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.
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2017 KIA CADENZA- Brookhaven, PA
Check engine was flashing in front of my house in Brookhaven Pa. Took to mechanic around the corner, diagnosed with a blown head gasket & oil in my anti freeze over flow. Internal engine failure. Had towed to Kia dealership in NJ
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2013 KIA OPTIMA- Paramount, CA
Paint on car is coming off from hood and doors headlights are not bright had to change to aftermarket to make it brighter
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA SORENTO- Bowdoin , ME
The vehicle just had an oil change. It was driven after that approximately 25 miles when there was a loud noise and the wheels locked up. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and coasted to the end of a dirt road. Could smell oil burning. Upon inspection of the underside there was oil blown onto the exhaust and down the underside of the vehicle. After looking further, I noticed a semi rectangular hole in the narrow end of the oil pan just above the exhaust pipe. Some oil had drained out but the dip stick was reading full. This incident could have resulted in losing control of the vehicle when the tires locked up or caused a fire when the oil hit the exhaust. It could have cause an accident if another vehicle was following. No lights were on until after the incident when the check engine and oil light came on. It still has not been diagnosed by the dealer because they are all backed up until May. Have to rent a vehicle due now and probably look for an independent garage.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2018 KIA OPTIMA- Milner, GA
My teenage daughter regularly drives this vehicle. The vehicle began experiencing significant oil consumption, oil leaks, and intermittent loss of power. During an early inspection at an independent repair facility, a check engine code P1326 was identified. Due to the symptoms and diagnostic code, the repair facility advised that the vehicle could be heading toward engine failure and recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealership because potential engine issues may fall under manufacturer warranty coverage. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealership. During the first visit, the dealership retained the vehicle for an extended period of time, approximately two months. During that visit, several recommended services were completed, including replacement of spark plugs, ignition wires, and replacement of the valve cover gasket along with other recommended maintenance. During that visit, it was also stated that the vehicle has a known issue with excessive oil consumption. Because of this, the oil level is checked weekly and oil is added as needed. I also informed the dealership that the independent repair facility had identified code P1326, but I was told that the dealership diagnostic codes were different. After these repairs, the vehicle experienced another incident where it lost power and began idling roughly while being driven on a busy highway. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership. During that visit, it was stated that the fuel injector harness and oil pressure sensor needed to be replaced. The dealership also indicated that the spark plugs needed to be replaced again, even though they had been replaced at the same dealership less than a year earlier. At that time, I asked if the vehicle would be safe to drive for approximately one week because I needed to travel out of town and my daughter would need the vehicle. The dealership advised that it was safe to drive during that time. The vehicle was then brought back to the deal
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2023 KIA EV6- Poughkeepsie, NY
In November 2025, after charging car overnight, backed out of driveway and began to drive. Within 100 feet, received red error message and tone: “Stop vehicle and check power supply”. Stopped the vehicle and got it towed to Kia dealer, who confirmed that the ICCU had failed, despite the car having received the software patch purporting to fix the problem. The ICCU was replaced under warranty within a week. We were fortunate that this occured very close to home, without safety consequences. Ten minutes later, the car would have been travelling at 65 on a highway with no shoulder for long stretches, which would have been very dangerous. This was a certified preowned EV6 with less than 9000 miles on it. The 12 volt battery was brand new, having been replaced 3 months earlier with an AGM battery as a possible preventative measure for this issue.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2020 KIA OPTIMA- Omaha, NE
It either has issues shifting gears like its stuck or the transmission may be slipping, it's had this issue since I bought the car. However I wasn't aware until my uncle drove the car and said something might be wrong.. I have no idea what's causing it. It shudders when I make turn or speed up to pass. Not all of the time but at least twice per my normal trip
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2018 KIA SORENTO- Crossville, TN
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking and making a rough sound. The vehicle hesitated while accelerating and lost motive power. A piston failed, causing oil to spray out with enough force to damage the catalytic converter. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, but found to have issues with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2022 KIA EV6- Zeeland, MI
A warning came up on the dashboard to “Check electric vehicle system”. 12v battery light also on. Vehicle went into limp mode and drove at 45 mph max for a period of time, then dropped to 27 mph max. Inspections at Ziegler Kia in Holland, MI, found the ICCU was faulty and needs to be replaced. This vehicle has already had the ICCU recall applied, yet ICCU has failed again.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2020 KIA TELLURIDE- Cleveland, OH
My 2020 Kia Telluride EX experienced a sudden engine shutoff / loss of motive power while driving in traffic. The vehicle stopped in the roadway, would not immediately restart, and restarted later after sitting. This was not normal stop/start operation, the car shut down. No low-oil warning appeared before the event. I am also aware of multiple similar owner reports online describing high oil consumption, stalling, and lack of warning in 2020 Tellurides, but this complaint is based on my own direct experience and concern. It was scary and life threatening!
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV- Tolar, TX
The drive train and motor slow to a near stop in traffic when trying to clear a lane and makes it very dangerouos for other traffic to have to wait for me to clear a lane. There is something wrong and we complained about this before the warranty ran out, but they could not find anything. The car stops in traffic unexpectedly. I am not sure if sensors are causing this or what, but it has put me in danger of collision many times. We have to plan an exceedingly long time to pull into traffic so we don't get run over. Anti slip also doesn't turn off even though it says it is off. The car will slip a little bit and then shut the motor down to a crawl making it very dangerous in traffic. The 4x4 doesn't seem to work as we turn it on to try to eleminate slipping. The slipping mostly occurs because of the motor becoming doggedly slow and then decides to speed up. The 4x4 on and the turning of the anti-slip do not work because it still slips and shuts down. The other tires don't seem to slip or do anything. Please help!!!
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE