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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2022 KIA SORENTO- Cedar Rapids, IA
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact experienced the death wobble. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2025 KIA SORENTO HYBRID- El Dorado Hills, CA
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the vehicle decelerated to 35 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the residence and was later towed to the local dealer. While at the dealer, the cause of the failure was not determined, and the failure had self-corrected. The vehicle was retrieved; however, approximately 1,500 miles late,r the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,300.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2022 KIA SORENTO- Laveen, AZ
There is a safety recall concerning fire hazard during normal operation. Kia is refusing to buyback the inoperable vehicle
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2016 KIA SORENTO- Forney, TX
3 times head gasket has been replaced and repaired and every time oil is changed, they say I am losing oil
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA EV6- Granite Bay, CA
11/28/25 on freeway car lost power and would only go 25mph and warning light came on. After short distance full power came back. 12/14/25 earliest appt with dealer and could not find problem. 01/09/26 Lost power and took car to dealer. Dealer said bad battery and they replaced battery. 1/20/25 lost power again and limped to dealer. Dealer found bad ICCU. They are now waiting for new ICCU to replace. When your driving 55 mps on freeway and suddenly drop to 25mph this is dangerous. The apx date required below is when I have taken the car and dealer confirmed ICCU problem not the original problem date of 11/28/25.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2024 KIA EV6- Hanover, MD
While operating my 2024 Kia EV6, the vehicle began displaying repeated warnings related to the power system and 12-volt battery. The instrument cluster first showed a “Power limited” message, followed shortly by a “Stop vehicle and check power supply” warning. At the same time, the vehicle indicated that the 12-volt battery was low, despite the high-voltage traction battery being at or near full charge. Shortly thereafter, the 12-volt battery became fully depleted, resulting in a complete loss of low-voltage electrical power. I was unable to electronically unlock the doors, and the vehicle could not be started or shifted into gear. The vehicle became immobilized and inoperable, requiring towing. This failure occurred without warning and created a safety concern, as loss of power could potentially occur while driving or leave occupants stranded and unable to access the vehicle. The vehicle had previously been serviced at a Kia dealership for known power system concerns related to the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). During that visit, the dealership applied a firmware update only and did not replace the ICCU hardware. The current failure occurred after that firmware update, suggesting the issue was not resolved. This incident represents a loss of motive power and loss of vehicle electrical systems, which could present a serious safety risk if it occurs while the vehicle is in motion or in unsafe environments. The inability to unlock doors or start the vehicle due to complete 12-volt battery depletion is particularly concerning. When roadside assistance arrived to tow the vehicle to the dealership, the vehicle’s 12-volt battery was completely depleted, preventing normal recovery procedures. A portable jump starter was temporarily connected, but the vehicle would not remain powered on long enough to complete the steps required to place the vehicle into neutral or tow mode.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA SOUL- Bradenton, FL
The transmission on the vehicle has gone bad twice since we purchased it used. The car has 34,400 miles on it. The problem puts the driver in an unsafe situation as the problem causes the car to lose power while at high speeds. The piston rings have also been replaced as part of the recall. Kia just keeps replacing these parts with more defective parts. I have videos if you want them.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2016 KIA SPORTAGE- Arlington, TX
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission failed to properly change gears. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. 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 180,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2013 KIA OPTIMA- Fort Lauderdale, FL
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his niece was driving the vehicle at 65 MPH, a strong fuel odor began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle then began to violently shake as the contact's niece began to exit the highway. Upon pulling over and exiting the vehicle, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle as both police and fire officials were in the vehicle's vicinity and witnessed the fire. As the vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames, the fire department quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported, and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the niece's home, where it remained in her possession. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and an investigator was scheduled to visit the niece's home and inspect the vehicle; the investigator never arrived, and the vehicle had yet to be inspected. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2025 KIA EV6- Ocklawaha, FL
I have experienced a ICCU failure at 7200 miles on my 2025 EV6 GT Line. This failure is a safety hazard as it will quickly disable the vehicle and strand the occupants wherever they be at the time of failure. (highway, back roads, day or night). There are warning lights when this occurs, but there is a very limited time to get to safety, depending on the state of charge of the onboard 12v battery. This issue has been ongoing since this vehicle came out in 2022. There have been a number of recalls to address the problem, but apparently without success. I see postings all the time with others experiencing this failure. When I inquired about the availability of the replacement ICCU, I was told that the part was on national back order. I was also told there were 147 units in transit, 47 were already spoken for. This seems to indicate that this is a very common issue, affecting many drivers.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE