2016 Kia Sorento -

I have the exact same issue with my 2016 SXL. I too noticed the suction sound when it struggles to open, I wonder if the gasket gets stuck to the door after sitting closed for a while. Maybe I'll try some light grease on the gasket.

I just recently have had the same problem. I took it to the dealer and they said it would have to be replaced since it had over 60000 miles that it wasnt covered under warranty. Sound to me like they should put a recall on it.

Try wiping the gasket down with a conditioner. Mine hasn't done it in several months after doing that. I really think the gasket sticks and the door thinks something is in the way.

Mine is doing the same. It has been intermittently acting up but the wife and I thought it may have been the temperature swings. Last night returning from the store it did not open at all. Tried several times with no luck. Removed the small door from inside and actuated the white lever to manually pop the hatch. Manually raising the hatch then using key fob to lower it electrically caused additional problems. Now the hatch will not close and lock but cycles open again after about 3 seconds. I manually lowered the hatch again after several attempts but it would not electrically cycle again. As mentioned above, I can hear the cylinder sound like it unlocks then that "sucking" sound like the seal is sticking. I have lubed the seal and lock with no change whatsoever in the operation. Could this be the locking actuator or the power lift support struts?

same problem here... happens all the time. now my lift latch broke! it got stuck with the trunk closed, i used the emergency release to open it... bad idea! now i cannot close it. i had to tie it closed with rope from the inside handle. and constant beeping thinking the door is open when i drive, not to mention esentially unlocked door all the time.

I have the same problem... :( I'll call Kia dealer on Monday

On my Sorento 2016 hatch door would power open normally but then right away go down and close. It started to behave like this after I moved and in my new garage I had to manually stop it from hitting the garage door above, ( its a tiny garage). So this door failed to chop my head off couple of times, it looks like Sorento has lots of problems with Latch door. Here is what I did and so far it works for me, door stays open. When you open it put it manually at the desired height and press "close" button on the lower part of the latch for few second until it beeps. Basically it is a procedure from the manual to select the height of the latch opening. Then do the same procedure with fully open latch. I hope this helps.

I have taken my 2016 to the dealer numerous times and every time the latch of course works for them. I've been told nothing is wrong. The latch was changed and it still isn't fixed. I have videos to prove it is faulty but they say if they don't see it 1st hand it's fine. Im so beyond frustrated. I can't pinpoint when it will act up.

I have a 2017/18 Kia and it just started to do this and I will not accept anything short of we're going to fix this for you man and if they don't I'm coming back here to find all of you and we're going to get a petition going on this. Saying that they haven't heard of this from anybody else is ridiculous!

My hatchback on my 2015 Kia Sorento opens then closes abruptly to half way. It came down on my head

Yep. At the dealership now with my 2016 (bought brand new in 2016) Kia Sorento. Dec. 2019 the trunk began to give me fits. Started off having difficulty opening, then progressed to helping it open, to now 2020 it won't open. The Kia service center are trying to get it open.....so reading other people's exact issue, I would think this is a recall or an needed update on Kia's behalf, but appears this is happening often than least.

2016 Kia Sorento...mine is also stuck closed and will not open. My sun roof also opens and doesn't want to close. I swear I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle.

I have the same problem as you all have above. Tailgate getting stuck all the time and have to help it open by pulling on it and then will be OK for a 2-4 weeks and then back to being stuck and sometimes stuck each day for 3-4 days. When I brought my 2018 Kia Sorento to the dealer to have a look at I was laughed at and talked to like I was crazy. I was told by the service staff that the door struts where so powerful and that it is impossible that would ever happen as they are so powerful. Also told that this is not an issue that has ever been reported by anyone. Just one simple google search and I found this with lot of the same problem. What was the fix for you all. Thanks

My power tailgate has stopped working completely today. I found i can still get into my trunk by turning the power tailgate off and opening it manually. Will take it to the dealer asap.

I have now had latch replaced,hydraulics replaced,and seal conditioned multiple times. Still ongoing issue for almost 3 years. Most recently in shop and they are changing the entire seal. Parts ordered. Hopefully this will solve this ongoing frustrating issue.

I have a 2016 Sorento DSL with the same problem ,the back latch getting stuck.

I also have a 2016 Sorrento in which the power liftgate would attempt to open and then draw back down shut immediately. If I helped it slightly by using my hand then it would open without any issues. I assumed it was the power struts losing strength capacity to lift the door on its own. Then it dawned on me that I park my car in a slight uphill with the front end of the car facing down. Apparently the vehicle in this position creates extra weight on the liftgate when attempting to open and the sensors get tricked that something is obstructing the gate and draws it back down I therefore move the car to a flat surface and "BINGO", no more issues. I have attempted this experiment multiple times with the same results. I hope this can help someone!

I began having the same issue of not opening on my 2016 Sorento. I unlatched the lift gate from the inside with the safety latch. While trouble shooting it was totally intermittent, one time not opening then the next not latching. I found that many times it would latch and then reopen immediately. I then pushed the tailgate hard (use care, very soft and can bend the tailgate ) the last 2 to 3 inches and it would latch but not open. Wondering if anyone has had the control module replaced? I tried adjusting the stops to see if they had any effect but it did not help either way.

At the shop now for my 2017. Same issue. Of course millage part of warranty ran out and dealership wants a grand to replace struts. Not happening

Soooo....after a bazillion trips to dealership.... they changed the entire trunk seal and knock on wood, no issues at all for the last 3 months...cheapest fix and done last resort...sooo maybe you all can suggest this to be done. This is what was completed after a tech call was finally placed to kia manufacturer and I left my car sit at the lot for almost 3 weeks...

My 2016 Sorento power tailgate had similar problems intermittently since I brought the car brand new from the dealer. I took the car back to get it check out many times. They told me there’s no problem every time. I was told that the signals has to cycle through than it will open & close, I thought it might be the key fob battery this time. Changed batteries on both key fobs, tailgate still won’t open. I can hear the latch making the noice but won’t open. Opened from inside manually, try to close it with the key fob, the tailgate will respond to close but won’t latch and pop back open. End up have manually close it with a little force, Now it won’t open, I still can hear the latch clicking responding but just won’t open now. It’s been a week. Taking to the shop this morning to check it out. I just hope it doesn’t cost arms and legs to resolve this issue, I am sure of that the shop at the dealer would tells me the warranty won’t cover it!

I'm having same issues in my 2014 kia sorento. Tailgate hit me in the head many times. It just closes by itself while I'm still loading groceries. Had it fixed while under warranty. Issue never went away but only happens occasionally. Now suddenly I can only open and close manually. Hopefully its still covered under the previous warranty. Nearest dealer is about 30 miles away so not exactly convenient.

I am having a similar issue with my 2916 Kia Sorento SX. A month or so ago the rear door won’t close when open or stat at a set height. It will open when closed to the original head banging height. But must be pushed up and manually closed. Will not reset height using the button.

Guru9Z9LNZ update on 2016 power liftgate Took it to the dealer service, they told me the latch broken. As I suspected, it pass the 60,000 miles warranty, not covered. It costed me $500 for replacement and reset the codes. It’s happy now but Kia should have recall the power gate issue since there are so many Sorento having the same problem!

The fix is to disconnect the battery for 15 minutes, then perform the tail gate relearn procedure by opening the tailgate then holding the tailgate button for about 3 seconds. then you can close the tailgate normally. This fixes the issue for about 1 week, still no answer from KIA on what the problem actually is but we think it may be a tailgate module issue.

My 2016 Sorento SXL tailgate would not lift with the power, would power down but not up. Took it to the dealer today and they were not able to figure it out??? Tonight I disconnected the battery for 15 minutes and reconnected. The tailgate works again!! Thank you for the suggestion. Sometimes dealers just overlook the simple things.

My 2016 Sorento SLX has the uphill issue mentioned by Guru99SR1G. I back into my driveway leaving the rear in a slightly uphill position and the gate begins to open and then shuts immediately. Problem began around 35K and dealer could not reproduce until yesterday 57K when I did it for them. Now beyond 5 yr warranty and they really don't know if its the struts or not. They offered to split the cost. Yes my gate opens properly when on a flat grade so who knows what the answer is. If anyone replaced the struts and it resolved the uphill issue, please let me know.

I have the same problem on my 2016 SX. Tailgate would open a few inches and close right away. Bought it used from a Kia dealer. They replaced the power struts and it didn’t fix the issue. The smart tailgate will beep but not open by itself. I’m just gonna trade it back in soon. It’s got a few other issues also. I’ve been a master tech for 20 years and I won’t spend the time to address these issues. It’s not worth it for me

I have a 2016 SXL Sorento and I tried spraying the seal with silicon lubricant. This has solved the problem. Give it a try.

Like Chainplate, I have a 2016 SXL Sorento and I sprayed the seal with silicon lubricant and cleaned the mating surface. This has solved the problem, at leatst for now. Give it a try before disconnecting the battery for a reset. Going to the dealership should always be a last resort, unless under warranty.