KIA Complaints

The backup camera on the trunk of the 2023 Kia Sorrento has fallen out. It is attached only by the wires. Apparently, my specific vehicle is not a part of the initial recall; however, the camera has fallen out and is now hanging. I do not feel as though I should be responsible for this repair as it is due to a manufacturing issue.

Constant Mis-firing, must put oil in car every 3 to 4 weeks. Hesitation when driving and sputtering.

I was driving down the highway no cars were near me in any direction and I was not near an overpass it sounded like a giant explosion. I heard glass moving around and realized something happened to my sunroof.

Despite being only 18 months old with under 26,000 miles, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure with no prior dashboard warnings. While driving at highway speeds, loud cracking noises occurred while the engine was running, though we were able to pull off safely. The incident resulted in a burning smell, fumes, and rapid battery drain; subsequent inspection revealed a sheared tensioner spring and a critical VDCU diagnostic code (P1A7795), indicating a "Check Generator Belt" error and a major hybrid power control system failure.

Incident Details: While traveling on MD-152 (Mountain Road) in Fallston, MD, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of motive power without any prior warning or dashboard indicators. There were no warning lights, no temperature spikes, and no mechanical noises before the engine seized. This sudden failure occurred in active traffic on a busy road, creating an immediate risk of a rear-end collision. Reason for Denial & Safety Risk: The vehicle is currently at a certified Kia dealership. I am being denied a remedy for this catastrophic engine failure due to "insufficient maintenance records." However, the Kia service department has confirmed in writing that "sludge is not a factor" in this case. Mechanically, the absence of sludge proves the engine was not neglected. Manufacturer Failure: After being denied and exploring other avenues, I have learned that the 2017 Sorento 3.3L V6 is covered under Kia Warranty Extension WTY035 (15 years/180,000 miles) for catastrophic engine failure related to head bolt and gasket defects. By using a lack of paperwork to deny a claim for a "sludge-free" engine, Kia is bypassing its safety obligations for a documented manufacturing flaw. I am reporting this as a dangerous "loss of motive power" defect that mirrors existing Kia engine safety recalls across their product line, and warrants federal oversight.

A few weeks ago my sunroof began with out warning began to malfunction. It stopped closing all the way . When finally close I noticed the right rear side of the roof not closing all the way. I've noticed the bracket that holds up the glass roof to the track was broken. I took the car back to my car dealership, Gerald kia of Matteson. They told me that it was my fault because the tracks wasn't greased. Something that I wasn't at first purchased a car brand new. So they told me that consider an outside influence ira it would not be covered under a factory warranty. The reason I am filling this is because of hearing about some roofs , exploding , and this could be a situation similar to that.

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding the driver monitoring/driver assistance system in the 2025 Kia Carnival. The system repeatedly issues “take a break” or inattentive driver warnings during normal, attentive driving conditions. These alerts are overly sensitive, frequent, and intrusive. Rather than improving safety, the warnings are highly distracting. The visual and audible alerts demand attention at critical moments, pulling focus away from the road. This creates a counterproductive and potentially hazardous situation, especially in traffic or complex driving environments. There appears to be no reasonable way to adjust the sensitivity or disable these alerts without impacting other safety features. A driver assistance system should support the driver—not introduce additional distraction or frustration. I request that this issue be investigated, including the calibration, trigger thresholds, and user control options for the system. A redesign or update may be necessary to ensure the feature enhances safety instead of undermining it.

The harness straps on the seat have begun to loosen while my child is riding in the seat. You do not need to use the harness adjuster button to loosen the straps. This is allowing a secure fit to become dangerously loose while the vehicle is in motion. I removed the car seat from the vehicle and was able to replicate the issue. A slight tug or movement makes the straps become loose and I can pull them completely out of the shell without using the harness adjuster. This is the same issue that started the Rava recall recently. The harness adjuster is clear of any debris and fully covered by fabric in this seat. There is no valid explanation to this other than a manufacturer defect. The seat is a few years old and has been used daily since receipt in Spring of 2023. It was purchased from the manufacturers website. One minor crash and the seat was not replaced because of the manufacturers stance on replacement (crash was May of 2024). This has been reported to the manufacturer as of 4/29/26.

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle began to make a knocking noise which became progressively louder and backfired. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust as the contact moved to the side of the road and exited the vehicle safely. The vehicle then developed a small fire underneath the hood in the engine compartment, which quickly became engulfed in flames. The contact was approximately 30 to 40 feet away when this occurred. The smoke was described as having an electrical odor. The fire spread into the interior of the vehicle, resulting in damage to the dashboard, front seats and windows. No additional property damage was reported. Emergency services were contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. The insurance company determined the vehicle to be a total loss. No injuries were sustained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number 20V750000 (Engine). The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine unexpectedly seized without warning. The contact stated that after the vehicle lost motive power, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that no diagnostic trouble codes were found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.