NHTSA has received 134 owner complaints about the 2020 Kia Sorento, or 20.1 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.48, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #37 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 43% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 62% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2020-02-23 and 2026-09-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 19 days.
134Complaints
20.1Complaints per year on the road
0.48Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls · ⚠ 1
14.2%Share involving a crash or fire
46Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 55.1 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 5.1 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 18 complaints, 68% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (49.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (9.7%) and Transmission / powertrain (9.0%). Engine complaints are 2.2 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “oil”, “engine”, “burning”, “maintenance” and “add”. 19 reports (14.2%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 21 injuries and 1 death.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 59 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (48% of incidents). In the last 12 months 46 new complaints were filed, versus 30 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 7% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2022-09-12, closed 2023-12-12).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.48
vs. other Kia models0.57
vs. other 2020 models0.53
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.38
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (18)0.32
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.
Interior & equipment · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761230
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] ).
Electrical · 2026-02-18 · ODI 11718700 · Fire
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.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761097
My 2020 Kia Sorento stalled and shut off while driving and eventually stopped working completely, requiring it to be towed to a Kia dealership.
Engine · 2026-08-18 · ODI 11757589
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a routine oil change when the contact was informed that there was an unknown issue with the vehicle however, the vehicle was…
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-29 · ODI 11753507
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
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.
DP22003 · ENGINE · Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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 i…
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Kia Sorento?
134 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Kia Sorento, or about 20.1 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Kia Sorento?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 49.3% of complaints.
Does the 2020 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2022-09-12, closed 2023-12-12).
Is the 2020 Kia Sorento still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 46 new complaints were filed, versus 30 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2020 Kia Sorento compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 134 owner complaints about the 2020 Kia Sorento, or 20.1 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.48, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #37 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 43% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 62% lower.