KIA Complaints

My 2021 Kia Soul is having the same piston issues leading to engine failure as other previously recalled Kia Soul vehicles but for some reason my VIN is not part of any recall. Now it has been determined there is heavy scoring in my engine and I will need a new engine. My car is only 5 years old and there should be no reason for such major engine damage. My car has stalled on me while driving and other very similar issues as described on previous recalls. How does NHTSA determine when a certain model/year of car needs to be part of a national recall?

While driving the vehicle a short distance, I heard a loud pop from the back seat. The car immediately warned of an electrical system failure. The issue and symptoms are consistent with ICCU module failures, reported across the kia/hyundai egmp platform. My safety was put risk, because I was stopped in heavy traffic when this happened and could have been stranded far from home with no ability to drive the vehicle more than a couple of miles at most. The warnings started immediately after the pop I heard.

While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle lost power in traffic, creating a safety risk. There were no warning signs before the failure. The oil level was properly maintained and oil changes were performed regularly. The dealership diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine needs to be replaced. The exact mechanical cause was not clearly explained to me.

2020 KIA Telluride failed oil consumption test. Available for inspection upon request. A vehicle running on no oil will cause an engine to seize putting myself and others at risk. Confirmed problem by KIA. I have documentation of 3 oil consumption tests performed on my 2020 KIA Telluride at the dealership. Inspected at dealership by service department. No warning light to indicate low oil or to check engine. Stuttering and stalling of vehicle at stops caused me to bring in the car to KIA.

Subject: Safety Concern – Backup Camera Failure Causing Complete Safety System Malfunction (2022 Kia Telluride) I am reporting a safety concern regarding a 2022 Kia Telluride related to the rear backup camera assembly. The backup camera failed due to water infiltration through the camera seal, which entered the camera housing and caused an electrical short. When this occurred, the failure did not only disable the backup camera but caused the entire vehicle safety system to malfunction, disabling multiple safety features until the issue was repaired. When we brought the vehicle to the dealership, they stated that this was not the first Kia Telluride they had seen with the same issue. The quoted repair cost from the dealership was approximately $1,200. I ultimately replaced the camera myself, which restored the safety systems to normal operation. I have retained the failed camera assembly, which clearly shows the location where the seal failed and water entered the unit. Because the failure of this component disables multiple vehicle safety systems, I believe this may represent a broader safety concern if it is occurring in other vehicles. I am submitting this report so the issue can be reviewed for potential defects affecting other vehicles. Vehicle information and additional details can be provided if needed. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I purchased this vehicle just over a year ago as a CPO model with only 8,000 miles on it. It now has just over 23,000 miles. In this short time of ownership, it has been back to the dealership 3 separate times for serious EV system issues. The first visit involved a software update intended to correct a 12-volt charging issue that could prevent the vehicle from charging and potentially cause ICCU failure. Shortly after that update, the 12-volt battery failed, despite being <18 months into service, completely bricking the vehicle and leaving me stranded waiting for a tow. The battery was replaced under warranty. Less than 2 months later, while >30 miles from home, the vehicle displayed a “Check Electrical System Failure” warning. I was able to limp-mode the car back to the dealership. I am now being told that the main EV battery has failed and must be replaced, possibly also the ICCU. The dealership cannot provide a firm timeline for repairs; parts availability could mean anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months without the vehicle. This pattern of failures raises serious concerns about the reliability and safety of the EV6. Repeated electrical system issues create a very real risk of being stranded unexpectedly, potentially in unsafe situations such as on the side of a highway. To date, I have already lost four days of use due to service repairs, and I now face being without the vehicle for an extended and uncertain period. While a loaner vehicle is being provided, I will incur fuel expenses at a time of rising gas prices, undermining the financial rationale for purchasing an EV. Meanwhile, I continue making payments on a vehicle I cannot use, which is depreciating in value. I understand that new technology carries some risk. However, despite prior updates and even a model refresh, the ICCU issue appears unresolved, and Kia does not seem to have a clear root cause identified. For a vehicle marketed on innovation and dependability, this experience has indicated otherwise.

The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) of my KIA EV6 failed. When putting the car into reverse to leave my workplace, I heard a fuse pop and a notification appeared on dashboard screen saying "Check electric vehicle system". This is a known recall issue that I was aware could happen, and in which case the car will soon become completely inoperable, so I didn't risking driving further. I had it towed to the nearest KIA dealership, where they confirmed the ICCU had failed and replaced it at no charge under the warranty coverage. There were no warnings or symptoms prior to the failure. I was fortunate that it did not fail while I was driving.

ICCU failure. Pulled out of driveway, heard a pop, received warning to pull over and check vehicle power. Car had to be towed to dealership but they are experiencing so many of these failures that they are extremely backed up on even being able to check out the car.

Approximately at 2:15pm on Tuesday, March 3, I was entering the highway and had yet to get up to freeway speed and no vehicles were in front of me. There was a loud boom / explosion and a glass shattering sound. I immediately exited the highway at the next exit which was less than a mile. I slowed my speed and still heard glass falling. I checked my back window and it was intact, and I realized it was coming from the front sun roof. I headed back to my home since there was no safe place to pull over, due to limited shoulder and street construction. When I had a chance to examine the sun roof, it was blown upward.

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 11:48am, the rear panel of my panoramic sunroof exploded. I didn’t see or hear anything fall on top of the sunroof, or any part of the car. I didn’t hear a loud noise that sounded similar to a “boom” sound or thud. As soon as I got in my car, I heard a cracking sound coming from the sunroof panel.