Complaint volume
127 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Kia Sorento Complaints
127 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Kia Sorento, grouped by component category.
127 Total complaints
9 Crash reports
11 Fire reports
10 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, power train, trailer hitches. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 9 crash reports, 11 fire reports, 10 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 23 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 39,484 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, power train, trailer hitches?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Kia Sorento?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Kia Sorento
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Kia Sorento complaints?
9 Crash
11 Fire
10 Injury
1 Fatality
9 Towed
8 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Kia Sorento complaint categories?
ENGINE 41
POWER TRAIN 10
TRAILER HITCHES 7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 4
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 4
SERVICE BRAKES 4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 3
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3
127 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | STEERING | MY STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING LOUD CLUNK NOISES AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THEN 20 MILES PER HOUR AND IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ENGINE | My vehicle developed an unexpected oil leak, when the oil plug worked itself loose, and then fell out, resulting in a catastrophic engine failure (and subsequent $11,000 engine replacement). Upon taking it to a nearby mechanic, he discovered the plug sitting in the splash shield. The sudden loss of engine power, on the highway, created a traffic hazard for myself, and the other motorists around me; fortunately, I was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and move it to a safe location. The problem has been documented several times to the NHTSA, as well as several other organizations related to vehicle maintenance, specifically oil changes and services. There were no indications as to an oil leak, prior to the plug falling out entirely, and a cloud of black smoke billowing out from behind my vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | While driving my 2020 Kia Sorrento at low speeds, my brakes will lock up on me, and it sounds like metal to metal. Rubbing, I was almost rear, ended because of it. It feels like a very hard grab. This is happened quite a few times and I am a commuter so it’s very scary not knowing when this is going to happen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ENGINE,FIRERELATED | The vehicle was not even 3.5 years old, it had been serviced in February 2023 and there was no warning before the fire began. The vehicle stopped accelerating and I immediately pulled over. The fire began as soon as I stopped the car and the vehicle was engulfed within minutes. My daughter and I were in the car. We barely escaped before the vehicle was on fire. I did not have a vehicle hitch on the vehicle and this was unrelated to the vehicle recall notice that I received several weeks after my incident. | Crash: No Fire: Yes Injuries: 2 | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving on a paved highway, very light traffic in the early afternoon at approximately 65 miles per hour the sunroof on my vehicle suddenly and violently exploded spraying shards of glass everywhere. The "explosion" caused me to veer from the roadway and momentarily lose control of the vehicle. My safety as well as my 2 (two) passengers were placed at risk. Damage to my vehicle is substantial and both of my passengers complained of bits of glass in their eyes. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 2 | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The engine overheated passed the point that the radiator could keep it cool and cause the radiator to crack and explode | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | SUSPENSION,WHEELS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While driving on freeway, approximately 70mph, on my way to work, I all of a sudden without warning was unable to control my vehicle with the steering wheel. Somehow I seemed to have lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle spun around. I could have collided with another vehicle or could have been hit by oncoming traffic, but thankfully I was not near to any other vehicles at the time of incident. I was unable to drive it afterwards as the entire back left wheel was completely detached. I had to get the vehicle towed back to my house then eventually to Kia. Kia will not admit faulty equipment although that is the only explanation of the incident that happened on the freeway. The entire left rear suspension system has to be repaired. ALthought there are no signs of a collision with the vehicle, Kia and the extended warranty company is attempting to place blame on me being in a collision, which is 100% inaccurate. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Burning oil and no warning lights come on for low oil, had the car looked at and was told that there are no leaks. Mechanic also told me that it is the piston rings and that he has had other customers with the same experience and was told that kia is honoring the engine warranty even though the car is out of warranty, but will not fix mine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ENGINE | Engine light came on flashing and vehicle losing power. Took to Kia Dealership and told there was a rod bearing malfunction. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | While adding the anti theft software to our 2020 sorento they short circuited the BLM which is the brain box for the vehicle. They have had the car for 4 weeks now and they say the have the part on order but they do not know when the part will be sent. In the mean while they are making us pay for a rental car on our credit card until the part comes in and then will reimburse us. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I had my recalls on my vehicle completed by a kia dealership and need that to reflect in your system for my vin so I can ship my vehicle due to military permanent change of duty station orders. I will be shipping my vehicle on 31 May 2023 and need this resolved prior to doing so. Please assist ASAP. Thank you! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | This morning, I had the software upgrade patch applied to my 2020 Kia Sorento that was supposed to fix the potential theft issue. After that service appointment, I started a 2 hour road trip. We stopped for gas and when we went into the store, I noticed that my car was not sounding the horn when I hit the key FOB twice like normal. I went back to the car and saw that the car was in fact not locked. I was able to lock the car manually, but had I not paid attention, someone could have snuck into my unlocked car. Later in the roadtrip, I needed to clean my windshield using wiperfluid and wipers. I sprayed the wiper fluid, but to my surprise the windshield wipers did not activate. I tried all the settings on the stick to activate the wipers, but they did not activate. I was driving 70mph on a highway and could not see. This was a huge safety problem. Luckily this was momentary as the speed cleared the wiper fluid. But had it been raining, I would not have been able to see which is unsafe for me, my passengers and those around me. Third, I noticed that my headlights were not working as expected. The Auto setting did not seem to be activating as normal. After playing with it, it appears that the Auto and Off settings on the lights seem to be switched. This is unsafe because drivers rely on that Auto setting to turn the lights on when it is necessary. They may think the lights are on when they are not and are not able to be seen by other drivers. By the time I realized these things, the service department at the dealership was already closed. I have tried to leave them a voicemail, but their phone is not set up to accept that. I have sent an email and will be calling them as soon as they reopen on Monday. There are no warning messages to tell the drive about these issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. 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 not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | VISIBILITY | The contact had rented a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, both the front passenger and rear passenger's side windows exploded. The contact stated that there was no external cause to the failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired, and was returned to the vehicle rental company. The failure mileage was 4,537. The VIN was unavailable. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,357 |
| Mar 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that he recently purchased the vehicle and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) upon purchase. The contact stated that the dealer provided the recall information however, the dealer did not inform the owner of when the parts were to become available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | 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 local dealer was contacted. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | No remedy to fix in over three months. Told not to drive car if installed | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The forward collision warning system went off and instantly brought my vehicle to a stop in the middle of the interstate and traffic, causing me to be rear-ended. I was at least one car length if not more behind the person ahead of me. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Made a right turn wasn't going over 20mph wheel locked system went dead hit a parked car and my car flipped don't know why | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TRAILER HITCHES | 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 the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| Jan 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | 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 local dealer was contacted. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | VISIBILITY | 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 than 20,000 miles on it. Dealer Service Manager says he has never heard of such a problem but it only takes a google search to see that this happens often. Very dangerous if that sunshade had been open and I think this needs to be looked into. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |