Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have a transmission recall?

Yes. Recall campaign 22V612000, reported in 2022, covers faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components on 2016 Sorento and Sedona vehicles that could prevent the shift lever from locking into place. Dealers inspect and replace the components as needed, free of charge.

How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Kia Sorento?

NHTSA lists 125 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Sorento, which is 10% of the 1,250 total complaints filed for that model year.

At what mileage do 2016 Sorento transmission problems usually occur?

The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2016 Sorento is 71,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.

Are the transmission issues linked to any crashes or fires?

NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2016 Sorento includes 6 crashes, 4 fires, and 5 injuries reported.

2016 Kia Sorento Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 125 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Kia Sorento, 10% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 71,000 miles. A related recall, campaign 22V612000, covers faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 125; 10% of 1,250
Crashes reported: 6
Fires reported: 4
Injuries reported: 5
Median mileage: 71,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Vehicles roll away or downhill unexpectedly after being parked, sometimes striking objects or structures.
The transmission can be shut off or shifted while still in gear, letting the car move on its own without the driver inside.
Owners describe sudden loss of power, shaking, sputtering, and stalling while driving, sometimes triggering the check engine light and limp mode.
A hard downshift into 2nd gear around 25-31 mph causes a noticeable jerk.
Some owners report the vehicle losing power or traction when pulling into cross traffic from a parking lot, which the dealer could not replicate.
One owner reported unintended acceleration while trying to park at low speed.

When 2016 Kia Sorento transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 6, 2016, latest Sep 24, 2026.

125 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q2 (12).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2016 Kia Sorento

NHTSA 22V612000Aug 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain28,065 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. 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.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sorento model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20100 (0%)
2011265 (17%)
201255 (6%)
201369 (7%)
201471 (7%)
201542 (6%)
2016125 (10%)
201737 (5%)
20189 (4%)
201951 (12%)
202018 (13%)
2021137 (55%)
202264 (34%)
202320 (17%)
20244 (10%)
202519 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Kia Sorento have a transmission recall?: Yes. Recall campaign 22V612000, reported in 2022, covers faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components on 2016 Sorento and Sedona vehicles that could prevent the shift lever from locking into place. Dealers inspect and replace the components as needed, free of charge.
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Kia Sorento?: NHTSA lists 125 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Sorento, which is 10% of the 1,250 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2016 Sorento transmission problems usually occur?: The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2016 Sorento is 71,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Are the transmission issues linked to any crashes or fires?: NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2016 Sorento includes 6 crashes, 4 fires, and 5 injuries reported.