2020 Kia Sorento Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#11 most-complained of 16 Sorento years
The 2020 Kia Sorento has a Complaint Index of 33, ranking 11th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Sorento years. NHTSA logs 135 complaints, with engine problems the top area at 51% of complaints and a median failure mileage of 19,000.
- Complaints
- 135
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 11
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26 hwy
Top 2020 Kia Sorento problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine69 (51%)
- Other26 (19%)
- Electrical System22 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (13%)
- Fuel System9 (7%)
- Structure & Body9 (7%)
- Brakes5 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (4%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the engine stalling or failing while driving, sometimes followed by fire, at highway speeds.
- Some describe the engine catching fire with little or no warning, in a few cases within minutes of stalling.
- Brakes have been described as pulsating, skipping, or feeling weak, with reduced stopping ability during hard braking.
- Electrical wiring near a trailer hitch has reportedly caught fire, tied to a recall that some owners say Kia did not honor.
- One report describes the check engine light cycling on and off before the vehicle shut off exiting a freeway, blamed on a failing fuel pump.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a rear-end collision at highway speed.
2020 Kia Sorento recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V703000Sep 19, 2022Structure & Body70,887 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
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.
Risk: 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.
2020 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Kia Sorento reliable?
- Compared to other Sorento model years, the 2020 ranks 11th worst out of 16 with a Complaint Index of 33, and NHTSA data give it a "Good" verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Kia Sorento?
- Engine problems make up 51% of complaints, the largest share of any problem area, with a median failure mileage of 73,662.5 miles.
- Does the 2020 Kia Sorento have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 22V703000) for a tow hitch wiring harness issue, which advises owners to park outside away from structures until repaired.
- How does the 2020 Sorento compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 33 is well below high-complaint years like 2011 (100) and 2016 (93), making 2020 one of the better years for the Sorento.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Kia Sorento?
- EPA rates the 2020 Kia Sorento at 22.5 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.