2016 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine leaks oil
- 38owner reports
- 82,000median miles
- $1,539median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 9, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
718 of the 1,252 complaints on this car are about the engine. 38 of those describe oil leak.
Tick what matches of 38 reports
Oil leak on other Sorento years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Oil leak reports usually begin with a spot on the driveway. Some owners smell burning oil or see smoke from under the hood when the leak drips onto something hot. Others only find out because they keep adding oil between changes, or a shop spots the leak during an unrelated visit. A share of them mention the repair falling outside the warranty.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the valve cover gasket (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sorento
Loss of motive power. Closed jul 23, 2024.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Engine oil pressure switch leak. Closed jun 26, 2023.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
What owners paid
10 of the 38 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $569 to $2,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 46,681 and 100,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The had the same oil leakage recall fixed two times by a dealership which it is still leaking BAD! That was said to be an oil pressure switch. My trunk also will not open.”
Filed Aug 17, 2025
“My started leaking oil prefusly one day. Started car went down the street 5 mins and came back . My drive way has puddles of oil. Leaking fast . Too it to kwik car they informed me that I have a leak in the turbocharger. Itâs leaking into my exhaust. I got the oil added to the car yesterday and today my oil is already low and almost empty.”
Filed Mar 1, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 38 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 357 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 216 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 163 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 124 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 121 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 70 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 55 reports
- Vehicle fire 45 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 44 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 39 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 27 reports