KIA Complaints

2023 Kia soul purchased brand new. Vehicle does not display speedometer, blinkers don't work, reverse camera doesn't work, nothing displays on dash, continuous alarm sound while vehicle is on. Having no indication of speed traveling or ability to signal turns is a safety concern. failure at approximately 1 year after purchase. Has been in the dealership for repair multiple times without success. Currently been at the dealership for 10 months with no offer of a loaner vehicle and refusal to buy back vehicle or replace vehicle. Dealer is unable to repair and claims it doesn't qualify for lemon law.

For the past year I have taken my vechicle in due to a strong vinegar smell that comes from the AC in the summer upon start up. They have been unable to remedy this issue. However they have said there is mold in the system. This posses a health issue due to poor air quality especially for small children in the vehicle.

I am reporting a concern regarding the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on my 2024 Kia Sportage SX Prestige. I have been attempting to understand the operating behavior of the vehicle’s FCA system using cardboard boxes as targets. I conducted observations at very low speeds (approximately 5 mph) as well as at approximately 30 mph. During these observations, the vehicle did not provide a forward collision warning or automatic braking at distances at which I expected the system to recognize a potential collision. I have not intentionally caused a collision or placed a person or another vehicle in danger. I am uncertain whether this behavior represents normal FCA operating limitations, the use of an inappropriate target, or a malfunction or calibration issue. I am therefore reporting the concern rather than asserting that a defect has been established. I am also uncertain what diagnostic or functional validation procedure Kia provides for this system. I have been able to find information regarding radar alignment, camera calibration, and diagnostic fault checking, but I have not been able to determine whether Kia provides dealers with a standardized functional test that verifies that FCW/AEB actually recognizes an appropriate vehicle target and intervenes at the expected point. The concern has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not yet been subjected to a standardized ADAS functional test using a recognized vehicle target. No warning lamps or diagnostic messages have appeared that I am aware of. The potentially affected components are Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking within the vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance System. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

I am reporting a concern regarding the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on my 2024 Kia Sportage SX Prestige. I have been attempting to understand the operating behavior of the vehicle’s FCA system using cardboard boxes as targets. I conducted observations at very low speeds (approximately 5 mph) as well as at approximately 30 mph. During these observations, the vehicle did not provide a forward collision warning or automatic braking at distances at which I expected the system to recognize a potential collision. I have not intentionally caused a collision or placed a person or another vehicle in danger. I am uncertain whether this behavior represents normal FCA operating limitations, the use of an inappropriate target, or a malfunction or calibration issue. I am therefore reporting the concern rather than asserting that a defect has been established. I am also uncertain what diagnostic or functional validation procedure Kia provides for this system. I have been able to find information regarding radar alignment, camera calibration, and diagnostic fault checking, but I have not been able to determine whether Kia provides dealers with a standardized functional test that verifies that FCW/AEB actually recognizes an appropriate vehicle target and intervenes at the expected point. The concern has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not yet been subjected to a standardized ADAS functional test using a recognized vehicle target. No warning lamps or diagnostic messages have appeared that I am aware of. The potentially affected components are Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking within the vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance System. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

I had two incidents with the Kia listed above involving the feature where the engine stops when at a light, and then turns back on when foot is removed from brake. The first instance happened in a parking lot while I was maneuvering into a spot. The accelerator sensor sent my car forward at a high rate of speed, and I missed a brick wall by inches. The second incident was much the same, maneuvering into a parking spot in my apartment building. Spaces are very tight and there is a lot of stopping, reversing, going forward. Again, I took my foot off the brake and the accelerator sensor sent my car speeding into the car parked in front of me. I did serious damage to my neighbor's car and go mine. I can turn off this feature, which I now do.

I am filing a formal safety compliance complaint regarding my 2016 Kia Soul (1.6L GDI engine) and a structural failure of the exhaust/catalytic converter system related to NHTSA Campaign 19V120000 / Recall SC176. The vehicle has thrown a persistent P0420 Check Engine Code (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) and is experiencing unsafe driving conditions, including severe power loss and sudden engine stalling in active traffic. Authorized franchise Valley Kia of Modesto has refused to honor the safety recall framework. They have denied federal compliance by refusing to perform the mandated exhaust inspections, engine combustion tests, or hardware replacement under the open recall guidelines, falsely claiming prior software updates absolve them of replacing the failed physical hardware. Corporate Case #26299283 was opened on August 19, 2026, but the franchise continues to operate in complete non-compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards, leaving an active fire and stalling hazard unresolved.

I am reporting multiple intermittent safety and electrical issues with my 2027 Kia Telluride. The rear passenger seat on the driver’s side repeatedly detects or indicates that a person is occupying the seat when the seat is completely empty with no objects on it. When this occurs, the rear seat belt warning activates and the alarm/chime repeatedly sounds as though an unbelted passenger is present. The issue is unpredictable. Sometimes it begins shortly after starting the vehicle and driving away. Other times, the vehicle operates normally and the warning suddenly activates while I am already driving. I have also experienced an Auto Hold system error/malfunction as well as other intermittent electrical/dashboard errors affecting vehicle functions and warning indicators. I am a member of a Facebook group for owners of this vehicle, and numerous owners have reported experiencing similar rear-seat detection/seat belt warning problems. I have also seen multiple reports from owners describing other electrical issues with their vehicles. This raises concern that these problems may not be isolated to my vehicle. I contacted my Kia dealership regarding these concerns and was advised that there is currently nothing they can do because there is no recall for the vehicle addressing these issues. I am concerned that an electrical, software, sensor, wiring, or control-module defect may be affecting multiple systems. The false occupant warning is especially concerning because I cannot determine whether the vehicle’s occupant and safety systems will function properly when an actual passenger is present. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate these issues to determine whether they represent a broader safety defect affecting the 2027 Kia Telluride.

I am submitting a complaint regarding a safety issue with the rearview camera on my 2020 Kia Niro EV. VIN # [XXX] The rearview camera display has stopped functioning properly. Based on technical research and driver community reports, this issue appears to stem from an electrical surge that causes the camera circuit to malfunction. Upon checking owner forums, I became aware of an active manufacturer campaign/recall (Kia Recall SC342) related to this fault. However, I have not received any official recall notification or letter from Kia regarding my vehicle. Because a non-functioning rearview camera significantly reduces rear visibility and poses a clear safety hazard, I request that the NHTSA review this defect and ensure affected owners are properly notified and provided with a repair solution. Thank you for your assistance in investigating this safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The tpms system will stop working and display a message saying check tire pressure monitoring system. While this message is displayed i cannot see any tire pressures and presumably will not receive any warnings about tires losing pressure. It starts working again on its own at seemingly random intervals. The dealership has been asked to look at it and found no issues. They asked to bring it back when the message was displayed but it is difficult to get the message to pop up and get to the dealership without it going away again.

Engine burning excessive oil over a quart in 1000 miles. Catalytic converter code P0420 because of the excessive oil burning. Oil was always changed within the specified dealer milage range.