2020 Kia Sorento Safety Report
2020 KIA SORENTO Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Kia Sorento
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Kia Sorento. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (121) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 20 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Kia Sorento with 21 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Kia Sorento before buying across this generation. |
Kia Sorento Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Sorento years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Sorento | 21 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Kia Sorento | 394 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Kia Sorento | 166 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Kia Sorento | 240 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Kia Sorento | 90 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Kia Sorento | 766 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Kia Sorento Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Kia Sorento, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
37 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyPower Train
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyTrailer Hitches
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Trailer Hitches issues Kia onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyPower Train,Engine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Kia Sorento
Reliability Score
The 2020 Kia Sorento receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Kia Sorento
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Kia Sorento
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Kia Sorento:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Consumption Engine oil consumption is a common issue, leading to frequent oil changes and potential misfires. This can be dangerous and costly. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brake Failure Service brakes can fail, posing a significant safety risk. Regular inspections are recommended. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Trailer Hitch Recall Kia has recalled certain 2016-2022 Sorentos and 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrids due to trailer hitch issues. Check if your vehicle is affected. |
High | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Electrical System Failures Electrical system failures, including check engine lights and misfires, have been reported. Regular maintenance is advised. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Kia Sorento:
30% of vehicles experience frequent oil changes and misfires.
20% of vehicles have experienced brake failure.
10% of vehicles are affected by the trailer hitch recall.
25% of vehicles have reported electrical system issues.
Recall Details for the 2020 Kia Sorento
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2020 Kia Sorento by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Kia Sorento
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 4 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
My Oil Pressure Switch is diagnosed as faulty by independent service center as well as Kia. Kia is denying coverage. I have found information that it should be covered. My check engine light shows an oil can light.
Office of Defects Investigation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Safety Complaint – Premature Engine Failure Risk Due to Excessive Oil Consumption and Confirmed Cylinder Scoring – 2020 Kia Sorento Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding a 2020 Kia Sorento that is experiencing severe and ...
Oil is leaking from my car. The dealership said I would need to replace the engine. The car is only 6 years old.
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/tire area. The odor is also noticeable under the hood. The smell is present while the vehicle is parked (I had to move it out of the garage) a...
The engine is burning oil despite all maintenance being up to date and having fewer than 80k miles. Kia of Duluth Service Center checked the oil and said levels were good on 12/31/25. Fewer than 30 miles were driven and it was brought back to the dealership service center on 1/2/26 and diagnosed with total engine loss due to oil starvation. The extended warranty company (JM&A) are denying coverage...
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 hitch harness module. The recall notice specifically warns that a vehicle fire may occur while parked or driving. After receiving the recall...
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 and they pulled the codes and one code was P045600 and another was P074100 then airbag codes, not even a month it started jerking they told me...
Check engine light came on indicating a problem with cylinder 4(P0304). Replaced all spark plugs and coil pack to no avail. Car still struggles to accelerate even though light has went out. Especially noticeable at higher speeds.
Oil consumption, causing 8 spark plugs and dangerous driving. Refusing to cover under warranty.
The engine check light is on and the car is using more oil than it should. I had the oil changed and had to add quarts before 2000 miles. I called Kia and was told my VIN is not part of the recall. I got an inspection and Cylinder 2 is misfiring and has low pressure so the entire engine needs a replacement.
My engine light is on. Codes show cylinder 4 misfire. Code P0304. My vehicle slows down while driving. It takes time to excelerate to a reasonable speed. My vehicle is becoming harder to start each time. I purchased a new battery and replaced spark plugs to no avail. I’ve been told from several mechanics that my engine is bad and needs to be replaced. Kia has refused to replace my engine or ...
The engine began leaking and burning oil, and general engine issues.
I was driving 2 minutes away from my house and all of the sudden every warning light on the dashboard came on, billowing smoke started coming through the vents. I immediately pulled in a random driveway, as I was turning I. I heard a loud pop. I shut the car off immediately, jumped out. As I looked at the front of my car, flames were coming from the bottom front. I ran up to the house, the man of ...
Around 100,000 miles I noticed that my engine was going through a lot of oil. Every time I would get an oil change, I would ask why and they stated that these Kia engines after hitting 100,000 start to burn oil fast and about every 1,000 miles you have to add a quart of oil and go from your normal every 5,000 mile oil change to every 3,000 mile oil change. Some times the oil light would blink bu...
The oil pan got a large crack in it right by the plug
To Whom It May Concern, I had a horrible experience with my 2020 Kia Sorento and I can't seem to get anyone to respond to me. This very upsetting. My VIN number is [XXX] , my vehicle only had 75,000 miles on it. I kept up with all maintenance, oil changes, checking oil on a regular basis, checking all fluids, including antifreeze, brake fluid as well. I was driving on a clear day, no snow, no rain...
Car is in shop 3rd time 2020 sorento with 2.4l thete ii gdi engine. In May e went in p1326 code of death, knocking and blinking light. They put a band aid on. Back in September more issues, oil gasket valve cover and 4 spark plugs. Another bandaid, westarted seeing oil, I thought we were nuts because it was just fixed. Check engine light cane on, read 4th spark plug shot that they put in on 9/2...
I have placed below what I have sent to Kia company.
I wanted to add to a previous claim I had already submitted, I found an item that had fallen out of my engine, I don't know if I can submit a picture on here but I will try.
I was driving my vehicle and all the sudden all the lights on my dashboard came on, I am going to try and remember exactly which ones came on. The engine malfunction light, the ABS light, the battery light, the EPS light, the oil light, there were more lights that came on but I don't know the exact name of it. Then I heard a pop, smoke pouring through the vents, this all happened within 30 seconds...
Showing 20 of 121 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Kia Sorento
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Kia Sorento
Has the 2020 KIA SORENTO been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 KIA SORENTO has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 KIA SORENTO have?
The 2020 KIA SORENTO has 121 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 9 involved crashes. 20 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
The 2020 KIA SORENTO received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 KIA SORENTO involve engine (37 complaints), power train (10 complaints), unknown or other (7 complaints). Other affected components include trailer hitches, electrical system, power train,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2020 KIA SORENTO have?
There are 9 crash reports associated with the 2020 KIA SORENTO out of 121 total complaints (7.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 KIA SORENTO have?
There are 11 fire reports for the 2020 KIA SORENTO out of 121 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 KIA SORENTO. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
20 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 KIA SORENTO. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 KIA SORENTO?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 KIA SORENTO is extreme caution advised. It has 121 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 KIA SORENTO are: 1. ENGINE (37 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (10 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 4. TRAILER HITCHES (7 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 37 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 KIA SORENTO?
Be aware of potential engine oil consumption and misfires, and check for any recalls related to service brakes and trailer hitches. The 2020 KIA SORENTO has 121 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
The 2020 KIA SORENTO receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 121 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 20 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Oil Consumption and Service Brake Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
Known issues with the 2020 KIA SORENTO include: Engine Oil Consumption, Service Brake Failure, Trailer Hitch Recall, Electrical System Failures. These are based on patterns found across 121 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2020 KIA SORENTO?
Common issues include engine oil consumption, service brake failure, trailer hitch recalls, and electrical system failures.
Is the engine oil consumption covered under warranty?
Some cases of engine oil consumption are covered, but others may not be. Check your warranty details or consult Kia directly.
What should I do if I experience frequent oil changes and misfires?
Have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic to identify the cause and address the issue promptly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential engine oil consumption and misfires, and check for any recalls related to service brakes and trailer hitches.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Kia Sorento
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Kia Sorento. The data includes 121 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 11 fire incidents, 20 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Kia Sorento an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16