2020 Kia Sorento transmission problems

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Transmission · IA

The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a routine oil change when the contact was informed that there was an unknown issue with the vehicle however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid was leaking and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

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 requires a complete replacement due to internal mechanical failure. The catastrophic mechanical failure of the engine directly caused consequential damage to the emissions system, entirely clogging the catalytic converter with unburned fuel/debris. Despite the clear link to the known, systemic defects inherent to the Theta II engine line—which is subject to active federal consent orders, safety recalls, and lifetime warranty extensions—both the dealership and Kia Corporate are refusing to honor the 8-year/80,000-mile Federal Emissions Defect Warranty. The manufacturer is attempting to use the catastrophic failure of their own defective, recalled engine line to evade their legal environmental and safety warranty obligations, leaving the consumer stranded without alternative transportation. This represents a systemic effort by the manufacturer to deflect liability for documented powertrain safety failures onto individual consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · UT

Oil pressure light would come on and off, dealer said was probably the sensor got it replaced. Came back on the night I picked it back up.

Filed Feb 13, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · AL

I bought a Kia 2020 from Long Lewis 3 days after i got it the check engine light come on, I called and told them, then around the 5th day black smut started covering the back of the suv, and i was smelling a burnt oi; and antifreeze smell, took it to a shop and they pulled the codes and one code was P045600 and another was P074100 then airbag codes, not even a month it started jerking they told me to bring it in so i did, he said they cleared the codes and was gonna fixed the evap, i asked about the torch converter and he said that must've been a code from the history but it wasn't, it did have a history of the code though, and i asked about the black smut on back of the vehicle he said nothing they can do about that and said fixing the evap may fix it, but sometimes it smells like it's on fire, and jerks

Filed Jan 10, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · RI

Car is in shop 3rd time 2020 sorento with 2.4l thete ii gdi engine. In May e went in p1326 code of death, knocking and blinking light. They put a band aid on. Back in September more issues, oil gasket valve cover and 4 spark plugs. Another bandaid, westarted seeing oil, I thought we were nuts because it was just fixed. Check engine light cane on, read 4th spark plug shot that they put in on 9/25. Tatvfirst rried sating 300 for plug and done. Then day after head mechanic says we need a new engine but all receipts not available. They're not filing a claim for an engine, these engine are blowing up and failing everywhere they just haven't gotten to year 2020 yet in law suits or settlements. When p1326 originally happened we were on the highway and it just decellateared and loud knock! Luckily we were okay and got over fast. With each issue car was immediately brought back to the Kia dealer, the sane dealer I bought the car new off lot in 2020.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Transmission · 97,085 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that for approximately a month, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the jerking stopped while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the mechanic test-drove the vehicle and stated that the failure might be associated with the transmission. The contact stated that after visiting the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,085.

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · TX

Kia Sorento has a well documented engine failure. The issue starts with the vehicle consuming engine oil. Subsequently the connecting rod bearings fail resulting in severe engine failure. This happens even with regular oil change maintenance. I experienced that with this vehicle. Kia was contacted but said this vehicle's vin did not fall under the list of affected vehicles in their class action lawsuit

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Transmission · MD

Hi, Please this Kia Sorento 2020 LX model of mine has a problem with glow relay. I just saw my check engine light on my dashboard when my mechanic checked for me it was confirmed with the OBD equipment to be a glow relay causing that. i have used my vehicle for only 2 years after purchase. Kindly recall this to be fixed for all users of this vehicle year model. Counting on your usual assistance and support. Thanks

Filed Jul 18, 2023 · Transmission · MI

Burning oil and no warning lights come on for low oil, had the car looked at and was told that there are no leaks. Mechanic also told me that it is the piston rings and that he has had other customers with the same experience and was told that kia is honoring the engine warranty even though the car is out of warranty, but will not fix mine.

Filed Feb 23, 2022 · Driver assistance, Transmission · FL

Here’s the deal, what I would is for the dealership to accept a fair trade of equal monthly payments on a new Kia Sorento 2022. So here’s the deal I have a 2020 Kia Sorento LX looking to do a even trade for a 2022 Kia Sorento, same monthly payments of 540. I’ve filed a complaint with corporate about a issue I’ve had with my current kia which it has had a issue running around 4k rpm in sport mode and won’t drop down below normal ranges until in smart mode when I brought it in for its routine maintenance they said that the transmission was just catching up to the speed? Well on February 11th my wife was driving my car and the car experienced a issue were the engine was loud and car was slow an couldn’t get above 60mph. My cars drive SyncUP got this error code Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDLInput) (P0705), took it into kia east the next day, they claimed everything was safe and they couldn’t find anything wrong with it after having 3 techs look at it. On February 13th on Alabama highway going 70mph my blind spot collision warning came on, car made a clunking noise from the transmission, felt like we got hit, went from 70mph to 30mph. Completely unsafe, had to restart the car an seems to run normal for now but I do not feel safe in this car anymore. The same issue I got the second time was the same code that I got the first time, I have reached out on social media to see if others have had this issue since kia should have started a investigation to determine the root cause of this issue an have had another person step forward with the same experience. This is completely unacceptable and unsafe to have to second guess a vehicle that I was ensured would be completely safe after having it looked at. I’ve already contacted corporate about the issue, they are looking into it now. I have yet to hear back from the kia general manager, they are offering to trade the car in but yet have more negative equity on the car, how about a fair trade.