KIA Complaints

I took my vehicle to the dealership in Chantilly, VA on May 17, 2025. On July 24, 2025, I discovered that my vehicle had no oil, despite being approximately 4,000 miles away from my next scheduled oil change. I have video documentation confirming that there was no oil in the vehicle. The car was towed back to the dealership; however, no corrective action was taken. The dealership offered to perform a test, which I declined, as this issue did not exist before servicing my vehicle at their location. Additionally, no explanation or guidance regarding the oil was provided to me. I was only advised to pay for another oil change, or a 205 dollars to diagnose the car. Subsequently, I took the vehicle to Fairfax Auto Shop, where a dye test was conducted to check for oil leaks. While no leaks were found, they advised that the vehicle has an oil consumption issue. They recommended that I monitor and top off the oil every 1,000 miles and return for oil changes every 2–3 months.

The vehicle is suffering from excessive oil consumption (over 1 quart per 1,000 miles) and a recurring P0420 (Catalyst Efficiency) code. This is a documented precursor to catastrophic engine failure and engine compartment fire in the 2.oL Nu GDI engine. The engine's oil consumption is poisoning the catalytic converter, causing it to clog. This creates extreme exhaust backpressure, leading to sudden loss of motive power (stalling) while driving. This defect poses an unreasonable risk of a high-speed collision and fire if oil comes into contact with the hot exhaust manifold. Due to current extreme winter conditions (-20F with wind chill), a sudden engine stall or seizure creates a life-threatening emergency. I no longer feel safe operating this vehicle, as an engine failure in these temperatures could leave me stranded without heat in sub-zero weather.

Most vehicles with ABS experience what I call “ABS shudder/jutter” when applying brakes across a road seam where the road surface is uneven or a rut in the road. In this particular case while applying the brakes across a long rut in the road, the “ABS shudder/jutter” was much worse. NOT SPEEDING and having plenty of distance to stop. With brake pedal to the floor several times, the vehicle continued to move forward. The last few feet before colliding with a pickup truck, although the road was completely dry, the vehicle was driving forward yet sliding forward slowly. Felt no different than being on ice. Collision aversion system did nothing to help avoid. There is also only electronic parking brake and not an emergency brake to pull a handle on to assist in stopping. Dealership wasn’t able to find anything simply by driving around and slamming on the brakes and not finding any error codes. Regional technician currently scheduled to be here the 27th of Jan. Several people online have expressed similar concerns, just haven’t hit anything. I feel that the issue lies with the ABS system specifically braking over uneven road seams or ruts in the road and my experience is being discounted.

Due to cables being lined in soy in attracts rodents which cause damage to the car. Multiple electric malfunctions from power lift gate to automatic windows. It is a known issue and is very common.

The paint is bubbling and falling off in spots. This is ruining our trade-in value. The dealer says it always happens to white vehicles.

Driving on freeway with the heater on, Cold weather, car had multiple issue messages (transmission control unit and adaptive cruise control) as well as a check engine light come on as the car went limp and would not accelerate. Has to pull off of the freeway after nearly getting in multiple accidents due to losing speed from 65 mph to 30. Had the gas pedal all the way to the ground and the car would barely accelerate.

My 2017 Kia Sedona has has regular oil changes about every 3000 miles. I was not due for an oil change quite yet and a ticking noise coming from the engine started to occur. I made an appointment at the Kia dealership right away. Just a few days before my appointment there was no warning light for the oil or engine until the engine failed, went limp and I lost power steering control, the brakes went stiff and all of the lights came on at once. It was very scary for me and my two children to lose that control of the vehicle. It can be inspected at Berlin City Kia where it currently sits and is in need of a replacement engine. After much research I have seen that this is a known issue for Kia engines and for some reason the 2017 Sedona is not included in any extended warranty's. Please investigate this. I did ask Kia for help in covering the replacement engine but was denied by the woman who I spoke to on the phone. I still put in a claim online anyway. It has been inspected by Berlin City Kia and they said there was "significant rod knocking". They are quoting me $9880 to replace the engine. After regular oil changes for the time that I have owned this vehicle and especially after I has the oil pressure sensor leak addressed as well over the last few years, it should not have died prematurely as it did. I am worried that the oil leaking so badly at that time may have pooled in the back of the engine which could have led to the rods wearing which in turn led to them knocking in the future. What else could cause this to happen? And so many other customers have complained about this exact issue. Please investigate this.

Repeat failure of iccu/electrical system. Car fails to maintain charge in 12v over time. Something fails damages the charge. I replace the module 6 fuse regularly on my own because I was tired of taking it to dealer and paying ~$20 for a few extra fuses that cost almost nothing. The car was in turtle mode the next day after a trip. The car wouldn’t go more than 15 mph then shut off. You can’t start it to put in neutral to tow so they MUST drag it into the flatbed. You cannot access items to help you from the rear hatch. The car becomes a giant metal paperweight when this issue occurs an leaves you stranded and at risk of harm.

I have had multiple issues with the electrical system in this car. Even after recall and software update the iccu failed. Module 6 fuse consistently blows and I replace myself to keep my car working as close to the way it’s meant to as possible. The 12v battery has failed twice. The last time after a replacement. The system fails to maintain it. When the iccu electrical issue happens the car stops working completely. It is hobbled speeds as low as 15 and cuts off within minutes if you are dealing with this issue. The hatch will not open the car will not go into neutral to be towed so then has to be DRAGGED onto a flatbed to go to the dealership for repair. The repair often takes significant time.

Yesterday, [XXX], My 2015 kia optima engines reved up wothout me pushing the gas & within seconds later a loud noise and metal fell from under the hood. After pulling over, popping the hood on the passenger side and under the engine a fire had started. My daughter was seated in the back passenger side her door had locked, thankfully the passenger door was left opened bc within minutes the entire car was filled with smoke and engulfed in flames. Prior to this the steering wheel would jerk even while at a red light. This car just did have 100,000 miles & no knowledge this prior. Thank god i was able to get my daughter out of this vehicle & this didnt end in a tragedy due to negligence if this was a prior known fact. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)