There are 50 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2016 Kia Sorentoin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
3 to 4 months ago my truck steering wheel light with an exclamation point will appear and my steering wheel will lock up and it is hard to steer unless I cut the truck off and back on, it is so dangerous that it went out when I was in the middle of a turn that I almost ran into a truck. I cannot get this issue fixed because my warranty ran out. So what am I to do. It's terribly scary. I Haven't had it checked put i had a paper from Kia headquarters for it to be fixed free of charge within the warranty date but it has expired and I can't get it done. Something to do with the electric power steering
The red steering wheel with an exclamation point pops up on the dashboard and instantly I lose power steering the wheel gets really hard, it went out as I was making a turn and I almost hit the truck . I had to yank the wheel really hard to control the steering, then had to pull over turn the truck off then back on to reset the problem. This have been going on mildly for a few years now has gotten to its worst
Driving on the freeway going 75-80 mph and my steering wheel locked up. When this happens I am unable to turn my steering wheel. Have to let my foot of the gas and try with all my muscle to get the car to go to the side of the road to put the car in park. Turn it off and turn it back on. This exact incident has happened to me 3 times in a row on the freeway on [XXX]. Once while the road had a curve. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering wheel has a "sticky" feeling when driving at high speeds. You have to keep the steering wheel moving back and forth or else it sticks while driving high speeds. I have reported to dealership multiple times, but I have been told there is no issue.
This is an ongoing issue, from the day I purchased the car used. The steering sticks and binds when turning to the left; not on an ordinary sharp turn at an intersection, but at highway speeds. Sometimes the steering sticks and must be corrected to avoid going into the opposite lane. Several diagnostic attempts have been made including alignment, recalibration, and replacement of the 4wd coupling. Car still wavers and sticks at speed when turning left. Unknown cause. No codes show. However, at one time, on the display (not the dashboard symbol display, the camera/radio display) a message appeared saying: Mechanism Failure.
My front driver seat slips out of recline position to another position on its own Had engine replaced, got car back, made humming noise, took back to dealer, could not find noise, car still makes noise and now there’s seems to be louder noise coming from steering or front suspension while car is driven, dealer claims with no extension of warranty and over 60,000 miles, any work for this issue with steering/suspension is not covered, this was not an issue before engine was replaced under the engine recall
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle in February of this year, we started to notice that oil was burning off quickly. We took it to be looked at and was notified that there was no signs of a leak. After that incident all of the warning lights came on on the dashboard. We took it again to be seen where we were told that it was burning oil again and that the oil was low. We had the oil refilled and on our way home the car completely seats and shut down loosing all power on the highway. We lost all control of the power steering, braking system, and the power to the whole car shut off. We had the car towed to a repairman who looked over the car and said that the engine is completely seized with no notable signs of damage but that it would require an entire engine replacement. We notified Kia about the problem and that it was something that was known to happen with the engine and they refused to cover it or do any type of repair. The car is now non-functionable with a complete seizure of the engine.
My gear shift has been stuck in park almost 2 months now. I've been using a screwdriver in order to move the gear from park to reverse.
While driving this evening my power steering light came on and shortly after I lost all power steering. Had I not been strong enough while pulling out of the flow of traffic I would have lost control and hit a vehicle or run off the roadway. After turning the vehicle off it would not restart without a jump start. This same vehicle had its engine replaced not long ago for a separate safety issue mentioned in ODI 11565586. Kia of America needs to be forced to fix the issues with this vehicle. Other numerous reports of these same issues exist. These issues need to be investigated and Kia held accountable. This vehicle is a lemon and still under warranty but I feel I have no recourse and I'm being forced to be without the vehicle I paid for for long spans of time. This vehicle is a huge safety issue for myself and others.
Steering on car felt sticky or as if power steering was not working. It seems to be an intermittent problem occurring mostly at highway speeds of approximately 60 mph. It seems to be a safety issue because steering feels unresponsive to feel of steering wheel. Dealer says that I will have to bring it in where they can diagnose to confirm. If problem continues I will take it in to be checked. Vehicle has not given any warnings or indications of problems/service needed. The problem was first noticed on 02/12/2024 and then again on 02/23/2024.
On January 17 2024 as I am making my usual drive to work on a very busy interstate highway my 2016 Kia SORENTO EX V6 FWD AUTO 3.3 liter engine completely seizes up and so begins my nightmare. The same nightmare I am seeing time and time and time again reported on this site, and every site you do a simple search on 2016 KIA Sorento's for. As a result of the catastrophic engine failure, I (a female, original owner of the KIA,) was left in a very dangerous position to try and maneuver through and not be killed by oncoming cars and further not get jumped in a very bad part of the metro. (this is not my personal assessment, this is the highest crime area in our city) Car was towed to dealership where I originally purchased it and today I received the diagnosis report indicating Alternator Replacement $1,283.94, Head Gasket $4,276.92, Body Control Module/ ECU $1,030.35 (an issue that I raised when the car was under the manufacturer warranty, and was ignored by the service team and results in me using a screw driver to even get the car out of park) I want answers as do all of the other impacted customers as to WHAT MORE IS NEEDED TO PROVE THAT KIA ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET!
When in motion and at higher rates of speed, the vehicle’s steering wheel gets stuck and requires additional force to turn which causes an over correction. This is a consistent problem that happens.
When driving down the road at any speed in a striaght line steering sticks requiring constant over correction. This is becoming a big problem at highway speeds as vehcile will jerk and on an icy road Im affaid I my lose control
At driving speeds steering catches with no control for a few seconds during slight turns. Has happened multiple times. Took to mechanic and was told there was an overheat code showing that could only be resolved through Kia software.Took to Kia dealership in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and was told it would resolve by putting in an actual Kia battery, $500+. Had no issues for 2 months Then happened twice. Took Back to the same dealership and was told needed new steering column $1,000+. As of today, my Sorrento is at the dealership in St. Cloud, Minnesota Waiting for part. 6/24/2024
Steering sticking,
AUG. 5, 2023: CA Steering wheel locked when trying to change lanes. Managed to turn left but went over the curb. It drove well when going straight but could not turn steering wheel. Glad I didn't go on the Freeway. Managed to stop but didn't turn off car due to too hot outside. Called towing, then a family member told me to turn car off, hesitant due to weather, too hot. It worked. TowTrk driver checked under hood and saw no problem. I then drove to dealership and left it there to diagnose. It is till in shop 6wks. It is the steering wheel wiring I am told. Now waiting for a part. Maybe this week. Love the KIA but it did me wrong. Cannot trust it anymore. That is too bad it is an awesome vehicle to me except for the problem. warning came on as incident happened. Manufacturer personnel inspected. Happy no accident just fear of not being able to manage steering easily. I drive a curvy and high altitude road. That really scares me n for any passangers.
Steering doesn't aways respond to turning immediately while driving the vehicle.Steering has become difficult this is the second time for this repair to be needed service done in 2020 now service is needed again in 2023 same area the mdps motor repair and other dealer stuff. I believe KIA is aware of the problems I believe there is a recall or some kind of help for me and my family to travel safely in this vehicle please help me get the needed repairs covered ASAP I took the vehicle to the dealer on 7-21-2023
I was backing up a residential driveway. My backup camera showed my wheels were in line. My steering wheel turned and my car had a sudden unintended acceleration. My car destroyed a double steel garage door. Pushed a parked vehicle forward approximately 10-12”. The vehicle crushed a riding lawn mower, pushing the mower through a sheet rock wall. If anyone had been in this area of the garage, they could have possibly suffered serious injury or even fatality. I am trying to arrange to have my vehicle taken to local Kia dealership for diagnostic testing. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning signs that appeared and I did not hear my backup camera alert.
Sticky Steering It can be felt at any speed but especially on the highway when turning left. I can feel the steering sticks briefly then the wheel jumps. So I have to make constant unnecessary corrections.
At 45mph or faster, when turning left.. the steering sticks briefly and the EPS (electric power steering) over-corrects it. Makes the steering wheel jump. So the driver has to perform constant corrections. I believe it’s very serious safety issue.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026