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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2015 KIA SOUL- Ravena, NY
My Kia’s engine light came on. It was my catalyst converter verified by my mechanic and 2 other people. My my car lost power. I took to my mechanic. Well he told me it was a recall issue and I’d have to take it to Kia. In December 1 it was towed into Kia , central ave, Albany, NY. Yesterday I was told my car was finally finished after trying to reach the service center for days. When I talked to the service man and asked what was done on the car, he said everything but the converter. Told me recalls were done. Not if the converter wasn’t done. He said there was no light on. If it’s a recall why does a light need to be on? I need my car but I’m afraid to drive what I feel has not been fixed. I’m heading this AM to pick it up and worried. I’ve been getting nothing but a run around. I won’t know anything they did do. I know something about brakes, and steering. I know the converter wasn’t done no even done even though the car lost power, and I called the recall center, had it towed up to Kia, they kept it since December 2nd but what I sent in for was not fixed. Please help me.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA K5- Redding, CA
k5 car seat belt locked 2025 gt line fix replacement of the assembly Retraction Issue deployed Stuck
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2023 KIA SORENTO- Saratoga Springs, UT
I have been calling the nearest Kia dealership to have this recall fixed since September 2025 and there has been no remedy since. We do not feel safe using the vehicle due to the recall involving a fire hazard due to HVAC wiring. We have a family that needs the vehicle and its been 3 months with no remedy and no estimated date of when remedy will be available, so remedy for recall is indefinite. We would like Kia to repurchase the vehicle or assist in auto monthly payments, as we are paying for a vehicle that we cannot use. We have kids and do not feel comfortable driving in this vehicle. We use this vehicle to help work and recall has impacted us financially. Below are details of the recall as we are trying to get Kia to help with: Manufacturer Recall Number SC351 There is no remedy for this safety recall ***REMEDY IS NOT AVAILABLE YET*** KIA AMERICA, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2021-2023 SORENTO VEHICLES. THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS MAY BE INADEQUATE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Safety Risk A FIRE INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA OPTIMA- Rothschild, WI
Brought vehicle in for Recall-SC340 Theta II 2.4L GDI ECM S/W Upgrade. After service was performed I took my vehicle back home and noticed that my down shifting was different, jolty and clunky. Prior to the upgrade my vehicle shifted flawlessly. Took my vehicle back in to have them check it out and they told me that they couldn't feel it and that the upgrade wouldn't cause that. Called Kia Corporate and filed a complaint.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA SELTOS- NEW PRAGUE, MN
I took my car to the dealership for the recall fix on its engine where they put the noise sensors in. I told them my car was burning oil and my car check engine light came on so I took it back in. Just before going in the light went off, but the code was for a misfire in cylinder 2. They did could not recreate the misfire and sealed my engine and told me to bring it back in 1000 miles. During this time the check engine light came on and went off again for the same code. When I brought it back at 1000 miles they could not recreate the misfire and said my car burned 0.77 quarts of oil in 1000 miles and in order for the engine to be bad that it needed to burn 1.0 quarts in that timeframe. They resealed the engine and I am to bring it back again in 1000 miles. A car should burn next to nothing for oil in 1000 miles. So my engine could burn out almost all its oil before a regular oil change and burn up the engine unless I keep adding oil. I am betting the cylinder misfire is because of oil fouling the plug. I could be on the highway and my motor could stall or blowup from lack of oil. Their recall fix is a joke and saying a regular gas enginecan burn up to 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles is ridiculous. This and every car with this engine problem should have the engine properly repaired or replaced
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2025 KIA SPORTAGE- DeKalb, IL
I have documented the following issues: -84 instances of "Keep Hands on the Wheel" when my hands were on the 10/2 or 9/3 position. This dates back to March 2025 and has continued into December. -12 instances of the ER braking engaging with "Collision Alert" when no other vehicles/object/danger were around. The ER braking is the sudden, full force stopping of the vehicle staring in April 2025 and as most recently as 12/06/2025. -3 instances of the vehicle being in "drive" but not moving forward; only the engine revving. This started in August and occurred again in October and on 12/06/2025. -1 instance of the vehicle randomly shutting off while driving very slow into the garage on 12/06/2025.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA OPTIMA- Austin, TX
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was previously replaced. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, two weeks later, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started misfiring. The contact drove to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to an unknown engine recall, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the nearby dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine damage. The dealer acknowledged the unknown engine recall, but the engine was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part of the engine that was damaged was not covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2024 KIA SORENTO PHEV- Brighton , CO
On 3 separate occasions, while idling, the engine will sputter as if it’s about to cut off. The RPM will rise and fall and the engine will rev up and down and finally it will quiet down. Once the light is green, It is able to drive as normal. At the next light the same thing happens and the engine revs up and down sounds like it’s about to die. At a certain point the car will lose propulsion,(hard to notice at first when it’s stop and go traffic) even with the pedal all the way down, making it difficult to drive at a safe speed. The car will operate this way in a very limited capacity w stuttered propulsion for a minute or two then a warning symbol and alarm sounds letting me know there is a safety issue with the hybrid system and to stop safely. The car then becomes completely unresponsive and you must stop immediately and shut the car off. Once restarted the car jolts back up and operates somewhat normally.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA K5- Nashville, TN
Within three days of purchase, the vehicle experienced a fuel system failure requiring the gas tank to be replaced. Shortly afterward, the check-engine light illuminated, indicating additional engine or emissions problems. The failures occurred without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The engine warning has continued to appear, suggesting a recurring or unresolved malfunction. The defects create risks including fuel leakage, stalling, engine shutdown, and potential fire hazard. The safety of the driver and others on the road is put at risk because the vehicle may fail while in motion. The problem appeared immediately after purchase and continues to recur. The dealer was notified but refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle further. No manufacturer inspection has occurred because the dealership declined to provide service. The warning light first appeared within the first week of ownership and has remained intermittent. The vehicle shows signs of unstable engine operation and ongoing system malfunction. The issue has been observed by the dealer, but they declined to perform proper diagnostics or repair. The defects are persistent and pose ongoing safety concerns.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2017 KIA SORENTO- Ypsilanti, MI
I was driving our 2017 Kia Sorento 2.4 liter, on I-94 in Detroit, MI when suddenly, the vehicle would not go over 50 mph when the engine suddenly lost power on Friday 11/28/2025 ..We towed the vehicle to the Auto Repair Shop a few days later. On Tuesday 12/9/2025 the Auto Repair shop contacted us and said that their was plenty of oil in the vehicle but Cylinder 3 misfired and there is a loss of engine compression. Auto shop says cylinder 3 failed and now only 3 cylinders are now working on the 2017 Kia Sorento now mileage is now 94, 971 miles. I have not taken it to the dealer yet because even though there was a class action lawsuit, the Auto Repair shop has informed us, as well as other information online, that the dealer will sometimes try to avoid replacing the engine. I did contact the dealer on 12/10/2025 and informed that we do have maintenance records and have the vehicle towed there this weekend, however, my initial conversation with the Service rep did not sound promising to date.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE