7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
32,550 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. kia, is horrible (1 reports)
  3. replace transmission temp sensor and harness (1 reports)
2016 Kia Sorento transmission problems

transmission problem

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2016 Kia Sorento Owner Comments

problem #6

Jan 042021

Sorento LX 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,562 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About one year ago, the car's transmission would go into a "hard down and upshift mode" all on its own. If you stopped and restarted the car the transmission would often go back to normal operation. I had the transmission oil changed but that did not stop it. I took it to the local Kia dealer and they could not get it to repeat the hard shift mode. I have been driving it and about half the time when I start it up it goes into it crazy shift mode. If I stop and restart the car that often clears it. Not sure what to do. I really like the car outside of the crazy shift mode. And I know if I take it to the dealer and to their credit they did keep the car several days but could not get it to do the crazy shift mode. Any ideas or suggestions?

- cottonwoodkid, Cottonwood, US

problem #5

Jan 042021

Sorento LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Transmission shift very hard between 1st and 2nd when engine is cold. Once warmed up, there's no problem. Have been to dealer six times and tech can find no problems.

- John F., Chandler, US

problem #4

Oct 182019

Sorento SX 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

Hard shifting when first started, after 10 min of driving shifting was ok.

- Craig B., Lake Worth, US

problem #3

May 012017

Sorento EX 4.0L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2016 Sorento Jan 1 2016. By May the transmission was down shifting sharply at 35mph. The dealer said we had to learn how to drive the car and not use eco in the city. We tried that and no change.

Brought it in again in November 2016 the adaptive values were reset and told not to use eco again but problem i still there. They ordered a new transmission and installed it Jan 2017. Car ran perfect till May of 2017. Started downshifting hard at 35mph again. Still doing it in June and will bring it in again July 12,2017.

I have had this car for 18 months and the problem was there for 8 months of that time.

- lgriffin23, Zephyrhills, US

problem #2

May 032016

Sorento LX Turbo 4 cyl Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124 miles

Had the car in 3 times for this problem. The first time the mechanic told me I should be driving in the drive position and not in Eco. Brought the car back shortly after and they said they had never had a complaint before but they did an adjustment and made it slightly better. At a later date I took it back for the same problem and they again, after checking with Kia, made an adjustment. At this time it is much better than originally but the problem is still there and they tell me there is no solution.

- Sam A., Kingsville, ON, Canada

problem #1

Jun 222016

Sorento SXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,500 miles

I leased my vehicle, Kia Sorento, 2016 on April 03, 2016. I have been back to Kia of Carson at least five-seven times regarding the downshift problem I experience when slowing down. The techs keep telling me its normal. I’ve owned lots of cars in my day from a ford pinto to Mercedes Benz and never have I experienced this problem. My story: When approaching a stop sign, traffic light etc, I remove my foot from the accelerator. When the car gets to 32 miles per hour, there is a hard pull in the engine (A jerk). It happens when I have my foot pressed slightly on the brake as well. The “techs’ at Kia keeps telling me it’s normal. It is not normal! My Kia is All wheel drive. I’d love to know if there are others out thee experiencing the same thing.

Next week will be a year since I leased this vehicle. I have three years to go on my lease. I can’t take this uncomfortable (kinda scary) ride for that long.

- Teresa R., Redondo Beach, US

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