2020 Kia Sorento Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento most often write about engine trouble — especially rapid oil consumption that leads to misfires, stalling and, in a number of cases, engine replacement. A second cluster of complaints involves rough or erratic shifting when the vehicle is cold, reported very early in ownership. A smaller group covers electrical and fire-related concerns, including the tow hitch harness recall.

1. 1
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption leading to engine damage

   • 48 complaints (34%)
   • median 150,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the engine using oil far faster than expected, in some cases about a quart per 1,000 miles, with no low-oil warning before trouble appears. Many report adding oil between changes, then developing misfire codes for individual cylinders (P0304 is mentioned), rough running, loss of power or stalling. Complaints describe dealers running oil consumption tests, decarbonizing piston rings, or telling owners the engine needs replacement; several owners say warranty or recall coverage was denied because the vehicle was low on oil. Most often reported between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, though a few owners noticed it under 80,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil change records and whether any oil consumption test was performed, and check the dipstick level and smell. A service bulletin describes an oil consumption diagnostic and repair procedure for these engines, so ask whether it was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 11/19/2024 I was driving when my Kia begin to sputter and lose power, and the check engine light came on. I was on an interstate so I exited and pulled over, after paying 400.00 in tow fees it was determined my engine had failed with only 126,291 miles. I never had any indication of problems with my engine it happened in the blink of an eye”

   NHTSA complaint #11627137, filed 2024-11

   “Car is 6 years old less then 100k miles and losing oil and motor problems Went through entire oil change in 1 month Kia unable or willing to assist with any coats I was told by a private garage that the motor in my car should be part of a recall that was already listed for 2021 through 2026 but they’re saying it’s not covered”

   NHTSA complaint #11738032, filed 2026-05
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine seizure, knocking or fire

   • 27 complaints (19%)
   • median 94,500 mi at 5.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe loud knocking or banging from under the hood, sudden loss of power, and the engine shutting off or seizing while driving; several owners report the vehicle had to be towed and the dealer diagnosed engine failure requiring replacement. A few complaints describe smoke or flames from the engine bay, in some cases shortly after an oil change. Reported across a wide range of mileage, from about 34,000 up to roughly 150,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for knocking at cold start and on revving, check for metal debris or a fuel smell in the oil, and ask whether the engine has ever been replaced or had a short block fitted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I was driving down the street it sound like I ran over something but it was actually my engine failing, then caught on fire. I was able to pull over and used water bottles to let out the fire. My vehicle had to be towed to the repair shop because the engine wasn't able to restart.”

   NHTSA complaint #11648006, filed 2025-03

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11757589, filed 2026-08
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough or erratic transmission shifting when cold

   • 10 complaints (7%)
   • median 5,000 mi at 0.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe stuttering, hesitation or surging when the vehicle is first driven after sitting for several hours, particularly between about 20 and 40 mph and during 1st-to-2nd and 2nd-to-3rd shifts. Several say the behavior clears after a few miles of driving. Complaints mention dealers reprogramming the transmission control module, sometimes more than once, with little or no change, and one dealer describing the behavior as normal. Reported mostly under about 12,000 miles, often within days or weeks of purchase, and tied to cold starts.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive the vehicle from a cold start and pay attention to low-speed shifting in the first few minutes. Ask whether any transmission software updates or fluid services have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11310921, filed 2020-02, 100 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387446, filed 2021-01, 8,550 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults, battery drain and fuse box fire

   • 16 complaints (11%)
   • median 60,594 mi at 4.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe a range of electrical problems: batteries draining after the vehicle sits for several days, a horn that stops working and fails again after replacement, headlights and taillights going out, and in one case a fire in the driver-side fuse box that was extinguished by the fire department. Some owners also mention warning lights and messages related to driver-assist systems. Reported from low mileage up to about 130,000 miles, with no single pattern in age or conditions.

   Recall 22V7030001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that all exterior lights and the horn work, ask whether the battery has been replaced, and confirm whether the tow hitch harness recall (22V703000) was completed if the vehicle has a factory or dealer-installed hitch.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1) The headlights went out along with the rear taillights. 2) Could have caused a crash. 3) No. 4)No. 5) No. Someone had to tell me the break lights were out and then we noticed that the headlights were also out as well. We notified the kia dealership of the problems and were told that a diagnostic of the problem would cost $150 plus repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #11636996, filed 2025-01

   “I am currently making very expensive car payments for this car and was not informed this car was on recall. I pay 375 every other week. And I have been having electricitial issues. I was seeing about some short of reimbursement.”

   NHTSA complaint #11658795, filed 2025-05

Buying note. Check the oil level and service history carefully on any 2020 Sorento, since engine oil consumption and engine replacement come up repeatedly in owner complaints, and confirm that open recalls and available software campaigns have been completed before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.