2016 Kia Sorento transmission problems

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Transmission failure at 99,000 miles Replaced by dealer under warranty

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Hard shifting and kia said I need a new transmission, 99,500 miles

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

Upon a catastrophic engine failure Tasca Kia replaced engine under Theta II settlement. I picked up my kia on 9/12. Engine is not running properly. It’s jerking and there is loud mechanical knocking. I don’t feel safe driving. I’ve contacted Kia corporate beginning 9/16 who contacted Tasca to arrange for tow and loaner. They said Tasca service mgr would contact soon to set up. They never did. I called corporate again later that day and after they called Tasca they were told service mgr went home for the day. As of this date Tasca Kia has not contacted me. I again called Kia corporate 9/17 asking to please escalate and allow me to use another service dept. The only other service location with loaner is a half hour away and I cannot afford another tow or another rental. I am stranded with a car that is not safe due to installation failure or another defective engine. No one from Kia will help in a reasonable time frame. I’m now told it can take up to 48 BUSINESS HOURS for any assistance. In the meantime I’m being forced to decide on whether to risk driving an unsafe vehicle to the service dept or to continue waiting for Kia to contact me.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a severe, sudden electronic and mechanical failure of the shift interlock system and the Body Control Module (BCM) that compromises vehicle control and leaves the vehicle stranded in active traffic conditions. While attempting to operate the vehicle, the shifter lever suddenly became physically jammed and highly resistant, refusing to shift out of the "Park" position or smoothly engage into "Drive." Simultaneously, the gear selector indicator (P-R-N-D) on the digital dashboard display went completely blank, indicating a total loss of network communication between the transmission range system and the vehicle's central computer network. Because the vehicle's electronic safety "handshake" failed, the vehicle suffered a no-start condition. To operate the vehicle or move it out of harm's way, I am forced to use the mechanical manual shift-lock override tool. Diagnostic scanning at a professional repair facility confirmed a hard Code P0955 (Auto Shift Manual Mode Circuit Malfunction) due to an internal electronic failure inside the Body Control Module (BCM), which handles the safety grounding circuit for the shift interlock solenoid. Safety Risk Statement: This component failure introduces a severe safety hazard. If a driver is required to quickly shift gears or move the vehicle out of an active roadway, intersection, or railway crossing during an emergency, the physical locking of the shifter and sudden communication dropout prevents immediate vehicle control. Bypassing a safety system via a physical override tool while stranded in traffic is a dangerous distraction. There is an existing safety recall for this model year regarding shifter rollaways (Recall SC246), but it does not address this opposite, widespread BCM circuit failure that permanently traps the shifter and disables dashboard monitoring. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this systemic Kia BCM failure pattern for a retroactive safety recall.

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

I recently took my 2016 Kia Sorento L to the Kia dealership for the Emissions update recall. The next day when I started it up and put it in drive, it started jerking hard when I was trying to speed up (going from first to second gear). I had to stop and then slowly push the gas so it wouldn't jerk so hard, then it finally switched gears and was smooth. Ever since it's happening only at the first cold start up of the day, and have sluggish acceleration throughtout the day. No lights on or codes. I took back to dealership twice and they said they couldn't replicate it and so they aren't sure, but it definitely still does it (anyone riding with me notices before I even mention it).

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I have a 2016 kia sorento I was having a problem with the shifter it would not go into park and had to use the shift override button I contacted the dealer there was an active recall they refused to repair or replace the shifter because it was inspected by the dealer in 2022 and as far as they where concerned that satisfied the recall The recall is still valid, and does not have close date how can they refuse to repair . It is still a safety issue

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

I took my 2016 Kia Sorento to the dealership for an emissions service update as a result of a service bulliten (SC340) After recieving the car back, the transmission acts unpredictably and the throttle is erratic. This happens when started cold and continues until the engine reaches temperature. It did not do this previous to the update. It is a safetey hazard and almost caused a collision. The throttle response was sluggish, it hunted for gears and as a result I was unable to safely merge into traffic endangering myself and other drivers.

Filed May 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

Was in for service on recalls 2 weeks ago may 2026...dealer did not fix shift solenoid recall..stated bcu need replaced...driving may 28 26 without warning no lights anything lost power while driving and engine and or transmission failed..lost oil...metal shavings in dipstick oil.oil on skid plate cover..3.3L V6 2016 kia sorento LX was able to get off road without crashing

Filed May 21, 2026 · Transmission · IL

2016 Kia Sorento 2.4 mileage 75,500 (just out of warranty as of Jan 2026), vehicle is having transmission issue, hard shifting/jerking from1st gear to 2nd gear on first cold start-up of the day. No warning lamps on. Took into Kia to have the transmission serviced, cost $462, did not solve the issues. Kia paperwork upon completion of service paperwork stated "No further action required, Transmission operates to manufacturer's specifications". Safety issue: vehicle may stall during operation.

Filed May 9, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WI

I bought this used with 113,000 miles on it. Within the first year, I had to fix AC,oil leak and alternator. I also had to replace the transmission which gave out completely. Then about 14 months into owning this vehicle, the engine light came on, and I suddenly could not maintain speed. I was lucky I was not on the main highway where I would have been hit from cars behind me. KIA refuses to fix/replace the engine because it is out of warranty. I believe this is too many things that have gone wrong to not be considered defective. I now have to cut my losses and get a different car.