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
    - Houston, TX

    I am reporting a failure related to the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) on my Kia EV6 vehicle. The vehicle suddenly became unable to charge using Level 1 or Level 2 AC chargers. Each time the charging cable is connected, charging starts briefly and then stops within seconds with a “charging unsuccessful” warning. The issue occurs consistently across multiple chargers. However, DC fast charging (Level 3) still functions, indicating a failure specific to the onboard charging system. In addition to the charging failure, the 12-volt battery became abnormally depleted, which required external charging to prevent the vehicle from becoming completely inoperable. This raises safety concerns, as a drained 12-volt battery can disable critical vehicle systems. This appears consistent with widely reported ICCU failures affecting Kia EVs. The failure occurred without warning and has rendered the vehicle unreliable for normal use. Because the vehicle cannot charge at home or on standard public chargers, it creates a safety and mobility risk, especially if the vehicle becomes stranded due to 12-volt system failure. I am concerned that this is a systemic defect in the ICCU that impacts vehicle reliability and safety and should be investigated further.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA SORENTO
    - New Pekin, IN

    My reverse camera bracket broke off leading to the camera dangling on the license plate and unusable for rear backup safety.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA SORENTO
    - Cutler Bay, FL

    The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, and oil needed to be added to the engine every 30 days. Additionally, the vehicle was difficult to start, and there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle at start-up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump, the starter, and the timing chain cover were replaced; however, the excessive oil consumption persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed of an unknown engine recall and that the engine could seize. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the engine failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start, and the engine was making abnormal clanking sounds while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the gas cap, and the check engine warning light was reset; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2024 KIA SORENTO
    - York, SC

    Car has sensor issues. It ran into pole and median after defective collision assist said sensor was blocked. Has emission leak. Second vehicle i had with that and they wont cover under warranty. Kia refuses to by back a car do not feel safe driving. They refuse to fix things under warranty. The refuse to do anything about sensors, says its the safety features and they cannot remove them. Only offered me 19k for car. Why would I be upside down for a car that was sold to me with safety features issues..

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Mars, PA

    Upon starting car, digital odometer cluster is blank. While the cluster is down, the gas tank cap is also unable to be opened. In researching on Google/kia forums, the fix has been to turn off the car, lock the doors and then unlock and restart the car. This is a 2022 and has happened approximately six times since purchase, the most recent time being today’s date again, the Kia forum suggested fix worked to remedy the problem today. Unable to “log these” with the dealership, unless it is brought in for service, but as the online remedy works, no service appointment is needed and therefore cannot on the spot replicate the issue as it randomly occurs. Unaware that these incidents could be logged on this site to establish potential patterns outside previous recalls for same issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA CARNIVAL
    - Pleasant Prairie, WI

    Was driving to work this morning and the first time I tried to get accelerate, I was unable to get above 31 MPH no matter how hard I pushed the pedal. Had to stop and restart. Not sure if it is due to the -1 degree weather this morning?

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA K5
    - Jerseyville, IL

    My 2022 Kia k5 has gone into limp mode multiple times now while I am driving in addition to when it starts up. Check engine light, AUTOHOLD, EPB, traction control, etc. all aluminate on my dashboard. Car drives very rough and doesn’t want to accelerate or shift. Huge safety issue. Dealership said it was the throttle body assembly. Paid to have it replaced and the issues still persists. I have read multiple other comments with the same issue and dealerships have no idea what the issue is or how to correctly diagnose. Error codes were P00BD00, C136081, and C174181.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA NIRO
    - Las marias, PR

    Vehicle with code p0420, Kia dealership technician say: the problem was the spark, proceeded to change it and clear code. Check engine turn on again, the same person say: it’s a ring piston, the car was leaked engine oil to exhaust and he see blue smoke, no evidence for part of dealership and dealership never mention the car was consuming excessive engine oil. I mentioned the law of emission to change the catalyst and the boss say: I can’t change it but the problem will be come but never do anything to change it. In other dealership Kia the technician dismantle the exhaust and see ceramic part coming from the catalyst, his recommendation is change it. Dealership make a formal petition to motorambar distributor official ok Kia in PR and motorambar refuse to change the part with the evidence provide by dealership: technician report and photos. I call motorambar in 2 times and the only thing motorambar do is creating ticket to escalated to technician, never received call from this ticket, this occurred on fort week of December 2025 and today is 19 January of 2026 and not received any call from motorambar.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA SOUL
    - PARIS CROSSING, IN

    My 2020 Kia Soul has around 135,000 miles on it. When accelerating it sounded like a rod or piston was coming through the engine wall. Then began the chugging and loud knocking noises along with engine shutting off. Glad we were not on a railroad track or something like that. We could have easily been killed. No warning lights or sounds at all.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA SPORTAGE HYBRID
    - Huntsville , AL

    While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of propulsion and significantly reduced acceleration. At the same time, the climate control system stopped producing heat. A red warning message appeared instructing me to stop safely. The vehicle would barely accelerate, creating a dangerous situation while driving. This issue has occurred three separate times, including twice in the same day. Each occurrence happened while the vehicle was in motion. The condition resolved only after turning the vehicle off and restarting it. The issue is intermittent and cannot be predicted. The reduced acceleration and loss of propulsion placed my safety at risk, especially at highway speeds, as the vehicle could not respond normally to traffic conditions. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership and inspected. A manufacturer tech line case was opened, and testing was performed, including a smoke test. The dealership stated they were unable to duplicate the issue. No repair was made, and the manufacturer closed the tech line case despite the reported loss of propulsion events. The vehicle is currently being retained at the dealership because I do not feel it is safe to operate. The problem was not resolved.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE