2020 Kia Sorento: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Kia Sorento: 1 recall, 137 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Trailer hitch Vehicle recall #22V703000 · 2022 · 70,887 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 12 mention a fire, 21 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (66): the most common themes are warning light on (19), excess oil use (16), fire / smoke (13).
- Other / unknown (24): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), fire / smoke (4).
- Electrical (20): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), fire / smoke (6), stalls / loses power (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (18): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (7), warning light on (5), noise or vibration (2).
The 2020 Kia Sorento has 137 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 24 Sorento model years for complaints (well below the 425 average). Complaints peaked in 2025 (40 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 19,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (428 complaints, 2 recalls), 2021 (253 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Kia Sorento.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2020 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2020 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Kia Sorento problems?
Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (66), other / unknown (24), electrical (20).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Sorento get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (S6)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Kia Sorento repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.