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2016 Sorento Needs 3.3l V6 Engine

29K views 74 replies 20 participants last post by  HalHos  
#1 ·
After a head gasket, now I need a whole new engine and I’m just 3 days out of my warranty. Anyone have any luck finding a “Crate” Engine or Long Block in a timely manor? I can’t believe this is happening….. is this know for Head Gasket Problems just out of 100,000 miles? I have done all services on time and up to date. This is really maddening.
 
#2 ·
Likely not a traditional 'head gasket' problem. More likely the head bolts pulling loose. Gets you to the same place, though. We've seen a number of of them here for the 2016 3.3L.

Due to the number of failures of this type, I'd do a full court press on Kia even though you've just passed 100K.

So what happened that raised it to a long block situation? Outside of warranty, many have gone with inserts for the threads.

 
#3 ·
I'd call Kia directly and talk to customer relations. ASAP you may get a warranty extension honoring this repair/replacement.
 
#4 ·
It's a known, if not acknowledged, problem on the 2016 V6 engines so I would really press Kia corporate on doing a repair under warranty. They've got enough legal problems with the I4 engine and all the replacements they've been mandated to do, they do not need another thorn. And obviously they discovered something wrong since it has not shown up in later model years so whatever they did to correct it also admits there was a problem to correct.
 
#6 ·
It would not change the eventual outcome, though it might predict a future failure (or create one on the spot) if an attempt at torquing is unsuccessful. Most typically, it gets to where you can remove several of them by hand. It's not a lack of torque that's been causing these issues, it's a lack of threads to torque against. There's apparently little left of the block threads for the bolts to grip.

I'd be fascinated to get my hands on one of these failed engines to inspect the threads.

A decade or so ago, Toyota was having similar issues in one of their 2.4L 4 cyl engines.
 
#7 ·
I have 2016 V6 Sorento. I just had to replace the Head Gasket at 88k. My Local dealer said he had only seen two V6 blown Head Gaskets. I had a reputable shop do the work and we documented the whole process. We put in thread kit, resurfaced the heads, replaced spark plugs and waterpump. I was lucky to catch it early and not have any more damage. How do you get in contact with KIA to see if they will help? Have really enjoyed the car up to this point.
 
#8 ·
I have 2016 V6 Sorento. I just had to replace the Head Gasket at 88k. My Local dealer said he had only seen two V6 blown Head Gaskets.
Unusual to hear a report of a blown head gasket on the '16 3.3L that didn't also have bolt issues at the root of the problem. I assume the dealer and repair shop checked this carefully?
I take it that you aren't the original owner?
 
#13 ·
Below is form my 2015 SX 3.3 service manual, Note as stated in a couple of above posts, the head bolts are what they call 'Torque to Yield' meaning they are torqued down to a specific torque load and then then additionally turned a fixed number of degrees that stretches the threads to just below the point of stripping. Trying to tighter them any further should not be done. And backing them off and retorquing is not recommended, the bolts must be discarded and new bolts used. From what I'm hearing in all the 3.3 head problems are the female aluminum threads in the block failing not the bolts. Retorquing would most likely identify a stripped thread problem, or maybe cause one.

Torque procedure. (Sorrry Tripplec, I left out metric)
1- torque (in correct sequence) to 27.5-30.4 ft lbs. , 2- then re-torque in sequence 118-122 degrees, 3- finally re-torque 88-92 degrees. So basically they are torqued to 30 ft lbs. then re-torqued twice 120 degrees then 90 degrees or a a few degrees past 1/2 turn.
 
#14 ·
Let me clarify, I am not going to ask for a re torque, just a regular socket and ratchet with very light pressure to see if any of them are able to be moved. If any are loose, then we will follow the above advice and replace them all. A visual inspection once all the other parts are removed to access the plugs should show evidence of any debris that may be escaping around the bolt heads would be the first step. I should note the car is running fine, the oil level was down maybe 1/10th on the dipstick last week, after 7200 km since last service. I had a LOF, trans fluid service and air/cabin filter change the next day. The car is now at 100,230 km. [ 62,280 miles ]
 
#15 ·
I would touch it. Leave well enough alone as it's not an issue.now as is. if on the edge it could go south knowing what we do now.
 
#20 ·
Thanks for the opinions. I will follow what ever my mechanic thinks is the best course of action. He just did a head replacement on a Hyundai Elantra 4 cyl. He thinks I should flog the Kia and get a Toyota lol. He has a Corolla with over 5ook on it, it just won't die.
 
#22 ·
In today's world, before buying any car/brand, find the forum dedicated to it and follow it for a couple of months to really get to the core of that models issues. 4th gen Toyota 4Runners are suffering a lot of blown head gaskets in the 2004/2005 model years, frames completely rusted through in model years 2003-2008 and that's just one model in their lineup. Every manufacturer has issues, some do a better job of addressing them then others. I suspect that Hyundai/Kia is going to have to acknowledge this head bolt problem eventually and make some concession but probably only to original owners.
 
#23 ·
I agree. I owed am AAMCO transmission shop for 8 years. The president of AAMCO told us there are two kind of cars. Those that are broke and those that are going to be broke. We saw fewer Toyotas than any other brand. Besides the blown head gasket my Sorento had to have the whole steering rack replaced. That was done under warranty. That is two big ticket items on one car. I am thankful at least one of them was under warranty. When I bought the car consumer report had nothing but glowing revues.
Had it ranked right by the highlander. My sister bought a 2016 highlander and has not had a single problem. The highlander costs about 4k more than the Sorento. Now that I look back, I should have spent the extra money for the Highlander. I want make this mistake again.
 
#24 ·
I just went thru all this on a 2016 at 131k miles, see this thread;

I am a "do what I can mechanic" - knowing what we know now, these 3.3L's up thru 2016 are going to go, it's just a matter when... so get out while you can I guess.
My mechanic's wife's 2016 Kia went recently, and he said it went quick. No help from Kia, and that's coming from discussions with a mechanic.
My impression is that a bolt strips, and the rest are now doing the work. Eventually the next highly loaded one will strip out, and loss of more of the head gasket seal. On from there?
I drove gently while shopping new cars, kept tach under 2k, and watched the needle...
Seems like the only real fix is to strip both heads and helicoil / insert them. So weigh that repair cost ( $3k?) against what the cars worth. Or 10k for new engine?
I think if you try to torque bolts, they will strip more.
I traded in while I could for a Highlander Hybrid... it is really nice. Slightly bigger than Sorento, 35mpg, Toyota dependability.
 
#25 ·
Add me to the list, 2015 Sorento SXL with 75.6K miles. Took it in because I lost cabin heat. Thermostat holder assy. was leaking, and replaced for $1500. Still no heat, they found a stripped head bolt. No long blocks available, discontinued; no short blocks, 3-4 month waiting list. So, both heads off and all bolt holes Heli coiled. Total bill for this part $6747. So, $8300 later, it heats again. OUCH!!!
 
#26 ·
#27 ·
We have a 2016 Sorento 3.3L with 68k miles that we bought new. It's really disapointing to hear of the head bolt problems others are experiencing. We had planned to keep this vehicle much longer as it has the perfect size and power to fit our needs perfectly, but are now reconsidering that thought.

I'm curious if forum members would recommend a later model Sorento or an altogether different make and model that would be comparable to our Sorento.
 
#32 · (Edited)
When you looking for a different make or model, just do a make/model forum search and check out common problems. Some are much worse than others. All have some major problems but frequency and warranty are most important. My 2007 v6 rav4 was solid as a rock for over 9 years but some people on rav4world forums still had a lot of problems.
 
#33 ·
In my case, I still have 3 years of payments to make on this car. If anything serious, like the headbolt issue happens, I really have no choice but to fix it and keep on going. We bought this car with the intention of driving it into the ground. Our previous 2011 was running fine at 300k, and no rust issues that were visible. We hope for the same with this car. I see 2011-2015 Sorrento's on the road daily. I know they have a slightly different engine set up but other than the head bolt issue, they do seem to hold up ok.
 
#34 ·
Well, our car is in the hands of my mechanic now. If he finds any loose headbolts, he told me he doesn't want to get involved in any major engine repair, which I fully understand and don't blame him for. I have an engine rebuilder buddy that will have to take over the job , keeping my fingers crossed that my regular mechanic does not find any issue while doing the plugs. 😐
 
#35 ·
Well, I received some positive news from my mechanic. The plugs and intake plenum gasket all look fairly new, as well as the antifreeze so he thinks this car may have some engine work before we bought it coming up on two years June 5. I decided to replace the plugs anyway after the work it took to access them and will keep the removed ones for future use possibly. Also, all the brakes are at just 25% wear so it appears they were replaced by the dealer during the certification. He wasn't able to uncover any of the head bolts during the plug swap process unfortunately, he did call me to ask if I wanted him to remove more parts to check them which would have resulted in about 2-3 more hours of labor to do so , based on his findings already, I declined and will gamble that all is good. So, just the diff fluid refresh is left to complete and we should be good for another 100k. My wife has decided to retire so the car will see less usage in the years to come. I hopefully will get it paid off before it gets to the 200k point. (y)
 
#40 ·
Well we still don't know if these GDI 3.3L are any good at higher mileage as they have no valve fushing ability by desgin and carbon will or likely build up to a level which might, might become a problem.

I have both gens in these groups, 2015 & 2019 3.3L so I'll see. Never the less the newer vehicles are not as reliable nor as durable as previous generation. Some owners are lucky and others like with the 2016 with really bad luck by design in assembly of those engines.
 
#42 ·
forums are mainly for people looking to find solutions to problems. so if all you do is look at forum posts, you'll find mainly posts about problems. very few posts are people saying how much they love their vehcles.

have i had issues with my sorento? yes. But do i love it? also yes. it has so far been the most reliable vehicle i have owned. from my 88 chevy pickup, my 08 dodge caliber, my 11 dodge ram, my 12 sorento and now my 16, the 2 sorentos have had the least issues. while my 2016 had the engine fail, the 2012 had some rust issues, at least my dealer is not saying that i abused my sorento like the dodge dealer did for my dakota. the only time the sorento has ever let me stranded on the side of the road was for the engine knock. all other prior vehicles have let me stranded many more times.
 
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#43 ·
I think it's also a function of your own individual sense of how long a car should last. Many on this forum run their vehicles until they die. I see a lot of engine deaths at over 100K; that doesn't worry me as much as it would if I saw a bunch of engine deaths at 50K.