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.

  • 2025 KIA SPORTAGE PHEV
    - San Jose, CA

    on saturday [XXX] while driving on the highway my car lost propulsion and started slowing down even after i was pressing on the acceleration/gas pedal all the way. It happened 3 times within an hour's time frame the car refused to speed up and would stop driving. I was in immediate risk as well as the drivers behind me since i was on the highway and my vehicle immediately slowed down and came to a stop. The dealer asked me to not drive in an eco mode after i took it to the service station at winn kia fremont, they ran diagnostics. This happened in san jose California INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Dayton, OH

    This vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) has suffered repeated catastrophic engine shutdowns and complete loss of propulsion power while in motion. The dashboard displayed "Engine off! Shift to P or N, then start engine." This has occurred so many times the owner lost count, requiring multiple tows to Kia of Beavercreek. Following one incident, Service Manager Brad personally assured the owner's wife, looking her directly in the eye, that the repair was successful and the vehicle was safe. Within 48 hours of pickup, the identical shutdown recurred. The vehicle was towed back a second time. The dealership now states they cannot duplicate the condition, leaving this life-threatening defect unresolved. Delivery has been officially refused due to imminent risk of collision or serious injury. Kia America case open: No. [XXX]. Ohio Attorney General case open: No. [XXX]. This vehicle is an active, unaddressed public safety hazard requiring immediate federal investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 KIA OPTIMA
    - Brazil, IN

    Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug.oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA STINGER
    - Beaumont, TX

    The contact owns a 2022 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that he had initially noticed that the vehicle's A/C unit had failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where they discovered a defect with the main wiring harness. The contact then called an independent mechanic and was informed that there may be recall on the vehicle for the wiring harness. The contact inquired with the dealer about a recall and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure miel409) 896-5050age was approximately 100,000

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2018 KIA SOUL
    - Saint Augustine, FL

    On [XXX], my 2018 Kia Soul (VIN [XXX] ) displayed DTC P1326 with a blinking check engine light and went into limp mode. Ray’s Automotive documented P1326 in writing, added oil, and cleared the light only to allow safe transport. At Greenway Kia (Avenues), they charged $199 and refused to create a Vehicle Diagnosis Number (VDN) or perform the Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) unless they could reproduce the code. This directly contradicts Kia TSB PI2107Y/Z (Rev 1, 11/07/2024), which states: “A Vehicle Diagnosis Number (VDN) must be created with or without DTC P1326, after scanning for DTCs, prior to performing PI2107Y/Z.” Ray’s found low oil, but my next scheduled oil change was still 300 miles away. I refused to accept the vehicle back because limp mode is unsafe for my daughter (primary driver). The dealer recently told me to pick it up anyway. Kia Corporate opened Case #[XXX] after 2 separate 2-hour Kia recorded calls on June 1 and June 3, 2026, but continues to refuse the required diagnostic. This is a known manufacturing defect covered under Kia Product Improvement Campaign PI2107 and the class-action engine settlement. The refusal creates a serious safety risk for my daughter and family. Requested Action: Require Kia to follow the published TSB (VDN creation and Bearing Clearance Test with or without active code) and provide a rental vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2015 KIA SEDONA
    - Des Moines, IA

    Our 2015 Kia Sedona VIN [XXX] developed CAN Bus fault codes U0001 U0100 U0101 rendering it completely undrivable following an incomplete warranty extension repair under WTY019 by Kia of Des Moines on [XXX] RO# [XXX]. The power sliding doors have been a persistent safety concern. The incomplete warranty extension repair left the sliding door not closing properly creating a safety hazard. The vehicle subsequently developed CAN Bus communication faults making it completely undrivable. After 28 days at Kia of Des Moines from May 4 to June 1 2026 under RO# [XXX] the CAN Bus fault was never diagnosed or addressed. The power sliding door still does not function after two warranty extension repairs. Upon retrieval June 1 2026 the vehicle continues to exhibit active CAN Bus warnings BDS warning lights flickering humming sound and rough driving. We believe the sliding door safety issues and CAN Bus failure are directly connected and represent a safety concern for other 2015-2017 Kia Sedona owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 KIA SORENTO
    - San Tan Valley, AZ

    Sunroof/Moonroof After a stop light, while driving at less than 30mph, sunroof/moonroof exploded outwards. There were no surrounding cars in front or beside or in other lane direction. It was not hot or cold out. Evening time. No weather issues. If the fabric shade screen had not been closed all the glass would have fallen all over driver. There was no warning of any kind. Glass just exploded outward into a point like a mountain peak. Then glass started falling inwards into car. Took to dealership, had insurance company evaluate for repairs, insurance approved repairs performed by dealership. Dealership service writers said this has happened on other kia's.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA NIRO
    - mesa, AZ

    The AC compressor failed due to an isolation resistance failure at the high voltage inverter. Freon leaked from the AC system into the battery chiller coolant loop, causing crystallization and blockages in the inverter coolant circuit. This is a battery thermal management system failure. The failure was confirmed and diagnosed by an authorized Kia dealer. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard including an inverter coolant warning. The vehicle was driven in ambient temperatures exceeding 108 degrees Fahrenheit in Arizona with no cabin cooling and a compromised battery thermal management system, creating a safety risk to the driver. The dealer quoted repair including AC compressor replacement, battery chiller replacement, and inverter coolant flush. Kia Consumer Affairs denied warranty coverage under the federal emissions warranty despite the vehicle being within the 8 year/80,000 mile coverage window at approximately 58,309 miles. No written explanation for the denial was provided. This failure appears to be a known pattern on this platform based on owner reports. The battery chiller and inverter coolant system are integral to battery thermal management and should be covered under the federal emissions warranty. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate in extreme Arizona heat without functioning thermal management.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA SORENTO
    - Van Nuys, 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)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA EV6
    - West Hartford, CT

    Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/LOW VOLTAGE BATTERY, PROPULSION system:Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) Description: This vehicle previously had the mandated safety recall software update (Campaign SC327) applied by an authorized Kia dealership in December 2024 to protect the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). The corporate recall remedy failed. In January 2026, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power while driving on a public roadway due to a total ICCU failure, which created an immediate hazard for myself and my young child who was inside the vehicle. When the primary ICCU component failed, it starved the low-voltage system, causing severe deep-discharge damage to the 12V battery. Following the warranty repair of the ICCU in February 2026, the vehicle was returned to me. However, Kia's official corporate diagnostic and repair procedures for this defect are fundamentally flawed and incomplete; they do not mandate a comprehensive load-test or automatic replacement of the 12V battery following an ICCU collapse. Because of this failure in the official repair procedures, the vehicle was returned to service with a critically compromised low-voltage system. This directly resulted in recurring battery warning messages over the subsequent months, culminating on May 29, 2026, in a secondary, total 12V battery failure that completely bricked the vehicle. The failure of the manufacturer's official safety recall remedy and the subsequent inadequacy of their post-failure service protocol left this vehicle in a chronically un-roadworthy and unsafe condition.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE