Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Kia Sorento submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Driver side headlight keeps going out. Bulb doesn’t blow and fuses are fine….take the bulb out and put back in and after a couple minutes light starts working again for a couple days before it goes back out. If you go to the passenger side and pull that one out the bulb is smoking.
The rear camera on my 2016 Kia Sorento no longer works. Over the past year, the camera images have been getting blurry and smaller. Now, there is no indication or warning of cars or people behind my vehicle, which is a safety concern. I found online that there is a recall on the rear camera for this model, but the dealership claims they haven't been informed. I'm worried about the safety risks this presents.
The problem started after a quick stop at a convenient store on the way to work. After starting the engine the vehicle would not shift from park. I was able to bypass this after a quick Internet search by removing a small cover near the stick shut and a small straw to bypass the shift control. I've had the car twice at the mechanics without a diagnosis as to a possible cause and was able to have the mechanic permanently disabled the shift lock but was warned the vehicle could be shifted to drive or neutral at any time and moved with a key. About a month later I found myself without headlights and shortly after this without wiper controls. Another visit to my mechanic would this time show the problems, shift lock, headlights and wipers were all from a faulty PCM. My mechanic has shipped my PCM out twice for repair but both time only caused the replacement part to blow. It's not suggested they use the dealer to further repair the problem. I've been 3 weeks without my vehicle and it's another week before the earliest availability from my local dealer. I'm only hoping now it's not a long backorder to gets the parts necessary to fix my vehicle. I have also read this has been a common problem and costly repair with other 2016 Kia Sorento owners.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard a loud popping sound. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the glass sunroof had shattered upward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
I was driving my 2016 Kia Sorento on the freeway when I heard a loud boom, like a gun shot and then the vehicle was showered with glass from the sunroof that exploded. It was NOT struck by any object or rock. Fortunately the sun shade prevented me from getting glass poured on my head. The dealership denied responsibility and I am in the process of getting it replaced though my insurance company. In doing research I found that while it not common place it has happened more than I thought.
There was an instance where I was driving in heavy rain and the windshield wipers just stopped working. I had to drive about 5 more miles without them working. They worked the next time it rained a couple of days later. There has been 2 instances in the last week where I have had my car parked in my driveway off and locked. In the middle of the night, the headlights and taillights come on on there own. The headlights setting has been set to auto. I end up having to go out and start and turn off my car, then when I lock it back the lights go off.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, an abnormal booming sound was heard which startled the driver. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the glass sunroof had shattered. The contact indicated that during the incident no object had struck the vehicle to cause the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
1. ABS SYSTEM- ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSORS GOES OUT AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY READING WHICH CREATES SAFETLY HAZARD IN PREVENTING POSSIBLE COLLISIONS 2. LIGHTING-INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL-LIGHT DIMS AND OR GOES OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING WHICH CREATES SAFTELY HAZARD IN VEHICLE OPERATION. 3. WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM AND RESERVIOR DEFECTIVES- WIPER MOTOR ISSUES AND LEAKAGE FROM FAULTY TUBING AND RESERVIOR LEAKAGE ISSUES.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while she was at the red light a day after purchasing the vehicle, the sunroof failed to close properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the sunroof had a faulty tilt lever. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred a year later. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer who informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of repair as the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not cover the cost of the repair as the vehicle had been out of warranty for two days. A case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
AS WE ARE DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH A LOUD POP AND GLASS FELL ONTO US. IT WAS ALARMING AND OUR ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED FROM DRIVING TO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. WE LOOKED FOR A ROCK ETC, BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE REMAINING GLASS ON THE SUNROOF LOOKED LIKE IT WAS BLOWN FROM THE INSIDE OUT. FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE IT APPEARS THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND IN THE MID-60S WITH THE INTERIOR TEMPERATURE IN THE 68 RANGE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!
