2016 Kia Sorento: engine overheating

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Engine · NC

Vehicle equipped with 3.3L V6 Lambda II engine, covered under active Kia Warranty Extension Campaigns WTY035/WTY039 for engine block head bolt/gasket failure.In July, the vehicle experienced a cooling system issue and was brought to authorized dealer Westgate Kia. Despite explicit campaign guidelines mandating a coolant pressure test and chemical combustion block test for cooling complaints on this engine, the dealership failed to follow the TSB protocol. They attributed the issue solely to an external hose, recommended unrelated peripheral repairs, and released the vehicle without performing the required campaign diagnostics.A few months later, the unchecked progressive manufacturing defect resulted in catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle exhibited intermittent overheating, blew heavy white smoke from the tailpipe (indicating a massive head gasket breach/coolant entering combustion chambers), and ultimately suffered a total loss of cylinder compression, requiring it to be towed back to Westgate Kia.The dealership is currently trying to evade the 15-year/180,000-mile WTY035/WTY039 campaign coverage. The service department is refusing to follow the mandated diagnostic flowchart to check for stripped engine block head bolts, instead claiming the failure is due to a "melted radiator." They are attempting to blame the consequences of the extreme engine overheating on peripheral parts to avoid performing the required engine sub-assembly replacement under the federal campaign.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · MA

Coolant empty, found overheating. Coolant refilled. No noticeable leaks. Mechanic found failure of thermostat. Replaced and car found to be overheating again. Coolant leaking into hood covering engine components.

Filed Jan 1, 2026 · Engine · NH

Head gasket leaking, yes Causes engine to overheat. Radiator looses coolant and backs up into overflow. Makes heat and ac flow coolant fumes into vehicle. No longer clear air. Not yet. Still researching. Independent Mechanics shop. No There was no warning when the vehicle overheated

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Engine · TX

Around 140k miles the engine started to randomly overheat. We changed the serpentine belt as well as all hoses. The engine then started to burn large quantities of oil. At 142k miles it failed all together and we are now looking at having to purchase a new engine or a new vehicle. After doing some research I read that this was a common issue with the 3.3L V6 Motors and felt the need to provide my case as well.

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Engine · CA

Possible Head Gasket Failure, present problems Coolant leak, scent of coolant, oil leaks, overheating, hydrocarbons where found in cooling system, Engine failed Coolant pressure test. Complete engine may need to be replaced.Car presently has 74,000 miles break down reported at AllStar Kia, San Bernardino, Ca 92408 on May 29, 2025. 909‑763‑4740 Victor Morales & Joe West. Car running fine, took in for simple oil change, and the problems above were reported.

Filed Feb 10, 2025 · Engine · OK

Received a notice of extended coverage regarding engine block concerns in September of 2024 took the vehicle in regarding a constant coolant smell when driving the vehicle. At that time the dealership checked out the vehicle and then proceeded to charge us for the appointment, even though the warranty extension clearly stated there was to be no cost incurred. After receiving the vehicle back we still experienced coolant smells while driving and informed the dealer accordingly. On [XXX] while driving to Henrietta Ok, the vehicle actually overheated while driving. We had to have the vehicle towed to our home. On Monday morning I contacted our Kia dealer and let them know about the event. On [XXX] we trailered the Kia back to the dealer, after I had performed the appropriate tests the dealer would be performing to verify a block issue with the vehicle. Once the vehicle was at the dealership they performed the same test with the same results I had received. They submitted their video evidence to Kia motors , at which time Kia motors requested a second block test be completed as they questioned the results. The dealership tried to duplicate the results to no avail. At this point Kia is not authorizing an engine replacement. We are three weeks into a process that Kia is well aware of the issue, but they will not authorize a repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Engine · 151,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power. The accelerator pedal was depressed down to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact drove the vehicle for a mile to the workplace. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket and upper radiator hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred on 8 occasions. The contact stated that the engine overheating had persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine block was cracked. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2024 · Engine · CA

We purchased our 2016 Kia Sorento brand new in 2015. From the start, we had problems with the car burning oil at a rapid rate. We would get an oil change and less than 2,000 miles later the oil would be very low. After one year oil was low after 1,000 miles or less. No oil light warning would ever come on and there were times when the dipstick had no oil on it. I called Kia customer care several times over the years regarding this issue and was told there was nothing Kia could do unless the engine blew due to the connecting rod and the engine needed to be replaced. We are now well past the 100k warranty and have dealt with this problem for the last 9 years. 2 weeks ago the engine started making a knocking noise and would not accelerate. We checked the oil and it was low and the coolant was also empty. We took it into the Kia dealership and we were told the radiator was empty and burning and that the coolant was leaking into the cylinder and that the engine needed to be replaced. Never once did an engine light, oil light or coolant light come on. There were no visible leaks. The car never overheated and the temperature gauge never changed from the middle. This engine has had constant problems with burning oil from the start. I have done my part to reach out to Kia customer care numerous times. This model Kia has had known problems with oil consumption and coolant leaks. I know there is a reported problem with the 2016 Kia Sorento V6 regarding coolant leaking into the cylinder heads, while I do not have a V6 I had the same problem. This engine has multiple problems which lead to its failure not just the coolant leak. Oil consumption, coolant leak and worst of all there was no warning that there was a problem with the engine (i.e) no engine, oil or coolant light. While there is a lifetime engine warranty on the rod bearing failure which I believe we had along with the coolant leak. Kia is not honoring this warranty and will not reimburse us.

Filed Oct 4, 2024 · Engine · 181,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the temperature gauge was fluctuating from Normal(N) to Hot(H) very quickly. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the engine to cool down. The contact had received a notification regarding an Extended Warranty coverage for the engine overheating and oil consumption. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided a fee for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered due to the mileage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2024 · Engine · FL

On [XXX], I was on my way to the Orlando airport to pick up my daughter in her car (Kia Sorento 2.4L GDI). At about the halfway point to the airport, I increased my speed so I could go around a slow moving truck on the turnpike. After I passed the truck, I guess maybe a few 10ths of a mile give or take. The car just died. I looked at the dash and I see it's lit up like a Christmas tree. I pulled over to the side of the road and onto the shoulder. I put the car in park, turn off the car, and then try to start it. It didn't start so I popped the hood and first thing I checked was under the car to make sure there was no oil or coolant leaks. Then I checked the oil dipstick and there was plenty of oil and the coolant tank was at the full mark. I called my insurance agency to get roadside assistance and the car was towed to the city of Clermont in Florida. We charged the battery due to it being low from trying to start the car. After the battery was placed back in the car we tried again to start the car. I was told to stop because there was smoke coming from the front of the engine. No fire, but it may have been the starter smoking trying to start the car. After trying several times, I gave up and filled out paperwork for the Christian Bros Auto group to check the car to see what is wrong with it. After a few days we were told that the motor was seized up and needs to be replaced. We have all the documentation of all oil changes and repairs since my daughter got that SUV. Vehicle was well maintained and documented. I see that there is a class action lawsuit against KIA for this size engine. Our next step is to see what we have to do to get the car repaired. She still owes over 18K still on the car. I heard that KIA was a good car but we'll see what happens now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 4, 2024 · Engine · 79,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal loud cracking sound and stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the freeway. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a safe location. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The contact stated that upon opening the hood to inspect the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir had exploded, causing coolant to splash underneath the hood and to leak out on the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the engine was taken apart. The dealer diagnosed that there was oil intrusion in the coolant, and that the engine had overheated excessively, causing the engine block to become distorted. The Extended Warranty field technician later informed the contact that the repair could not be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2024 · Lights · 80,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear brake lights became inoperable on several occasions. The contact was pulled over due to the rear lights being inoperable. The contact noticed that the sockets for the bulbs had overheated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the bulbs. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.