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2016 Kia Sorento: ABS light or ABS activating

7 of the 1,263 complaints about the 2016 Kia Sorento describe ABS light or ABS activating.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

ABS light or ABS activating by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NC · fire

Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX] Incident Date: November 13, 2025 Incident Location: Durham, NC (3828 Guess Rd) Cause of Loss: Engine Fire, confirmed by Durham Fire Department Report (Incident #253663) as "originated from under the hood." TECHNICAL NARRATIVE & SYMPTOMS (CRITICAL FOR LIABILITY): I am filing this complaint to report a catastrophic vehicle fire that I believe is directly linked to multiple acknowledged manufacturing defects that create a fire risk in Kia vehicles. ABS/Traction Control Light Warning (Direct Fire Risk Symptom): Immediately prior to the loss, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights were constantly illuminated. This is a known precursor symptom for the defective Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) or ABS Module short-circuit, which has been cited in numerous Kia fire recalls (e.g., the federal safety agency 20V019, 20V519). The fire's origin under the hood is consistent with this component failure. Prior Engine Failures (Systemic Defect History): This vehicle has a history of catastrophic manufacturing defects: The engine assembly was replaced in 2023 due to the known Theta II Rod Bearing Failure. The knock sensor was replaced in September 2025 as part of the KSDS Product Improvement Campaign, demonstrating the vehicle was still under active service for critical engine monitoring defects just weeks before the fire. Potential Tow Hitch Wiring Fire Risk: The vehicle was fully engulfed, but the fire may also be linked to the defect cited in the federal safety agency Recall 22V703 (tow hitch wiring harness short circuit, which also poses a fire risk). I require a full investigation into this defect leading to compensation for the total loss of the vehicle and consequential damages. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Wheels · WI

My traction control light is on along with my abs sensor light and another light indication red figure with like a stop sign only when someone in passenger seat as well as a exhaust issue my vehicle sounds loud driving out of no where

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 Jan 15, 2024 · Engine · SC

Engine replacement needed due to faulty engine. Dealer confirmed faulty bolts in head gasket causing leaks. No signs of critical issue. The vehicle was taken in for a regularly scheduled oil change when the dealership discovered the leak and subsequent issue with the head gasket threads being striped requiring a full engine replacement. The manufacturer(KIA/Hyundai) should in good faith provide restitution for this issue as it has devalued the vehicle in the public market and is a public safety issue to have the potential for engines to fail without warning. The manufacturer, should also extend and fully cover future engine issues, not just the boilerplate 12k mile warranty on "new" engine replacements. Replacing one faulty engine with another does not negate the root issue and does not provide a good faith solution. The contact stated after being assured by the service department that the new engine would be free of defects the vehicle was driven roughly 300 miles when the warning lights for electronic steering, ABS, and traction control which was immediately followed by a burning smell in the cabin. When safely pulled over there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection there was almost no coolant left.

Filed Jan 27, 2022 · Driver assistance, Lights · VA

1. Abs system- anti-lock braking system sensors goes out and not working correctly reading which creates safetly hazard in preventing possible collisions 2. Lighting-interior instrument panel-light dims and or goes out completely while driving which creates saftely hazard in vehicle operation. 3. Windshield wiper system and reservior defectives- wiper motor issues and leakage from faulty tubing and reservior leakage issues.

Filed Apr 8, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 76,555 miles · AL · crash

There are numerous safety issues I have found with this car I just financed. First, at random many different lights just blow, then on my dash various warning lights will go on and off, on top of that my ABS and traction control is off for no reason and so are my passenger air bags. My brakes scream somedays and are touchy others ive replaced the battery twice and only owned it 3 months. I have brand new tires yet the suspension is awful the fuel is going fast and my oil needs changing very often and it is under 100000 miles.

Filed Mar 11, 2021 · Brakes · 63,000 miles · FL

The ABS and traction control light has been coming on and off my dashboard for a few months now. It will be on one day and then off the next or on for a few days then shut off. I looked online and seen that I am not the only one having this issue.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2016 Kia Sorento abs

Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 2016 Kia Sorento?

7 of 1,263 owner complaints about the 2016 Kia Sorento (1%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 2011.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Kia Sorento?

There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Kia Sorento

Engine failure 280Check engine light 184Knocking 130Oil consumption 128Stalling 105Loss of power 83Overheating 73Fire or smoke 71Headlights 54Won't shift 43Won't start 39Jerking 27Door locks 24Misfire 21Fuel pump 16Hesitation 14Warning lights 11Fuel smell 10Sunroof shattered 10Adaptive cruise 9No deployment 9Transmission failure 9Harsh shifting 8Key fob 8Sudden acceleration 7Power steering loss 6Wipers 6Backup camera 5Fuel leak 5Shudder 5

All model years of the Kia Sorento

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