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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2025 KIA K4- Jacksonville, FL
Blind spot and front collision features inactive. Seat belt didn't unlock after crash. Airbags deployed no passenger didn't work on driver airbag b1652 dtc codes on recall for another vehicle
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA SELTOS- Henderson, NV
My 2021 Kia Seltos with the 1.6L turbo engine is burning an excessive amount of oil — about one quart every 800–1000 miles — and is showing blue smoke from the exhaust. A certified technician indicated that the likely cause is faulty piston rings, which is a known issue on this engine and has led to engine replacements in other Kia vehicles. The vehicle was purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned Kia, and I have maintained it properly. Despite this, Kia and the dealership and the certified preowned warranty company have denied warranty coverage, calling it "oil consumption," even though the oil loss is clearly excessive and mechanical in nature. This defect poses a potential safety hazard, as engine failure or oil-related fires could occur if the engine runs low on oil while driving. There are many similar reports online from 2021 Kia Seltos owners experiencing the same problem. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Kia to address these engine defects, as they appear to be widespread and potentially dangerous.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA SORENTO- Ocala, FL
Engine has a leak, the engine oil sensor was defected ,front axel leak and needs replacement
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2026 KIA SPORTAGE- Oswego, NY
The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the instrument panel intermittently flashed on and off while driving at various speeds. In addition, the contact stated that while at a complete stop, the speedometer indicated erroneous speeds. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer failed to duplicate or diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact also stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact continued driving, and the headlights turned off with an unknown message flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had taken several pictures and installed a camera in the vehicle to document the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was eventually provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 330.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2025 KIA CARNIVAL- Des Plaines, IL
The 12-volt battery fully discharges and leaves the vehicle inoperable ONLY when parked in my attached townhouse garage (overnight or 1–3 days). The vehicle starts and runs normally when parked elsewhere (work, airport, etc.) for the same duration. Symptoms: No warning lights prior to failure Dashboard completely dark; no power to doors, lights, or start button Requires jump-start or tow
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2008 KIA SEDONA- Airway Heights, WA
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the engine had overheated, causing an electrical short and battery failure. The battery was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was restarted and driven at 25 MPH; however, the failure recurred. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and remained on the side of the road. The contact stated that several mechanics had previously diagnosed the vehicle with electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2024 KIA SORENTO- Shelbyville, KY
headlights and taillights went out while driving and a few seconds and then came back on and everything on the dash also went out and came back on. i was driving at night time when this happened it put me and my child at risk. i called the dealership and they refused to fix saying that my kia is not impacted by this recall. But that i could schedule an appointment to have my headlights checked, i explained to them there is nothing wrong with my headlights this is clearly a software issue, Tonya at Kia Louisville east is still saying its not related to the recall, and is scheduling appt to have my headlights checked. no warning lamps messages or any other symptoms before this happened and has only happened the one time.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA SORENTO- Riverview, FL
I was involved in an automobile collision. It was a T- Bone collision on the driver side. My vehicle flipped on it's side, the moon roof completely shattered, my seatbelt released me and I was ejected through the moon roof. The vehicle landed on top of me. All of my air bags did not deploy even though my vehicle rolled over twice.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2017 KIA SPORTAGE- Laurence harbor , NJ
While driving on the parkway with my child and younger cousin in the vehicle, the car unexpectedly began to decelerate without warning. I safely pulled over to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off. When attempting to restart it, the engine would not crank or turn on. Moments later, smoke began to appear from under the hood. Additionally, the engine, battery, and oil warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. This incident created a dangerous situation and raised serious safety concerns regarding the reliability of the vehicle.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA TELLURIDE- Los Angeles, CA
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I put the car in park, then turned off the vehicle, and removed my seatbelt. The car then began rolling back on its own. When I hit the break, it did not work to stop or slow the vehicle. Instead, the break hit the floor, and was "floppy". The car then crashed. The vehicle appears to have experienced a "roll-away event" despite being in Park and off. (a term I learned from the prior 2024 Telluride recall, my VIN was not included). • The brake pedal went to the floor and did not stop or slow the vehicle as expected, and felt “floppy” with no normal resistance. • The electronic parking brake / brake actuator did not appear to engage (no sound, no holding force). How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I had removed my seatbelt, so I sustained whiplash and other bodily harm from crashing into our house. Had I stepped out of the car, i could have been pulled underneath it. It also crashed/crushed into our grill which could have caused an explosion. And most importantly, it could have been fatal to my daughters (22 months and 4yr) who usually stand (95% of the time or more) where the car crashed, waiting for me to get out of the car. My dogs also roam the drive way and it could have runover them as well. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have notified KIA customer support and am waiting their response for further steps. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO, not yet. (see above) Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The brakes have malfunctioned a few times during reversing or driving. The auto stop has engaged itself when there was no danger of hitting anything, and has once stopped in the middle of an intersection, on its own.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE