KIA Complaints

I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2019 Kia Sorento that has experienced recurring oil loss/oil starvation and engine-related issues that I believe may present a safety concern. I purchased the vehicle used with approximately 45,000 miles. Since ownership, the vehicle has experienced repeated incidents involving low or nearly empty oil levels despite regular maintenance and monitoring. The vehicle previously underwent an oil consumption evaluation, however the issue continued afterward. During one event, the vehicle was reportedly found approximately three quarts low on oil. More recently, the vehicle again appeared to have little to no oil visible on the dipstick and began exhibiting drivability and engine concerns including grinding/banging noise during acceleration, intermittent timing/tensioner-type noise, misfires on cylinders 1 and 2, exhaust smoke, and strong oil-burning odor from the exhaust. Due to concern over possible engine damage and reliability, the vehicle was returned to the dealership for further diagnosis and repair. The dealership replaced ignition coils and spark plugs and road tested the vehicle extensively. While the vehicle is currently operating, I remain concerned that the underlying oil consumption/oil starvation condition may not have been permanently resolved. My concern is that repeated oil starvation conditions could potentially lead to sudden engine failure, loss of power while driving, or other safety-related issues. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed to determine whether similar complaints or defects exist involving oil consumption, oil starvation, or related engine failures in this vehicle.

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that an unknown, sticky fluid had spilled through the slits of the mode selector which was a dial that can be selected for driving during different road conditions. Upon start of the vehicle, the 4WD mode selector would intermittently flash on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated the mode selector would remain stuck in eco drive and that the contact could not switch out of the mode selector. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where upon a diagnostic, it was discovered that an unknown, sticky substance had entered the mode selector through the slits in the mode selector. The contact agreed to have the part replaced; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure where they refused to offer any assistance with the vehicle's repair. The vehicle remained in the dealer's possession and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the contact the oil light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact mention he pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle and when he lifted the hood of the vehicle, he noticed flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention. There was no police report filed. The fire department did not show at the scene to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle is currently still at the scene. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,658.

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while her husband was loading the child into the car seat. The rear button for the door was depressed by the child. The husband became stuck in between the sliding doors. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his previously injured rotary cuff, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,815.

Multiple door belt molding trims from two doors on my 2024 Kia Telluride detached from the vehicle, which is the subject of safety recall SC347 (NHTSA 25V494). The detached trim piece falls onto the roadway while driving, creating a road hazard for other vehicles and increasing the risk of a crash. The defect was confirmed by a Kia dealership, which documented the issue and acknowledged it falls under the active safety recall. I first brought the vehicle to the dealer on February 10, 2026 to have the recall repair performed. The dealer informed me the replacement parts are on backorder and didn’t provide or recommend a temporary rental. As of today, May 11, 2026 — over three months later — the repair has not been completed and no estimated completion date has been given. I have called back to ask the parts department at my service center for an ETA but they are only able to tell me that the replacement parts are still on back order. The failed component is the exterior door belt molding face plate, which is available for inspection at the dealership. Prior to full detachment, symptoms included the trim appearing visually loose and producing rattling and wind noise. My safety concern is that I am being forced to drive an unrepaired vehicle with a known safety defect because Kia has failed to supply adequate parts to complete this federally mandated recall repair in a timely manner.

To whom this may concern: This is what I sent to KIA which I was informed to contact KIA customer care via phone. Which I will do but I know of several people that have had the same issue as me with a Sorento. I am writing this in regards to my 2014 KIA Sorento VIN: [XXX] I purchased in November 2021. At time of purchase it had 89199 miles, I kept up routine maintenance as usual then May 2022 while my husband was driving down the interstate the KIA shut completely down. He tried to start it back and seen a warning display on screen. We then had it towed to KIA in Morristown,TN for them to inform us that the motor needed to be replaced. That this was an ongoing issue with this make /model of vehicle. Luckily I had extended warranty that I purchased through Farris auto when I financed the KIA. They covered the replacement of the motor with 65000 miles along with a couple other things at that time. So the replacement motor was installed by July 2022 I haven’t had any issues with it until September 2025 I had the exact same thing happen to the second motor that happened to the first while my husband was pulling into driveway. I tried contacting the warranty company and of course there was nothing they can do. I contacted KIA in Morristown TN and Knoxville TN spoke with someone in the service department and nothing they can do. For this to be a known issue with Kia Sorento why can I not get the motor fixed? I don’t know where or how to find out if the motor that was replaced is in the recall list but it seems to me that KIA as a company would stand by their product. I am still paying on a vehicle that I can’t even drive, just so it doesn’t hurt my credit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The sliding doors have a rubber piece that over time, gets stuck and causes the door to not latch and close, leaving the door to come open as you are driving. This has been a known issue with these sliding doors on my Kia Sedona. This is highly unsafe due to the ability of the door to come open as you are driving and potentially causing harm for someone to fall out and or be injured.

03/17/26: Kia Soul 2022 was brought into the dealership to have the safety recall (NHTSA: 25V099; Kia: SC336) addressed. There is a description of the service that says, “Piston Oil Ring.” Dealership stated everything was "good to go" upon completion of this service. Per dealership document, causal part says “Ring Set-Piston”, Issue number SC336. Issue Type: Safety Recall; Description: Piston Oil Ring. 04/20/2026: While driving, the engine light turned red/blinking. The car was immediately pulled over to the side of the road. It was towed to the aforementioned Kia dealership via AAA. The engine needed to be replaced. Regarding the engine: Issue number SC336Y1; Issue Type: Service Campaign; Description: DTC P1327 Engine R&R. 05/05/2026: While using the car, it would not move with attempt to accelerate from a 4-way stop. The oil light and battery light were red; the engine light was orange. A message on screen displayed: “Battery discharge warning. Please use the system after starting the vehicle.” When attempting to turn the key, the engine did not make any sound. Approximately 10-12 minutes later, I went through the same steps and the car turned on. Kia dealership was notified. Upon arrival to the dealership, I was told "these things happen," "it is likely the battery," and, "The fuel saving start-stop function that cars like the Soul have can lead to this kind of thing." It was also stated that the "battery was good, but the charge was low." Finally, I was told "the car should be fine to drive, since it made its way to the dealership" without issues. I verbalized the significant safety risk and stated I needed it assessed. The car remains at the dealership, as there is no root cause and this is a major safety hazard that, notably, occurred 6 days after the engine replacement. The dealership maintains that "there is nothing that can be done." This has been escalated to Kia Corporate. No issues with car prior to engine light turning red on 04/20/26.

i was driving home from work my 2020 Telluride shut off at stop light. I was able to turn the car back on and continue my drive after about 30 minutes into my continued drive i started hearing extreme banging noise coming from the front of the car. i then drove to kia dealership where they had inspected and diagnosed as the engine had failed and i would need a whole new engine.

Rear Subframe rust, sudden excessive suspension instability and excessive vibration while driving. A “recall” issue in UK but not the US ??