2016 Kia Sorento brakes problems

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 Apr 26, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · IL

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 happened repeatedly and consistently. Most recently, immediately after an oil change, both brake lights went out. I replaced the bulbs, but the issue did not resolve. Instead, the lights are now stuck on continuously, which strongly suggests a failure related to the brake light switch or associated electrical components—not normal wear and tear. This pattern is extremely concerning. The fact that the failure occurs every time the vehicle is serviced indicates either a defect in the design or a component that is highly susceptible to failure during routine maintenance. Brake lights are a fundamental safety feature. When they fail, other drivers are not alerted when I am slowing down or stopping, putting me, my children, and everyone around me at risk of a serious rear-end collision. I understand that brake light switch failures have been a known issue in Kia vehicles in the past, including recalls for similar defects. Given the repeated nature of this problem and the safety implications, I do not believe I should be responsible for the cost of repairs for what appears to be a known or recurring defect. I am requesting that this issue be formally investigated and that Kia be required to repair or replace the faulty brake light switch and any related components at no cost to me. Additionally, I ask that this matter be reviewed to determine whether further action, including a broader recall or service campaign, is necessary to protect other drivers. This is an ongoing and dangerous issue that has now occurred multiple times. I should not have to worry that a routine oil change will leave my vehicle unsafe to drive. I urge you to take this complaint seriously and act quic

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Brakes · OR

The electric power brake (EPB) on my vehicle had a fault three separate times. The first time, the rear brakes were engaged by the EPB for approximately a half an hour. The second time a few weeks later, they stayed locked for approximately one hour. A few weeks after that, the brake locked up while the car was parked, and would not release for almost 7 days. It isn’t the fault itself that is of the greatest concern. It is the fact that there is no apparent emergency release for the parking break. I’m grateful I did not need to use the car to drive my kids to the emergency room, for example. I’m very surprised and disappointed that Kia, throughout all of their other innovations, does not have an emergency EPB/brake release handle. One could easily be put in the back of the car, near the spare tire, with a cable and set of release pins, which when pulled, would release the EPB and the car could be driven.

Filed Mar 30, 2025 · Brakes · CT

My cars shift lock release keeps getting stuck. I replaced the shift solenoid but that didn't work. I see there was a recall for 2016 kia sorentos for this issue but my VIN was not included in the recall. Can you direct on where I can go from here please! Thank you

Filed Jan 15, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AR

My grandchildren and I were on our way to the Dentist, I stopped at a store, put the vehicle in park while waiting on my grandson to come out of the store. Then I proceeded to try to put the gear shift in drive but it was stuck in park. I could not remove the gear shift out of park. I was scared and so was my grandchildren.

Filed Dec 2, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 100,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) System had failed, causing the Auto Park, the electronic parking brake, the Adaptive Cruise Control, and the automatic emergency braking system to become inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that while making a turn from a complete stop, the parking brake engaged unintendedly, causing the rear brakes to activate, and the vehicle became immovable. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed that the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) System had failed and informed the contact that he could not repair the vehicle. The mechanic disabled the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) System, and the vehicle operated as needed while driving; however, the Electronic Parking Brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) System had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Brakes · FL

ABS light and Traction Control light are coming on intermittently-noticed that when vehicle is in park the needle on the mph will jump-nothing has really happened yet-it’s just intermittent. I have researched and noticed quite a few others have had the same instances

Filed Sep 13, 2024 · Brakes · NY

In April 2022, I received a letter dated April 7, 2022, informing me of an extended warranty coverage for the Oil Pressure Switch leak in 2014-2018 Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3L GDI Engine, extending from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles. Additionally, I was notified of an Important Safety Recall (the federal safety agency Recall Number: 22V612) indicating a defect that could lead to vehicle rollaway, significantly increasing the risk of a crash and injury. The letter assured me that Kia would inspect and, if necessary, replace the shift lock lever and holder at no cost. I took the vehicle in for inspection in May and the vehicle has not been returned to me yet. the vehicle has been at the dealership with no indication on when the issues would be remedied. The vehicle is used for services to minority and low income youth and it appears that the company does not care about BIPOC safety.

Filed Dec 16, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · 122,357 miles · FL

After parking and turning the car off, when restarting the vehicle the shift lock would no longer release to shift out of park. In order to shift out of park it requires the shift lock clip to be removed, a screw driver placed down and pressure applied to release the shifter. The vehicle was taken to the dealership to be assessed and owner was told it was the BCM and the entire component would need to be replaced as it is not sensing that the brake is being applied. There are no service or warning lights. The BCM controls several other safety features including park assist, the heated seats, and other electrical components Serious safety concern if the computer system within the vehicle is not able to detect that the brake is being applied. It could also lead to other electrical failures throughout the vehicle.

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.