KIA Complaints

View complaints related to KIA. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2021 KIA SOUL
    - Indianapolis, IN

    1. Component or System Malfunction Engine (internal piston/piston ring system) is malfunctioning. The vehicle exhibits clanking noises (“marbles in a can”) and cuts off or stalls unexpectedly while driving. The car is available for inspection by a Kia dealer or independent mechanic. 2. Safety Risk Vehicle loses power while driving, which is extremely dangerous, particularly on highways or in traffic. Stalling while moving poses a risk of collision, loss of steering or braking control, and endangers both driver and others. This makes the vehicle unsafe to drive long distances. 3. Reproduction of Problem Symptoms have been observed consistently during normal driving and acceleration. Not yet confirmed by a dealer, but the stalling is reproducible during operation. 4. Vehicle Inspection The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, dealer, police, or insurance representatives. Immediate inspection is recommended due to engine stall risk. 5. Warning Lamps / Symptoms Clanking engine noise noted prior to stalling. Engine cutting off/stalling occurs while driving. No warning lights illuminated prior to stalling. Symptoms first appeared during recent driving prior to planning transport or repair. 6. Additional Notes The vehicle is a candidate for Kia engine piston/piston ring recall (SC209 / SC336). Owner recommends urgent inspection and repair to prevent potential engine failure and safety risks.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2015 KIA SORENTO
    - Richmond, VA

    Dealer driving car 35mph. Check engine light started flashing. Burning plastic smell from under hood. Car cut off. Did not restart. Towed to mechanic, was told engine locked up.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Atlanta, GA

    We were driving in the left hand lane on i75 south about 15 miles south of [XXX] and about 10 miles from [XXX] . We were traveling about 75 mph with air conditioning on low. We heard a loud bang and pulled off at exit 328 to investigate. We pulled over at Myers carpet on dug gap road. We looked at the sunroof and it looked like it had exploded upward. 1/3 of the glass was gone and a cone like upward shattering appears in the edges of the blowout area. We had to go to the nearby tractor supply to find duct tape and plastic sheeting to tape over the whole sunroof to drive home to [XXX] . It just happened on 3/15/2026 at approximately 4pm. We have not yet been to a Kia dealer or called consumer affairs at Kia corporate yet. I am filing a ticket with Kia now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA SORENTO
    - Covington, GA

    Oil is leaking from my car. The dealership said I would need to replace the engine. The car is only 6 years old.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA SOUL
    - Sachse, TX

    2019 Kia Soul has an issue with the steering wheel coupling that needs to be replaced. This has been confirmed by a mechanic. There is a warranty extension on the MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) rubber coupling - 10 years/100,000 miles - for the 2019 Kia Soul. For some reason, my 2019 Kia Soul is not showing up under the warranty campaign extension. I am seeking a goodwill repair by Kia as there is obviously a known issue with the steering coupling that has impacted my 2019 Kia Soul. The cost to repair is in the $650-$1,500 range.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA EV6
    - Weymouth, MA

    The battery had an electrical system failure warning after 5900 miles and has been in the shop for over a month.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA EV6
    - Suwanee, GA

    I am reporting a recurring safety and reliability issue with my 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle currently has approximately 63,100 miles. The vehicle repeatedly displays a “Check Electric Vehicle System” warning message. This problem has occurred three separate times. On at least two occasions, the vehicle became undriveable and required towing. The failure appears to affect the vehicle’s electric powertrain or control systems. The vehicle is currently being taken again to the dealership (Lou Sobh Kia in Cumming, Georgia) for diagnosis of the same issue. This will be the third service visit for this recurring failure. Because this issue can cause the vehicle to become unexpectedly inoperable, I am concerned about the safety implications and believe it may indicate a broader defect affecting Kia EV6 vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA EV6
    - Plymouth Meeting , PA

    I had just left my house and pulled onto a 5 lane road when the ICCU died. The car lost power while underway. This posed great danger as the vehicle became unable to safely navigate traffic and pull off to safety. Kia is well aware of this hardware problem, tried to fix it with software updates, and deflates the affected number of vehicles. To make matters worse, they tried to deny this was a recall because they claimed the recall was fixed via the software update. This affects every single Kia Hyundai and Genesis EV.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 KIA SPORTAGE
    - Fairview , PA

    Car started making noise, slowed down. I stopped the vehicle immediately and parked on shoulder. Towed it to a mechanic shop and they said the engine stopped. It needs an engine replacement.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 KIA FORTE
    - Los Angeles, CA

    The system that is failing are the brakes and the tail lights. They used to be an open recall for the brake pedal stopper pad, however I’m not sure if that part is able to break again because in October I remember hitting the break and something I heard a crack down by the pedal, but I wasn’t able to see if anything had broken. I can’t check after that. I’ve have had continuous issues with my tail lights. The tail lights won’t turn on. They’ll turn on sometimes sometimes they won’t. The tail lights will stay on. I won’t blink when I break. They’ll just stay on one of them will be on the others will be off.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE