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.

  • 2023 KIA SPORTAGE
    - Boston, MA

    I had gotten my windshield replaced by safelite last year. On a cold day while driving to work, I went to adjust my rearview mirror and the rearview mirror came off from the windshield. It completely detached. I was adjusting it as I would any other time I adjusted the rear view mirror. This obviously left me in a lurch because I had to go to work. So I drove without a rear view mirror until I could get a replacement after the work day. This is obviously a dangerous situation to be in. I reached out to safelite because they have a lifetime warranty. They informed me that they will not cover replacement because a small piece of glass came off of the windshield which according to them means it must have been a result of force.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA RIO
    - vista, CA

    The airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard and has stayed on permanently. This indicates a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Because the warning light is active, there is a severe safety risk that the airbags may not deploy correctly or at all in the event of a crash, putting the driver and passengers at risk of serious injury. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SOUL
    - Plano, TX

    The vehicle is burning oil. It creates residue in my engine which may make it dangerous to drive and ruin the catalytic converter, among other issues. I was first notified of this problem during my second oil change in 01/2026 at a Kwik Kar Lube & Tune, about 6 months after purchasing the vehicle in 06/2025. As of 05/2026, an oil warning lamp began to appear on the vehicle dashboard to notify me that the oil was low. I checked the oil stick, and there was burnt oil, albeit very little of it. I had gotten a full synthetic oil change, so it was not yet time to change my oil, but clearly this issue is causing premature oil loss.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA TELLURIDE
    - hanover, MD

    While attempting to operate the sunroof on my Kia Telluride, the sunroof mechanism failed and became completely stuck in the open position. The sunroof will not close, bypass, or reset, leaving the cabin fully exposed. Upon inspection, it appears the internal mechanism arms or wind deflector components have failed/broken, which prevents the glass from sliding forward back into its sealed, closed position.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA SELTOS
    - Okatie, SC

    My 2022 Kia Seltos out of nowhere started smoking, losing power, total control and braking. There were no lights on the dashboard warning of any kind complete stall than a little bit of power hesitation stall no brakes. I managed to coast it into a parking space at a hotel with it smoking so bad I couldn’t see. It then burst into flames and golfing the entire Engine bay and melting the front of the car about 90 seconds after I got out of the car all of the symptoms here are completely aligned with the recall on this vehicle and the soul. In fact, my son soul had all the same issues except the fire and Kia refused to replace the Engine claiming that his lack of a recent oil change caused the problem that we all see reported here this vehicle was not in the recall VIN group but failed catastrophically just as described in the recall

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA CARNIVAL
    - Hampton, VA

    For the third time the 2025 KIA Carnival Prestige I own lost power while driving on the interstate! Without warning, the vehicle would no longer respond to the accelerator pedal. No matter what I did I could not get the vehicle to accelerate past 35 mph. The minimum speed limit on the interstate is 45 mph. I had to immediately engage my hazard lights and make my way over to the shoulder of the road from the passing lane. This was a dangerous situation for me and my family and others on the highway. Warning lights came on, check engine light, charging system, and a maintenance service message. Driving in Sport mode, Smart mode, nor Econo mode could change the negative situation. This took place multiple times during the final leg of my last trip to [XXX] , extending for over 120 miles. This is a very unsafe, unreliable vehicle, that should never be driven on public roadways… especially not highways nor interstates. Three negatively, traumatic experiences is ENOUGH!!! I’m DONE!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Perris, CA

    Ever since purchasing this 2023 Kia telluride I have felt a skipping or thumping feeling when making a turn from a stop sign or a light, at a slower speed, then accelerating.. I have read many many forums stating this happens in A LOT of these models of vehicles. It is called a failing AWD coupler! I have mentioned it to the dealer but they could not replicate at the shop so I moved on. Now issue after issue is arising with this vehicle.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA OPTIMA
    - New Braunfels, TX

    I was driving on the freeway and my check engine light started to flicker and I felt my car shake and going to limp mode. I made an appointment with the Kia dealership and they told me the engine is failing. They submitted a request for a Goodwill case to Kia corporation and it was denied since there’s no open recalls and is not covered by the extended warranty. the dealership recommended me to take my car and keep driving it even though it’s unsafe the vehicle will not go above 50 mph and it starts to shake when driving I have tried to call Kia corporate and explain this situation but they have yet to follow up with me in my case

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA NIRO
    - Campbell, CA

    Problem 1, Check Engine Light: I purchased the used car on Jan 9 2025, around 23,400 miles from Kia Dealership, capitol Expy in San Jose. Today 05/27/2026, the odometer reads 26, 407 miles. My car is used only twice a week - 20 miles on Fridays, 12 miles on Wednesdays. My car has less than minimum wear and tear and is barely used. I completed my 25K service after Thanksgiving in Nov 2025. I have not even driven 1500 miles and the car is back in for service. Prior to this, within a month of purchasing my car Kia replaced the battery in my car. Around Mar 15, 2026, the Check Engine Light displayed. I called the Kia Dealership on Capitol Expy in San Jose 3-4 times, but they Kia dealership don't call back. On 05/15/2026, for the first time I drove about 50 miles return trip. While driving North on I-280 from [XXX] to [XXX] , over rolling hills that had some incline, the Check Engine Light came on.I scheduled service. I experienced that the vehicle struggle to climb the incline of rolling hills, after the battery charge was exhausted and the engine was running only on gas. The gas was 3/4 full. This is a safety hazard for me to be interrupted by Check Engine Light twice while driving and that too when my car has not even completed 30K miles. My car is sin Service on 05/26/2026 and in the shop for 3 days diagnosis. The Kia Dealership has yet to determine the problem. I have had to rent my own rental car even though I purchased Extended Warranty on the car. Problem 2, Blind Spot Warning Light on right side mirror: On 05/13/2026 and on 05/22/2026, the Blind Spot warning light on right side mirror does not display oncoming traffic when my car is parallel to the lane markings. On 05/13/2026, I was driving at 30mph and on 05/22/2026 I was stationary in the center divider. In both instances, the passing driver had to honk at me really loud -- to avert an accident. Both problems are severe safety hazards. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 KIA OPTIMA
    - Baltimore, MD

    The engine of this vehicle is still exhibiting the issues that are under the class action lawsuit. Engine. Was not repaired properly by dealership. I must change my oil around 1700 miles

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE