We have been having problems with the speed control not functioning. Sometimes we couldn't set the speed or slow it down. Now it doesn't function at all! When it was working the cancel switch would also not work and we had to use the brake pedal to shut it off. Later on while driving through town with the cruise control still on, I stopped at a traffic light and the engine began to race at a high rpms. I took my foot off the gas pedal not knowing exactly what it would do and rpms settled down. Luckily the suv didn't accelerate into the vehicle in front of me. The engine has done this a couple of times with or without the cruise control on. My wife drives this vehicle with our grand children onboard and I am highly concerned about their safety.
2016 Kia Sorento acceleration problems
62 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 66,000. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 62
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 66,000
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal4
- Throttle2
- Cruise control1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Sorento acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Kia Sorento acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 15V089000 · Recall details
What 2016 Kia Sorento owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My SUV is having all of the problems associated with a bad engine. This started a week ago and on Thursday, [XXX] my SUV completely stopped running and I had to get it towed to my residence. I had an ASE certified mechanic to check it out and he said your engine is BAD. I have had all of my required oil changes as well as servicing as recommended. I got this SUV in 2020. It has a little over 100,000 miles. I cannot afford a engine repair at this time. Please advice. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle in February of this year, we started to notice that oil was burning off quickly. We took it to be looked at and was notified that there was no signs of a leak. After that incident all of the warning lights came on on the dashboard. We took it again to be seen where we were told that it was burning oil again and that the oil was low. We had the oil refilled and on our way home the car completely seats and shut down loosing all power on the highway. We lost all control of the power steering, braking system, and the power to the whole car shut off. We had the car towed to a repairman who looked over the car and said that the engine is completely seized with no notable signs of damage but that it would require an entire engine replacement. We notified Kia about the problem and that it was something that was known to happen with the engine and they refused to cover it or do any type of repair. The car is now non-functionable with a complete seizure of the engine.
I was driving to work going about 40 and out of nowhere my 2016 Kia Sorento started slowing down. I could not accelerate and no warning lights came on. There was a sudden loss of power.The car slowed to a stop near a busy intersection. I was in the road and almost hit by multiple cars. I could not start it again. I noticed white smoke coming out from under the hood. There was an awful smell to it. It would not start back up. It was eventually towed to a dealership and they said the engine was locked up and the starter was burned. The engine is a 2.0L Turbo GDI engine.
On January 17 2024 as I am making my usual drive to work on a very busy interstate highway my 2016 Kia SORENTO EX V6 FWD AUTO 3.3 liter engine completely seizes up and so begins my nightmare. The same nightmare I am seeing time and time and time again reported on this site, and every site you do a simple search on 2016 KIA Sorento's for. As a result of the catastrophic engine failure, I (a female, original owner of the KIA,) was left in a very dangerous position to try and maneuver through and not be killed by oncoming cars and further not get jumped in a very bad part of the metro. (this is not my personal assessment, this is the highest crime area in our city) Car was towed to dealership where I originally purchased it and today I received the diagnosis report indicating Alternator Replacement $1,283.94, Head Gasket $4,276.92, Body Control Module/ ECU $1,030.35 (an issue that I raised when the car was under the manufacturer warranty, and was ignored by the service team and results in me using a screw driver to even get the car out of park) I want answers as do all of the other impacted customers as to WHAT MORE IS NEEDED TO PROVE THAT KIA ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET!
My car started jumping while driving we had put oil in my car 3 weeks prior. It also smelt like my car was burning while the heat was on I had 2 babies in the back seat and I was scared to death. I haven’t received anything in the mail about any recalls what so ever. I had to hear by a family friend the day of the incident that he thinks they’re recalls on my call so I looked it up. My car is currently not working now and I have work and doctors appointments for babies I got to Kia tomorrow they’re saying I don’t have any recalls on my car and I looked it up on here and I do. I’m pretty sure they’re just not wanting to pay for it. They said if I have a warranty they could do. I just don’t know what to do I have no car and I ave 2 children I can’t afford to not have a vehicle.
Sometimes the cruise control works. Sometimes it doesn't work. Even after vehicle is warmed up still no resolution. Engine oil disappears without notice or warning.
was driving at 11mph and car would not Accelerate almost causing and accident issues with engine sparking flames fuel system problems, transmission issues when putting the vehicle into park. Engine problems check engine light keeps blinking on an off system says park vehicle do to diagnosed problems. suspension issues afraid to drive vehicle do to so many safety problems.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated and while coming to a stop, the oil warning light illuminated while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that on several occasions, upon start up, the vehicle lost power after hearing the engine rev. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and placed on a diagnostic machine, and it was determined that the power train, throttle pedal position sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer 3 months ago for an undisclosed failure however, after the vehicle was retrieved, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
I was backing up a residential driveway. My backup camera showed my wheels were in line. My steering wheel turned and my car had a sudden unintended acceleration. My car destroyed a double steel garage door. Pushed a parked vehicle forward approximately 10-12”. The vehicle crushed a riding lawn mower, pushing the mower through a sheet rock wall. If anyone had been in this area of the garage, they could have possibly suffered serious injury or even fatality. I am trying to arrange to have my vehicle taken to local Kia dealership for diagnostic testing. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning signs that appeared and I did not hear my backup camera alert.
Questions about the 2016 Kia Sorento acceleration
Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 62 complaints about the acceleration of the 2016 Kia Sorento, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 66,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Kia Sorento acceleration?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V089000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sorento have the most acceleration problems?
The Kia Sorento model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2011 (63 complaints), 2016 (62 complaints) and 2014 (31 complaints).
Other 2016 Kia Sorento problems
Engine 722Transmission 126Body 111Electrical 107Steering 81Lights 67Fuel system 59Brakes 24Driver assistance 23Visibility 23Airbags 18Suspension 13Seat belts 10Seats 6Wheels 6Locks 3
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Kia Sorento?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history