2016 Kia Sorento: complete transmission failure

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 Jul 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · RI

(Transmission and motor) I had taken my car to the dealership on XXX for recalls and all the signal were fine before going there. They took my car back to do the recalls and my son and I waited . Once they were done we left closer to closing time is noticed there was a burn mark on my dash board that wasn’t there before the recalls. Going forward on the way home. We were waved down by a man stating that my signal and brake light weren’t working . So that next day we took my car back to the dealership to see what happen, why all the sudden different alerts were coming up. They had the same mechanic relook at the car and a when finish 31/2 hour latter was told I needed a new transmission, costing $7384.94 which I don’t have . They charge me $179.00 just to confirm what they said about needing a new transmission. I was devastated and confused why I wasn’t told that the day before. So a few days later I took it to another machanic to see if the could see why the lights weren’t working and he ended up putting new bulbs in and got them working but also he put it in a diagnosis machine 2 of them and couldn’t get a reading at all and said I should take it back to find out why he couldn’t get a reading. I was so frustrated at that point I just was upset! I then had a friend of the family mechanic look at it and he said it wasn’t the transmission it was a knock sensor that I needed so I ordered it. When I called him to install the knock sensor he was too busy to do it and it had already been a whole month of waiting so I reached out to a place in Cumberland RI to see if he could install the knock sensor had it towed there and he kept it for three days and said it was a transmission computer and he tried two of them and neither of them worked and charged me $150 for that I was humiliated and crying , I went there to have my car towed home seen him while waiting for the tow truck to come he said I needed a new transmission and now a motor, crying again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

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 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.

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Engine · GA

Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting a formal safety complaint to the federal safety agency regarding my Kia Sorento. Over the past six months, this vehicle has required replacement of the engine, transmission control module (TCM), and the entire transmission. Although the engine and transmission were replaced at no cost to me, the extent of these major repairs within such a short period raises serious concerns about the vehicle’s overall safety and reliability. In mid-January, shortly after picking up the vehicle from the dealership following the transmission replacement, the vehicle suddenly stalled while I was driving through an intersection. The engine lost power without warning, leaving me stopped in active traffic. To get the vehicle moving again, I had to shift into park, turn the engine completely off, and then restart it before it would drive again. This unexpected loss of power in the middle of an intersection created a dangerous situation with oncoming traffic approaching. Thankfully, my children were not in the vehicle at the time. After repeated major component failures and this stalling incident, I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. A vehicle that loses power without warning poses a serious risk to the driver, passengers, and other motorists. I respectfully request a thorough investigation into this matter, including whether there are known defects, recalls, or related complaints involving this model. I am prepared to provide repair records and documentation upon request. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 16, 2022 · Transmission · NH

-I was driving my vehicle in a parking lot, stopped at the stop sign to let a car pass and hit the gas pedal and the car did not move. - My concern is what could have happened if the transmission died while I was driving. -The problem has been confirmed by the dealer that the transmission needs to be replaced. The car has less than 31,000 miles on it. I am a 2nd owner, and I only put 7,000 miles on it in 3 years but it was out of warranty. KIA even denied a Good Will replacement. - There were not any warning signs, message or symptoms. Unfortunately I have to pay 3200.00 to have it replaced and I spoke to KIA and they said that there was nothing they could do. It seems strange that a vehicle with less than 31,000 miles would have a transmission just die without any warnings.

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 82,000 miles · MI

While passing, sudden loss of all power. The check engine light came on. From that point on, very low power. When I got home, there was a fairly loud engine knock and oil coming from tail pipe. Took car to independent shop who diagnosed the issue as rod knock. Had the car towed to kia dealer who then said it needed a new engine. Only 82,000 miles on vehicle. Kia covered the parts and labor to replace. When the shop dropped the engine, they noticed the drive splines on both the awd transfer case and transmission were both rusted and all teeth sheared off on the fwd side of the spines. Rwd still intact. Kia would not cover neither would the extended warranty company because of the rust. That is a sealed unit with multiple rubber gaskets. How could it possibly have rusted? This is a major design flaw as there should been adequate heavy lubricant as well as sealing to prevent these parts from rusting. New transmission required $1800, and new transfer case would have been another $2500. Chose slightly used unit for $1000. It took almost 8 weeks to resolve. Now car is leaking oil on to exhaust. Back to dealer it goes...

Filed Sep 17, 2018 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · MN

My transmission failed while driving, stopping and picking up became unsafe. I took it into a kia dealership since it became dangerous to drive. I was then told that there was a tsb sa292 patch that was intended to prevent this exact issue. Kia is only willing to cover part of the cost. I feel this issue should be a recall since it makes the vehicle dangerous to drive.