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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2025 KIA SORENTO- Otsego , MN
The dashboard has a screen display. I couldn’t see my fuel tank information. Every time I would use my turn signal a large green circle would take over the screen. Followed by loss of the screen, meaning no speedometer, rpm, etc. As the problem continued the speedometer started displaying incorrect numbers. Saying I was going 70 miles an hour when I was actually going about 55. Gage for fuel and heat (notifying if car is overheating, was lost for the entirety of my drive).
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA SOUL- Laplace, LA
The check engine light on my 2024 KIA Soul came on. I took the car to the dealer and had them check it. They said said that there were multiple problems with the transmission. They recommended that I have the transmission replaced. I had them replace the transmission for over 4,100 dollars. I bought the car brand new from KIA. I drive for Lyft and the car has 127,738 miles on it, but I think that a transmission should last longer than 2 years and 127,738 miles.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2026 KIA EV9- Saratoga, CA
The car was being parked in a shopping lot. As the drive was pulling into the parking spot, the car lurched forward on its own and hit the wall. The gas pedal was not pressed. No collision sensors were triggered either. Unclear if related but the car was taken in for maintenance and recall updates the week prior to this accident.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA SORENTO- Baton Rouge, LA
On August 15, 2026, while operating my 2021 Kia Sorento, the transmission warning light came on and the vehicle displayed the following warning on the infotainment screen: “A possible condition with your Transmission Control System has been detected. Please press the SOS button on the rear view mirror or roof console for Roadside Assistance.” At the time of the malfunction, my vehicle would not properly switch gears. The transmission appeared to become stuck and would not shift as expected. This created a serious safety concern because I could not rely on the vehicle to change gears or respond normally while driving. The component/system that appears to have malfunctioned is the transmission and/or Transmission Control System/Transmission Control Module (TCM). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem first occurred on August 15, 2026. Prior to this occurrence, I had not received this specific transmission control system warning. When the problem occurred, the transmission warning light illuminated and the vehicle displayed the transmission control system diagnostic message described above. As of the filing of this complaint, the vehicle has not yet been inspected or diagnosed by a Kia dealership or independent repair facility. I have photographs documenting the warning message that appeared on the vehicle's display. I am concerned about the safety of continuing to operate this vehicle because an unexpected inability of the transmission to shift gears could cause a loss of acceleration, an inability to maintain appropriate speed, or an inability to safely maneuver the vehicle in traffic. I am also requesting that NHTSA review whether this failure is related to any existing recalls, investigations, technical service campaigns, or known transmission/Transmission Control Module issues affecting the 2021 Kia Sorento, including vehicles equipped with the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2014 KIA SOUL- Corpus Christi, TX
Multiple times with 6 months my check engine light comes on but no code is detected. However, when tested it tells me to look out for code P0420. The issues I have encountered: - High RPM of 2,000 when vehicle is started - Check engine light with no code. Light comes and goes on it own - Car jolts and vibrates high while idling - Car eats oil like no tomorrow. Having to do an oil change every 3,000 miles
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2025 KIA NIRO- Miramar, FL
The vehicle began shaking violently on the Florida Turnpike, and the factory-installed tire completely separated from the factory rim at highway speeds. This was a life-threatening equipment failure on a brand-new vehicle fully covered under Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The vehicle is at the dealership awaiting repairs. The tire size is 205/60R16
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA STINGER- Marrero, LA
My Kia Stinger then give me troubles with the six cylinder. He fixed it couple of months down the line the problem reoccurred so-called fixed it two months down a line. The problem occurred, and now the problem reoccurred took it into the dealership. The dealership said my engine harness is melted that can be the cause of the issue and now knowing that could’ve been the cause of the issue from the get-go. They don’t want to fix it because it’s out of warranty
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA TELLURIDE- Lynchburg, VA
My 2021 Kia Telluride has suffered two consecutive component failures of the rear suspension's self-leveling shock absorbers. This component is the exact subject of Kia's August 15, 2024 Extended Warranty Program (WTY040), which acknowledges a widespread engineering defect causing premature rear shock failures. The factory-installed original shock failed previously. The official Kia genuine replacement part (redesigned by Kia to permanently address the original defect) has now failed prematurely under the exact same mechanical conditions. The failed replacement component bears a manufacturing date stamp of 11/2023. Kia America Corporate is utilizing an administrative loophole regarding the component's manufacturing date code to deny safety coverage, actively refusing to honor or remedy the failure of their own redesigned replacement part. The local Kia dealership service manager inspected the vehicle and formally endorsed 100% replacement coverage due to this premature safety failure, but Kia Corporate has completely stalled the repair (I have had a formal 100% goodwill coverage request submitted since 7/21/26 without resolution), leaving a known vehicle stability defect unaddressed on a public roadway.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA CARNIVAL- Scottsdale, AZ
Recall SC368 was performed. After the recall repair, I began smelling gasoline. The dealer has diagnosed a separate fuel-system issue requiring multiple parts including replacement of the fuel tank. More details: My vehicle underwent a safety recall for a fuel leak/fire risk. Following that repair, I developed a strong gasoline odor. My Kia dealer has now identified a separate fuel-system problem that requires replacement of multiple components, including the fuel tank. The dealer has informed me that multiple Carnivals in Arizona are experiencing the same problem and that a replacement fuel tank is currently unavailable nationwide. I do not have a repair date and I do not consider the vehicle safe to drive.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2016 KIA SORENTO- Rancho Cordova, CA
Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento EX VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 67,000 Component: Paint/Body (Exterior Finish) My 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl / Pearl White) has developed premature, multi-panel paint failure. Flaking began appearing on the roof rail area above the front doors in late summer 2025, followed by flaking on the hood, and later bubbling on the rear driver-side door. Flakes recovered from the ground beneath the vehicle have consistently been approximately the size of a 50-cent piece. At the manufacturer's request, three independent, licensed California collision repair facilities inspected the vehicle. All three independently identified a paint adhesion or chemical bonding failure, not ordinary wear. One shop's written estimate states verbatim that "the sealer did not chemically bond when basecoat was applied." Another states it cannot warranty a repair unless affected panels are stripped to bare metal and fully refinished. Repair estimates to properly address the condition range from approximately $9,000 to $17,000. Kia has already acknowledged this as a defect meriting manufacturer assistance, having extended a goodwill offer covering partial repainting costs. I am filing this report to document a paint system manufacturing defect, consistent with a pattern reported by other Kia Sorento owners and referenced in at least one prior Kia service bulletin (SA166) addressing paint peeling on Sorento door panels. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE