KIA Complaints

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact heard a loud "pop" sound followed immediately by visible flames originating from under the hood. No warning lights or indicators were illuminated before the fire. The vehicle was occupied by 2 occupants; the occupants were able to safely exit. The contact noticed black smoke coming from underneath the hood. The fire started in the engine bay and spread to the rest of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire dept, police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 215,035.

I previously had major issues and recall 23V534000 fixed on my 2017 Kia Niro. I had issues again and took it to the local Kia dealership in Wichita, KS. They found a leak in a seal causing fluid to leak on to the clutch actuator. The service tech indicated it is related to the recall. I have spoken with Kia customer service escalations on multiple occasions. Originally they stated it was related to the recall. When I spoke when them today, on the phone they said all the parts that are affected are what were changed out previously. When they called back, they changed the story and said it is not related and they would not pay for it to be fixed, even though they previously said it was the exact thing related to the recall. When I emailed and asked for it in writing as to why it was denied, she changed the reasoning. It was nothing the same that she had told me on the phone. This is a safety issue that should be fixed by the manufacturer and they are refusing to fix it and telling me I have to pay over $5000 to fix it. Completely unacceptable.

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally complain about an ongoing issue with my 2024 Kia Telluride, which has experienced four separate windshield cracks in a little over two years of ownership. This frequency is excessive and well beyond what I would consider normal wear and tear for a vehicle of this class and price point. Each incident occurred during routine driving conditions, such as normal highway or city travel. In all cases, the impacts involved very small rocks or road debris, not large objects, construction hazards, or extreme driving situations. These are conditions that most vehicles encounter regularly without sustaining immediate windshield damage. The repeated cracking raises serious concerns about the durability, thickness, or overall quality of the windshield glass used in the Telluride. Having to repair or replace a windshield this often is both inconvenient and costly, and it undermines confidence in the vehicle’s design and materials. A windshield should be able to withstand minor impacts from small debris without cracking so easily. I chose the Kia Telluride based on its reputation for safety, quality, and reliability. However, this recurring issue has been frustrating and disappointing, especially given the relatively short ownership period and normal driving conditions involved. I respectfully request that Kia review this matter and consider whether there is a known defect or design issue with the windshield on the Telluride. I would also appreciate assistance, goodwill consideration, or guidance on how Kia plans to address this concern for customers experiencing similar problems. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response and a resolution that reflects Kia’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

2016 Kia Optima engine locked up, vehicle stalled on interstate,heard a rod bearing sound, left me in limp mode trying to get out the way of 18 wheelers traveling behind me. Towed into Kia dealership which confirmed the engine locked up which has a recall #PI1802B KSDS, but denied to cover it because I didn't have this recall done. I also called Kia Customer Service, they denied me too and just gave me a case #[XXX]. I explained to them that I never received notice of this recall. So how could I prepare for something like this to happen while traveling from Texas to Louisiana to visit my grand kids. The dealership gave me a Quote of $9735 for parts and labor, which I don't have, I am still making payments on this vehicle. Now I am stuck in Louisiana with my vehicle, also it's going to cost me even more to have it towed back to Texas. Please help me understand why the dealership won't stand behind a safety recall or what one person I spoke with called a campaign recall, which ever! That I never received notice about this recall. I hope the "President" or the "President of the Company" will step up and help, after all we as Citizens don't have a problem spending our hard working money on purchasing these vehicles from the dealerships, to have things like this to happen out of our control. Thanks for at least Listening. GOD BLESS...INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

When shifting from reverse to drive there was a loud pop towards the back up the car. A check electrical system warning popped up, and then eventually a Check Power Supply stop now warning came up. The vehicle would not go above 26MPH and had to be stopped in a parking lot to be towed to the dealership. The ICCU went out and needed to be replaced, was at the dealership for 2 weeks for replacement.

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that while entering the vehicle, the front passenger's seat had a burned spot, and the front passenger side visor was melted. In addition, the contact noticed brown residue throughout the interior of the vehicle. The fire had appeared to self-extinguish. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was unoccupied. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but the inspection had not been completed. The fire department was scheduled to inspect the vehicle within the next few days. The contact stated that the inspection was ongoing. In addition, the contact stated that the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V407000 (Seats) was completed on 10/15/2024. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her husband was at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was successfully jump-started; however, after driving approximately one mile, the vehicle began jerking and lost power again and was pushed to a residence. The contact referenced NHTSA ID Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,655.

WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL SOME TIMES I GET NOTHING FOR A SHORT TIME WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP

The contact owns a 2026 Kia K5. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine immediately started to rev extremely high, and smoke was coming from under the hood, and the front passenger side lights failed to illuminate. There was a sizzling sound coming from the engine compartment, and the hood was very hot to the touch. The contact turned off the vehicle, and a tow truck company was contacted. The contact stated that while raising the vehicle onto the tow truck, hundreds of shards of black plastic fell from the vehicle onto the driveway along with a pink colored liquid. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. After the failure, the contact received several engine failure codes on the Phone App. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 110.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and occasionally jerked while accelerating with the accelerator pedal depressed. The message to "Pull Over and Shut off Vehicle" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,846.