KIA Complaints

View complaints related to KIA. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2019 KIA SORENTO
    - Anaheim, CA

    Gasoline smell is coming with the left side of vehicle. Gasoline is leaking from the fuel pump causing the gas to puddle creating the gasoline smell.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Josephine, TX

    I own a 2011 Kia Optima, VIN [XXX]. My vehicle was taken to Rockwall Kia on August 25, 2026, for completion of NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-652 / Kia SC284TF involving the HECU fuse. The dealership replaced the HECU multi-fuse and label kit. Before the recall repair, the vehicle was operating normally. The same day I picked the vehicle up after the recall repair, the vehicle began dying while I was driving. I also noticed a burning smell. I returned the vehicle to Rockwall Kia. Their August 31, 2026 repair order documents my complaint and states that the vehicle would die while driving and that this problem “DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER RECALL COMPLETED.” The repair order instructs the technician to inspect whether the recall was completed properly and diagnose the concern. I am concerned because the HECU recall involves an electrical short/overcurrent condition and Kia's recall documentation specifically identifies burning/melting smell and smoke as warning symptoms. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether the post-recall stalling and burning smell could be related to the HECU recall repair or indicate a continuing safety problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2026 KIA K4
    - Cornelia, GA

    Was in a side impact collision on july 17, 2026, vehicle was totaled but no air bags deployed nor did any collision sensors go off

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA CARNIVAL
    - Martelle, IA

    I was cleaning my van and my 2 year old daughter closed the opposite door and the sensors did not stop the door and she got her fingers smashed into the door and potentially broke her fingers, took her to the ER and we are to repeat X-rays in 7 to 10 days.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA NIRO
    - Palm coast, FL

    I park the car, lock it and then later on can’t open it. I use the emergency key to enter it but then can’t start it even with a new battery in the key fob. It happened twice. It is an issue that needs to be fixed as soon as possible because in case of emergency you’re stuck outside your car and can’t use it to escape a danger or respond to an emergency. You’re a sitting duck in the open, going nowhere.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID
    - Franklin, WV

    My vehicle keeps throwing a code “check hybrid system” and slowing me down to 30mph, it will not accelerate. This is extremely dangerous. I can restart the car and it’s fine but this is a major safety issue considering it keeps happening

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Ogden, UT

    My engine failed from burning oil, even though the car has been maintained its whole life, 14 documented oil changes, roughly every 5,000 miles. • Jiffy-lube shop found the crankcase completely bone dry, only 4,344 miles after the last oil change. No reading on the dipstick. They added 6 quarts. Engine was knocking before and after. • No oil warning light ever came on, and no low-oil warning, just a check engine light and the knocking. • Towed same day to an independent shop. They found code P0524 (engine oil pressure too low) and say the internal noise is probably a rod bearing. Engine needs to be replaced. • The car goes into limp mode while driving. On the highway it dropped from 60 mph to 20 mph in live traffic with no warning. I couldn't safely get to an exit. • That's about 1.4 quarts per 1,000 miles, Kia's own bulletin ENG222 calls 1 quart per 1,000 excessive. • The car is not drivable, hasn't been repaired. This happened around 3 months after purchasing it second hand. Lots of other 2020 Telluride owners are reporting the same oil consumption problem.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA FORTE
    - Ivydale , WV

    Unknown. During a basic collision Avoidance maneuver performed by myself on the highway at speed of aprox 60MPH the steering suddenly became non-responsive, resulting in my inability to maintain directional control and cause a collision. The vehicle continued traveling before coming to its final resting position. During this sequence, the driver-side front suspension assembly sustained a catastrophic separation before the impact The steering knuckle was no longer attached to the vehicle, the strut was broken, and the driver-side wheel/tire ultimately ended up underneath the vehicle when the vehicle finally come to a stop . During the event The driver-side axle shaft completely detached and somehow come out of the transaxle housing and was found a significant distance back along the roadway, a great distance back before the initial impact . indicating that it separated before the vehicle reached its final resting position. It is in my strongest opinion the maneuver itself could have potentially been cause of the catastrophic event. And is potentially why I could not maintain complete complete control of vehicle the whole time.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Marietta, GA

    I opened my sunroof to let the heat out as we were getting back in after seeing a movie and the track popped and the sunroof glass was not broken, but not able to close because of the track. Kia dealership claimed not a warranty item and $7,000 to have fixed since it was the track that was faulty. Full mechanism needs replacing. Charged $250 for the diagnostic review and disabled the use of sunroof and moon roof until I pay to have the whole thing fixed. We were not driving when this happened. We were parked in a parking lot.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA NIRO
    - Los Angeles, CA

    2019 Kia Niro. While driving normally on the street, the driver attempted to brake & the brakes would not respond. This is a very scary situation and Kia needs to handle immediately!! The message "Stop the Vehicle and Check Regenerative Brakes" was displayed. Thankfully the driver was able to come to a stop without crashing but if this was during heavy traffic time it definitely would've resulted in a crash. Could be even that much worse on the freeway, especially in Los Angeles. The vehicle was towed to the drivers home. After checking again, the vehicle was in limp mode & would not go over 15mph. The driver was able to get it to a Kia shop to be checked & they quoted a $9,000 repair!! This is horrible that Kia is allowing this issue to go on!!!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE