2020 Kia Sorento engine problems
64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2020 Kia Sorento — 48% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My 2020 Kia Sorento stalled and shut off while driving and eventually stopped working completely, requiring it to be towed to a Kia dealership. The dealership first replaced the starter and then the high-pressure fuel pump, but the vehicle still would not operate. After further diagnosis, I was…”
filed Aug 18, 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…”
filed Jun 2, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
SC340_TSB_R5 · Emissions · issued Apr 4, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / UM) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions…
SC340_OWNR_UM103 · Emissions · issued Dec 19, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
SC340_TSB_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 10, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 101 / UM) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions…
SC340_OWNR_UM101 · Emissions · issued Nov 27, 2025
Engine problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 26% |
| 2024 Sorento | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 Sorento | 30 | 25% |
| 2022 Sorento | 52 | 28% |
| 2021 Sorento | 64 | 26% |
| 2019 Sorento | 155 | 36% |
| 2018 Sorento | 105 | 42% |
| 2017 Sorento | 385 | 48% |
| 2016 Sorento | 693 | 56% |
| 2015 Sorento | 360 | 48% |
| 2014 Sorento | 387 | 39% |
| 2013 Sorento | 496 | 51% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.