KIA Complaints

My 2022 Kia Seltos repeatedly stalls and shuts off while driving, including in traffic and at stop signs. The vehicle has also had multiple electrical failures and an emergency brake malfunction. A few weeks ago, October 26th, while going through a Starbucks drive-through, My car completely stopped. I got stuck in the Starbucks line and multiple people had to help me push my car out of the drive through. I can get the name of the lady at the Starbucks and maybe her co-workers to collaborate if need be plus I have text messages with my family because I didn't know what to do. The vehicle has now been at Covina Kia for three weeks, and the dealership has refused to provide a diagnosis, repair timeline, or loaner vehicle. I called today to get an update and was told to expect a response or diagnostics in approximately 10 days. They won't even give me a rental car and I'm stranded without transportation. This is a serious safety hazard that could cause a crash. I am requesting NHTSA investigation and documentation of this defect.”

While driving, my vehicle developed engine knocking, lost power, overheated, and produced smoke from the engine compartment. Shortly after, the engine seized and the vehicle will not start. An authorized dealership diagnosed the failure and recommended a complete engine (long-block) replacement, indicating catastrophic internal engine damage. This failure appears consistent with known Theta II engine bearing defects. The manufacturer is refusing coverage by stating the owner did not bring in the car for the recalls. The recall was preventive monitoring software (KSDS) and did not repair or prevent the underlying mechanical defect that caused the failure. This is a safety concern, as the failure caused loss of power and overheating, creating risk of fire or accident.

My car is a 2020 Kia sportage with 65,000 miles. We bought it bran new. Since we bought the car we've had problems. We took it to the Kia dealership and they did an oil consumption test. They said the car needed a new engine. Kia cooperation refuses to replace the engine and want us to pay for it because they due to lack of documented oil changes.

My 2018 Kia Sportage (2.4L Theta II GDI engine) suddenly triggered diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System – Detection of Excessive Connecting Rod Bearing Wear) and entered limp mode at 111,595 miles on Sep 13, 2025. The vehicle is now speed- and RPM-limited to protect the engine from catastrophic failure. This is the exact failure mode covered under the well-documented Hyundai/Kia Theta II engine defect that has led to thousands of engine seizures and, in some cases, vehicle fires. Kia implemented the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update (Campaign SC200) on this VIN, yet the system has now correctly detected excessive connecting rod bearing wear. Despite the vehicle falling squarely within the class vehicles listed in the 2020–2023 Hyundai/Kia engine litigation settlement (In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II), Kia’s settlement VIN-check website [XXX] ) incorrectly states this VIN “has not been matched with an eligible Class Vehicle.” I am concerned this may be used as a pretext to deny the lifetime short-block warranty repair that other identically-equipped 2018 Sportage owners have received at no cost. Continued driving risks sudden engine seizure or fire, which NHTSA has previously investigated under PE21-003 and related actions. I am forced to keep the vehicle parked until Kia honors the repair or provides clear justification for denial. I can no longer safely use the vehicle for normal transportation Requested action: I request that NHTSA investigate Kia’s inconsistent application of the Theta II lifetime warranty and settlement benefits, particularly when the KSDS system (installed by Kia) has triggered the exact warning it was designed to detect. This appears to be a continuing safety defect affecting 2011–2019 Kia vehicles equipped with the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Paint on all four door handles are bubbling and chipping. I rarely use the backseat handles and passenger door, which makes it more likely to be a malfunction in whatever paint was used for the handles. There is no fading, chipping, or bubbling on other parts of my car.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer refused to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that the HECU recall repair needed to be completed first. The contact was unaware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

I have a huge paint peeling situation on the roof of my vehicle. I do have a white Kia Sorrento and there is about a 24" by 6" spot where the paint is either peeling or is gone. It's directly above my front window on the roof of the vehicle.

Kia refuses to perform a U.S. safety recall due to my being active duty U.S. military stationed overseas. The affected vehicle is U.S.-spec and registered to a U.S. address. The recall (SC250) involves sudden loss of drive power and is a major safety defect. Kia has refused to authorize parts or repair overseas, putting me and my family at risk.

At night when I am driving, the headlight goes off. The light switch does not work on some settings. I never know when or where this dangerous situation is going to happen. Therefore, I try to avoid driving at night, as much as possible. This problem was addressed to Kia more than a year ago. They keep saying that they don't see a problem.

On Dec 1, 2025 we were driving down the freeway at approx 70 MPH when we heard a loud bang. At first, we thought a tire had blown but that wasn't the case. We started hearing more road and wind noise from above the shade screen. We were close to our Kia dealership so we went directly there. The sunroof glass about the driver and front passenger seats had a large hole and the glass around it was shattered. No object was found. Additionally, we didn't see any road debris kicked up before the loud bang nor we were near any overpass.