHTSA federal records. A campaign may apply only to certain vehicles based on production date, equipment, manufacturing details, or other campaign-specific criteria.

AutoUtility cannot determine whether a particular VIN is affected or whether a recall remedy has already been completed.

For vehicle-specific recall status, check the 17-digit VIN using NHTSA's official recall lookup or contact an authorized dealer. Campaign-specific remedy information shown above is reproduced from official NHTSA recall records.

Official NHTSA Safety Resources: NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 711)
Official US Government Data Provenance

Recall records published on this page are retrieved directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Recalls Database.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.