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2020 Kia Sorento Electrical Problems

18 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

18
Complaints
6
Fires
Jan 2026Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (18)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FireFiled: Feb 2026

Your 2020 Kia Sorento was subject to a safety recall (22V703000) due to a fire risk from a potential electrical short in the tow hitch harness module. Despite attempting to schedule the recall repair at an authorized dealership, you were unable to get a confirmed appointment. Your vehicle caught fire while driving on a highway in Florida before the recall repair could be completed, and the vehicle was destroyed. The dealership did not follow up after you reported the fire and unresolved recall. Repairing this issue requires replacing or inspecting the tow hitch harness module and related electrical components to eliminate the short circuit risk.

NHTSA #: 11718700
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
FireFiled: Jan 2026

While driving, all dashboard warning lights came on and smoke poured through your vents. You heard a loud pop while pulling over, and flames erupted from under the front of your car. A passerby extinguished the fire, and you discovered a wrist pin from your engine at the bottom of the vehicle along with significant fluid leakage. Kia corporate initially promised assistance but then stopped responding to your calls, and your insurance company denied the claim citing mechanical failure.

NHTSA #: 11711529
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
FireFiled: Jan 2026

While driving at 35 mph on a clear day, your dashboard suddenly lit up with warning lights, followed by a loud pop and smoke pouring through the vents. You pulled over immediately and discovered a fire under the hood caused by a piston cylinder piece that had failed, spilling oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid. A bystander helped extinguish the fire. The failure occurred at 75,000 miles despite regular maintenance, and Kia initially promised assistance but did not follow through. This issue requires engine diagnosis and likely replacement of the failed internal engine components.

NHTSA #: 11710268
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

You discovered that a part fell out of your engine. You're unsure what the part is and wanted to add this finding to a previous complaint you'd already filed. The exact component and cause aren't clear from the information provided.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11707314
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Your oil pressure switch has been diagnosed as faulty by both an independent mechanic and Kia's service center, causing your check engine light to display an oil pressure warning. Kia is refusing to cover the repair under warranty, though you believe it should be covered. The repair will likely involve replacing the oil pressure switch.

NHTSA #: 11725785
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

Your vehicle is experiencing an electrical system issue that may also involve the engine. You should contact Kia directly or visit a dealership to have them diagnose which specific electrical or engine component is affected, as the complaint does not specify the exact problem.

NHTSA #: 11707320
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. The blinkers and the radio were inoperable for several seconds before returning to normal function. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times while the contact and the contact's wife were driving the vehicle. The contact stated the failure was a major safety hazard, especially while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was required to pay a fee for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA #: 11695305
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2025

My headlights went out completely and without warning on a dark highway. No brights or even the orange running lights. Not even the front hazard lights would go on. There was no warning until after they went out. I pulled over as best I could but there was very little shoulder and semi trucks speeding past me at 70 mph about a foot away from my car. There was a ditch about a foot to the right. I stayed in my car and turned the interior lights on until after highway patrol officer escorted me to a safe turn off. Thankfully my rear hazard lights were working. My husband had to drive a hour to come pick me up. I got home 3 hours later than originally planned. I talked to a mechanic who said it was likely a fuse that went out. I asked him why there was no warning and he said the warning for the lights is likely on the same fuse as the lights! How is that helpful?! We weren’t able to find the right fuse late at night in the dark, so we had to leave it on the side of the road about 60 miles from home until we could go to an auto parts store and drive it home in the daylight. It was a very dangerous situation. I could have been killed.

NHTSA #: 11694133
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact attempted to use the horn, but the horn failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the horn. Approximately a week later, while attempting to use the horn, the failure recurred. The dealer was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,188.

NHTSA #: 11684988
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2025

My 2020 Kia Sorento engine light came on and not able to accelerate more than 40 mph. The code when I went to an auto repair shop says knock signal range/ performance. I had it reset by the mechanic and the engine light still on. The engine is also eating through oil very fast. We have to fill the car with oil frequently in between oil changes.

NHTSA #: 11673429
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: May 2025

I am currently making very expensive car payments for this car and was not informed this car was on recall. I pay 375 every other week. And I have been having electricitial issues. I was seeing about some short of reimbursement.

NHTSA #: 11658795
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TRAILER HITCHES
FireFiled: Apr 2025

The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the fuse box located on the driver's side had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was provided; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. A Police report was filed and provided to the contact. The dealer was not contacted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000(Trailer Hitches). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #: 11656250
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: May 2023

While adding the anti theft software to our 2020 sorento they short circuited the BLM which is the brain box for the vehicle. They have had the car for 4 weeks now and they say the have the part on order but they do not know when the part will be sent. In the mean while they are making us pay for a rental car on our credit card until the part comes in and then will reimburse us.

NHTSA #: 11524619
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2023

I had my recalls on my vehicle completed by a kia dealership and need that to reflect in your system for my vin so I can ship my vehicle due to military permanent change of duty station orders. I will be shipping my vehicle on 31 May 2023 and need this resolved prior to doing so. Please assist ASAP. Thank you!

NHTSA #: 11522970
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2023

No remedy to fix in over three months. Told not to drive car if installed

NHTSA #: 11509559
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TRAILER HITCHES
Filed: Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the battery drained quickly after not driving the vehicle for several days. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #: 11504393
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Dec 2022

There already is a recall for my problem, NHTSA Recall #22V703, but Kia has refused to honor the recall after my vehicle electrical wires started burning, exactly as warned in the Recall. Kia asserts that the trailer hitch and wiring was not installed by Kia, but in fact it was installed by a Kia Dealer.

NHTSA #: 11498880
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Oct 2022

The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her daughter saw smoke coming out of the vehicle. The contact stated that as she opened the vehicle, she saw flames on the front side of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent out a field technician to investigate the cause of the failure. The manufacturer later sent a letter to the contact stating that the cause of the failure was undetermined. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) as her vehicle was equipped with a trailer hitch. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

NHTSA #: 11487905

Other 2020 Kia Sorento Issues