Recall 15V446 affects 2,587 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles for a front passenger seat belt buckle defect. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 2,587 2016 Sorento SUVs because the front passenger seat belt buckle latch assembly can prevent the passenger from fastening the belt. If the belt will not latch, the front passenger faces an increased risk of injury in a crash; Kia dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger seat belt buckle in the 2016 Kia Sorento is the receiver mounted beside the seat. It is designed to accept the metal latch tongue from the belt and lock it in place, so the passenger can fasten the belt before the vehicle moves.
In affected Sorentos, the buckle latch assembly does not always let the latch tongue seat correctly. Kia's repair part adds a guide plate inside the buckle cover, which keeps the latch tongue from interfering with the buckle mechanism. Without that guidance inside the cover, the passenger seat belt can fail to latch even when the belt is pulled across the passenger normally.
What you notice is direct: the front passenger cannot fasten the seat belt. The buckle refuses to lock onto the latch tongue, so the belt will not click into place.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Kia Sorento | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2,587 |
Not every 2016 Kia Sorento is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front passenger seat belt will not latch, that passenger is at higher risk of injury in a crash. The problem is obvious because the buckle will not fasten. Do not use that seating position until the buckle cover is replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Kia Sorento is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free front passenger seat belt buckle cover replacement that fixes the buckle latch issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V446 when you call.
- Avoid carrying a front passenger until the buckle cover is replaced if the seat belt will not latch.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the front passenger seat belt buckle cover. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 15V446. The repair addresses the buckle latch assembly issue tied to the front passenger seat belt fastening problem. If you already paid for this repair, Kia's general reimbursement plan covers repair expenses already incurred. Ask Kia customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit documentation for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 14, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 7, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| August 7, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 18, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 18, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V446?
Recall 15V446 covers 2,587 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles with a front passenger seat belt buckle latch assembly that can prevent the belt from fastening. Kia dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Kia Sorento is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific SUV is included in recall 15V446. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule replacement of the front passenger seat belt buckle cover. Reference Kia recall SC123 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost. Kia's remedy says dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover free of charge at any franchised Kia dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the front passenger seat belt cannot latch. If that seat belt is not fastened, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury in a crash. Kia's free dealer repair replaces the buckle cover.
What if I bought my Kia Sorento used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sorento is included, then call a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall 15V446.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V446000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V446 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V446000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →