2016 Kia Sorento Airbags Problems

The exterior paint on my 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl, paint code SWP) is peeling off in large chunks across multiple panels. The clear coat is delaminating and lifting in sheets from the surface, exposing bare metal underneath which is now actively rusting. This is consistent with a known defect documented in hundreds of complaints about 2013-2016 Kia Sorentos in Snow White Pearl (SWP). I have photographic documentation showing significant progression of this damage over the past few months. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer regarding this issue. No warning was given prior to the paint failure — it began suddenly and has spread rapidly. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Additionally, the gear shift randomly locks in Park without warning, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. This has occurred on multiple occasions and presents a direct safety risk as it strands me without notice. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the shift lock engaging. The dashboard is also cracking in multiple locations, including near the airbag housing, which may present an additional safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11746729

Incident

Jan 15, 2026

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the signal turned green and they proceeded through the intersection when another driver ran the red light and collided with the vehicle. The impact occurred on the right rear passenger side, extending from the back door to the rear wheel well. no additional property damage was reported. At the time of collision, the contact was traveling in the far right lane and the impact caused the vehicle to cross three lanes of traffic. The contact stated that the airbags did not fully deploy and no airbag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a tow yard and the insurance company later declared it a total loss. The contact sustained neck and back injuries and sought medical treatment. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000

NHTSA ID

11738754

Incident

May 17, 2026

Mileage

180,000 mi

On [XXX] I was in a car accident. When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work. This is a major safety risk INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11715696

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

the anti lock button does not work, kia will not fix it, they stated that there recall on it was for locks that can move the car forward and backwards. I've never used my anti lock button its down beside the gear shift so the only way I can drive my suv to put my car in drive, reverse etc to use the gear shift is by holding a screwdriver down in it the whole time and I complained to kia about that knows that but they won't do anything about it unless I pay out of pocket for something I've never even used since I had the vehicle/I'm not at fault for. I suddenly could not put my suv back in drive after cutting my car off at my daughter school in 2022 bc of the anti lock button being stuck or something of that nature and kia done nothing about it since, they turned my down to fix n/or replace it. And my dashboard is cracking by the airbag on passenger side from the top all the way down unknowingly on its own. Also my engine light suddenly comes on and stays on for days then goes off and that happened on several occasions/ twice so far, kia was notified about it and said if its not jumping or flashing I'll have to pay to get it checked.

NHTSA ID

11547269

Incident

Nov 16, 2022

October 19,2022 I was driving (cruise control about 70 mph) and hit a deer. The impact and damage was quite a bit however no airbags deployed. The car is still being repaired at Blakely Chevrolet in Blakely GA and they are having issues with airbag sensors.

NHTSA ID

11499326

Incident

Oct 19, 2022

In October, 2020, the air bag light came on at approximately 90,000 miles. On 10/21/20, I called Kia customer service and they dated it was not covered under any warranty. As of 07/15/22, the airbag light is still on with about 100,000 miles. The airbag light came on and remains on with no incident or accident or repair having occurred. The vehicle is very well maintained and in excellent condition. I called my local Kia dealership on 07/11/2022. They stated the airbag light on my 2011 Kia Sorento is covered under a recall, due to faulty clock spring, but the 2016 Kia Sorento airbag light is not covered. I make this complaint to request NHTSA investigate the same or similar air bag problems occurring on the 2016 Kia Sorento as has occurred with the 2011-2015 Kia Sorento ODS recall. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11474056

Incident

Oct 21, 2020

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION ON FRIDAY, JAN. 3, 2020. I WAS STOPPED/STATIONARY BEHIND A VEHICLE TURNING LEFT ON A ONE LANE (IN BOTH DIRECTIONS) ROAD TRAVELING SOUTH. THE CAR BEHIND ME STRUCK MY VEHICLE GOING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH. MY VEHICLE WAS THRUST FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME STRUCK MY AGAIN, FELT LIKE BUMPER CARS. DURING THE INITIAL REAR IMPACT MY FACE SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MY NOSE TO BLEED PROFUSELY FOR AT LEAST 25 MINUTES. I STILL HAVE BLOOD COMING OUT OF MY NOSE FOUR DAYS LATER. DURING THIS ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BOTH FRONT AND REAR COLLISION DAMAGE MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEATBELT LOCK. AS A RESULT I SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY BOTH FRONT AND BACK OF MY HEAD.

NHTSA ID

11297553

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

Mileage

46,000 mi

THE AIRBAG SENSOR CAME ON. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A SHORT IN THE 2ND FIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN UNDER A SAFETY EQUIPMENT WARRANTY. KIA SAYS NO, IT IS UNDER THE BASIC WARRANTY, 60,000 MILES. MY KIA IS AT 66,000. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR PAST MODEL YRS, BUT APPARENTLY HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID

11240303

Incident

Jul 29, 2019

Mileage

66,000 mi

GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND HIT IN LEFT FRONT AND DRIVEN INTO THE SIDE OF A PARKED CAR AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ALL 3 CARS WERE TOTALED AND KIA MOTORS SAID THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE COME OUT.

