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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2013 KIA SOUL- Pensacola, FL
On [XXX] apex [XXX] Central I was driving west on [XXX], approaching the bridge that crosses from [XXX] to [XXX] and I heard a loud pop,I looked to my left and the driver's side window exploded with the glass shattering into tiny pieces and leaving a huge hole in the window with chunks hanging down.By the grace of God I did not have glass in my eyes or face drive to safety covering my face w my sweater. pulled off the bridge pulled the rest of glass out and took picture and called my insurance company online there are hundreds of postings with this happening on kias there needs to be a recall on this asap please before someone gets severely injured or dies.my name is [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2023 KIA TELLURIDE- San Juan, TX
VIN: [XXX] Owner: [XXX] Purchase Date: December 2022 I am filing an urgent safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Telluride. For nearly two years, I have unknowingly driven this vehicle with multiple active safety recalls, including: •Airbag wiring harness defect (airbags may not deploy) •Seatbelt pretensioner/tensioner defects •Front power seat motor overheating (fire hazard) •Driveshaft engagement defect (vehicle may roll out of Park) Kia never properly notified me of these recalls and never repaired them, despite my family using the vehicle daily. I drove this SUV with my autistic child and infant grandchild, believing it was safe. I have now discovered that Kia allowed me to operate a vehicle that could: •Fail to protect us in a crash •Catch fire •Roll away unexpectedly •Malfunction in ways that could cause severe injury or death This is a serious safety negligence issue. Kia did not offer a loaner vehicle, did not notify me promptly, and has not provided any remedy despite these recalls being federally regulated. I am requesting NHTSA intervention to: 1.Investigate Kia’s failure to properly notify and protect consumers. 2.Require Kia to provide a full replacement vehicle (2025/2026 Kia Telluride) or a full buyback due to prolonged safety risk. 3.Ensure Kia corrects VIN-level recall handling and compliance failures. 4.Document that Kia exposed vulnerable passengers (disabled child and infant grandchild) to unsafe conditions for almost two years. My family has been placed in danger this entire time, and Kia has not provided a timely or adequate remedy. Please investigate this matter urgently. — [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA OPTIMA- Columbus, OH
Engine burners oil at about 1qt per 1000 miles. There is no leak, and no repair to stop the oil from burning quickly. I have to refill my engine with oil several times in between oil changes. Paint is peeling in various spots on my hood and bumper. I first noticed a small area along the border of the hood nearest the windshield (mostly visible from the driers seat). Then 3 more spots on the opposite side of the hood and eventually all over the bumper.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2026 KIA K5- Edinburg, TX
Had the sunroof sunshade open, and the sunroof has exploded spontaneously out of nowhere. Since i had the sunshade open, the glass pieces went all over me and my wife, it had first scared us cause it was like a gun being fired off in the car, and i could've gotten into an accident. No. the car hasn’t been seen by the dealership. Theres has been many reports about this issue, me personally im in a group and theres a few people on there that this has happened to. No warning before it happened, there was no sign of impact. looks like it just spontaneously exploded outwards.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA SORENTO- Parlier, CA
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact called a mobile mechanic to the residence, and the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a defect in the transmission. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall on the model vehicle related to the transmission. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); which was linked to the failure. The contact called several dealers in the area and was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
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2021 KIA TELLURIDE- Geneva, NE
The oil filter housing is made of plastic and it cracked causing a major oil leak. There were no warning lights on the dash. Our family had just gotten into the car to visit family for Thanksgiving. I ran back into the house to get something and when I came back I first saw a large puddle of oil where the car was parked then I looked at the car and could see oil streaming out. At first I thought the filter or the oil drain plug had come loose. We had our local mechanic look at it and he said it was a common problem they see with plastic housings instead of metal. We called the closet KIA dealership and they said it was a known problem but KIA has not issued a recall. I searched online and found many complaints. If I had not noticed the leak we could have either had a fire or major damage to the engine.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA K4- Celina, TX
The contact's daughter owns a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. Additionally, the contact stated that while his daughter was driving to the dealer, the speedometer displayed 70 MPH; however, the driver was pulled over by the Police and informed the driver that the vehicle was driving 90 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the body domain controller was replaced. The contact stated that while the owner was driving, a week later, the instrument panel and the infotainment system screen turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the owner was informed that the vehicle was test-driven every other day to determine the cause of the failure. The owner was provided with vehicle rental assistance. The contact stated that the dealer contacted the owner after 6 weeks and advised that the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the owner was able to verify through the Mobile App that the dealer had only driven the vehicle twice, and the vehicle failed to exceed 38 MPH while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted for buy-back assistance, but the request was denied. The contact stated that a local Kia sales advisor stated that a consumer who owned the same vehicle had experienced a similar failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2020 KIA TELLURIDE- King George, VA
I purchased this vehicle with 109,000 miles on it. After driving for about a month, I noticed a noise and took it in for an inspection. I was told there was no oil in the vehicle and to take it to Kia. Kia told me that was a known issue the the oil consumption and wanted to start testing. I have an extended warranty but I am having to come out of pocket $5000 before a claim can even be started and I have only owned it for 5 months.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2023 KIA FORTE- Gallatin, TN
My father was in a fatal vehicle accident in which the car was going very fast and then he crashed into a building. The car then started on fire. The black box was unable to be recovered to check car function. There were no medical findings
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA SOUL- Miami, FL
My vehicle is part of an active engine recall related to defective piston oil rings. When I brought my car to the dealership for the recall inspection, I informed them and Kia Corporate that my car had been stalling and shutting off while driving for months. I have text message documentation of these incidents. This safety concern was ignored. The dealership performed only a basic visual inspection (removing coils and air filter, checking battery, alternator, starter, and attempting to start the engine) and refused to perform a full recall diagnostic or engine tear-down. They claimed the engine was “hydrolocked” and stated that water in the engine “voids any recall” and that outside influence is not covered. I requested that Kia Corporate dispatch a Field Service Engineer (FSE) for an independent inspection, but corporate told me that I cannot request an FSE directly and that only the dealership can request it. Since the dealership refuses, corporate will not act. Safety Concern: Stalling and shutting off while driving is a serious safety hazard that can lead to accidents. The vehicle is part of a federally mandated engine recall, but the dealership and corporate have refused to perform the proper recall inspection. The refusal to inspect the engine or acknowledge stalling incidents leaves me and other potential drivers at risk of unsafe operation. Requested Action: Investigate the dealership’s refusal to perform the recall inspection. Ensure Kia performs a full recall diagnostic, including internal inspection of piston oil rings and related engine components. Require corporate or a Field Service Engineer to review the vehicle given the dealership’s refusal. Address the stalling incidents as a potential safety defect related to the recall.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE