2016 Kia Sorento: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Transmission · FL

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

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 Apr 10, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Most recently the engine burned up the oil prior to my next service date. After oil was added and the engine drove fine. The next day the engine ran fine and after driving through an intersection 1/2 mile from my house the car died. It lost complete power, putting myself and my family in danger. (Thank God we were able to get off to the side of the busy roadway safely). At that moment, a battery light came on first, then an oil and engine light illuminated at the same time. The car wouldn’t start and had to be towed off the side of the road. The mechanic that looked at it said it needed an engine. Due to lack of maintenance records, the extended warranty company chose to deny my claim. The dealer has my car and will do a diagnostic test. About a year ago I had the transmission looked at for hard shifting into first and the dealer said it needed a flush. The problem continued not too long after they flushed it. It only happens if you release the brake and push to start too quickly and put in gear too quickly. No recalls I’m being told for that issue as well. ZERO indicators on dash prior to any issues happening that would have given me the opportunity to maintenance/service my vehicle before resulting in engine failure and potentially costing my thousands I don’t have. I love my Kia and want my baby back in great working order but I’m afraid I won’t be able to have her back if the repairs are more expensive than the cars worth. I’m still financing this vehicle as well. Please KIA/Hyundai I need your grace and good faith to repair my vehicle under warranty.

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Engine · UT

Over the course of 12 months the vehicle is exhibiting worsening excessive engine oil consumption. There is no oil leak. Engine Oil Warning Light does not come on to alert oil is low. And at times within a week the oil level is almost none on dipstick. Using 4-5 quarts a month between regular oil changes. Loud knocking noise occurs after driving and engine is turned off. The engine fan is constantly running and remains running up to 10 minutes after engine turned off even in mild temperatures and very short drives. Violently Hard Shifting occurs. This is intermittent and unpredictable but has worsened and become more frequent over last 1 year. This hard shifting can be so hard and severe to cause pain from seat belt and mild whiplash. Cold weather does increase the frequency and severity however it also happens in mild and warm weather at an alarming rate. At times the shifting is so hard and violent that it feels as though you just drove off a 3 foot ledge hitting front end hard. It happens at both high and low speeds. Vehicle has been taken to mechanics on several occasions. Each time they find no problems. Current Mileage is 95,000 miles. I purchased 18 months ago from dealership and almost immediately problems began.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Engine · 61,139 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 30 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal loud clunking sounds and stalled. The contact stated that as the vehicle started rolling backwards, he depressed the brake pedal, parked the vehicle, and engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was recommended to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where, it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer denied covering the cost of the repair because the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact followed up with the manufacturer but the manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,139.

Filed Jan 21, 2022 · Steering · TX

I have knocking, clunking noise coming from steering column. Which leads me to believe that it is the flexible coupler. Also, when driving anywhere at speeds of 45mph or higher, the steering wheel sticks and I have to give force to correct the steering wheel. It is worse when turning on ramps on the highway because I am constantly adjusting the sticking steering wheel throughout the turn.

Filed Oct 19, 2021 · Engine · AL

After accelerating from a stop, the engine started making a loud clunking noise and was losing power. The vehicle was towed to a certified Kia dealership where it was determined to be a rod bearing failure in the engine. The engine needs to be replaced and is not covered under any warranties due to a sensor not being updated. I was never notified of any recalls which the sensor update was. I have owned this vehicle for two years and was never notified of any recalls.

Filed Dec 21, 2017 · Transmission · 22,712 miles · FL

We are second owners of a 2016 kia sorrento. Dec 6, 2017, I was driving home and traveling about 60mph on a 2lane hwy when I felt a very severe clunk in the front area of the car and I lost the ability to accelerate. I checked the car and found nothing unordinary. I drove at decreased speed (40mph) for another 3 miles when again the car did 2 quick, heavy thumps and the engine quit along with all power and electrical. I got it over to the side of the road and the engine restarted, so I drove home. I called the kia dealer in st. Augustine and the service lady said that she had heard the exact problem twice before. I talked to the service manager and relayed what his tec had told me, then drove to their dealership (40 miles) with no problem, but fear of being on highway with the vehicle. They drove the vehicle and checked it out but found no problems I came home and read on the internet reviews of kia apparently being unwilling to deal with problems.. It became more apparent why the young lady I talked to on the phone seemed unwilling to repeat or discuss what she had told me. After consulting with several knowledgeable people, that it was probably an inadvertent down-shift and gears that caused the problem. This could cause a very dangerous and or deadly situation on the roadway, and especially on the interstate when the car just quits and you loose all power. The dealer stated "bring it directly in if it happens again." if you're traveling on the interstate with trucks, cars and busses behind you, at a high speed and it happens, you'll be lucky to survive it.... Duh!