2020 Kia Sorento: common problems and reliability

The 2020 Kia Sorento has 128 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag engine failures: reports of engines (including non-recalled engines) failing and requiring replacement, sometimes under 100,000 miles, with repair costs around $6,000. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2020 model year

128
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
9
Crash reports
11
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Kia Sorento vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2020 a good year for the Sorento?

Across the 8 Sorento model years we track, complaint volume runs from 21 (2021) to 976 (2014). With 128 complaints, the 2020 Sorento sits belowthe model's median of 242.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

engine
63
electrical system
18
power train
17
fuel/propulsion system
9
trailer hitches
9

Recalls affecting the 2020 Sorento

trailer hitches

Campaign 22V703000

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 orig

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year, powertrain, and owner expectations. For newer models (2023-2026), feedback is often positive regarding value, interior comfort, ride quality, feature content, and hybrid…

  • Transmission failures: Multiple reports of complete transmission replacements, with one owner citing three new transmissions in a 2024 model within 14 months. Clunky shifting and concerns over Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) reliability are mentioned. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Engine failures: Reports of engines (including non-recalled engines) failing and requiring replacement, sometimes under 100,000 miles, with repair costs around $6,000. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Sorento. See the full Sorento owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Sorento listings typically run $29,848–$34,610 across 2014 to 2026 model years.

Other Sorento model years

Compare every Sorento year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Sorento against its rivals