2016 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 216owner reports
- 77,000median miles
- $4,800median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
856 of the 1,252 complaints on this car are about the engine. 216 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 216 reports
Stalling 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: 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (26 reports), the battery (15 reports), the ignition coil or plugs (11 reports) and the fuel pump (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
All 8 recalls on the 2016 Kia Sorento, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
Front axle shaft failure. Closed sep 20, 2013, led to recall 13V-355.
Transmission intermediate driveshaft. Closed may 10, 2011, led to recall 11V-258.
Fuel spill during refueling. Closed dec 21, 2011.
What owners paid
47 of the 216 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $569 to $8,360.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 31,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 99 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Engine died, mechanic said needs to be replaced due to no oil. Low oil light never illuminated. Oil was changed 6 months prior. Only 140,000 miles, driven less than 10,000 miles a year if that. Why didnât the low pressure gauge illuminate. Now Iâm out over $5000.00. Not ok Kia”
Filed Feb 27, 2025 · 140,000 miles
“Check engine coming on intermittently. Took to Kia dealership for service and diagnosis. Was told the code came up for âCamshaft timing issueâ and the recommendation was to replace engine completely! Only 79,000 miles and regular service and maintenance has occurred over the 7 years Iâve had the car. Engine could just cut out at any time.”
Filed May 3, 2024 · 79,000 miles
“At an intersection, the vehicleâs engine died unexpectedly without warning. No lights or alarms. The vehicle would not start. Once towed to the repair shop, I was told that the engine had seized and that the engine would need to be replaced at a huge cost. The vehicle had only been driven 1500 miles since last oil change. No oil light or check engine light ever went on.”
Filed Apr 4, 2023 · 1,500 miles
“2016 Kia Sorento with 123K miles with all recall completed and maintained. We were driving on backroad where all traffic were diverted because of highway 101 closure when the car suddenly have the MIL blinks then stalls and would not start back up again.”
Filed Oct 10, 2022 · 123,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 216 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 357 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
- Engine leaks oil 38 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 27 reports