NHTSA ID

11172508

Incident

Dec 22, 2018

Mileage

54,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE IN GA (I-75 SOUTHBOUND). TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP; I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED AT 70MPH BY A 3500 DODGE RAM. I WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. MY DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, NOT A SINGLE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THIS CAUSED MY FACE TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH BROKE MY JAW IN TWO PLACES, DISLODGED TEETH AND CAUSED ME TO TEMPORARILY BLACK OUT. MY JAW REQUIRED EMERGENCY SURGERY AND I NOW HAVE A PLATE AND FOUR SCREWS IN MY JAW FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE - I'M 25 YEARS OLD. IN ADDITION TO THE PHOTOS BELOW, I HAVE DASH CAM FOOTAGE OF THE ACCIDENT AS IT HAPPENED WHICH I CAN PROVIDE. MY EMAIL IS [XXX] I CAN EMAIL IT IF NEEDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS *TR

NHTSA ID

11115749

Incident

Jul 19, 2018

Mileage

85,000 mi

WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT AROUND 60MPH WHEN A LARGE DEER RAN OUT ACROSS THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE AND AVOID HITTING THE ANIMAL BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. I HIT THE DEER AROUND 55-60 MPH WITH A DIRECT IMPACT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FENDER, HOOD, GRILL, RADIATOR AND ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTOR, THE ENGINE WAS SHIFTED BACK INTO THE FIREWALL. DURING THIS IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CREATES A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. I SPOKE WITH KIA AND THEIR FINDINGS WERE THAT THE MASS WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAGS THAT I NEEDED TO EITHER HAVE DIRECT IMPACT WITH ANOTHER CAR OR A WALL OF SOME SORT. I FEEL THAT AN IMPACT AT THAT SPEED AND TO THE FRONT END OF A VEHICLE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I HAVE THE DOCUMENT THAT KIA SENT IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ID

11104174

Incident

Jun 15, 2018

Mileage

59,151 mi

WE HAVE A KIA SORENTO 2016. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT STAYS ON THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS IS OFF, WHEN A PERSON SITS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE A GEL CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WHEN AND A PASSENGER SITS IN IT. THE DEALER TESTED IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF WHEN THE GEL SEAT WAS REMOVED AND THE SEAT SAT ON. MY QUESTION IS - WHY DOESN'T THE AIR SAFETY CUSHION WORK WHEN THE GEL CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SEAT? IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A PERSON SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT? SOME PEOPLE NEED TO SIT ON CUSHIONS WHEN IN A CAR BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE DISABILITY.

NHTSA ID

11092368

Incident

Jan 5, 2018

Mileage

20,000 mi

I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT IN FEBRUARY 2017 AND MY DRIVER AIRBAG WAS DEPLOY BUT FAILED TO INFLATE IN CONSEQUENCE I HAVE SOME INJURIES THAT INCLUDED MY ARM BROKEN IN 3 PARTS AND MY NOSE BROKEN,MY WRIST OF THE HAND BROKE, A LOT OF BRUISES, MY FACE WAS VERY SWOLLEN

NHTSA ID

11091574

Incident

Feb 17, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND RIGHT LEG, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID

10918513

Incident

Aug 17, 2016

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED TO THE HEAD, BACK AND SHOULDER OF THE CONTACT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID

10888145

Incident

Jul 22, 2016

Mileage

14,000 mi

WHEN A CUSHION (SMALL PILLOW) IS USED (I AM A SHORT PERSON) ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT, THE AIR BAG DETETECOR TURNS OFF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LEAVING THE PASSENGER UNPROTECTED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WORK-AROUND FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO CONTACTED KIA MOTORS AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING..NOT FIXABLE. SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR ME (ARM REST HEIGHT, WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY, ETC.) WITHOUT THE SMALL PILLOW. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO WAY TO DISCONNECT THE SENSOR (WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS WEIGHT SENSITIVE....OBVIOUSLY NOT, BECAUSE MY WEIGHT IS THE SAME WITH OR WITHOUT THE PILLOW). THIS LEAVES ME WITHOUT AIR BAG PROTECTION OR ELSE UNCOMFORTABLE. HAD I KNOWN THIS IN ADVANCE, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE THE SAME HEIGHT (I'M 5'3"...NOT ALL THAT SHORT) AND IF KIA WAS PUTTING IN THIS SYSTEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE...DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ELECTRIC, JUST ADJUSTABLE IN HEIGHT. IT IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHICH YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF UNTIL YOU READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL....A MANUAL YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO UNTIL AFTER YOU'VE PURCHASED THE CAR. IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

NHTSA ID

10744244

Incident

Jun 2, 2015

Mileage

256 mi