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.

  • 2022 KIA EV6
    - Denver, CO

    Vehicle failed to start (no power). Charged the 12v battery via wall charger and was able to start vehicle but was faced with numerous warnings, including low power mode, electrical errors and other warnings. Car towed to dealership and was found to have a failed ICCU.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA EV6
    - Poughkeepsie, NY

    ICCU failure. Was confirmed by shop car was towed to over phone. But no mention of it on invoice as of yet. I was at traffic light when I heard a pop and when I tried to go, got the warning message to pullover and the turtle icon. I made it to a towable spot. Super fortunate all in all. Can’t imagine if on highway in weather. No hints of failure before. Car was recently purchased month prior. I took it in for recall within first week, was told all good, software was updated. I kept between 20%-80% at all times, charged lvl2 at work daily and lvl1 at home sometimes. Had cheap voltage meter in car and was reading fine. Hope to get my car back soon.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2014 KIA SORENTO
    - Aurelia, IA

    While driving at low speed and turning, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power accompanied by engine knocking. The engine stalled and would no longer operate normally. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic, who found metal fragments/shavings in the engine oil, indicating internal engine damage. The engine is now inoperable and has effectively failed. There were no warning signs prior to the failure other than the knocking noise immediately before the loss of power. This failure occurred suddenly and without driver input. The sudden engine failure caused a loss of propulsion while the vehicle was in use, creating a potential safety hazard for occupants and surrounding traffic. The vehicle required towing due to engine failure. Kia Consumer Assistance was contacted regarding the engine failure. I was informed that no recalls apply to this VIN and that the vehicle is out of warranty. Kia Consumer Assistance stated they would not inspect or document the engine failure unless I paid out of pocket.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA OPTIMA
    - House Springs, MO

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park; however, the message to shift to park was displayed. In addition, the contact stated that there was a delay while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several dealers, and the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed by one dealer that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact researched and determined that the failure was related to the TCM failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2019 KIA SORENTO
    - Hampton, VA

    The oil pressure switch is faulty. The oil indicator light comes on when I'm idling, and I'm also losing 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles. This was reported on previous Kia models of this make and model, which extended the warranty to 15 years/150k miles. Kia isn't honoring this anymore, even though my switch was diagnosed as bad. Seems Kia never fixed the problem, as my Kia has 113,000 miles and would have been covered by a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) for the same issue a year earlier.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA EV6
    - Camillus, NY

    While driving my Kia EV6 in the middle of a snowstorm, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe power failure. I heard a loud popping sound from the rear of the cabin, after which the vehicle immediately entered reduced-power (limp) mode. Within approximately one minute, the vehicle shut down entirely and lost all propulsion and mobility. I was able to move the vehicle to a safe location only because I was not in traffic or on the highway at the time of the failure. Had this occurred at highway speeds or in active traffic, it would likely have resulted in a dangerous situation with a high risk of collision, especially given the severe winter weather, low visibility, and slippery road conditions. The vehicle has approximately 21,000 miles. This is the second failure of the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) in this vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Kia dealer, who has officially diagnosed the failure as a failed ICCU and associated fuse. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The first indication of a problem was the popping sound, immediately followed by limp mode and then a complete shutdown without further warning. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The repeat nature of this failure, lack of advance warning, and sudden loss of propulsion represent a serious safety defect.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA SELTOS
    - Aurora, CO

    I See recalls on transmissions but i don't see one on mine and it is having the same problems as the other Seltos not sure way it's not on a recall list

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA OPTIMA
    - Tecumseh, OK

    I’ve been told by multiple Kia dealerships that my Kia needs a new engine however I am barely outside of their class action lawsuit so they are not willing to settle with me. They recently within the last two months came out with two recalls that did not fix the issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA EV6
    - Charlotte, NC

    While changing lanes on a freeway, the car passed through a narrow strip of slush from recent snowfall. The car immediately disabled the motors, preventing acceleration and regenerative braking for nearly 50 seconds. There were no warning lights, sounds, or messages displayed on the car's gauge cluster display, either for the initial loss of propulsion or for the restoration of propulsion. This caused a loss of traction when the car eventually passed through a patch of packed snow and ice.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2015 KIA SOUL
    - Hamilton, OH

    My car was returned to me in a dangerous condition following a recall repair. I have a receipt that says that my break system was operating as it should be after recall work was completed but as I was driving it home from picking it up from dealership my break system comply went out for the second time while driving it. The dealership refuses to pay to have my car towed back to the service center to be checked out. My car is not drivable and the dealership had my car for 35 days when recall work was being done. I haven't been able to drive my car for months. I'm not getting any cooperation from kia corp either.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE