Is the 2020 Kia SORENTO reliable?

The 2020 Kia SORENTO has 183 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Kia SORENTO?

Top problems: ENGINE (66 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (34 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (18 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Kia SORENTO?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): TRAILER HITCHES. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Kia SORENTO?

The 2020 Kia SORENTO gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2020 Kia SORENTO often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Kia SORENTO: high. HLDI insurance loss data suggests higher-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Kia SORENTO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Kia SORENTO is approximately $1,900/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Kia SORENTO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Kia SORENTO has 183 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 613. The most common issue is engine problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: 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. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 18 fire reports filed.

18 fire reports 12 crash reports 20 injuries

183

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

66 complaints

36%

• 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
• 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.
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Kia SORENTO

Based on 32 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 89K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

TRAILER HITCHES19/09/2022

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.

High theft risk

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Kia SORENTO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Kia SORENTO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,900

Full coverage / month

$158

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

+14%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1900

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SORENTO Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2020 SORENTO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 183 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA SORENTO. AFTER ABOUT 7000 MILES I NOTICED CHUNKS OF RUBBER MISSING FROM MY TIRES. I CALLED KHUMO THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO KIA. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY DID NOTHING. NOW I HAVE 20000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE SAME TIRES ARE CUPPING. THIS IS GOING TO END UP WITH SOM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her daughter saw smoke coming out of the vehicle. The contact stated that as she opened the vehicle, she saw flames on the front side of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assis
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AT THE SAME SPEED, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. THEY REPROGRAMED THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)