2020 Kia SORENTO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
18,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 134 complaints (47.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 5.2% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 64 |
| Unknown Or Other | 24 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Trailer Hitches | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Engine: 64; Unknown Or Other: 24; Power Train: 18; Electrical System: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Trailer Hitches: 9; Service Brakes: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 108 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 40 |
| 2026 | 30 |
2020: 7; 2021: 11; 2022: 11; 2023: 21; 2024: 14; 2025: 40; 2026: 30
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11310921 · 2020-02-23 (February 23, 2020)
I HAVE A 2020 KIA SORENTO V6. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AT THE SAME SPEED, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. THEY REPROGRAMED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE 2 TIMES WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IN ALL 4 DRIVING MODES. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 10-22-2019 AND THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 3 OR 4 DAYS LATER AND CONTINUES THROUGH TODAY 2-23-2020.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11310921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326068 · 2020-05-26 (May 26, 2020)
THE TRANSMISSION WILL ACT IN A VERY ERRATIC MANNER WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST DRIVEN AFTER SITTING COLD FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS WHEN ACCELERATING, AND PERSISTS UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A FEW MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397159 · 2021-02-21 (February 21, 2021)
I HAVE A 2020 SORENTO THAT HAS ~9,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEAT CHIME STARTED GOING OFF AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT HOT. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR HELP, THEN TRIED TO GO A SMIDGE FURTHER UP THE ROAD. WITHIN 200 YARDS IT CHIMED AGAIN AND THE TEMP WENT HOT. PUT AN ENTIRE JUG OF COOLANT IN AND MY RESCUE DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A TRAIL OF COOLANT POURING OUT BEHIND ME. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE OR FROM LOOKING AT THE ENGINE WITH THE HOOD UP. WE WERE TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414892 · 2021-05-03 (May 3, 2021)
MY CAR STALLED AS I STARTED TO DRIVE. AS I STARTED TO PARK AGAIN IT SHUT DOWN. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED AGAIN. MY INTENTION IS TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ASAP.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397141 · 2021-02-20 (February 20, 2021)
THE ABS DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO PULSATE MY KIA DOES NOT DO THAT WHEN I HAVE TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES THE BRAKES DO WHAT I CALL SKIP WHERE MY FOOT IS USUALLY PUSHED OFF BRAKES AND STOPS BRAKING COMPLETELY. DUE TO THIS MY FAMILY ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES WHEN I COULD AVOID A DEER THAT RAN OUT INTO THE ROAD WHEN I WAS EVATUCATING FOR HURRICANE DELTA.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406564 · 2021-04-05 (April 5, 2021)
VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF US ON A STATE HIGHWAY. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR FAILED TO STOP WITHIN REASONABLE DISTANCE AND PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT. CAUSING US TO STRIKE A CONCRETE WALL DESTROYING THE CAR AND MASONRY WALL. THREE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR IMJURIES. BRAKES ALWAYS FELT WEAK BUT SINCE WE BOUGHT IT AS A NEW CAR WE DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER. UPON LOOKING OVER THE CRASH SCENE ONLY A SINGLE SKID MARK WAS OBSERVED FROM OUR CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR DID NOT ENGAGE OR THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED CAU…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498880 · 2022-12-26 (December 26, 2022)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11504393 · 2023-01-30 (January 30, 2023)
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the battery drained quickly after not driving the vehicle for several days. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11504393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425238 · 2021-07-17 (July 17, 2021)
I was driving on my way to work and suddenly I heard a Boom and the car turn off, all the warning signs came on, no power steering while I’m driving at 45 mph. Few seconds later the car turns on by itself. All this while I was driving. I was so scared. There was other vehicles around me, I was afraid to hit them or them to hit me.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11484070 · 2022-09-12 (September 12, 2022)
Unknown. There is a rattling noise coming from behind the steering wheel. I have it on video on 2 different occasions. I took my vehicle to a Kia dealer and had it looked at they cannot figure out the issue or hear it. It comes and goes and happens when I accelerate. I spoke to Kia customer service and they advised me to make a complaint on here.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11484070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11600830 · 2024-07-10 (July 10, 2024)
The engine light consistently comes on and off. When you go to diagnose problem it would read- because the engine light would stay on. Two mechanics looked at it, and are saying it’s a failing fuel pump. And it’s not working correctly. The car just shut off and stopped working while exiting a busy freeway. Just cut off in the middle of the exit/road.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11600830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11757589 · 2026-08-18 (August 18, 2026)
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 the engine needed to be replaced, with a new engine quoted at approximately $12,000. I am concerned that this type of sudden engine failure and shutdown could create a serious safety hazard, especially…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11757589 at NHTSA ↗