October 19,2022 I was driving (cruise control about 70 mph) and hit a deer. The impact and damage was quite a bit however no airbags deployed. The car is still being repaired at Blakely Chevrolet in Blakely GA and they are having issues with airbag sensors.
2016 Kia Sorento airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Kia Sorento have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 62,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Sorento | 70 |
| 2013 Sorento | 55 |
| 2014 Sorento | 33 |
| 2015 Sorento | 21 |
| 2016 Sorento (this page) | 15 |
| 2017 Sorento | 10 |
| 2018 Sorento | 10 |
| 2019 Sorento | 4 |
10crashes
8injuries
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Sorento report three broad classes of airbag failure. First, the occupant detection system shuts off the passenger airbag when seat cushions are placed on the seat—even gel pads used for comfort or disability support. Kia has confirmed to owners this is not fixable and offers no workaround, forcing a choice between comfort and protection.
Second, airbags have failed to deploy in multiple collision scenarios. Owners report non-deployment in rear-end hits at speeds ranging from 5 to 70 mph, in frontal impacts with animals and parked cars, and even a side-impact at 15 mph (though that one deployed). One owner involved in a 70 mph rear strike suffered a broken jaw requiring permanent surgical repair; another hit a deer at 55–60 mph with such severe front-end damage the engine shifted into the firewall, yet no airbags deployed. One airbag deployed but failed to inflate, leaving the occupant unprotected during a collision.
Third, the airbag warning light illuminates and stays on without any accident or incident. One owner at 100,000 miles reports the light came on at 90,000 miles and remains on. Kia refuses to cover this under warranty—one tech identified a short in the passenger-side firing circuit, but the manufacturer says the 2016 model is not covered by the clock-spring recall that applies to 2011–2015 models, leaving owners responsible for repair costs after 60,000 miles.
Same Kia Sorento airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Disables Passenger Airbag with Seat Cushions
The passenger-side airbag deactivates when certain types of seat cushions or gel pads are placed on the seat, even though the vehicle occupant's weight remains unchanged. The ODS sensor treats the cushion as an indication of insufficient occupant mass and shuts off protection. Kia has stated this condition is not fixable and no workaround exists.
When: Occurs intermittently when cushions are in use; no specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag off light remains illuminated when cushion is present; Airbag reactivates when cushion is removed; System unresponsive to manual override or adjustment
Repairs/costs cited: Kia dealer and manufacturer confirmed no repair or workaround available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia stated condition is not fixable; no recall or TSB mentioned for this specific issue on 2016 model
Airbag Non-Deployment in Rear-Impact Collisions
In multiple rear-end collision scenarios at various speeds, airbags failed to deploy despite significant impact forces and occupant injuries. Seatbelts also failed to lock in at least two reported incidents, compounding injury severity.
When: Incidents reported at 5 mph (14,000 mi), 30-35 mph, and 70 mph rear impact; timing varies
Symptoms owners cite: Complete absence of airbag deployment despite high-force rear impact; Occupants' faces struck steering wheel with no air bag cushioning; Seatbelt failure to lock during collision; Significant facial, head, and neck injuries resulting
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle destroyed and towed; another involved emergency jaw surgery with permanent plate and screws
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB referenced; one incident police report filed but manufacturer not notified prior to complaint
Airbag Non-Deployment in Front-Impact Collisions (Non-Vehicle)
Airbags did not deploy when vehicles struck fixed objects or animals at highway speeds. In one case, a deer impact at 55–60 mph caused engine displacement into the firewall with extensive front-end damage. Kia's response stated the impact was insufficient to trigger deployment and that only direct vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-wall contacts warrant airbag activation.
When: 55–60 mph deer strike; 45 mph collision with parked car; timing varies
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment despite severe front-end structural damage; Engine displaced into firewall (deer impact case); Occupant injuries without airbag protection; All vehicles totaled
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles sustained total loss; insurance adjustor and Kia confirmed extent of structural damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia stated airbags should not deploy for non-vehicle impacts; no TSB or recall issued
Airbag Sensor Malfunction—Illuminated Airbag Warning Light
Airbag warning light comes on and remains illuminated with no accident, incident, or repair having triggered it. One complaint references a faulty clock spring (recall exists for 2011–2015 models) but the 2016 model is not covered by that recall. One technician identified a short in the passenger-side firing circuit. Warranty coverage disputes reported.
When: Approximately 90,000–100,000 miles; one at 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates and persists; No external trigger event; Vehicle in excellent mechanical condition otherwise
Codes mentioned: Short in 2nd firing circuit (passenger-side) per technician report
Repairs/costs cited: Kia dealership stated 2016 model is not covered under the 2011–2015 clock-spring recall; one owner at 66,000 miles told it falls under basic warranty (60,000 mi limit) and is owner's responsibility
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No repair or recall available for 2016 model; manufacturer declined warranty coverage due to mileage exceeding basic 60,000-mile limit
Airbag Deployment Failure—Bag Does Not Inflate
In a February 2017 collision, the driver-side airbag deployed but failed to inflate properly, providing no cushioning protection during impact. Occupant struck dash and steering wheel, sustaining multiple fractures.
When: February 2017; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag triggered but did not inflate; Occupant struck hard surfaces unprotected; Multiple fractures including arm (three parts), wrist, and nose
Repairs/costs cited: Significant injuries requiring medical treatment; vehicle impact likely resulted in total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in complaint
Airbag Non-Deployment in Side-Impact Collision
Vehicle struck on passenger side at 15 mph; airbags deployed in this case, but injuries still occurred to head and leg, requiring medical attention and resulting in vehicle total loss. Included for contrast: airbags did function in this incident.
When: Mileage 62,000; specific date not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed appropriately; Occupant injuries to head and right leg despite deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed and towed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of the issue
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 Kia Sorento?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2016 Kia Sorento?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 46,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Kia/Sorento.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.