2020 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (47) · Power Train (17) · Trailer Hitches (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sorento model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
28 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Trailer Hitches 2022-09-19 · campaign 22V703000 · 70,887 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Service bulletins (92)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-10 · SC365_OWNR_UM · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (sc365) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting an important voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic control module (ecm) to ensure compliance with emissi
Engine 2026-09-09 · SC365_STKR · Emissions
sc365_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
Engine 2026-09-09 · SC365_POC · Emissions
sc365_poc: proof of correction card
Engine 2026-09-09 · SC365_QA · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: question and answer (sc365) – this document is the question and answer guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding voluntary emissions service campaign sc365.
Engine 2026-09-09 · SC365_DPSM · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: dealer parts and service manager memo (sc365) - this document is the announcement to dealer parts and service managers advising that kia is conducting an important voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic con
Engine 2026-09-09 · SC365_DP · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: dealer principal memo (sc365) - this document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that kia is conducting an important voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic control module (ecm) to ensure
Showing the 6 most recent of 92 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-24 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“**suspected sudden unintended acceleration – 2020 kia sorento ex v6** on october 24, 2026, the driver of a 2020 kia sorento ex v6 experienced two episodes of suspected sudden unintended acceleration. the vehicle reportedly accelerated unexpectedly while in reverse (r), causing it to collide with an apartment building. following the initial colli…”
2026-10-22 · Engine“i bought a used 2020 kia sorento lx 2.4l in 2022. it had 15,000 miles on it. at 50,000 miles i noticed it was consuming oil. i have been changing the oil at 5,000 mile intervals even though the manual calls out to do it every 7,500 miles. i have records of the maintenance for every oil change done on this vehicle. i kept a log and now at 54,740 mil…”
2026-10-17 · Visibility/Wiper“this incident occurred on 10/03/26 at approx. 11:45 am. location: squankum-yellowbrook rd. (524a) howell nj. temp: 73 f. road condition: 2 lane rural clear and dry. description of incident: while driving @ approx. 40 mph with no on-coming or traffic ahead or behind, the entire right rear passenger window spontaneously imploded, explosively show…”
2026-10-07 · Engine · 34,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 kia sorento. the contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle and the vehicle shuddered abnormally. the contact stated that the forward collision avoidance warning light was temporarily illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagno…”
2026-09-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“driving at highway speed, the vehicle began to make a loud rattling noise that came from under the vehicle. a passerby pulled even with my car and began frantically gesturing. after a few seconds of confusion, me daughter said the she thought the man was saying "it's on fire." we pulled over to the shoulder of the road, exited quickly and realized …”
2026-09-18 · Vehicle Speed Control · 35,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2020 kia sorento. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked back and forth, accelerated unintendedly, and crashed into the corner plaster wall of a friend's garage, causing plaster to fall onto the front of the vehicle. the vehicle was …”
2026-09-01 · Unknown Or Other“while driving my 2020 kia sorento on the freeway at highway speed, the panoramic sunroof suddenly shattered without warning. there was a very loud explosive sound that startled and frightened me while i was driving. i was not aware of anything striking the sunroof immediately before it shattered, and there were no warning lights, messages, noises, …”
2026-08-31 · Air Bags · 9,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 kia sorento. the contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated while an occupant was seated in the front passenger’s seat. the dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls or warranty associated with the vehicle failure. the manufacturer wa…”
2026-08-18 · Engine“my 2020 kia sorento stalled and shut off while driving and eventually stopped working completely, requiring it to be towed to a kia dealership. the dealership first replaced the starter and then the high-pressure fuel pump, but the vehicle still would not operate. after further diagnosis, i was informed that the timing chain had failed/broken and t…”
2026-07-29 · Power Train“the contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns 2020 kia sorento. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a routine oil change when the contact was informed that there was an unknown issue with the vehicle however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnos…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.