Owners have reported 9 crashes, 10 fires, 20 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2020 KIA Sorento. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints39
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2020 Kia Sorento frequently experiences excessive oil consumption, often requiring additional oil between changes, with some vehicles consuming up to 2 quarts per 1,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention engine misfires, especially in cylinders, and a decrease in acceleration performance, sometimes accompanied by check engine lights. These issues typically emerge around 60,000 to 100,000 miles, with many reports indicating the need for engine replacement. Safety implications include two reports of fires and one crash, as well as instances of vehicles entering limp mode or complete engine failure. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential engine issues and the associated maintenance challenges.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento frequently report issues related to the electrical system, with a significant number mentioning incidents involving fires. Complaints often describe warning lights illuminating on the dashboard, followed by smoke and flames, particularly in vehicles with approximately 75,000 to 130,000 miles. Several reports involve fires linked to the fuse box or trailer hitch wiring, leading to vehicle destruction. Other common issues include inoperable headlights and horn failures, posing safety risks such as loss of visibility or inability to signal. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, especially regarding fire hazards and electrical failures, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 5 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving erratic transmission behavior. Common symptoms include jerking, stuttering, or hesitating shifts, especially when the vehicle is cold or has been sitting for some time. These issues often occur at low speeds, typically between 20 and 40 mph, and may persist until the car has been driven for several miles. Complaints also highlight concerns about engine oil consumption and engine overheating, with some reports of engine failure potentially linked to these issues. Safety implications are noted, with some owners experiencing sudden deceleration or loss of power, which could pose risks during highway driving. These problems are reported across various mileage ranges, from as low as 9,000 miles to over 97,000 miles, suggesting potential long-term reliability concerns.
Owner complaints10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the sunroof, with multiple complaints describing it suddenly exploding while driving, leading to loss of vehicle control and injuries from glass shards. Additionally, there are reports of dashboard warning lights activating simultaneously, followed by engine smoke and, in one case, a fire. Some complaints also mention unexpected system failures, such as the forward collision warning system causing abrupt stops, leading to crashes. The incidents often occur around 75,000 miles, and several involve significant safety implications, including crashes, fires, and vehicle control loss. These patterns suggest potential safety risks that prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 1 fire, 5 injury reports
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly at low speeds and during emergency braking situations. Common symptoms include brakes locking up, a metallic rubbing sound, and brakes failing to engage properly, leading to loss of control. Two complaints involve crashes, with one incident resulting in three injuries, highlighting significant safety implications. In one case, an owner describes the vehicle pulling hard to the left during a crash, suggesting potential uneven brake engagement. These issues are reported without specific mileage ranges, indicating that they may occur regardless of vehicle age or usage. This information is crucial for potential buyers considering this model, especially concerning safety and brake reliability.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento report issues related to steering, particularly noting loud clunking noises and steering wheel vibrations. Complaints frequently mention these symptoms occurring at low speeds, with one owner stating difficulty driving above 20 miles per hour due to the issue. Additionally, some owners describe intermittent rattling noises from behind the steering wheel, often occurring during acceleration. While one report mentions the vehicle stalling, it is unclear if this is directly related to the steering issues. Safety implications include reduced driving speed and potential loss of control, which may be a concern for prospective buyers.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento report issues related to excessive engine oil consumption and engine fires. Complaints frequently mention significant oil loss, with one owner needing to add oil daily, and no diagnosis or repair has been reported in this case, occurring around 100,000 miles. Another owner describes a fire incident while driving, leading to the vehicle stalling and requiring emergency services to extinguish the fire, with the manufacturer confirming the fire originated from an engine failure at approximately 58,325 miles. These reports highlight potential safety implications, including the risk of fire and vehicle stalling, which are critical for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento report issues with the air bags not deploying during crashes, as described in the complaints. In one instance, a collision occurred at approximately 65-70 mph, resulting in injuries to both the driver and a passenger, and the air bags failed to deploy. Both complaints involve crashes with a total of four injuries reported, indicating significant safety implications. The issue is noted at around 37,000 miles in one case, suggesting potential concerns for vehicles within this mileage range. These reports highlight the importance of checking the air bag system's functionality when considering purchasing this vehicle model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report issues with the 2020 Kia Sorento's vehicle speed control, primarily involving acceleration problems. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle's inability to accelerate beyond certain speeds, with one owner noting the car would not exceed 40 miles per hour despite pressing the gas pedal to the floor. Another symptom described is fluctuating RPMs without corresponding increases in speed. These issues occur intermittently, and diagnostic checks at dealerships reportedly do not reveal error codes or clear causes. Safety implications include potential hazards during freeway driving, as described by an owner who experienced near-collisions due to sudden loss of acceleration.
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2020 Kia Sorento report issues related to the suspension system, with complaints frequently mentioning persistent loud noises from the wheel hubs and difficulties in resolving the issue despite multiple repairs and replacements. Symptoms include noise from the wheel hubs and, in one case, a sudden loss of steering control while driving at highway speeds, resulting in a rear wheel detachment. These issues appear to arise after approximately one year of ownership. Safety implications are noted, with one owner experiencing a loss of vehicle control and potential risk of collision. Used car buyers should be aware of these reported problems, particularly concerning the suspension system and potential safety risks associated with wheel detachment.
