KIA Complaints

The Kias have been recalled for a failure to adhere the shark fin antenna. This has been recalled in some models. My 2016 has fallen off and is not on the recall list. Please include.

Hi my vehicle was stolen and the police found the vehicle. The car was damaged part of the damages was a broken ignition. I am unable to fix the damages until I get paid from the kia classaction lawsuit. The car still starts and stays running. I have the key for the car but I have been starting the car was butter knife bc it's easier then the key. I made an appointment to have the oil piston ring looked at. When I brought it I. They refused to look at it bc it has a broken ignition. I don't think the safety recall has anything to do w the ignition. The car is easy to turn on and shut off. I wouldn't care if my car wasn't stalling at traffic lights. My car is going thru a lot of oil. I am not working currently. This car was purchased for me by my dad. He paid cash for it. He bought it bc I had just been diagnosed w a rare autoimmune disease. He bought it so I would have something safe and reliable to drive in. We have had nothing g but problems since day 1. All I wanted was for them to look at it so im not going to be in harms way. Idk what to do the dealership said they cant look at it until I fixed the ignition. But like I said I won't have money to do that until I get the class action lawsuit.

I am filing a complaint regarding a safety recall (NHTSA Recall 25V099) on my 2021 Kia Soul that was marked as completed, but the defect was not properly repaired. On 3/17/26, I took my vehicle to a Kia dealership to have the recall addressed. The dealership performed only a software update and diagnostic testing and marked the recall as complete. No engine repair or replacement was performed. Within approximately one week of this recall service, my engine suffered a catastrophic failure while driving, resulting in a hole in the engine block and total engine failure. This created a serious safety risk due to sudden loss of power and fire hazard. I then had the vehicle inspected by a second Kia dealership. They informed me that the engine failure was consistent with the defect described in recall 25V099 (piston oil ring failure) and that the prior recall repair did not correct the underlying issue. This indicates that the recall remedy performed on my vehicle was incomplete or ineffective, and that the vehicle was returned to me in an unsafe condition. I am concerned that other vehicles may be receiving only software updates without proper inspection or repair, which could lead to similar dangerous failures. I am requesting that this situation be investigated as a failed recall remedy and a continued safety risk. Timeline: 3/17/26: Recall repair performed (software update only) 3/29/26: Engine failed catastrophically 4/2/26: Second dealership confirmed failure related to recall defect

I reported a fuel smell in the cabin of my vehicle in June 2024. It was dismissed because they could not recreate the smell. I reported it again and they said that is just how the vehicle purges fuel. I reported it again and drove it right to the dealer when it smelled and multiple mechanics at KIA confirmed they smelled it. Reported it again in September 2024, then tried to deal with it, and reported it again in June and July 2025. In July they confirmed I had raw fuel in my evaporator canister. I also had misfire notifications on my dashboard which were dismissed as they could not determine where the misfire was coming from. The misfire stopped after they replaced my fuel canister but the smell never fully went away. I received an email follow up in July 2025 and I reported the smell was not as strong, but still occurring intermittently. They closed the case. I reported and had 2 open cases with KIA, and noted that I was feeling lightheaded and nauseous, as well as 2 of my 3 kids at the time.

My car was fine one day the next day without warnings was driving on highway and it starting riding sluggish making a rough noise I had pull over to the side of highway turn car off started back up drove home and that was the day my nightmare started. I took my car to the dealership and had a diagnosis performed and they said i need a new engine 8000.00. on 07/25/2024my car was having similar problems the y said it was a knock sensor they fixed that problem. Now I'm02 without transportation. this engine has has a lot of issues. can anybody help with this problem.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The message, "Turn Off the Vehicle and Stop" was displayed, and the transmission failure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Once the vehicle was turned off, the smoke dissipated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that there were holes in the engine, power steering, and there was an engine oil leak. The engine, transmission, and battery were replaced. However, 2 months later, the contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to another dealer, Buster Miles Kia (1401 S Quintard Ave, Anniston, AL 36201). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and it was determined that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,500.

In December of 2025 at approximately 95,000 my 2021 Kia Telluride (VIN [XXX] ) showed the oil level was about two quarts low. My car has had regular maintenance including oil changes at Santa Fe Kia. At the next oil change appointment in March, I pointed out the oil consumption concern. At that point Kia recommended an oil consumption test be performed. The car had 96,700 miles at that point. At 97,700 Kia indicated that the oil level was fine. At 99,600 I checked the oil and discovered it was more than two quarts low. I called Santa Fe Kia to address the issue and they indicated that a quart every 1,000 miles is within Kia standards and recommended another oil consumption test which would take me over the 100,000 warranty. I called Kia customer care to address the issue. A case was opened, but they kept referring me back to the dealership to be dealt with. After researching the issue myself, I presented the well known and documented oil consumption issue amongst Kia consumers to include PCV valve and piston ring issues. I have an appointment scheduled for 4/16/26, but I am being told that I will be liable for the cost of the PCV valve replacement, compression test and oil leak test which are all known issues related to the problem. Santa Fe Kia's service manager is ignoring my request to submit an engine warranty claim citing that they didn't find a problem outside of Kia's acceptable oil consumption and Kia's customer care refuses to open a claim and keeps referring me back to the dealership. I will be at approximately 99,850 when I arrive at my appointment on 4/16/26. I am concerned that the engine has a major issue and will be told that my warranty is over by the time the issue can be determine and resolved. I am also concerned that there has already been engine damage done without noticing the high oil consumption. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while approaching a freeway and attempting to merge, the vehicle suddenly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

The car now auto locks on the vehicle upon exit, even with key fobs in the car. The first few months I had the car this did not happen. I left me keys and phone in the car. I turned vehicle off, exited the vehicle and walked around to get my daughter out of her car seat. After about 5-8 seconds of walking around. The car automatically locked. The key fob was placed in the center console. My 1 year old daughter was left trapped in the vehicle, placing her life in danger. I had to call emergency services and have them open it for me. This is a huge saftey concern. I never changed any setting to allow for this. The car should not auto lock, and definitely should not lock with keys in the vehicle a few seconds after exiting.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began shaking violently and made a loud knocking sound. The contact experienced a loss of automotive power, and the vehicle was unable to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the catalytic converter needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. However, the dealer stated that the engine had to seize for the replacement to be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,009.