KIA Complaints

We bought this 2021 Kia used and within a year the engine blew. There was a defect in the motor. It had just passed the warranty mileage.

In order to repair the recalled equipment on the vehicle the dealerships and Kia want us to pay for them to open the trunk ($280/hour service fee to remove the back seat to gain access to the trunk and then return the back seat once completed). If the trunk latch was NOT broken to begin with they would not have to remove and replace the back seat of the car at $280/hour you would be able to push the button and open it. I don’t feel it is the car owner responsibility to pay for that access to the trunk.

While driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden and total engine seizure and loss of power (stalling), creating a life-threatening hazard in traffic . A certified Kia technician diagnosed a seized short block, multi-cylinder misfires (P0300-P0304), and a hole in the exhaust valve. This failure is identical to the defects in Recall SC176 and the Engine Litigation II Settlement. Furthermore, the dealer previously refused my request for the KSDS safety software update, which would have prevented this catastrophic seizure by triggering Limp Home Mode.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign, the vehicle rolled backwards and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The ignition key was cycled several times before the vehicle restarted. The failure was intermittent, with the check engine light illuminating intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,500.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V750000 (Engine) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while driving into a parking spot, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. The contact later replaced the battery, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that, due to the vehicle not having the sensor changed before the failure, the engine could not be replaced. The dealer informed the contact tha,t due to the mileage, the vehicle would not be covered and would not qualify for the extended warranty coverage for the engine replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

With no warning except a pop, the vehicle iccu will fail and leave you stranded, very dangerous if you are driving on the parkway

The car makes a jumping/jerking movement & at times, something that seems like a misfire happens. All lights go on and the car will do that jerking issue & become un drivable. This happened to me on the road and I was afraid for my safety as I couldn’t get my car to a safe place immediately. Brought it to my mechanic and he gave me forms of a recall regarding 2021 Kia Seltos which is what I have.

Component/System Failure: The engine and lubrication system appear to be malfunctioning. The vehicle has repeatedly experienced sudden engine shutdown while stopped at traffic lights and during low-speed operation. The dealership has identified oil leakage involving the oil pan and oil filter housing and has indicated there may be an internal oil leak within the engine. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: When the engine shuts off unexpectedly, the vehicle loses propulsion in active traffic. This creates a risk of rear-end collision and prevents immediate maneuvering out of traffic flow. The loss of engine power while stopped or moving at low speeds presents a serious safety hazard to myself and surrounding drivers. I am concerned that the suspected internal oil issue may lead to catastrophic engine failure while driving. Dealer Confirmation / Reproduction: The issue has been reported to the dealership multiple times beginning in January 2025. The vehicle has undergone multiple inspections and repair attempts, including partial fuel injector replacement, battery replacement, and an oil consumption test. The dealership has acknowledged oil leakage and has stated that replacing the oil pan gasket and oil filter housing may not resolve the suspected internal oil leak. The defect has not been permanently corrected. Inspection by Manufacturer or Others: The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by the dealership. The matter has been escalated to Kia Corporate for review. No police or insurance inspections have occurred, as no collision has yet resulted from the stalling events. Warning Lamps / Symptoms: During each stall event, the check engine light illuminates along with multiple dashboard warning lights. The stalling first began in January 2025. Oil-related concerns and possible oil loss were reported during prior service visits. The condition continues despite repair attempts.

ICCU failed while driving on freeway. Heard loud pop which dealership determined to be a blown fuse as a result of the ICCU failing. Car decelerated to 30-40 mph and stayed in this limp mode. Light on dash indicated an electrical system issue. Vehicle was towed to dealership and repair was made under warranty.

Hydraulic fluid is leaking onto the hydraulic clutch actuator’s circuit board, creating a potential fire hazard. The vehicle requires replacement of the dual clutch and slave cylinder. This failure occurred just over one year after Kia replaced the dual clutch and performed a full engine replacement at a Kia dealership. This condition is identical to a known safety recall affecting 2019–2022 Kia Niro vehicles involving hydraulic clutch fluid leaking onto the actuator circuit board and creating a fire risk. Although my VIN is not listed under the recall, the vehicle is the same year, make, model, and drivetrain and is exhibiting the same defect described in the recall. This appears to be a recurring safety defect involving the hydraulic clutch system.