2020 Kia Sorento Powertrain (other) Problems

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

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

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 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

Car is in shop 3rd time 2020 sorento with 2.4l thete ii gdi engine. In May e went in p1326 code of death, knocking and blinking light. They put a band aid on. Back in September more issues, oil gasket valve cover and 4 spark plugs. Another bandaid, westarted seeing oil, I thought we were nuts because it was just fixed. Check engine light cane on, read 4th spark plug shot that they put in on 9/25. Tatvfirst rried sating 300 for plug and done. Then day after head mechanic says we need a new engine but all receipts not available. They're not filing a claim for an engine, these engine are blowing up and failing everywhere they just haven't gotten to year 2020 yet in law suits or settlements. When p1326 originally happened we were on the highway and it just decellateared and loud knock! Luckily we were okay and got over fast. With each issue car was immediately brought back to the Kia dealer, the sane dealer I bought the car new off lot in 2020.

NHTSA ID

11710056

Incident

Jan 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that for approximately a month, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the jerking stopped while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the mechanic test-drove the vehicle and stated that the failure might be associated with the transmission. The contact stated that after visiting the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,085.

NHTSA ID

11695745

Incident

Aug 15, 2025

Mileage

97,085 mi

Kia Sorento has a well documented engine failure. The issue starts with the vehicle consuming engine oil. Subsequently the connecting rod bearings fail resulting in severe engine failure. This happens even with regular oil change maintenance. I experienced that with this vehicle. Kia was contacted but said this vehicle's vin did not fall under the list of affected vehicles in their class action lawsuit

NHTSA ID

11683814

Incident

Aug 16, 2025

Hi, Please this Kia Sorento 2020 LX model of mine has a problem with glow relay. I just saw my check engine light on my dashboard when my mechanic checked for me it was confirmed with the OBD equipment to be a glow relay causing that. i have used my vehicle for only 2 years after purchase. Kindly recall this to be fixed for all users of this vehicle year model. Counting on your usual assistance and support. Thanks

NHTSA ID

11578608

Incident

Mar 20, 2024

Burning oil and no warning lights come on for low oil, had the car looked at and was told that there are no leaks. Mechanic also told me that it is the piston rings and that he has had other customers with the same experience and was told that kia is honoring the engine warranty even though the car is out of warranty, but will not fix mine.

NHTSA ID

11533059

Incident

May 25, 2023

Here’s the deal, what I would is for the dealership to accept a fair trade of equal monthly payments on a new Kia Sorento 2022. So here’s the deal I have a 2020 Kia Sorento LX looking to do a even trade for a 2022 Kia Sorento, same monthly payments of 540. I’ve filed a complaint with corporate about a issue I’ve had with my current kia which it has had a issue running around 4k rpm in sport mode and won’t drop down below normal ranges until in smart mode when I brought it in for its routine maintenance they said that the transmission was just catching up to the speed? Well on February 11th my wife was driving my car and the car experienced a issue were the engine was loud and car was slow an couldn’t get above 60mph. My cars drive SyncUP got this error code Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDLInput) (P0705), took it into kia east the next day, they claimed everything was safe and they couldn’t find anything wrong with it after having 3 techs look at it. On February 13th on Alabama highway going 70mph my blind spot collision warning came on, car made a clunking noise from the transmission, felt like we got hit, went from 70mph to 30mph. Completely unsafe, had to restart the car an seems to run normal for now but I do not feel safe in this car anymore. The same issue I got the second time was the same code that I got the first time, I have reached out on social media to see if others have had this issue since kia should have started a investigation to determine the root cause of this issue an have had another person step forward with the same experience. This is completely unacceptable and unsafe to have to second guess a vehicle that I was ensured would be completely safe after having it looked at. I’ve already contacted corporate about the issue, they are looking into it now. I have yet to hear back from the kia general manager, they are offering to trade the car in but yet have more negative equity on the car, how about a fair trade.

NHTSA ID

11453616

Incident

Feb 13, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11397159

Incident

Feb 20, 2021

Mileage

9,000 mi

I BOUGHT THIS CAN BRAND NEW 4/30/20. I NOTICED SMALL ERRATIC STUTTERING IN THE ENGINE WHILE CRUISING AT 30-40 MPH. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS OR THAT I DID SOMETHING TO CREATE IT. A FRIEND WAS RIDING WITH ME AND SSK WHAT WHAT CAUSING THE ISSUES. I SAID YOU CAN FEEL THAT? I TOOK THE CAR IN IN OCT @ THE FIRST OILD CHANGE 6KMILES ON THE CARE AT THIS POINT. THE DRIVE MODE WOULD BE DIFFERENT EACH STARTING AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. THEY RESET THE DRIVE MODES AND SAID THAT SHOULD FIX IT. HERE WE ARE A MTH LATER AT 7K MILES ON THE CAR. ITS STILL HAPPENING AS WELL AS LURCHING WHEN STOPPED. TOOK IT IN TODAY AND THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING WRONG AND COULD NOT RECREATE IT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT THEY DON'T SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING THE ISSUE RESOLVED. THIS WILL BE MY LAST TIME DEALING WITH A KIA!!!

NHTSA ID

11375411

Incident

Sep 18, 2020

Mileage

5,000 mi

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. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT. FOUND OUT WHEN I PICK UP THE VEHICLE UP THAT THEY IN FACT INSTALLED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE NOW HAS 1100 MILES ON IT. PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AND THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT A KAI REP WAS GOING TO COME OUT AND LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID HE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT. THE KIA REP THEN DROVE ANOTHER SORRENTO ON THE LOT AND REPORTED BACK THAT MY SORRENTO WAS 'OPERATING AS DESIGNED'. I ALSO DROVE TWO OTHER V6 8 SPEED SORRENTO'S THAT WERE ON THE LOT AND THEY WERE BOTH HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN MY 45 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION BEHAVE LIKE THIS UNLESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. I HAVE ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO THE KIA CUSTOMER CARE CENTER (800) 333-4542. THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTER ARE LIKE LEMMINGS AND ONLY READ BACK TO ME WHAT THE DEALERSHIP AND SO CALLED EXPERT ENTERED IN TO THE SYSTEM. I WAS ADVISED BY THE CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE THAT IF I WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF I COULD DO SO AND IF KIA DID PUT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL I COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSES.

NHTSA ID

11366977

Incident

Jul 15, 2020

WHEN CAR IS COLD IT ACTS LIKE IT SKIPS TAKING OFF ON A HILL. ( TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY) TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THAT SAID THIS IS NORMAL I THINK IT WILL BE A LOT WORST THIS WINTER WHEN IT GETS REAL COLD AS THE CAR HESITATES WHEN TAKING OFF AND PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC

NHTSA ID

11348480

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

6,150 mi

TRANSMISSION STUTTERS OR HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, AND IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. IT IS WORST WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR TWO MONTHS AND IT HAS ACTED THIS WAY FROM DAY ONE.

NHTSA ID

11342828

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

100 mi

THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASE MY NEW KIA I HAD STARTED TO WORK THE MOTOR WAS COLD AND WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS IT SLIPPING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT UNTIL MOTOR HAS WARMED UP I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STAYED TO JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL THE FIRST OIL CHANGE AND THEY WOULD CHECK ON IT THEN I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS GOING BACK DOWN WHEN DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326295

Incident

Apr 11, 2020

THE TRANSMISSION WILL ACT IN A VERY ERRATIC MANNER WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST DRIVEN AFTER SITTING COLD FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS WHEN ACCELERATING, AND PERSISTS UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A FEW MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326068

Incident

May 26, 2020

Mileage

4,700 mi

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 TRANSMISSION MODULE 2 TIMES WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IN ALL 4 DRIVING MODES. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 10-22-2019 AND THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 3 OR 4 DAYS LATER AND CONTINUES THROUGH TODAY 2-23-2020.

NHTSA ID

11310921

Incident

Oct 25, 2019

Mileage

100 mi