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2020 Kia Sorento Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2020 Kia Sorento carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering trailer hitches. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission erratic shifting when cold.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.

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1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

TRAILER HITCHES

Campaign #22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2020 Kia Sorento.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission erratic shifting when cold

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2020-11

“I HAVE A 2020 KIA SORENTO V6. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11310921
“TRANSMISSION STUTTERS OR HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, AND IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11342828
“WE PURCHASED THE 2020 SORRENTO V6 WITH THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN ERRATIC SHIFT WHEN IT WAS COLD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11366977

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof and window shattering while driving

VISIBILITY

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2025-05

“Friday 12/16 car was being driven at 55 MPH on a rural road with no traffic around it when the Panoramic Sunroof exploded. Very loud boom and my wife thought she had a blow out”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11498521
“While driving on a paved highway, very light traffic in the early afternoon at approximately 65 miles per hour the sunroof on my vehicle suddenly and violently exploded spraying shards of glass everywhere”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11541817
“RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW CATASTROPHICALLY EXPLODED. RESIDENTIAL STREET APPROX 10MPH. BREAKING FOR STOP SIGN. TEMPERATURE 63F. OVERCAST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11400254

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight failure while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-01 → 2025-10

“My headlights went out completely and without warning on a dark highway. No brights or even the orange running lights. Not even the front hazard lights would go on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11694133
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. The blinkers and the radio were inoperable for several seconds before returning to normal function”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11695305
“Someone had to tell me the break lights were out and then we noticed that the headlights were also out as well”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11636996

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption and engine failure

ENGINE

53 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2026-08

“I am filing a complaint regarding excessive engine oil consumption in my 2020 Kia Sorento. The vehicle burns oil between regular oil changes, requiring frequent top-ups”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11691282
“I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding a 2020 Kia Sorento that is experiencing severe and abnormal engine oil consumption along with confirmed cylinder wall scoring”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11724830
“According to the dealership diagnostic assessment, the engine has two holes in the block as a result of connecting rod bearing failure. My Kia Sorento engine is a V6”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11655276

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine fire following internal failure

ENGINE, FIRERELATED

7 NHTSA complaints · 2022-09 → 2026-01

“As I was driving down the street it sound like I ran over something but it was actually my engine failing, then caught on fire. I was able to pull over and used water bottles to let out the fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11648006
“The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent a certified mechanic and an inspector from the manufacturer had been sent to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed the origin of the fire was caused by an engine failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11622429
“The vehicle was not even 3.5 years old, it had been serviced in February 2023 and there was no warning before the fire began. The vehicle stopped accelerating and I immediately pulled over”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11542902

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Trailer hitch harness recall fire and parts delay

TRAILER HITCHES

12 NHTSA complaints · 2022-10 → 2026-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11718700
“The contact stated the fuse box located on the driver's side had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11656250
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11520112

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake failure to stop

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-02 → 2023-09

“VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF US ON A STATE HIGHWAY. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR FAILED TO STOP WITHIN REASONABLE DISTANCE AND PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11406564
“While driving my 2020 Kia Sorrento at low speeds, my brakes will lock up on me, and it sounds like metal to metal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11546800
“THE ABS DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO PULSATE MY KIA DOES NOT DO THAT WHEN I HAVE TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES THE BRAKES DO WHAT I CALL SKIP WHERE MY FOOT IS USUALLY PUSHED OFF BRAKES AND STOPS BRAKING COMPLETELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397141

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

25 crashes 1990–2024

How the 25 occupant deaths break down

18

driver deaths

7

passenger deaths

25

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2020 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

11

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2020 Kia Sorento reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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