2016 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine seized
- 53owner reports
- 87,000median miles
- $4,276median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
53 of the 357 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Sorento describe engine seized.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (357 reports) · also: engine knock
Tick what matches of 53 reports
Engine seized 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: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (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
12 of the 53 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,500 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 22,000 and 105,136 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While driving my vehicle the engine seized one day, i brought to the kia service center where they took at apart and the dealership claimed Kia should replace the engine under warranty as well as known issues with these vehicles. Corporate Kia denied the claim sent in by the dealer. And sent me a bill for the cost to replace the entire engine.”
Filed May 16, 2026
“Engine seized up while driving. I had just visited the dealership and had 5 RECALLS done.”
Filed Sep 10, 2025
“2016 Kia Sorento SX 3.3l engine failure at 87k miles. Head bolts backed out. Kia dealership verified the issue. The engine could have seized why driving which is a safety risk. No warning lights at all.”
Filed Nov 10, 2023 · 87,000 miles
“While driving on i95 the car suddenly stopped without warning. After getting the car towed twice, to find out the engine seized up after a mechanic took a look at it.”
Filed Apr 18, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 53 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 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
- Engine leaks oil 38 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 27 reports