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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2022 | 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her daughter saw smoke coming out of the vehicle. The contact stated that as she opened the vehicle, she saw flames on the front side of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent out a field technician to investigate the cause of the failure. The manufacturer later sent a letter to the contact stating that the cause of the failure was undetermined. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) as her vehicle was equipped with a trailer hitch. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. | Crash: No Fire: Yes Towed | 26,000 |
| Sep 2022 | FIRERELATED | Driving back from vacation from California to Texas we smelled smoke and then within minutes of trying to pull over from highway the car was on fire. Got burt on my face and hand,second degree burn. CW | Crash: No Fire: Yes Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My problem is the "Emergency" key on the key fob. I've never had the problems with other fobs that I've had with this one. The other day I was in a food store and had my keys in my jacket pocket and I must have leaned forward and all of a sudden my horn started blowing fiercely. I heard it when it started because I was in the store and about 100 feet from my car. Several times I've accidently depressed the rear hatch button and it would go up. I feel these fobs are a great hazard because you may not be close enough to hear the horn, or notice when your rear hatch goes up. People could walk by and steal whatever you have in the back. I'm always worried when I leave my vehicle in a parking lot. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | MY DAUGHTER'S FATHER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 12/17/2020, HIS VEHICLE FULLY ENGULFED RESULTING IN HIS DEATH | Crash: Yes Fire: Yes Injuries: 1 Fatalities: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 mph when another vehicle swerved in front causing them to rear-end the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's vehicle, as well as, the other vehicle had been damaged. The contact sustained injuies to her head, neck, and back. The contact had a passenger in the vehicle who sustained abdomen and neck injuries. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed however it had not been decided if the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer as of yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure was 37,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | 37,000 |
| Feb 2022 | POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE | Here’s the deal, what I would is for the dealership to accept a fair trade of equal monthly payments on a new Kia Sorento 2022. So here’s the deal I have a 2020 Kia Sorento LX looking to do a even trade for a 2022 Kia Sorento, same monthly payments of 540. I’ve filed a complaint with corporate about a issue I’ve had with my current kia which it has had a issue running around 4k rpm in sport mode and won’t drop down below normal ranges until in smart mode when I brought it in for its routine maintenance they said that the transmission was just catching up to the speed? Well on February 11th my wife was driving my car and the car experienced a issue were the engine was loud and car was slow an couldn’t get above 60mph. My cars drive SyncUP got this error code Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDLInput) (P0705), took it into kia east the next day, they claimed everything was safe and they couldn’t find anything wrong with it after having 3 techs look at it. On February 13th on Alabama highway going 70mph my blind spot collision warning came on, car made a clunking noise from the transmission, felt like we got hit, went from 70mph to 30mph. Completely unsafe, had to restart the car an seems to run normal for now but I do not feel safe in this car anymore. The same issue I got the second time was the same code that I got the first time, I have reached out on social media to see if others have had this issue since kia should have started a investigation to determine the root cause of this issue an have had another person step forward with the same experience. This is completely unacceptable and unsafe to have to second guess a vehicle that I was ensured would be completely safe after having it looked at. I’ve already contacted corporate about the issue, they are looking into it now. I have yet to hear back from the kia general manager, they are offering to trade the car in but yet have more negative equity on the car, how about a fair trade. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | Was approaching a light at 40 mph when light turned green. Road was slightly wet. Applied break and it would not engage. Went thru red light and fortunately no car had started thru intersection. Pumped breaks snd they finally engaged but engine was not steady. Kind of up and down on speed 1/8/2022 at snot 4 pm | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | SEAT BELTS | 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 facing car seat had its buckle dislodged but the 2yr old did not sustain any injuries. Both of them sitting in the 2nd row. The 13 yr old in the 3rd row, his seatbelt was dislodged and sustain bruising and scrapes on his right side of his face. The 7 yr old complained about his stomach, but his seat belt did not dislodge. And my wife had sustained bruising around her waist and a broken collarbone. Theses seatbelts should not have dislodged from its receptacles if the were clicked in. I always make sure that everyone has there seatbelts on before operating the vehicle. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 4 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The moon roof is not closing. When trying to close it, it makes clicking noises and goes slow to close but then just goes half way of less and opens all the way up. The inside cover is the only thing that closes. I’ve checked to see if any debris is stuck but nothing is there and I cannot close the window at all. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | STEERING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 17,500 |
| Apr 2021 | WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA SORENTO. AFTER ABOUT 7000 MILES I NOTICED CHUNKS OF RUBBER MISSING FROM MY TIRES. I CALLED KHUMO THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO KIA. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY DID NOTHING. NOW I HAVE 20000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE SAME TIRES ARE CUPPING. THIS IS GOING TO END UP WITH SOMEONE DYING AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE THAT PERSON. | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,000 |
| Apr 2021 | VISIBILITY | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRIM PIECE LOCATED UNDER THE WINDSHIELD REFLECTED A DISTRACTING GLARE FROM THE VENTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFLECTION OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | 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 CAUSING ONLY THE LEFT SIDE TIRES TO BRAKE FULLY. I AM AWARE OF BRAKE ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND IT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH. CAR WAS SEEMED A TOTAL LOSS.*DT | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 3 Towed Medical attention | 12,000 |
| Mar 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW CATASTROPHICALLY EXPLODED. RESIDENTIAL STREET APPROX 10MPH. BREAKING FOR STOP SIGN. TEMPERATURE 63F. OVERCAST. WINDS RELATIVELY HIGH(APPROX 20+ MPH). NO SIGN OF IMPACT. IVE HAD THE VEHICLE 7 MONTHS. COULD HAVE CAUSE OPTICAL INJURY IF A SMALL PASSENGER OR CHILD SEAT WAS IN THAT LOCATION. WINDOW SHATTERED INTO THOUSANDS OF SMALL PIECES COVERING 1/2 OF THE REAR SEAT AREA. NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,073 |
| Feb 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 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 TOLD THAT DUE TO THE WEATHER (MIDDLE TN) KIA ROADSIDE DOESN'T HAVE ANY TOW TRUCK DRIVERS AVAILABLE, AND NEITHER DID MY INSURANCE COMPANY. A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY IS RETRIEVING MY VEHICLE TOMORROW AND TAKING IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED FROM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,000 |
| Feb 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | 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. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | 20,000 |
| Jan 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE | VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AUG 2020. AS OF JAN 10, 2021 "CHECK BLIND SPOT COLLISION WARNING (BCW) SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 6 TIMES. IF THE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTS. LIGHT HAS ALSO COME ON WHILE WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT. THE BCW SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF THE LAST TWO TIMES THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE LAST TIME IT CAME ON WAS JAN 10, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:45PM. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THE BCW SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF & THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEXT TO ME. THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON ON JAN 4, 2021. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,550 |
| Nov 2020 | POWER TRAIN | 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 RESOLVED. THIS WILL BE MY LAST TIME DEALING WITH A KIA!!! | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Oct 2020 | POWER TRAIN | 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 SAME PROBLEM. IN MY 45 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION BEHAVE LIKE THIS UNLESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. I HAVE ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO THE KIA CUSTOMER CARE CENTER (800) 333-4542. THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTER ARE LIKE LEMMINGS AND ONLY READ BACK TO ME WHAT THE DEALERSHIP AND SO CALLED EXPERT ENTERED IN TO THE SYSTEM. I WAS ADVISED BY THE CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE THAT IF I WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF I COULD DO SO AND IF KIA DID PUT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL I COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSES. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2020 | POWER TRAIN | WHEN CAR IS COLD IT ACTS LIKE IT SKIPS TAKING OFF ON A HILL. ( TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY) TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THAT SAID THIS IS NORMAL I THINK IT WILL BE A LOT WORST THIS WINTER WHEN IT GETS REAL COLD AS THE CAR HESITATES WHEN TAKING OFF AND PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC | Crash: No Fire: No | 6,150 |
| Aug 2020 | POWER TRAIN | TRANSMISSION STUTTERS OR HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, AND IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. IT IS WORST WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR TWO MONTHS AND IT HAS ACTED THIS WAY FROM DAY ONE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100 |
| May 2020 | POWER TRAIN | THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASE MY NEW KIA I HAD STARTED TO WORK THE MOTOR WAS COLD AND WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS IT SLIPPING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT UNTIL MOTOR HAS WARMED UP I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STAYED TO JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL THE FIRST OIL CHANGE AND THEY WOULD CHECK ON IT THEN I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS GOING BACK DOWN WHEN DRIVING IT. *TR | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |