2020 KIA SORENTO

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine internal

    5 stranded, 23 unsafe

    28
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 53- 55 MPH, the contact suddenly noticed that their surrounding drivers were honking for her attention. Eventually, another nearby driver notified the contact by pointing…"~58,325 mi, complaint #2036229
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud knocking sound before the engine seized. The vehicle was started; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was towed…"~89,000 mi, complaint #2064440
  2. #2

    engine oil consumption

    28 unsafe

    28
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that on several occasions, there was no oil or low oil in the oil pan.…"~100,000 mi, complaint #2136854
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was white smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stopped the vehicle on the side of the highway. The contact had recently had an oil change completed at…"~150,000 mi, complaint #2107326
  3. #3

    other

    5 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "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 INJUR…"~5,073 mi, complaint #1732754
    • "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 ab…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1845569
  4. #4

    transmission automatic

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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. *TR"~4,700 mi, complaint #1665293
    • "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…"~6,150 mi, complaint #1683673
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that for approximately a month, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the jerking stopped while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer,…"~97,085 mi, complaint #2143285
  5. #5

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 4 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1707619
    • "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."~17,500 mi, complaint #1744942
  6. #6

    glass and windshield

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 MANUF…"complaint #1742004
    • "Friday 12/16 car was being driven at [REDACTED ADDRESS] with no traffic around it when the Panoramic Sunroof exploded. Very loud boom and my wife thought she had a blow out. Immediately pulled over to check the vehicle. No tire or body damage was found unti…"complaint #1860889
    • "While driving on a paved highway, 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…"complaint #1923804
    • "Driving down the highway normal conditions at 60 mph and sunroof exploded out. Very loud noise and pulled off of highway . Found sunroof was shattered. no cars were around at the time and nothing hit the roof to cause it . "complaint #2094030
  7. #7

    brake hydraulics

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 MINO…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1738925
  8. #8

    lighting exterior

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 p…"complaint #2057407
    • "My headlights went out completely and without warning on a dark highway. No brights or even the orange running lights. Not even the front hazard lights would go on. There was no warning until after they went out. I pulled over as best I could but there was ver…"complaint #2140841
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. The blinkers and the radio were inoperable for several seconds before returning to normal function. The contact stated that th…"complaint #2142630
  9. #9

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "There already is a recall for my problem, NHTSA Recall #22V703, but Kia has refused to honor the recall after my vehicle electrical wires started burning, exactly as warned in the Recall. Kia asserts that the trailer hitch and wiring was not installed by Kia,…"complaint #1861420
    • "No remedy to fix in over three months. Told not to drive car if installed"complaint #1876817
    • "To the Office of Defects Investigation, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding NHTSA Recall 22V703000 (Kia Recall SC249) involving my 2020 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ). This recall identifies a fire risk due to a potential electrical short in the tow h…"complaint #2177922
  10. #10

    adas collision warning

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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. T…"~8,550 mi, complaint #1718849
  11. #11

    airbag system

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated while an occupant was seated in the front passenger’s seat. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that…"~9,000 mi, complaint #2241779
    • "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 ve…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1835974
  12. #12

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~9,000 mi, complaint #1728338
  13. #13

    key fob and immobilizer

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 star…"complaint #1843531
    • "This morning, I had the software upgrade patch applied to my 2020 Kia Sorento that was supposed to fix the potential theft issue. After that service appointment, I started a [REDACTED ADDRESS] trip. We stopped for gas and when we went into the store, I notice…"complaint #1893095
  14. #14

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 th…"complaint #1775418
    • "Driver seatbelts randomly unlatches itself while operating vehicle. "complaint #2200047
  15. #15

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Made a right turn wasn't going over 20mph wheel locked system went dead hit a parked car and my car flipped don't know why "complaint #1871359
    • "MY STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING LOUD CLUNK NOISES AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THEN 20 MILES PER HOUR AND IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE"complaint #1963329
  16. #16

    sunroof

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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…"complaint #1770291
    • "While driving my 2020 Kia Sorento on the freeway at highway speed, the panoramic sunroof suddenly shattered without warning. There was a very loud explosive sound that startled and frightened me while I was driving. I was not aware of anything striking the sun…"complaint #2241964
  17. #17

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 COMPLET…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1728313
  18. #18

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was on the freeway and I needed to accelerate to get over and I pushed on the gas and the car would not accelerate at all I could not get the vehicle to speed up it was stuck at 40 I had gotten the gas pedal to the ground and no acceleration the RPM were jum…"complaint #2001582
  19. #19

    adas lane keeping

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "All of the adas not working. The wheel sensor right rear quit working and causes all the advanced safety systems to quit working. Had the left rear sensor to go out this year. I am [XXX] and do not feel safe driving without these safety systems working. No…"complaint #2049814
  20. #20

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Driving on highway at 65, traction control light, airbag light, parking light, bcw warning, all came in at the same time. I was able to pull off to the side and re start engine to clear the lights. As soon as I got up to 40 lights one by one flickered on until…"complaint #2224797
  21. #21

    control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While adding the anti theft software to our 2020 sorento they short circuited the BLM which is the brain box for the vehicle. They have had the car for 4 weeks now and they say the have the part on order but they do not know when the part will be sent. In the…"complaint #1898612
  22. #22

    door latch and hinge

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I REALLY DONT REMEMBER THE DRIVER IMPACTED THE FRONT DOOR AREA OF MY VEHICLE."complaint #2113655
  23. #23

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Blown headgasket coolant leak in engine "complaint #2073847
  24. #24

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I bought a Kia 2020 from Long Lewis 3 days after i got it the check engine light come on, I called and told them, then around the 5th day black smut started covering the back of the suv, and i was smelling a burnt oi; and antifreeze smell, took it to a shop an…"complaint #2176787
  25. #25

    fuel pump

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The engine light consistently comes on and off. When you go to diagnose problem it would read- because the engine light would stay on. Two mechanics looked at it, and are saying it’s a failing fuel pump. And it’s not working correctly. The car just shut off…"complaint #2006304
  26. #26

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Component/System Affected: UNKNOWN – suspected fuel system or related component due to strong gasoline odor. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. What Happened: There is a strong gasoline odor specifically at the front driver’s side wheel well/ti…"complaint #2180123
  27. #27

    horn

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact attempted to use the horn, but the horn failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the horn. Approximately a week later, whil…"~71,188 mi, complaint #2126980
  28. #28

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 acce…"complaint #1840176
  29. #29

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact had rented a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, both the front passenger and rear passenger's side windows exploded. The contact stated that there was no external cause to the failure. There were no warnin…"~4,357 mi, complaint #1883258
  30. #30

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH with her daughter and parents in the vehicle, an abnormal squeaking sound was heard emanating from the steering wheel. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the…"~19,000 mi, complaint #2224020
  31. #31

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While driving on freeway, approximately 70mph, on my way to work, I all of a sudden without warning was unable to control my vehicle with the steering wheel. Somehow I seemed to have lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle spun around. I could have…"complaint #1914507
  32. #32

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 oper…"complaint #2236475
  33. #33

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 C…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1744215
  34. #34

    unknown

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I have placed below what I have sent to Kia company. "complaint #2160857
  35. #35

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • " We bought a brand new 2020 Kia Sorento on [XXX]. A little after a year we started to notice noises from the wheel hubs. Kia has replaced the tires thinking that was the problem, but it failed to be fixed. We have replaced Rotors, wheels, hubs and bearings but…"complaint #2044292

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA SORENTO directly.