Recall 16V770 affects 1,408 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles for weak driver-seatback welds. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 1,408 2016 Sorento vehicles because inadequate welds in the driver's seatback frame can let the seatback fail in a rear-end crash. If the frame breaks, the seatback can fail to restrain the driver and increase injury risk; Kia dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver's seatback frame in the 2016 Kia Sorento is the metal structure inside the front seatback. It supports the driver in normal seating and helps the seatback hold its shape during a rear-end collision. The frame depends on welded joints, which are fused connection points between pieces of metal, to keep that support in place.
On affected Sorentos, the seatback frame was produced with inadequate weld joints. A weak weld can let part of the frame move or separate under crash forces. If that happens in a rear-end collision, the driver's seatback can fail to perform as designed, reducing the support the seat is supposed to provide.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat can look and feel normal in everyday driving, so the VIN decides whether this recall applies to a specific 2016 Sorento.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Kia Sorento | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,408 |
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?
In a crash, the driver seatback frame can break and fail to restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury. Schedule the inspection soon, especially if the driver seat has felt loose or damaged. 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 a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free weld inspection and any driver-seatback-frame replacement needed to fix inadequate weld joints.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V770 and Kia recall SC140 when you call.
- Drive with care until the repair is complete, since the driver seatback is part of crash restraint.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the welds on the driver seatback frame. If the welds do not meet the recall repair standard, the technician replaces the driver seatback frame. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a related repair, Kia's general reimbursement plan covers repair expenses already incurred. Bring repair documentation to the service desk or contact Kia customer service to start the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 24, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 29, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| November 29, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 9, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V770?
Recall 16V770 covers 1,408 2016 Kia Sorento SUVs with driver seatback frame welds that were not made correctly. In a rear-end crash, the frame can break and fail to restrain the seat occupant, increasing injury risk. Kia dealers inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Kia Sorento is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sorento is included in recall 16V770. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the driver seatback frame inspection. Give the dealer recall number SC140 or NHTSA campaign 16V770 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Kia to repair this defect at no cost to the owner. A franchised Kia dealer will inspect the driver seatback frame welds and replace the frame if needed, free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my 2016 Kia Sorento before the recall repair?
Kia has not issued a do-not-drive order for recall 16V770. The safety risk is tied to a rear-end crash, where the driver seatback frame can break and fail to restrain the seat occupant. Check your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your Sorento is included.
When did Kia start this recall repair?
Kia began the recall repair on December 9, 2016. If your 2016 Sorento is included and the repair was never completed, a franchised Kia dealer can still inspect the driver seatback frame welds and replace the frame if needed at no cost.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V770000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V770 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V770000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation 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 →