10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,944 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Kia Sorento engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Kia Sorento Owner Comments

problem #9

Apr 252024

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brought the car in April 1st for oil consumption, was told to bring it back at 1000miles for oil consumption test. Drive the car for 700 miles and it started to sputter while driving on expressway. Car died and was smoking. Checked oil level and it was at L on dipstick. Kia is saying it is the fuel injectors and are still not taking care of the oil consumption. Was told fuel injectors are not covered under warranty and that I have to do another oil consumption test after injectors are fixed. I am terrified to drive this car knowing the engine could seize and I nearly got into an accident going 60mph on 4/25 when fuel injectors went.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #8

Apr 232024

Sorento

  • miles
While driving down the road my 2020 Kia Sorento died in traffic leaving me sitting in a stalled vehicle while traffic resumed around me. I had my vehicle towed to our local Kia Dealership and they told me that the engine was seized

- Collinsville, IL, USA

problem #7

Jan 272023

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle developed an unexpected oil leak, when the oil plug worked itself loose, and then fell out, resulting in a catastrophic engine failure (and subsequent $11,000 engine replacement). Upon taking it to a nearby mechanic, he discovered the plug sitting in the splash shield. The sudden loss of engine power, on the highway, created a traffic hazard for myself, and the other motorists around me; fortunately, I was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and move it to a safe location. The problem has been documented several times to the NHTSA, as well as several other organizations related to vehicle maintenance, specifically oil changes and services. There were no indications as to an oil leak, prior to the plug falling out entirely, and a cloud of black smoke billowing out from behind my vehicle.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #6

Jul 232023

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. The fire began as soon as I stopped the car and the vehicle was engulfed within minutes. My daughter and I were in the car. We barely escaped before the vehicle was on fire. I did not have a vehicle hitch on the vehicle and this was unrelated to the vehicle recall notice that I received several weeks after my incident.

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

problem #5

Aug 222023

Sorento

  • miles
The engine overheated passed the point that the radiator could keep it cool and cause the radiator to crack and explode

- Bedford, MA, USA

problem #4

Jun 022023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine light came on flashing and vehicle losing power. Took to Kia Dealership and told there was a rod bearing malfunction.

- Creedmoor, NC, USA

problem #3

May 052023

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While adding the anti theft software to our 2020 sorento they short circuited the BLM which is the brain box for the vehicle. They have had the car for 4 weeks now and they say the have the part on order but they do not know when the part will be sent. In the mean while they are making us pay for a rental car on our credit card until the part comes in and then will reimburse us.

- Brooklyn Center, MN, USA

problem #2

May 032021

Sorento

  • 17,500 miles
My car stalled as I started to drive. As I started to park again it shut down. I waited a few minutes and it started again. My intention is to get it to the dealership asap.

- Hampton, GA, USA

problem #1

Feb 202021

Sorento

  • 9,000 miles
I have a 2020 Sorento that has ~9,000 miles on it. I was driving on the highway when the engine overheat chime started going off and the temperature gauge went hot. I pulled over and called for help, then tried to go a smidge further up the road. Within 200 yards it chimed again and the temp went hot. Put an entire jug of coolant in and my rescue driver informed me that there was a trail of coolant pouring out behind me. There is no visible damage to the underside of the vehicle or from looking at the engine with the hood up. We were told that due to the weather (middle tn) Kia roadside doesn't have any tow truck drivers available, and neither did my insurance company. A local towing company is retrieving my vehicle tomorrow and taking it to the Kia dealership that I purchased from.

- Nashville, TN, USA

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