KIA Complaints

Vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 71,728 Recall: NHTSA 25V-099 / Kia SC336 (piston oil rings) – Subsequent Repair Action SC336YZ On [XXX], while driving at highway speeds during a trip from Everett to Bellingham WA, the vehicle suddenly lost power, the check-engine light came on, and it set DTCs P132700 (Piston Noise Detection) and P017100 (System Too Lean – Bank 1). The engine was documented 3 quarts low on oil. This is the exact failure mode described in the recall: defective piston oil rings causing oil consumption, engine damage, and loss of motive power. The nearest dealer (Smith Kia of Bellingham) performed only an oil change and cleared the codes, then declared the car “good to go.” The vehicle was then driven 20 miles to Rairdon Kia of Burlington, WA (the original selling Certified Pre-Owned dealer), where it is now located. Rairdon Kia states they cannot perform the full engine long-block replacement under SRA SC336YZ because the codes are no longer active. Kia USA Customer Care (Case #[XXX]) called today and stated they are “taking the side of Smith Kia”. They suggested getting another dealer’s opinion. We are now being told we must drive the vehicle until the code re-triggers. My wife refuses to do so. She is extremely upset and afraid of getting stuck on the side of the road or causing an accident due to sudden loss of power at highway speeds — exactly what happened on [XXX]. This situation is now causing significant stress and disruption in our personal life.This is a federally mandated safety recall that was supposedly completed before our CPO purchase ([XXX]) with no disclosure. The temporary oil change and code clear did not fix the underlying defect. We request that NHTSA require Kia to immediately authorize the full engine replacement at Rairdon Kia based on the documented history, without requiring us to drive an unsafe vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS, IVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS RELATING TO MY ENGINE BURNING OIL TO FAST, ENGINE SHAKING AND NOT ACCELERATING LIKE ITS SPPOSE TO... YOU HAVE A RECALL ON 2016 OPTIMAS BUT ONLY THE HYBRID (HEV). WHICH WE ALL KNOW ITS NOT RIGHT. WHY ONLY DO IT FOR CERTAIN OPTIMAS KNOWING WE ARE ALL (ALL OPTIMAS) ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING!! SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIPS AND AUTO SHOPS AND NOW IM MENTALLY DRAINED , UPSET, CONFUSED AND OVERALL FEEL MANIPULATED BY KIA... NICE CARS BUT DOES NOT KEEP ITS VALUE.. CAN SOMEONE FIX THIS PROBLEM

I am making a complaint in reference to my 2017 Kia Niro. On or about June 2025 I attempted to open my back driver side door and the handle broke off the car in my hand. We had this replaced at our cost. Since this repair, the back passenger door handle has done the same thing. I have notified KIA headquarters of this and they say they cannot help with this. I am concerned of the safety concerns with the inability to access the back seat quickly in case of emergency because this is where my grandchildren ride. I saw there was a bulletin that when one handle breaks, all door handles with the exception of the drivers door, must be replaced at the same time. I notified the Kia dealership of this and they denied it and told me they had no indication this was required and advised me to take it to my nearest Kia dealership. (3 hour drive).

My car would not go when i gave it gas on a major highway with mu 3 children in the back seat. We almost got into a wreck.

I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Sorento and the repeated lack of resolution from the dealership where the vehicle was purchased and serviced. I have taken my vehicle to the dealership multiple times to address ongoing and serious safety concerns. Despite having active warranties on the transmission and powertrain, I have continually been told that there is nothing they can do, and my concerns have not been properly addressed. The vehicle is experiencing persistent issues, including: The transmission jerking and jarring when shifting gears The dashboard and center display screen intermittently go completely black while driving These issues do not occur constantly, but they happen frequently enough to pose a significant safety risk. I regularly have my grandchildren in the vehicle, and their safety, as well as my own, is my highest priority. Each time I have contacted the dealership to report these problems, I have been met with excuses and resistance to even scheduling an appointment. Due to the lack of cooperation, I felt I had no choice but to drop off my vehicle on April 13, 2026, without an appointment in order to have it addressed. I am extremely disappointed in the level of service and treatment I have received. As a loyal customer—this being my third vehicle purchased from the same dealership—I have never experienced this type of disregard. I also feel that I have not been treated fairly and, at times, have been dismissed in a way that is concerning and unacceptable. I am requesting the following: A full and thorough diagnostic of my vehicle, specifically addressing the transmission and electrical issues Proper repair under warranty Clear communication regarding findings and next steps Immediate attention to these safety concerns I purchased this vehicle with the expectation of reliability and safety. At this time, I do not feel safe driving it, and I am requesting that Kia take this matter seriously

There was an unusual amount of oil "slug" created by the engine which caused the engine to be inoperable. Therefore, we had to replace the engine.

The sliding door located on the driver's side / left side behind the driver's seat will not close completely which causes an alert/warning to be displayed that the door is still open. The door slides on the track but will not close completely. You must apply pressure as it closes to turn of the warning light.

On April 7, 2026, the vehicle experienced a 'quiet fade out' stall while in motion, resulting in a total loss of motive power. The dealership (DCH Kia of Temecula) confirmed cylinder scoring and referenced Techline Case 26022952. This failure is identical to the conditions described in the NHTSA Campaign 25V-099. The dealership is currently refusing to classify the repair as a Campaign Repair, which would include the mandated Lifetime Engine Warratny, and is instead attempting to process it as a discretionary 'Goodwill' repair to avoid federal safety requirements.

I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2018 Kia Niro hybrid related to the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA), which is currently subject to a recall addressing fire risk. My vehicle has already had the recall remedy performed, which consisted of inspection and installation of a lower-amperage fuse. The dealer confirmed that the actuator is leaking fluid but did not replace it because there was no evidence of PCB contamination, which is the condition required under the recall. However, the vehicle is now experiencing significant drivability issues that create a safety hazard: Intermittent hesitation when accelerating from a stop Failure to properly engage the transmission, especially on inclines Engine revving without corresponding vehicle movement Delayed or inconsistent clutch engagement In one recent instance, the vehicle would not properly engage while attempting to move from a stopped position on an uphill incline, creating a hazardous situation where the vehicle could not reliably move when needed. This condition appears to be caused by loss of hydraulic pressure due to the leaking actuator, even though it has not yet reached the stage of PCB contamination described in the recall. The current recall remedy does not address this failure mode. Instead, it allows a known defective component to remain in service until it reaches a condition that presents a fire risk. In the meantime, the vehicle can experience loss of propulsion under normal driving conditions. I believe this represents a separate safety defect or an incomplete remedy, as loss of propulsion, especially during acceleration from a stop or on an incline, can significantly increase the risk of a crash. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the current recall adequately addresses all safety risks associated with the defective Hydraulic Clutch Actuator, including drivability and loss-of-propulsion conditions that occur prior to PCB contamination.

I am reporting a suspected brake system malfunction. About one block before my destination, I stopped at a traffic light and applied light pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle slammed and jerked to a stop unexpectedly. Moments later, while turning into a parking space, I pressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle did not stop as expected. The SUV went over the cement parking post and struck a tall sign about 10 to 12 feet ahead. A large bush around the sign slowed the vehicle before it could continue into a tree. This created a serious safety risk to me and my passengers, who included one adult and two young children. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. The suspected failed system is the brake system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. It was towed after the incident because I did not feel it was safe to drive. At this time, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility because the vehicle is pending inspection. The vehicle has been reported to the manufacturer, and an insurance claim has been opened. UNKNOWN whether any electronic braking or driver-assistance system also contributed. I did not observe any warning lamps or messages before the incident. The main symptom before the crash was abnormal brake behavior at the traffic light, when light brake pressure caused the vehicle to slam and jerk to a stop unexpectedly.