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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2020 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
13%of 140 total for the year
Median mileage
5,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Kia Sorento, 13% of the 140 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11397159, filed 2021-02, 9,000 miles

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11348480, filed 2020-08, 6,150 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11342828, filed 2020-08, 100 miles

“The transmission will act in a very erratic manner when the car is first driven after sitting cold for several hours. This problem appears when accelerating, and persists until the car has been driven a few miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11326068, filed 2020-05, 4,700 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251925%
2024511%
20232217%
20226835%
202114456%
20201813%
20195112%
201894%
2017375%
201612610%
2015426%
2014727%
2013697%
2012556%
201126517%
2009916%
20082311%
20072013%
20063514%
20053812%
20044018%
2003227%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Sorento

Engine
67 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology