2020 Kia Sorento Owner Complaints

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 not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid was leaking and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11753507

Incident

Jul 27, 2026

Driving on highway at 65, traction control light, airbag light, parking light, bcw warning, all came in at the same time. I was able to pull off to the side and re start engine to clear the lights. As soon as I got up to 40 lights one by one flickered on until up to highway speed and then all flickered and dash dings. Two independent shops ran diagnostics and noted that only battery was dead. Replaced battery and the lights came back immediately.

NHTSA ID

11749809

Incident

Jul 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH with her daughter and parents in the vehicle, an abnormal squeaking sound was heard emanating from the steering wheel. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the repair was delayed because the manufacturer required information from the dealer, while the dealer claimed to be waiting for a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 19,000.

NHTSA ID

11749302

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

Mileage

19,000 mi

The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe engine malfunction/misfire while in operation, presenting a serious safety hazard on the road. Following the incident, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership service center (Repair Order #XXX), where technicians verbally confirmed that the engine requires a complete replacement due to internal mechanical failure. The catastrophic mechanical failure of the engine directly caused consequential damage to the emissions system, entirely clogging the catalytic converter with unburned fuel/debris. Despite the clear link to the known, systemic defects inherent to the Theta II engine line—which is subject to active federal consent orders, safety recalls, and lifetime warranty extensions—both the dealership and Kia Corporate are refusing to honor the 8-year/80,000-mile Federal Emissions Defect Warranty. The manufacturer is attempting to use the catastrophic failure of their own defective, recalled engine line to evade their legal environmental and safety warranty obligations, leaving the consumer stranded without alternative transportation. This represents a systemic effort by the manufacturer to deflect liability for documented powertrain safety failures onto individual consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11741669

Incident

May 27, 2026

Engine is burning oil at a significant rate, when I get my oil changed at the dealers recommendation it is extremely low. I have to replace the oil regularly between oil changes, and there is an exhaust smell. Also lagging when I hit the gas.

NHTSA ID

11738870

Incident

May 19, 2026

Car is 6 years old less then 100k miles and losing oil and motor problems Went through entire oil change in 1 month Kia unable or willing to assist with any coats I was told by a private garage that the motor in my car should be part of a recall that was already listed for 2021 through 2026 but they’re saying it’s not covered

NHTSA ID

11738032

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

2020 Kia Sorento consuming 1.5 or more quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. Completing oil consumption testing with Kia dealer, which requires I take the car back to the dealer every 1k miles, times, so they can verify the oil levels. Last check, when issue was discovered, vehicle was down to only 1qt of oil after driving only 2k miles from previous oil change. Note: the lambda engine was initially included in the latest Kia class action settlement but was dismissed per the plaintiff’s attorney in that case. However there are numerous reports from a large number of 2020 Kia Sorento owners now with the same issue and running into complete roadblocks in terms of recourse as for most the issue does not begin until they exceed the powertrain warranty. Especially if they’re secondary owners and not the original owner.

NHTSA ID

11733852

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Driver seatbelts randomly unlatches itself while operating vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11733472

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Oil pressure light would come on and off, dealer said was probably the sensor got it replaced. Came back on the night I picked it back up.

NHTSA ID

11730918

Incident

Nov 20, 2025

I own a 2020 Kia Sorento. There is currently a class action lawsuit settlement ongoing. I have been informed that my 2020 Kia Sorento is not eligible while the settlement clearly states the 2020 Kia Sorento is included as part of the settlement. My Kia’s engine did not fail until after the settlement was finalized because I don’t drive a lot anymore and my mileage was just over a 100,000 miles when it started showing problems. It seems to be a new timeline for new claims and I’m still not allowed to file a claim for the same reason. I bought my car new in 2020. If you need additional information, please advise.

NHTSA ID

11727148

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

My Oil Pressure Switch is diagnosed as faulty by independent service center as well as Kia. Kia is denying coverage. I have found information that it should be covered. My check engine light shows an oil can light.

NHTSA ID

11725785

Incident

Mar 3, 2026

Office of Defects Investigation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Safety Complaint – Premature Engine Failure Risk Due to Excessive Oil Consumption and Confirmed Cylinder Scoring – 2020 Kia Sorento Dear Sir or Madam, 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. These conditions indicate progressive internal engine damage and present a significant risk of premature engine failure. The vehicle has been regularly maintained in accordance with manufacturer service recommendations. Despite proper maintenance, the engine began consuming excessive amounts of oil between normal service intervals. During inspection by the servicing dealership, visible cylinder wall scoring was identified within the engine. Cylinder scoring is a clear indication of internal engine wear and deterioration and can lead to rapid progression toward engine failure. Despite the confirmed presence of internal engine damage, the manufacturer has refused to authorize an engine replacement under the extended warranty program unless the engine experiences complete mechanical failure. The dealership has indicated that the vehicle must continue to be operated and monitored until catastrophic breakdown occurs before replacement will be approved. Requiring the continued operation of a vehicle with confirmed cylinder wall damage and abnormal oil consumption raises serious safety concerns. Progressive internal engine damage can lead to sudden engine seizure, stalling, or loss of power while driving, which creates a potential hazard for the driver, passengers, and surrounding traffic. Given the confirmed cylinder scoring and ongoing excessive oil consumption, I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate.

NHTSA ID

11724830

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

Oil is leaking from my car. The dealership said I would need to replace the engine. The car is only 6 years old.

NHTSA ID

11724465

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Component/System Affected: UNKNOWN – suspected fuel system or related component due to strong gasoline odor. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. What Happened: There is a strong gasoline odor specifically at the front driver’s side wheel well/tire area. The odor is also noticeable under the hood. The smell is present while the vehicle is parked (I had to move it out of the garage) and after driving. No visible fuel leaks or puddles have been observed under the vehicle. Safety Risk: Gasoline fumes create a potential fire hazard and pose a risk of accident. The odor is now also noticeable inside the vehicle, which increases concern for occupant safety. Confirmation by Service Centers: The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by independent service centers. Two separate auto mechanic shops inspected the vehicle and both confirmed smelling gasoline, but neither could identify the source of the odor or any mechanical defect. Inspections by Others: The vehicle has been inspected by two independent mechanics only. It has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Warning Lamps or Symptoms: No warning lights or dashboard messages have appeared. The only symptom is a persistent gasoline odor. Timeline: The odor was first noticed on 02/19/2026 and has continued since that date. Vehicle Information: 2020 Kia Sorento VIN: [XXX] Mileage: approximately 87,438 miles Used for local commuting to work and school. Vehicle is garage-kept and receives regular maintenance at certified auto mechanic shops. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11720156

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

The engine is burning oil despite all maintenance being up to date and having fewer than 80k miles. Kia of Duluth Service Center checked the oil and said levels were good on 12/31/25. Fewer than 30 miles were driven and it was brought back to the dealership service center on 1/2/26 and diagnosed with total engine loss due to oil starvation. The extended warranty company (JM&A) are denying coverage because the engine failure is due to lack of oil. They have inspected the vehicle. No warning lights ever came on and this is the second time that this issue has been addressed by Kia of Duluth. The engine could have easily overheated and caught on fire or lost power on the road.

NHTSA ID

11719337

Incident

Dec 31, 2025

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] ). 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. After receiving the recall notification, we made multiple attempts to schedule the required repair with Pompano Kia, the authorized dealership in our area. Despite repeated efforts, we were not provided with a confirmed repair appointment, and the recall remained incomplete. On [1-19-2026], before the recall remedy was performed, the vehicle caught fire while being driven on a highway in Florida. The vehicle became fully engulfed and was declared a total loss. Law enforcement and/or fire services responded. The incident appears consistent with the fire risk described in the recall. Following the incident, we visited the dealership to report the fire and the unresolved recall. We were told the matter would be reviewed and that we would receive a follow-up call. No follow-up was received. Attempts to contact the dealership through publicly listed email addresses resulted in delivery failure notices. According to NHTSA records, this recall affects tens of thousands of vehicles nationwide. We are concerned about: • Timeliness and availability of recall repairs • Dealership accessibility and communication • Risk to consumers when recall remedies are not completed before failure occurs We also attempted to consult several attorneys regarding this incident. We were advised that due to the volume of recall-related fire cases involving this manufacturer, representation may not be feasible unless severe bodily injury is involved. This further raises concern about the scale and seriousness of the issue. We respectfully request that NHTSA review: • Whether recall 22V703000 is being remedied INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

NHTSA ID

11718700

Incident

Jan 19, 2026

I bought a Kia 2020 from Long Lewis 3 days after i got it the check engine light come on, I called and told them, then around the 5th day black smut started covering the back of the suv, and i was smelling a burnt oi; and antifreeze smell, took it to a shop and they pulled the codes and one code was P045600 and another was P074100 then airbag codes, not even a month it started jerking they told me to bring it in so i did, he said they cleared the codes and was gonna fixed the evap, i asked about the torch converter and he said that must've been a code from the history but it wasn't, it did have a history of the code though, and i asked about the black smut on back of the vehicle he said nothing they can do about that and said fixing the evap may fix it, but sometimes it smells like it's on fire, and jerks

NHTSA ID

11717937

Incident

Jan 13, 2026

Check engine light came on indicating a problem with cylinder 4(P0304). Replaced all spark plugs and coil pack to no avail. Car still struggles to accelerate even though light has went out. Especially noticeable at higher speeds.

NHTSA ID

11717128

Incident

Nov 22, 2025

Oil consumption, causing 8 spark plugs and dangerous driving. Refusing to cover under warranty.

NHTSA ID

11714861

Incident

Jan 8, 2026

The engine check light is on and the car is using more oil than it should. I had the oil changed and had to add quarts before 2000 miles. I called Kia and was told my VIN is not part of the recall. I got an inspection and Cylinder 2 is misfiring and has low pressure so the entire engine needs a replacement.

NHTSA ID

11713698

Incident

Jan 19, 2026

My engine light is on. Codes show cylinder 4 misfire. Code P0304. My vehicle slows down while driving. It takes time to excelerate to a reasonable speed. My vehicle is becoming harder to start each time. I purchased a new battery and replaced spark plugs to no avail. I’ve been told from several mechanics that my engine is bad and needs to be replaced. Kia has refused to replace my engine or help in any way and I feel this is something caused by the manufacture. Others have had the same issue. The vehicle is burning oil and I have practically had to stop driving the vehicle. It is my only means of transportation. I have 113,000+ miles.

NHTSA ID

11713531

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

The engine began leaking and burning oil, and general engine issues.

NHTSA ID

11712013

Incident

Feb 7, 2025

I was driving 2 minutes away from my house and all of the sudden every warning light on the dashboard came on, billowing smoke started coming through the vents. I immediately pulled in a random driveway, as I was turning I. I heard a loud pop. I shut the car off immediately, jumped out. As I looked at the front of my car, flames were coming from the bottom front. I ran up to the house, the man of the house came out with a fire extinguisher. He put out the flames underneath, asked me to pop the hood, I did so and he put out the flames underneath the hood. As I was waiting for a tow truck, I seen a shiny object at the bottom of the vehicle, I pulled it out. It was a wrist pin from the engine. I also noticed a ton of fluids poured out in the man’s driveway. I had the vehicle towed home and contacted Kia and my insurance company. My case was escalated to Kia corporate and Elizabeth Barooni contacted me. She promised to tow my vehicle to the dealership of my choice, get me a rental car, pay any out of cost expenses and repair the vehicle. The vehicle only had 75,000 miles on it. After all her promises, she never contacted me again. I have tried to contact her and a Kia number called me, I answered they hung up on me. I called the number back and it was James Hope, an employee who works at Kia America Corporation. They have not returned my call since around Christmas. I also contacted GEICO, my insurance company, they sent out a adjuster, they denied my claim. They stated that all of this was caused by mechanical failure, they put on the claim that Kia is known for these issues and they will not cover it. I still remain without a vehicle and Kia Corporate has completely ignored me after making promises to help.

NHTSA ID

11711529

Incident

Dec 23, 2025

Around 100,000 miles I noticed that my engine was going through a lot of oil. Every time I would get an oil change, I would ask why and they stated that these Kia engines after hitting 100,000 start to burn oil fast and about every 1,000 miles you have to add a quart of oil and go from your normal every 5,000 mile oil change to every 3,000 mile oil change. Some times the oil light would blink but some times it wouldn't. I had a mechanic double check this and he confirmed and said nothing you can do they are just like and he sees it all the time. I kept up with my oil changes every 3,000 miles and every week and a half checking the oil. Around 134,000 miles or so on 11/28/25 at 4:30am I was driving and all of a sudden my car was driving weird and shaking. Soon the engine light came on. The oil light this entire time never came on. I pulled into a Target parking lot an noticed there was no oil in the car and it went through 5qts in a week and a half. I added 4 qts oil to the car and waited for the mechanic shop 1/2 a mile to open up at 7am. The inspected the car and said a cylinder was blown and to drive slow and get it home and just park it and a new engine is needed. I called my mechanic and he came by the house and he looked and it to see if he could fix it and no luck but said that Kia did have recalls on their engines and to fight it. I called Kia and they didn't deny recalls on some cars but not mine. They advised me to do a claim to get help to get the engine on a recall. The car has not been driven since then and remains in the garage and is in perfect well kept condition otherwise.

NHTSA ID

11710986

Incident

Nov 28, 2025

The oil pan got a large crack in it right by the plug

NHTSA ID

11710709

Incident

Nov 3, 2025