2016 Sorento LX with the 3.3 V6. Build date of August 27th, 2015.

 

Thanks for the first contribution to the list, @mightyschwa
Hope we can get some additional data points. I know there are several here who have had this issue!

 

My 2016 Kia Sorrento's build date is March 23/2015. My car started overheating in October 2022 at 94,000 miles. I am the second owner of this car so Kia's 100,000 mile drivetrain waranty was not applicable at that time. The head bolts loosened up warping the heads and damaging the block. I ended up paying out of my pocket for a re-manufactured engine as my extended warranty company (ownerguard) denied my claim stating they don't cover gaskets or seals and the subsequent damage. I'm taking them to small claims court and now that I have this letter from Kia addressing the very same problem I'm confident in victory. If like me you have had this problem and paid someone to fix it prior to getting the letter, turn it on the other side and follow the instructions for a reimbursement from Kia.

 

Surprised you haven't had more replies . As a 2016 owner I am definitely interested in survey . No problems so far with build date of april 2016. Rechecked door jamb. Made March 18, 2016. I bought it in April.

 

Me also. I keep meaning to check build date, my wife is gone with the car for a few days. Remind me when she gets back ok please...

 

Any updates, TBird?

 

From another thread:

Build date Aug/12/15. The block was replaced because "block retaining bolts for cylinder head were stripped causing engine to burn coolant".

 

Are we pretty sure that this problem is confined only to MY2016?

 

All of the ones I've ever heard have been, yes. That's to say - the NAM 2016 model year. Seems Europe gets 'offset' by a year for all makes, and would quite probably have called the same build 2015.

 

@Nupie6 reports failure with build date JAN 14/16 on door sticker.

 

Yes, just checked it, Jan 6, 2016. No apparent issue showing as of now, God please let it stay that way. 🙏

 

Ah. Had thought you had the problem per above. So you're saying that your 6 Jan 16 engine hasn't had this problem?
Just looking for incidents + dates.

 

Oh sorry, I misread the original post, I thought you were looking for build dates overall. But, my mechanic does believe that there was engine work done on our car before we bought it with 64,000 km on the clock. There appeared to be a recent intake gasket installed, and the plugs showed very little wear when we had the major service done at 100,000 km [ 60,000 miles ] . I just had a service done yesterday at 107,000 km. [ 66,486 miles ] So, I have some ways to go yet to reach the mileage that other cars have experienced the head failure which appears to be 100-120,000 miles.

 

I'm definitely following this thread and will check my build date, from the door jamb right? I have a 2016 Sorrento EX AWD V6 with about 83,000 miles and I've had nothing but problems. Transmission /torque converter replaced at 38 to 40,000 miles and major oil leaks at 58,000 miles, with the warranty kicking in $3,000, on top of the $1000, I had to pay out of pocket

Also, I've always smelled antifreeze coolant when I get in and out of the vehicle, and I've mentioned such to the dealerships for the last 6 years and they say, there's no leaks and it's normal. It doesn't overheat and my fluid levels don't really dissipate, but I don't think it's normal... And I check the oil often, as I do drive a lot.

I'm so worried I'm going to fall prey to this 3.3 failed head gasket BS with the stripped bolts

According to the JMA Group, who takes care of the 10-year 100,000 mile power train warranty have told me that this Sorento was first leased in 2015, as I didn't buy it till 2017 as a CPO with 19,000 miles.

Carcomplaintsdotcon says the 2016 is the worst year for the Kia Sorento -oh my God had I known, I never would have bought....

Oh yeah, and all Hyundai Kia vehicles 2011 to 2021 Lack immobilizers which makes them easily stealable, within 90 seconds.

Yeah, my Sorento was stolen December 2022 and I didn't get it back till the end of March 2023, since parts were on back order. And I currently got the Kia anti-theft update installed, while still using a steering wheel club. SMH.

I see recently there's a 200 million dollar class action, soon to finalize in July I believe - to recoup a lot of those out-of-pocket expenses incurred.

 

I'm definitely following this thread and will check my build date, from the door jamb right?

Only necessary if you've had the head bolt issue. We have nowhere near enough data to generate a range of production dates of interest.

 

I saw a lone loose headbolt/headgasket issue pop up on CarComplaints under the 2017MY - of course it could be a misfiling since we see people write about Sorento’s with a “V4” but hoping it remains isolated.

2017 Kia Sorento Engine Failure | CarComplaints.com

The 2017 Kia Sorento has 17 problems reported for engine failure. Average repair cost is $2,850 at 80,400 miles.

m.carcomplaints.com

 

Bumping this thread, if we can get more responses, ecanderson may be able to determine an actual build date period that could be more prone to the issue.

 

I saw Dog Patch Steve on Hyundai-Forums mention it's been a running issue on other vehicles with the V6 so seems to be pretty pervasive. CarComplaints has a bunch of headgasket complaints for the 3.3L in the 2014, 2015MY too so I guess the big question is where it stops.

 

Have yet to see a single incident beyond 2016.

