2016 Kia Sorento airbags problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Airbags · VA

The dash is split all over the soft padded dash from the heat started with 1 small split grew larger and all over the dash even with a windshield shade and dash mat heat cracks could affect the passenger side dash airbag brought the vehicle new has just over 40000 mi photo enclosed show just a few cracks the whole dash is affected

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Airbags · FL

Dear Kia America Customer Care Team, Thank you for your response regarding Case Number While I understand that my vehicle is technically outside the standard factory warranty period, I am formally requesting a managerial review of this decision. This is not a request for a cosmetic repair, but a critical safety concern regarding a life-saving component. The dashboard material directly above the passenger airbag is cracking. As you are aware, the structural integrity of the airbag cover is essential for its correct deployment. My primary concern is that during a collision, these cracks could cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly, or worse, turn fragments of the brittle dashboard into dangerous projectiles aimed directly at the front passenger. A vehicle’s airbag system should not degrade into a safety hazard under normal operating conditions, regardless of warranty mileage. This structural degradation points to a potential material defect rather than standard wear and tear. Before I take further action, I request that Kia America reviews this case under a goodwill consideration (Goodwill Policy), as it directly impacts the crashworthiness and occupant safety of the vehicle. For your records, I am also documenting this issue with the federal safety agency to ensure it is registered as a potential safety risk for this model line. I look forward to your reconsidered response and hope we can resolve this matter safely and professionally. Sincerely Dear Thank you for contacting Kia America, Inc. We appreciate your feedback and the opportunity to address your concerns. We have concluded the research regarding your request for assistance. Your vehicle is out of warranty as outlined in your Warranty and Consumer Information Manual and the

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Airbags, Body · AZ

The exterior paint on my 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl, paint code SWP) is peeling off in large chunks across multiple panels. The clear coat is delaminating and lifting in sheets from the surface, exposing bare metal underneath which is now actively rusting. This is consistent with a known defect documented in hundreds of complaints about 2013-2016 Kia Sorentos in Snow White Pearl (SWP). I have photographic documentation showing significant progression of this damage over the past few months. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer regarding this issue. No warning was given prior to the paint failure — it began suddenly and has spread rapidly. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Additionally, the gear shift randomly locks in Park without warning, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. This has occurred on multiple occasions and presents a direct safety risk as it strands me without notice. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the shift lock engaging. The dashboard is also cracking in multiple locations, including near the airbag housing, which may present an additional safety concern.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Airbags · 180,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the signal turned green and they proceeded through the intersection when another driver ran the red light and collided with the vehicle. The impact occurred on the right rear passenger side, extending from the back door to the rear wheel well. no additional property damage was reported. At the time of collision, the contact was traveling in the far right lane and the impact caused the vehicle to cross three lanes of traffic. The contact stated that the airbags did not fully deploy and no airbag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a tow yard and the insurance company later declared it a total loss. The contact sustained neck and back injuries and sought medical treatment. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · VA · crash · 1 injury

On [XXX] I was in a car accident. When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work. This is a major safety risk INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 29, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · AL

the anti lock button does not work, kia will not fix it, they stated that there recall on it was for locks that can move the car forward and backwards. I've never used my anti lock button its down beside the gear shift so the only way I can drive my suv to put my car in drive, reverse etc to use the gear shift is by holding a screwdriver down in it the whole time and I complained to kia about that knows that but they won't do anything about it unless I pay out of pocket for something I've never even used since I had the vehicle/I'm not at fault for. I suddenly could not put my suv back in drive after cutting my car off at my daughter school in 2022 bc of the anti lock button being stuck or something of that nature and kia done nothing about it since, they turned my down to fix n/or replace it. And my dashboard is cracking by the airbag on passenger side from the top all the way down unknowingly on its own. Also my engine light suddenly comes on and stays on for days then goes off and that happened on several occasions/ twice so far, kia was notified about it and said if its not jumping or flashing I'll have to pay to get it checked.

Filed Dec 29, 2022 · Airbags · GA · crash

October 19,2022 I was driving (cruise control about 70 mph) and hit a deer. The impact and damage was quite a bit however no airbags deployed. The car is still being repaired at Blakely Chevrolet in Blakely GA and they are having issues with airbag sensors.

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Airbags · NY

In October, 2020, the air bag light came on at approximately 90,000 miles. On 10/21/20, I called Kia customer service and they dated it was not covered under any warranty. As of 07/15/22, the airbag light is still on with about 100,000 miles. The airbag light came on and remains on with no incident or accident or repair having occurred. The vehicle is very well maintained and in excellent condition. I called my local Kia dealership on 07/11/2022. They stated the airbag light on my 2011 Kia Sorento is covered under a recall, due to faulty clock spring, but the 2016 Kia Sorento airbag light is not covered. I make this complaint to request the federal safety agency investigate the same or similar air bag problems occurring on the 2016 Kia Sorento as has occurred with the 2011-2015 Kia Sorento ODS recall. Thank you.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Airbags, Seat belts · 46,000 miles · KY · crash · 1 injury

I was involved in a rear end collision on friday, jan. 3, 2020. I was stopped/stationary behind a vehicle turning left on a one lane (in both directions) road traveling south. The car behind me struck my vehicle going between 30-35 MPH. My vehicle was thrust forward and hit the vehicle in front of me and then the vehicle behind me struck my again, felt like bumper cars. During the initial rear impact my face slammed into the steering wheel causing my nose to bleed profusely for at least 25 minutes. I still have blood coming out of my nose four days later. During this accident in which my vehicle experienced both front and rear collision damage my air bag did not deploy nor did my seatbelt lock. As a result I suffered a head injury both front and back of my head.

Filed Jul 29, 2019 · Airbags · 66,000 miles · IL

The airbag sensor came on. I had it looked at and technician said it was a short in the 2nd firing under the passenger side. He thought that it might have been under a safety equipment warranty. Kia says no, it is under the basic warranty, 60,000 miles. My kia is at 66,000. This same problem has been recalled for past model yrs, but apparently has not been resolved.