KIA Complaints

On [XXX], while driving my brand new 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid (purchased 5 days prior on [XXX]), the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. The vehicle flashed an emergency warning and dropped into a highly restricted "limp mode" while actively in traffic, creating an immediate life-threatening collision hazard.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership on [XXX], 2026. On September 4, 2026, the dealership service department Kia of Dartmouth in Mass stated they could not replicate the fault or find active diagnostic codes, and instructed me to pick up the vehicle. Because a transient loss of propulsion is an undiagnosed, severe safety hazard, I have refused to take delivery of the vehicle. The vehicle currently sits un-repaired at the dealership. The manufacturer Kia Corporate and the dealer have failed to provide any written diagnosis or assurance of safety. This defect poses a severe crash risk to myself and others on the road. I was on a city street in Boston. Thank god this didn’t happen on the highway. I had a passenger in the vehicle as well. Important to note I do have a case # with Kia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid has a recurring intermittent electrical defect. Warnings appear together: Check Hybrid System, Check Engine, Forward Collision, Rear Cross-Traffic, Lane Keeping, Driver Attention, ESC, Brake, Auto Hold. They appear and persist while driving, during which stability control, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, and related safety assists are disabled. Once, the vehicle would not start and was temporarily disabled, recovering after several minutes. This creates risk from loss of all electronic safety assists in traffic and from the vehicle failing to start when needed. Stored codes show lost CAN communication among multiple modules: U0101, C1611, C1693, U0111, U0164, U0293, U042B, U1341. Confirmed by two Kia dealerships over five warranty visits. V1–2 (Coughlin Kia, Dublin OH): software updates; warnings returned. V3 (Ricart Kia, Columbus OH): inspected, released OK; warnings returned. V4 (Ricart): Kia Techline case [XXX] opened; CAN signal confirmed out of spec at a passenger kick panel connector; dash harness replaced per Techline under warranty (~$2,800). V5 (current): same warnings returned within days, confirmed by the dealership; vehicle is in the dealer's possession for continued diagnosis and available for inspection. Warnings first appeared June 2026 at ~58,500 miles, recurring since. Current mileage ~59,700. No crash or injury. Kia Consumer Affairs case open. Note: attached RO [XXX] says no issues found after repair — outdated; warnings returned within days, vehicle back at dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 2024 Kia Sorento has experienced a dangerous brake failure on three separate occasions in which the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle lost normal braking capability. The first failure occurred on 7/1/2026 and was confirmed by the Kia dealer; the master cylinder was found leaking brake fluid into the brake booster, and the brake master cylinder and brake booster assembly were replaced and the brake system was bled. The same brake-pedal-to-the-floor failure occurred again on 7/16/2026. The dealer performed diagnostic testing, including clamping the calipers, and replaced both front brake calipers. The brake failure has occurred again during the vehicle's current repair period on August 15th 2026, requiring another dealer inspection and repair. Each occurrence created a serious safety risk because the vehicle could unexpectedly lose braking capability while being driven, potentially resulting in a collision, injury, or death to the occupants or others. The vehicle and brake system have been repeatedly inspected by Kia/dealer personnel, and the repair history and replaced components are available for inspection and documentation. The vehicle is currently at the Kia dealership for continued investigation and repair. No crash or injury occurred, but the repeated loss of braking has created an ongoing and serious safety concern. I am not aware of any warning lamp or message preceding the initial failures; the primary symptom has been the brake pedal unexpectedly traveling to the floor with loss of normal braking.

In early July, my vehicle's check engine light turned on. I took it to a reputable local mechanic in Sachse, Texas, who had the vehicle for approximately two weeks. He was unable to determine the cause of the issue but informed me that there was an existing recall and that the dealership should be able to address the problem at no cost to me. I then took the vehicle to the Kia dealership. The dealership informed me that there was an extended warranty for the engine and that if their diagnosis determined that the issue was covered under the warranty extension, they would repair it. This is what they texted me: Tech performed Compression test 1 .205psi, 2. 220psi, 3. 260psi, 4. 255psi all cylinders have excessive reading for dry compression test. Tech performed leak down test on all cylinders 1. 21% leak down coming from exhaust side, 2.61% leak down coming from exhaust side, 3. 10% normal, 4. 10% normal. Air leakage from exhaust system defective exhaust valves. Tech performed Cooling system pressure test for 20 minutes with no pressure loss. Ruling out head gasket. Tech evaluated Intake/Exhaust CVVT current and setpoints. Tech determined timing is jumping from back pressure of Clogged Catalyst Converter. Recommending replacing engine due to mileage and exhaust manifold. The dealership's recommended solution was to replace the entire engine. Currently, there is a recall concerning 2017 Kia Sorentos involving engine crankshaft issues. See NHTSA Recall No. 17V586000. I contacted the manufacturer, and they stated that they do not believe my vehicle is covered by the recall. However, I believe the issues identified with my vehicle may be related to the same underlying engine problems addressed by the recall, and I am concerned that the manufacturer is denying coverage rather than properly addressing the issue under the applicable recall or warranty. My engine is experiencing issues that appear similar to those described in the current NHTSA.

I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning. The vehicle unexpectedly slowed down/appeared to brake on its own while I was driving. There was no check-engine light at that time and the warning did not remain on, so I did not initially know what caused the incident. Approximately two weeks later, the vehicle developed delayed shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. RPM increased from about 2,000 to 3,000 before the next gear engaged. Switching from ECO to Comfort mode initially seemed to help, but later that day the problem worsened even in Comfort mode and also began occurring from 2nd to 3rd gear. The check-engine light then came on. O'Reilly Auto Parts scanned the vehicle and reported codes P0868/P086800 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Low) and P193B79 (High Pressure Electric Oil Pump Performance). Kia has not yet diagnosed the current problem, and the vehicle is available for inspection. Kia checked my VIN for recalls sometime in 2025 and advised there was no open recall. I am aware of Kia Safety Recall SC250/NHTSA Recall 22V-760 involving the 8-speed DCT electric oil pump on certain 2021-2022 Sorento vehicles. I am concerned because my vehicle experienced the “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning and unexpected slowing and now has worsening transmission symptoms and related diagnostic codes. I am concerned the vehicle could unexpectedly lose drive power while being driven. I request NHTSA review whether my vehicle's condition may be related to the existing safety defect and whether additional vehicles should be investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving an alarm noise sounds and on the dash a message will appear stating engine off put car in p or n and I cannot accelerate.

The vehicle has experienced intermittent stalling and near-stalling while driving. The problem began after a prior Kia engine replacement related to DTC P1327/P132700. After the engine replacement, the vehicle developed additional drivability and warning-light concerns, including P0420 and communication/CAN faults. An authorized Kia dealer later documented that the vehicle had stalled a few times, identified P0420, reported a clogged catalytic converter, and found 11 additional lost-communication/CAN-related codes. The dealer stated that approximately eight additional diagnostic labor hours would be required to investigate the remaining faults. The vehicle was returned with the intermittent stalling condition unresolved. The stalling presents a safety risk because the vehicle can lose motive power unexpectedly while being driven. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The dealer confirmed the stalling complaint and performed diagnostic testing, but the complete cause has not been determined. Kia previously performed an engine replacement related to the earlier P1327 condition, and the current stalling occurred afterward.

The fuel pump that is located within the fuel tank and under my seat somehow got a crack on a less than 5 year old car. I've had several people and mechanics tell me that that is rare with a car of that age. I am a safe and careful driver and purchased the car used directly from a Kia dealership. I have spent the past month trying to get a good will approval and they have denied twice even when I dont feel safe driving a car that will has parts not even exposed to the outside falling apart. My fuel pump is housed within my fuel tank and under my back seat so it is inaccessible to the average person, I have never even attempted to lift the seats. I am now left with a car I dont feel safe driving in with a large loan and a dealership and manufacturer that refuse to explain how this could happen or stand behind it. I'd also like to note that the light came on in early June so change in weather was not a factor. No extreme heat or cold at that time of year immediately prior or after it happened.

Car was taken In for service and tech noted was low on oil and looked as if was burning oil and advised of a recall. My VIN for my 2023 didn’t come back as effected but clearly is having same issue as the recall on the others with same year and make.

After having a recall, performed on the emergency parking brake it would engage while parked, but when trying to put it in drive or reverse, it would not disengage this began happening approximately two weeks to one month after the recall was performed. It isn’t happening constantly, but it does happen often. On occasion, while driving, it will engage and pull the car to the side nearly pulling me off the road. After looking for other instances of this online, I came across a post that stated it happens to their car, but only when it was over a certain temperature. After watching more closely, I had figured out that it only happens above 70°F and it would only happen occasionally it was not every time it was above this . I have also brought it to the repair shop and they have no idea is what is causing it. I have found other postings about people having this issue with their Telluride same year. It is still occurring now and they are unsure of why or what is the cause.