KiaSorento2016Overview/kia/sorento/2016/base/

2016 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Sorento.

Body SUV

The 2016 Kia Sorento is an SUV utilizing a 5.3-quart oil capacity with 5W-20, 5W-30, or 5W-40 viscosity options. This model year carries 8 recalls and 1,237 total owner complaints, with the engine identified as the top complaint area. Positioned within a model history spanning 2003-2026, the 2016's complaint volume falls between the 2010 low of 3 and the 2011 high of 1,516.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.8 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight4004 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2016 SX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016SX V6 3.3L V67.10 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016EX V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016SX V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016SXL Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.20 sec240 hpAWD
2016SXL Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-49.00 sec16.80 sec240 hpAWD
2016LX 2.4L I-49.10 sec16.90 sec185 hpFWD
2019SXL V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.50 sec290 hpAWD
2019SXL V6 3.3L V67.60 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 qt
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.7
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity8.4

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17.4-24.6 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)540-740 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)540-740 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)550-750 rpm
Ignition Timing6 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees
Ignition Timing5 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.70 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity1.15-2.05 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72-73 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimumpsi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)73 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)73 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 171-192 max variation 15 psi
Engine CompressionPSI 128 - 149 / Max Variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0126-0.0150 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23 / 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-; Front: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.020; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .001; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 inch lbs., Step 2: 84-10848 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7020–23 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs at 135,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 135,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Sorento sits at a pronounced spike in the provided run: its 1,237 complaints are well above the 2015 (746) and 2017 (788) bookends, it matches the 2011 peak's eight recalls, and its 274 TSBs are the highest in the record. Engine-related reports dominate the 2016 file at 506 complaints—more than the next three categories combined—followed by Unknown/Other (87), Structure (81), and Steering (55), with 49 fire and 29 crash complaints also on record. Across the broader arc, complaints and investigations climbed from 2010 into a 2011–2014 high-volatility band, moderated in 2015, rebounded sharply in 2016, then fell off again in 2017–2019. The data does not specify root causes, but the volume and recall activity place 2016 near the riskiest point of its generation rather than in the settled-down later years. Given the elevated complaints, recalls, TSBs, and engine-category reports relative to adjacent model years, a 2016 Sorento is a higher-risk used purchase unless a clean service history and completed recall work can be verified.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
274
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,237
Owner complaints
29 involved a crash · 49 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,237 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine506
Unknown Or Other87
Structure81
Steering55
Power Train47
Exterior Lighting40
Power Train,Engine29
Vehicle Speed Control26

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor… Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer…

15V446000Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 14/07/2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly… Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 274 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
WTY031_TSB_R22026-06-16Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR…
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
SC340_TSB_R52026-04-03EngineVOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT…
WTY026_TSB_R22026-03-18EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS)…
SC340_TSB_R42026-03-05Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Sorento take?

5.3 qt of All temperatures: 5W-20 Preferred, 5W-30, Above 0 degreesF 5W-30, 5W-40., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.