 

If ANY of you with this issue would please check your driver's door sill sticker for a build date and let us know what it is, it would be appreciated. Granted, these aren't engine build dates, but as Kia likely used some version of a kanban (JIT) inventory for engines, vehicle build dates may eventually narrow things down a bit.

I know there's more out there who have had this issue, and haven't yet reported back.

Thanks to @AnotherCynic we have a new entry.
March 25, 2015.

Previously:
August 12, 2015
August 27, 2015
January 14, 2016

 

The list isn't getting any prettier - seems we're getting a very wide spread of dates, which isn't what I'd hoped:
Oh well, please keep any new dates coming.

March 13, 2014
March 25, 2015
August 12, 2015
August 27, 2015
January 14, 2016

 

That Jan 14 2016 date worries me, as noted above above , mine is Jan 6. 160,000 km is 100,000 miles. I think we should reach that mileage around the time we have the car paid for. I would imagine it will be cheaper to put a used engine in if I get the issue , than buy another car.

 

I wonder if there is any way to find out the start and end production dates for the 2016 model year. The recently reported March 2015 seems a tad early for the 2016 cars but being it was a completely new design, might have started that early. That March thru the reported January 2016 date seems like it is, unfortunately, going to cover much of the year.

 

Bump to top.

 

That being the case, it would appear the engine quality control people and Kia weren't aware of this problem of a long time. Aluminum blocks along with V6 format of them have been around for decades. The method and tools to bolt them together should be elementary by now.

I am quite sure they produce multiple engines a day.

 

2016 kia sorento ex 149k miles, build date 5/26/15 Georgia plant.
Thought I seen a rear main leak when changing the oil. Got to poking around and seen oil seeping at the head gasket. Lead me down this rabbit hole of an issue. No overheating or coolant/oil mixing. Ordered the huhn solutions kit, will be tearing it down in the upcoming weeks.
Anyone know of a link to a DIY guide/service manual? Might be time to document a write up on this repair if it’s not already out there.

 

Just heard my 2016 Sorento has this issue, build date of 2/26/2016.

 

Thank you for adding to the collection. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to this.

March 13, 2014
March 25, 2015
May 26, 2015
August 12, 2015
August 27, 2015
January 14, 2016
February 26, 2016

 

It has to be the design of that engine, no reports of this issue after this current engine build ?

 

No reports from anything beyond 2016 dated units, no. Don't know of anything different for the '17 3.3L, but evidently there was something different. Could have been manufacturing method vs. parts.

 

Just saw this pop up in the news feed on my phone:

Feds Investigate How Frequently Kia Sorento Engines Blow After Dozen Complaints | Carscoops

 

Thanks for reporting!

 

2016 kia sorento ex 149k miles, build date 5/26/15 Georgia plant.
Thought I seen a rear main leak when changing the oil. Got to poking around and seen oil seeping at the head gasket. Lead me down this rabbit hole of an issue. No overheating or coolant/oil mixing. Ordered the huhn solutions kit, will be tearing it down in the upcoming weeks.
Anyone know of a link to a DIY guide/service manual? Might be time to document a write up on this repair if it’s not already out there.

Just completed this process using the factory service manual. Did not do a write up but kept good notes. Learned a lot about the motor and replaced a lot of parts while in there. Not sure if I'm up for doing a write up but happy to share my experience.

 

good to hear you got it done. Did you complete the job with the engine still in the car? Did you use a online service manual?

 

Most of my purchases end up going to or near 200,000km, one a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2002 went to 300,000km when I sold it. I liked it a lot. Not the best handling but predictable and capable. It had the I6 engine which was a iron block. I only ever bought a few brand new and they had more problems than than well used ones at 1/3 or less price. A maintained engine and transmission should and normally well past norms as all mine I bought well used did. These Sorento's are starting to be problematic early. I think my 2019 master cylinder is going in it. The pedal has been soft braking for a while and I noticed after swapping winter wheels on the pedal goes down and even further as I hold the brake on still going even further as I hold it. Doesn't pump up either and the same with engine off as on.

I expect it to be under warranty still.

 

Longest I kept a car was a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP which had about 120k miles when I traded it in for the Sorento. Had tons of problems with that car. Nothing that left me stranded but lots of electrical issues and suspension issues and I think the engine eventually had or was leaking oil or coolant from every seal it had. I had valve cover (oil) and lower intake manifold (coolant) gaskets replaced around 40,000. When I traded it in, oil pan was leaking and rear main seal was leaking...but still ran great. And almost all the repairs were out of pocket since it only had a 3yr/36k warranty. Loved the car, just a lot of issues with it.

The 2012 Soul we had until this year and the Sorento (at least so far) have by far been the most reliable new vehicles I've had. Just seems like quality has really taken a drop the last few years across all manufacturers while the prices have climbed.

 

ecanderson, there is a locked thread with a 2017 developing the head bolt issue. The poster, charnien , is still in the locked status and didn't post a build date. This appears to be the first 2017 with the bolt failure reported on this forum. I am guessing the build date will be in 16.

 

Can you point me to the thread? Have been out of town for 3 weeks, and just catching up.