2016 KIA SORENTO V6 LX FWD AUTOMATIC -- ONE DAY, SUDDENLY, THE WIPER FLUID LEAKED ALMOST THE ENTIRE TANK ON OUR GARAGE FLOOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING. NO OTHER SMALL LEAKS WERE NOTICED BEFORE THIS MAJOR FAIL. I FOUND KIA BLOGS IN ABUNDANCE AND A LARGE NUMBER OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. THERE WAS EVEN SPECULATION IN SEVERAL KIA FORUMS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SO PREVALENT KIA SHOULD, AT A MINIMUM, PUBLISH A SERVICE BULLETIN, AND SOME URGED FOR A BONA FIDE RECALL. I CHECKED THE POINT OF FAILURE AS SUGGESTED IN SEVERAL VIDEOS AND BLOGS, AND INDEED IT WAS A CRACK IN THE WASHER PUMP MECHANISM, APPARENTLY AROUND THE WHITE BULBOUS PIECE THAT BIFURCATES ON OPPOSITE SIDES WHERE RUBBER TUBES ARE ATTACHED TO PLASTIC PROTRUSIONS, AND FROM THERE THE FLUID IS DISPENSED TO EACH OF TWO NOZZLES NEAR THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT RELEASE THE FLUID ON DEMAND.
DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR: SIDE MIRRORS AUTOMATICALLY LOWER WHEN IN REVERSE, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WILL OFTEN AIM TOO LOW--ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN AT THE GROUND. ONCE IN DRIVE, THE MIRROR WILL RESET TO THE INCORRECT POSITION, OFTEN TOO HIGH - AIMING TOWARD THE SKY.
SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH MY LIGHTS IN THE AUTO POSITION, THEY WILL TURN OFF FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE COMING BACK ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE ON A DARK HIGHWAY BEFORE.
I'VE SEEN A FEW REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS ON HOW KIA'S (SORENTO'S IN PARTICULAR) HAVE BEEN LOSING THEIR HEADLIGHTS FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME, BUT JUST ON MY DRIVER SIDE FORTUNATELY. THE MAIN BULB IS NOT ILLUMINATING AND WILL NOT COME ON. I CHANGED THE BULB AND THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I LOOKED AT THE OLD BULB I REPLACED AND IT WAS FINE, NOTHING WAS SHOT OR BURNT OUT. I HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SAYING THIS COULD BE A CONNECTOR PROBLEM WHICH IN FACT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BULB ITSELF. SEEING THAT THIS CAN COME UP SPONTANEOUSLY WORRIES ME AND A LOT OF OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHO WOULD NEED TO TRAVEL AT NIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA AND BE MADE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THIS HAPPENS ON PRACTICALLY NEWER VEHICLES (MY MILEAGE IS 31000) I WILL REFRAIN FROM KEEPING MY LIGHTS ON THE "AUTO" SETTING (WHICH WILL BE A WASTE OF MONEY NOW) SINCE THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR FROM HAVING THE LIGHTS ON THIS SETTING. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED DUE TO HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST (REPLACING THE ENTIRE LIGHT FIXTURE ~ $600) AND THIS NOT COVERED BY THEIR WARRANTY EITHER (ANOTHER WASTE OF MONEY IF PURCHASED) I WILL BE RECONSIDERING MY CHOICE WITH KIA COME NEXT AUTO PURCHASE.
WHILE DRIVING THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF IMPLODED SUDDENLY WITH OUT WARNING OR BEING STRUCK BY ANYTHING. MY HUSBAND WASN'T DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED OR UNDER BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS OTHER THAN BASIC RAIN, LUCKILY OUR INNER SUN SHADE HAD BEEN CLOSED OR THE GLASS WHICH COMPLETELY SHATTERED COULD HAVE FELL ON TOP OF MY SELF AND OUR 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER POSSIBLY INJURING US GREATLY AS WE WERE SITTING IN THE REAR SEATS DIRECTLY UNDER IT WHEN THE EVEN OCCUR.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHILE MY HEADLIGHTS ARE IN AUTO POSITION THEY WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN CLICK BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. THE LAST TIME, WAS WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING.
IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE AND WENT TO GET IN THE PARKED CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE BACK WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BOOMING NOISE. THE GLASS SHATTERED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN AN OUTWARD DIRECTION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SMITH KIA, 1804 IOWA STREET, BELLINGHAM, WA). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 12, 2018. *TR
MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE NO REASON AT ALL. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET, AND WHEN I WENT OUT TO LEAVE, I NOTICED MY WINDOW WAS CRACKED. BY DAY 2, THE GLASS WAS CAVING, AND HAD A HOLE THE SIZE OF A QUARTER IN THE MIDDLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COATING ON THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT HOUSINGS WAS REFLECTING INTO BOTH SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD PAINT AND REPLACE THE HOUSINGS ON THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REFER THE ISSUE TO THEIR INTERIOR DESIGN ENGINEERS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,529. UPDATED 07/11/17*LJ UPDATED 9/28/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEAD LAMPS FLICKERED AND TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A LOANER VEHICLE TO DRIVE, BUT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 09/07/2017*JS
THE ECM FAILED ENGINE LIGHT ON ENGINE STAMMERING WOULDN'T ACCELERATE THEY REPROGRAMED ECM I DROVE IT 22 MILES ENGINE LIGHT ON SLOWLY IT WILL SPEED UP WON'T SHIFT CORRECTLY TECH TOLD ME I HAD BETTER HOPE THE FIX WORKS, REAR VIEW MIRROR WON'T CHANGE UNLESS YOU HOLD FLASH LIGHT TO SENSOR, LIGHT THROUGH BACK WINDOW WON'T DARKEN MIRROR TECH TESTED WITH FLASH LIGHT ON THE SENSOR AND TOLD ME THERE WASN'T A PROBLEM HE DIDN'T TEST THROUGH BACK WINDOW I HAVE COMPLAINED AT 2 DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE MIRROR NO REPAIRS
[XXX] 2016 KIA SORENTO (VIN # [XXX]) SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE ON INTERSTATE 55 NORTHBOUND IN JACKSON, MS ON 10-21-15 AT APPROX. 8:30PM CST WITH NO TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTIONS OR OVERHEADS. OUR MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS LESS THAN 200 MILES. [XXX] WAS DRIVING AND I WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER. THE ROOF WAS CLOSED AS WAS THE CLOTH SHIELD (WHICH PROBABLY SAVE OUR LIFE). THE EXPLOSION WAS VIOLENT LIKE AN M-80 GOING OFF. WE COLLECTED SOME OF THE GLASS SHARDS (WHICH SHATTERED INTO LITTLE SHARP PIECES WHICH WOULD HAVE PROBABLY KILLED US) AND CHUNKS OF GLASS ON TOP OF THE SHIELD. AT THE TIME, WE WERE ABOUT 900 MILES FROM HOME AND FOUND A TOOL STORE, PURCHASED DUCT TAPE AND TAPED THE REMAINING MOON ROOF (SEE PICTURES) TO GET US ON THE ROAD HOME. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO RAIN ON OUR REMAINING JOURNEY. I CONTACTED OUR DEALERSHIP GERALD KIA NAPERVILLE WHERE THEY REQUESTED WE FILE A CONSUMER COMPLAINT WITH KIA CORPORATE (CASE #[XXX]) WHERE THEY DENIED ANY ISSUES RELATED TO THEIR PANORAMIC SUN ROOF (THOUGH THERE ARE NOTED SUITS, ARTICLES, TELEVISION INTERVIEWS AND OF COURSE NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS (HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/?GWS_RD=SSL#Q=KIA+SORENTO+SUNROOF+EXPLOSIONS). I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TRAVELERS AND THEY ARE REVIEWING THE CASE ([XXX]). THE CAR WILL BE AT THE GERALD KAI DEALERSHIP IN NAPERVILLE IL ON MONDAY 10-26-15 AROUND 9AM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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