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2020 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 26 of 134 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports11 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine complaints

64 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

To Whom It May Concern, I had a horrible experience with my 2020 Kia Sorento and I can't seem to get anyone to respond to me. This very upsetting. My VIN number is [XXX] , my vehicle only had 75,000 miles on it. I kept up with all maintenance, oil changes, checking oil on a regular basis, checking all fluids, including antifreez…

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To Whom It May Concern, I had a horrible experience with my 2020 Kia Sorento and I can't seem to get anyone to respond to me. This very upsetting. My VIN number is [XXX] , my vehicle only had 75,000 miles on it. I kept up with all maintenance, oil changes, checking oil on a regular basis, checking all fluids, including antifreeze, brake fluid as well. I was driving on a clear day, no snow, no rain, no traffic, country road. I was going about 35 MPH and all of the sudden every light that I could possibly think of came on my dashboard, within 30 seconds of that I heard a very loud pop and smoke barreled in through my vents. Obviously the smoke made it a struggle to breathe and definitely is not good for mine or my children lungs. I immediately pulled into the first driveway I seen. This took 5 seconds from the loud pop and the smoke through the vents, actually not even 5 seconds. I jump out of my car and see a fire under my hood. I immediately run up to the house of the driveway I pulled in. Fortunately, the man of the home, seen what was happening, ran to his garage, got a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. I look under the car. I seen something very shiny lying on the ground, right under where the fire was. It was piston cylinder piece This explains the pop, the fire and nearly every fluid that was in my car now on the ground. Oil, antifreeze and brake fluid were all now spilled in this man's driveway. I called Kia and reported the incident, they stated there were no recalls on my vehicle, according to the VIN number. They also stated the year 2020 did not have recalls, like the years leading up to 2019, stopping at 2020 and then resuming at 2021. Elizabeth from Kia America Corp made promises she didn’t keep by stating they would tow my car to Kia dealership and give me a rental. She promised to make it right and was caught lying, she never contacted the dealership. Elizabeth’s phone number [XXX] . Please help me, my kids and I need a vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (

NHTSA ODI #11710268

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2026
EnginePower Train

Car is in shop 3rd time 2020 sorento with 2.4l thete ii gdi engine. In May e went in p1326 code of death, knocking and blinking light. They put a band aid on. Back in September more issues, oil gasket valve cover and 4 spark plugs. Another bandaid, westarted seeing oil, I thought we were nuts because it was just fixed. Check …

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Car is in shop 3rd time 2020 sorento with 2.4l thete ii gdi engine. In May e went in p1326 code of death, knocking and blinking light. They put a band aid on. Back in September more issues, oil gasket valve cover and 4 spark plugs. Another bandaid, westarted seeing oil, I thought we were nuts because it was just fixed. Check engine light cane on, read 4th spark plug shot that they put in on 9/25. Tatvfirst rried sating 300 for plug and done. Then day after head mechanic says we need a new engine but all receipts not available. They're not filing a claim for an engine, these engine are blowing up and failing everywhere they just haven't gotten to year 2020 yet in law suits or settlements. When p1326 originally happened we were on the highway and it just decellateared and loud knock! Luckily we were okay and got over fast. With each issue car was immediately brought back to the Kia dealer, the sane dealer I bought the car new off lot in 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11710056

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11707320

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11707314

151,025 miles · Dec 18, 2025
Engine

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 …

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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 mechanic, where it was diagnosed with complete engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that there was no warranty on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 151,025.

NHTSA ODI #11705844

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2025
EngineExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

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 ..

NHTSA ODI #11696904

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2025
Engine

My car is burning excessive amounts of oil with no leak

NHTSA ODI #11695829

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2025
Engine

Burning oil at dangerous rates. No leak yet having to refill oil weekly. Burning at a rate of 2q per 1k miles. Car currently has 95k miles and has had regular oil maintenance until this issue began a few months ago. This is a frequent issue with the 2020 Sorrento.

NHTSA ODI #11693207

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2025
Engine

The engine is consuming oil at a rapid rate that could be potentially dangerous. This is happening to other people with the same make and model as well.

NHTSA ODI #11691612

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2025
Engine

Vehicle Information: Make: Kia Model: Sorento Year: 2020 VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~80,000 miles Complaint Summary: I am filing a complaint regarding excessive engine oil consumption in my 2020 Kia Sorento. The vehicle burns oil between regular oil changes, requiring frequent top-ups. There are no visible leaks, and this consum…

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Vehicle Information: Make: Kia Model: Sorento Year: 2020 VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~80,000 miles Complaint Summary: I am filing a complaint regarding excessive engine oil consumption in my 2020 Kia Sorento. The vehicle burns oil between regular oil changes, requiring frequent top-ups. There are no visible leaks, and this consumption poses a serious safety risk, including potential engine failure or fire hazard. Detailed Description: I purchased the vehicle used from a Kia dealership. I requested an oil consumption test from the dealership, but they refused, stating the vehicle is out of warranty. I contacted Kia Consumer Affairs, and they also refused to authorize the test or provide assistance. This engine issue is widely reported by other owners of the 2020 Sorento and similar Kia vehicles, particularly those with Theta II / GDI engines, which are known for oil consumption problems. The vehicle has approximately 80,000 miles, and the oil consumption is significant enough that I must frequently add oil between changes, creating a safety concern. Actions Taken: Requested an oil consumption test from local Kia dealership — refused. Contacted Kia Consumer Affairs for assistance — refused. Maintained detailed records of oil use and maintenance. Request: I request that the NHTSA investigate this oil consumption issue for my vehicle and the 2020 Kia Sorento model line. I also seek guidance on any recalls, service campaigns, or safety actions related to this defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11691282

Official recalls

1

22V703000 · Trailer Hitches

Sep 19, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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