2020 Kia Sorento Problems Summary

Our data revealed the most common problems related to the powertrain, engine, electrical system, and tow hitch harness.

Updated on June 17th, 2024 Author: Brian Jones | Reviewer: Sergei Lemberg

2020 Kia Sorento

SUVs continue to grow in popularity, including the 2020 Kia Sorento models. “Let’s get epic” is what the automaker has to say about this SUV. However, the only really “epic” things about this model are defective powertrains and engines, and faulty electrical systems that cause fires.

Click on other model years to view more problems: 2019   2021   2022   2023

Problems Overview

There are multiple problems with the 2020 Kia Sorento, many of which have resulted in injury. One complaint records a death that resulted after a SUV crashed and caught alight.

In terms of numbers, the most common problems relating to the 2020 Kia Sorento relate to the powertrain, engine, and trailer hitch harnesses. But problems relating to the latter are also reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as being electrical system issues — which, of course, they are. Other problem areas that draw attention include unexplained fires, sunroofs that explode, and non-functioning airbags that result in injury. The forward collision avoidance system is also problematic, and malfunctions have resulted in multiple injuries.

Other components and systems implicated by owners in their complaints include exterior lighting, the fuel/propulsion system, lane departure, seat belts, service brakes, steering, suspension, and the wheels of the 2020 Sorento.

There is also a recall that was initiated by Kia on September 19, 2022, warning of the risk of a tow hitch harness fire while parked or driving. It relates to a total of 70,887 Kia vehicles. These include the 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.

Still active in mid-2024, the recall advises those affected “to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.” As recently as May 2023, owners were complaining that the part to repair faulty trailer hitches was still not available.

2020 Kia Sorento Complaint Summary

Engine

Oil consumption, oil leaks, and overheating are major issues reported by owners as engine problems. Several tell how their cars literally “died” while driving, while others report deadly fire incidents.

An owner from Illinois had a bad experience after only 700 miles. While driving on an expressway, the car “started to sputter,” and then it “died and was smoking.” It appeared to be an oil problem, but “Kia is saying it is the fuel injectors and is still not taking care of the oil consumption. Was told fuel injectors are not covered under warranty and that I have to do another oil consumption test after (the) injectors are fixed. I am terrified to drive this car knowing the engine could seize.”

The danger of an engine seizing is very real, as an owner from another part of Illinois reports. “While driving down the road my 2020 Kia Sorento died in traffic leaving me sitting in a stalled vehicle while traffic resumed around me. I had my vehicle towed to our local Kia Dealership and they told me that the engine was seized.”

An owner from Florida had a similar experience after the SUV developed an unexpected oil leak. The oil plug worked itself loose, and then fell out, “resulting in a catastrophic engine failure (and subsequent $11,000 engine replacement).” It wasn’t just the cost factor. “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.”

An owner from Massachusetts describes how the Sorento engine overheated. Because the radiator was unable to keep it cool, it cracked and exploded.

Fire Hazards

Just five months after a 3.5-year-old 2020 Sorento had been serviced, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. The New Jersey driver 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.”

An owner from Texas wasn’t that lucky. A complaint listed as an unknown or other issue, states that he was involved in a car accident and his vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, resulting in his death.

Problems with the Transmission

The main part of the powertrain is the transmission. Some vehicles come equipped with smooth-shifting transmissions that make the ride enjoyable, but when the powertrain shifts erratically causing the SUV to lurch, drivers are uncomfortable in more ways than one. An owner from Arizona reports having transmission problems less than a week after purchase. “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 reprogrammed the transmission module 2 times with no improvement. This problem happens in all 4 driving modes.”

An owner from Texas also experienced the problem from the start. “We purchased the 2020 Sorento v6 with the 8-speed automatic transmission. From the very beginning, the transmission had an erratic shift when it was cold.” The dealer was to install a new transmission but installed a rebuilt transmission instead. The complaint states that the “problem was not fixed.” A Kia rep drove the SUV and said it was “operating as designed.” The owner drove two other V6, 8-speed Sorentos that were on the lot and they both had the same problem.”

Describing the same fault, an owner from New Hampshire states that when the car is cold, “it skips taking off on a hill.” In other words, the “transmission shifts erratically.” The dealer he went to also maintained this was “normal.”

An owner from North Carolina experienced the gears slipping the day after purchase. It was always when the motor was cold. This dealer said to continue driving it and they would check it at the first oil change!

Transmission TSB

It appears that Kia has been fully aware of Sorento powertrain malfunctions. Service Bulletin #TSBTRA086, which applies to 2013-2020 MY SUVs, was originally released in November 2019. It alerts dealers to replace the replacement of the four-wheel-drive coupling assembly pressure sensor, harness, and actuator motor because of oil leakage and abnormal noise while driving.

Electrical System

Another top issue with the Sorento seems to originate from malfunctioning electrical systems.

Electrical system complaints include trailer hitch problems. For example, the daughter of a Sorento owner from Virginia saw smoke coming out of the vehicle while it was parked. “As she opened the vehicle, she saw flames on the front side of the vehicle.” Luckily, they were able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department, and nobody was injured. The SUV was, however, totaled. The owner notified the automaker and a field technician was dispatched 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.” However, the Sorento was equipped with a trailer hitch, and the owner associated the failure with the trailer hitch recall.

An owner from Florida states that the “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.” Nevertheless, Kia refused to honor the recall.

Both electrical system and more specific “trailer hitches” complaints include reports that the recall repair wasn’t available. A relatively recent trailer hitches complaint dated May 2, 2023, reports “an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle.” The owner had received notification of the trailer hitch recall, but the recall repair wasn’t available.

An electrical system complaint dated February 28, 2023, states there was “No remedy to fix in over three months.” This owner was told not to drive the car if a trailer hitch was installed.

Reported Injuries

Exploding sunroofs are one issue. An owner from Oklahoma states that in October 2023: “While driving on a paved highway, (with) 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.”

Another issue is malfunctioning airbags. This owner, from Ohio, was driving at about 65-70 mph when another vehicle swerved in front causing them to rear-end the vehicle ahead of her. The airbags did not deploy. Both vehicles were damaged and the owner sustained head, neck, and back injuries. A passenger in the vehicle sustained abdomen and neck injuries. They both needed medical attention.

Reports of forward collision avoidance systems malfunctioning are yet another issue that has resulted in injuries. An owner from Georgia reports making a right turn when traveling at less than 20 mph. The steering wheel locked and the system “went dead.” The SUV “hit a parked car and my car flipped — I don’t know why.”

Next Steps

If your 2020 Kia Sorento has recurring problems that affect the use of your SUV or its value, you may well be sitting with a lemon. Did you know that manufacturers buy back, replace, or pay cash settlements to thousands of lemon owners every year? Furthermore, the law makes Kia pay the legal fees of lemon law cases.

You don’t have to accept your plight. Contact the Lemberg Law Helpline or fill out a contact form. We’ll get back to you and assess your problems free of charge.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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