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2020 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
130 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2018–2022 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2020 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Engine problems dominate (48% of complaints, typically reported near 80k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#298 of 432Among the 2020 models with a matured record, the 2020 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid ranks #298, scoring higher than 11% of them. See the 2020 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2020 Kia Sorento SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2020 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (19) · Transmission & drivetrain (17) · Fuel system (9) · Trailer Hitches (9)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
48%63 complaints · typically near 80k mi · 53 in the last 2 years
“Engine is burning oil at a significant rate, when I get my oil changed at the dealers recommendation it is extremely low. I have to replace the oil regularly between o…”
Electrical system
15%19 complaints · 13 in the last 2 years
“My Oil Pressure Switch is diagnosed as faulty by independent service center as well as Kia. Kia is denying coverage. I have found information that it should be covered…”
Transmission & drivetrain
13%17 complaints · 6 in the last 2 years
“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.”
Fuel system
7%9 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe engine malfunction/misfire while in operation, presenting a serious safety hazard on the road. Following the incident, the vehicl…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 130 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 20 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Park itTrailer Hitches · 22V703000
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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Kia before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2020 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 80k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2020 Kia SORENTO PLUG-IN HYBRID beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2020? See how every Sorento Plug-in Hybrid model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2020 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.