2020 Kia Sorento
Gas Compact SUV
The 2020 Kia Sorento is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sorento FWD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 134 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,500 |
| Sorento AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 |
| Sorento FWD | Gas | FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 |
| Sorento AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2020 Kia Sorento is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (1)
Trailer Hitches
criticalProblem: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Engine — Loss of Motive Power (closed)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003
Owner complaints
134 complaints filed
9 involved a crash, 11 a fire, 21 injuries, 1 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2020: 7 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 40 · 2026: 30
Most-cited components
- Engine — 64
- Unknown Or Other — 24
- Electrical System — 19
- Power Train — 18
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 9
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 16% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 15% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other Sorento model years
2027 Sorento
0 recalls · 0 complaints
B2026 Sorento
2 recalls · 5 complaints
D2025 Sorento
4 recalls · 125 complaints
B2024 Sorento
2 recalls · 47 complaints
F2023 Sorento
4 recalls · 156 complaints
F2022 Sorento
9 recalls · 221 complaints
F2021 Sorento
5 recalls · 263 complaints
C2019 Sorento
2 recalls · 426 complaints
D2018 Sorento
3 recalls · 252 complaints
F2017 Sorento
4 recalls · 801 complaints
F2016 Sorento
8 recalls · 1,248 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 41601, 41603, 41602, 41604). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.