KIA Complaints

2024 Kia EV9 has destroyed two complete tire sets in 4 months (October 2025, January 2026) despite two professional alignments (May 2025, October 2025). Dealer service manager admitted on recorded call (1/7/26) seeing multiple EV9s "under 18,000 miles" destroy tires, confirming fleet-wide pattern. Multiple owner forums report the exact same issue. MY CASE: - [XXX] (11,860 mi): Steering misalignment, independent shop (Town Fair Tire) confirmed alignment issue - June 2025 - Vehicle inspected and tires rotated by authorized Kia dealership - Berlin City in Vermont - October 2025 (22,736 mi): Left rear BLOWOUT while driving. ALL FOUR OEM tires (113 load rating - "correct" per Kia) worn to bare threads. Tires had ~18,000 miles on them. October 2025: Snow tires were installed in October 2025, with 10/32" tread (were driven ~4,000 miles the previous winter). Dealer performed alignment, no before/after documentation provided [XXX] (25,486 mi): Same winter tires that drove 4,000 mi perfectly first winter destroyed in 2,700 mi second winter DEFINITIVE PROOF - Multi-Point Inspection (1/5/26): On 1/5/2026: Rear Left: 1/32" tread (destroyed in 2,700 miles from Oct. '25 to Jan. '26) Rear Right: 1/32" tread (destroyed in 2,700 miles from Oct. '25 to Jan. '26) Front Left: 10/32" tread Front Right: 10/32" tread Rear-only catastrophic wear on AWD vehicle is definitive proof of rear suspension or alignment defect. If load rating or overloading were the cause, all four tires would wear equally. SAFETY HAZARDS: Left rear tire BLOWOUT October 2025 while driving at 35 mph. Service Manager Pat (1/7/26): "Under 18,000 miles I've seen" other EV9s destroy tires - CONFIRMS FLEET-WIDE PATTERN Service Manager: "I can't tell you why the alignment is out" - CANNOT DIAGNOSE ROOT CAUSE Service Advisor John (1/6/26): "There's got to be an elephant in the room somewhere" - ADMITS UNDIAGNOSED DEFECT EXISTS Service Advisor: "I wouldn't feel safe putting my guys in it" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

I was driving down a very busy road and with no warning my car lost power. It would turn over but not start back up. I was stuck in the middle of a busy road way causing traffic’s to back up. I had to call the police to sit behind me so I wouldn’t get hit from behind.

Vehicle alerted Electric Vehicle System problem on the dashboard. Dealer determined the ICCU and a fuse needs to be replaced again. Dealer has declined to replace the ICCU under the current recall stating it was already replaced 8 months prior. Vehicle is not usable in current condition due to a faulty ICCU.

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while accelerating, the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and the vehicle was sluggish and slow to accelerate before responding as needed. There was an abnormal, rotten odor coming from the vehicle. The ABS, engine, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted and suggested a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

On 1/10 about 1.5 hour driving out of town later engine started idling low. Pulled over, replaced spark plugs and engine coil and still idling rough. Took vehicle for diagnostics of a broken head in the valve. I drive a 2.4L engine 2017 Kia Sportage LX AWD. only 114K miles. Quoted thousands and thousands, more than care worth to repair.

Engine with around 107K miles has had regular maintenance done to it. Went out one morning to start my van and there was a knocking noise coming from under the hood. We then had it towed to an engine/transmission repair shop to have it looked at and was told that we needed a new/used engine and the price was thru the roof. this is a very trusted shop so took there advice. To have the engine replaced is going to cost more than what the vehicle is worth. This is a known issue with some kia engines as they with no signs of failure prior to the noise. We had not one warning light on the dash, it just went poof.

Paint defect, this is a well documented issue with the snow white pearl paint color. need to get the vehicle repainted so it looks as good as it drives. there is the bubbling, flaking and in some spots down to the bare metal.

I am submitting this complaint regarding failure to complete a federally mandated safety recall and the subsequent release of my vehicle in an unsafe condition after prolonged dealer custody. Vehicle Information provided above Safety Recall Information Recall Type: Federal airbag safety recall Recall Notice Received: 2023 Summary of Safety Concern I delivered my vehicle to authorized Kia dealerships for completion of a federally mandated airbag safety recall. The vehicle remained in dealership custody for approximately seven months without completion of the recall. During this period, the dealerships demanded payment for diagnostics and asserted that recall-related issues were “warranty-related” or “customer responsibility,” which effectively blocked completion of the safety recall. Despite my continued communication and willingness to proceed with recall repair, the recall was not completed. Kia declined to authorize repairs necessary to complete the recall. Vehicle Released Unrepaired and Unsafe The dealership ultimately demanded that I remove the vehicle without completing the safety recall. Upon retrieval of the vehicle, I discovered: Missing and/or altered vehicle components Extensive interior water damage These conditions were not present when the vehicle was delivered and occurred while the vehicle was in the dealership’s exclusive custody. The vehicle was released in a materially worse and potentially unsafe condition. Ongoing Safety Risk The federal safety recall remains unresolved. Electrical systems and safety components may be compromised. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate, and repair is no longer a reasonable remedy. Basis for NHTSA Review This complaint concerns: Obstruction and noncompletion of a federal safety recall Improper conditioning of recall repairs on payment Release of a recalled vehicle without repair Potential compromise of safety systems while in dealer custody

On the morning of October 15th, the oil light of my 2019 Kia Rio came on, immediately followed by extreme engine noise, just before the engine locked. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby service center. They checked and reported that all oil had leaked out and motor had locked. I then had vehicle towed to Kia dealer and requested a motor replacement. They not only charged me for a diagnostic test that determined the motor had locked but also refused to replace the engine without me paying $12,000. The vehicle's motor has the same problems as the motors in 2011-2019 kia Engine Defect Settlement but for some reason was allowed to be excluded from the settlement.

Our 2016 Kia Sorento had 86k miles on it, loud knocking began and days later catastrophic engine failure. Rods and bearings are busted on my 3.3 Liter, V6 GDI engine. It died while my wife was driving it to the dealership. Estimated repair is 19k, metal shavings in the oil. It is available for inspection. My wife was driving it on the highway when the engine failed. Dealer confirmed the rods and bearings were broken.