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ProblemsByVin Index / 2020-KIA-SORENTO / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2020 Kia Sorento owner complaints

128 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 3 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 6 complaints shown

48 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/20/2024 ODI #11631822.0

I was informed at routine maintenance that engine was burning oil. This was an issue since I purchased vehicle at 16k miles. Shortly after 80,000 engine spontaneous started knocking. I had it towed to the dealership that confirmed it was a spontaneous engine failure.

12/18/2025 151,025 mi ODI #11705844.0

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a small oil leak on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact checked the oil level and added a quart of oil to the engine. The vehicle was driven approximately 50 miles. The contact parked the vehicle and checked the oil level again. They noticed that the oil level was low and added another quart of oil. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven another 15 miles, and the contact stopped at the grocery store. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the contact noticed a clicking sound, as if the engine was attempting to start. The contact continued, stating that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mech

11/24/2024 ODI #11627137.0

On 11/19/2024 I was driving when my Kia begin to sputter and lose power, and the check engine light came on. I was on an interstate so I exited and pulled over, after paying 400.00 in tow fees it was determined my engine had failed with only 126,291 miles. I never had any indication of problems with my engine it happened in the blink of an eye

11/13/2024 ODI #11624906.0

I have noticed at around 36,000 miles excessive oil consumption and knocking sound in the engine.I know the have this problem with older models, but you get the push around from dealership and Kia corporate. Thanks

10/29/2024 58,325 mi Fire ODI #11622429.0

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 53- 55 MPH, the contact suddenly noticed that their surrounding drivers were honking for her attention. Eventually, another nearby driver notified the contact by pointing down and yelling out "fire". The vehicle then stalled and the contact was able to use its momentum to coast to the side of the road where the vehicle then completely came to a stop. The contact exited the vehicle safely. The police and fire department had arrived and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent a certified mechanic and an inspector from the manufactu

10/27/2025 ODI #11695829.0

My car is burning excessive amounts of oil with no leak

electrical 4 complaints shown

18 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/28/2025 ODI #11707314.0

I wanted to add to a previous claim I had already submitted, I found an item that had fallen out of my engine, I don't know if I can submit a picture on here but I will try.

12/28/2025 ODI #11707320.0

I have placed below what I have sent to Kia company.

12/26/2022 Fire ODI #11498880.0

There already is a recall for my problem, NHTSA Recall #22V703, but Kia has refused to honor the recall after my vehicle electrical wires started burning, exactly as warned in the Recall. Kia asserts that the trailer hitch and wiring was not installed by Kia, but in fact it was installed by a Kia Dealer.

10/23/2025 ODI #11695305.0

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. The blinkers and the radio were inoperable for several seconds before returning to normal function. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times while the contact and the contact's wife were driving the vehicle. The contact stated the failure was a major safety hazard, especially while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was required to pay a fee for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

other 3 complaints shown

12/26/2025 ODI #11707188.0

I was driving my vehicle and all the sudden all the lights on my dashboard came on, I am going to try and remember exactly which ones came on. The engine malfunction light, the ABS light, the battery light, the EPS light, the oil light, there were more lights that came on but I don't know the exact name of it. Then I heard a pop, smoke pouring through the vents, this all happened within 30 seconds. I quickly pulled into a driveway, there was a flame coming from beneath the hood. I ran up to the person's house. I was ringing the doorbell, they instantly seen what was happening. The male owner of the home came running out with a fire extinguisher and put out the flame. I kept up with all the maintenance of my vehicle, oil changes, making sure everything was up to date. All the oil had poured

12/20/2024 ODI #11631807.0

All of the adas not working. The wheel sensor right rear quit working and causes all the advanced safety systems to quit working. Had the left rear sensor to go out this year. I am [XXX] and do not feel safe driving without these safety systems working. No urgency to fix the issue. Vehicle under Warranty with 48980 miles. Have a January 7 appointment at Kia Hilton Head and a Feb 7 at Kia of Savannah. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

12/14/2022 ODI #11497397.0

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

powertrain 3 complaints shown

17 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
11/19/2020 5,000 mi ODI #11375411.0

I bought this can brand new 4/30/20. I noticed small erratic stuttering in the engine while cruising at 30-40 MPH. I wasn't sure what it was or that I did something to create it. A friend was riding with me and ssk what what causing the issues. I said you can feel that? I took the car in in oct @ the first oild change 6kmiles on the care at this point. The drive mode would be different each starting as well. The dealership was able to recreate the issue. They reset the drive modes and said that should fix it. Here we are a mth later at 7k miles on the car. Its still happening as well as lurching when stopped. Took it in today and they said there's nothing wrong and could not recreate it. From what I understand this is an ongoing issue that they don't seem concerned about getting the issue

10/29/2020 ODI #11366977.0

We purchased the 2020 sorrento v6 with the 8 speed automatic transmission. From the very beginning the transmission had an erratic shift when it was cold. Took the vehicle to the dealer and they said they were going to install a new transmission in it. Found out when I pick up the vehicle up that they in fact installed a rebuilt transmission, vehicle now has 1100 miles on it. Problem was not fixed. Took the vehicle back and the dealer I was informed that a kai rep was going to come out and look at the vehicle. That is exactly what he did he looked at the vehicle and drove it. The Kia rep then drove another sorrento on the lot and reported back that my sorrento was 'operating as designed'. I also drove two other v6 8 speed sorrento's that were on the lot and they were both having the

10/27/2025 97,085 mi ODI #11695745.0

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that for approximately a month, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the jerking stopped while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the mechanic test-drove the vehicle and stated that the failure might be associated with the transmission. The contact stated that after visiting the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,085.

visibility 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
12/22/2022 ODI #11498521.0

Friday 12/16 car was being driven at 55 MPH on a rural road with no traffic around it when the Panoramic Sunroof exploded. Very loud boom and my wife thought she had a blow out. Immediately pulled over to check the vehicle. No tire or body damage was found until she looked on top of the vehicle. Total back panel of the Sunroof (over the back seat area) had shattered and appeared to be raising up in the middle of the glass. She had no other options so she drove the car on home. As she drove home glass fell down onto the sunshade as the glass came apart. I have reported the incident to Kia Consumer Assistance and Power Kia of Salem where we bought the vehicle but neither are responding to my request for them to fix the problem through the warranty program. Car only has a little more

suspension 1 complaint shown

11/30/2024 ODI #11628051.0

We bought a brand new 2020 Kia Sorento on [XXX]. A little after a year we started to notice noises from the wheel hubs. Kia has replaced the tires thinking that was the problem, but it failed to be fixed. We have replaced Rotors, wheels, hubs and bearings but the problem persists. The last facility that replaced all 4-wheel hub bearings assembly said that since we have brought the vehicle to 4 different locations and the problem persist that we should write a complaint to nhtsa.gov. We feel unsafe to drive the kia due to the noise which is very loud. There are no warning lights on in the vehicle. The car is available for inspection upon request. We don't know what else to do or where to go from here since not even the Kia dealer has been able to correct the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED P

lighting 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $250 · see lighting cluster analysis →
11/01/2025 ODI #11696904.0

the car the engine wast the oil in 1 week that every weeks it has problem in the ring of the engine , we just buy the car they tell us it has it had guarantee talking to the bank and the where I buy the car it don't show . it has a bad smell of wet and burnt oil ..

seatbelts 1 complaint shown

10/26/2021 Crash ODI #11438180.0

I was driving on the highway at 65 mph with other flow of triffid. As I was crested a hill, I had notice ahead there was emergency vehicles ahead about half-three quarter mile and I had let go of the accelerator. By the time I had looked down in front of me there was a vehicle that appeared to not have stopped due to not seeing any brake lights. By the time I realized the vehicle had stopped, I rear ended him. During the collision the was six people in the vehicle including myself. Me, my wife and four of our children. Ages 13, 11, 7 & 2. The 2 yr old was in a car seat. Out of the the 6 seatbelts that were buckled were dislodged from it receptacle. The 11 yr old daughter was flung to the front of the vehicle hitting her head into the dashboard causing a concussion and neck pain. The front

Showing 300 of 128 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Kia/Sorento#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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