Vehicles · Insights

2020 Kia Sorento

2020 Kia Sorento: the engine dominates owner complaints

Owners filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The engine is by far the most reported area at 49% (63 reports), tied to 4 fires, 1 crash, and 2 injuries. The electrical system is next at 14% and stands out for fires (6). The power train (13%) and reports about the fuel/propulsion system and trailer hitches (7% each) round out the list. No deaths are reported, but multiple areas involve fire, so check the engine bay and wiring carefully.

Most reported areas

Engine safety 49%
By far the biggest complaint: 63 reports (49%), with 4 fires, 1 crash, and 2 injuries. Watch for overheating and warning chimes while driving.
Electrical System safety 14%
Second most reported: 18 reports (14%), including 6 with fire. The high fire count makes this worth a close look.
Power Train0 13%
17 reports (13%), with no crashes, fires, or injuries noted. Complaints center on how the vehicle shifts and accelerates.
Fuel/Propulsion System safety 7%
9 reports (7%), including 1 crash and 1 fire. A smaller but recurring area.
Trailer Hitches safety 7%
9 reports (7%), with 1 fire. Several reference NHTSA recall campaign 22V703000.

Source: NHTSA owner complaints · 128 complaints

Track maintenance, recalls, and costs for your Kia — and see this inside the app.

Get Vehicle Story Maintenance schedule

General information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only — not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Team AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.