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.
-
2015 KIA SOUL- Cheyenne , WY
Dealer refusing to honor open recall remedy for SC200 / NHTSA 20V750000 on 2015 Kia Soul VIN [XXX], approx 100k miles. Recall shows "no unrepaired recall found" on NHTSA VIN lookup, but KSDS update and engine bearing test were never performed. Kia of Cheyenne states: 1) must pay for recall because update not done, 2) must pay for unrelated repairs first, 3) must provide all oil receipts, 4) will not perform free remedy. Second dealer Fort Collins Kia service phone rings no voicemail. Request NHTSA reopen recall and enforce free remedy per 49 USC 30120. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA EV9- Huntersville, NC
The infotainment screen, including backup camera views, randomly glitches and then goes completely dark with no ability to view anything on the screen. The screen has been reset and software reloaded, but the glitch continues. Next, the screen was replaced but the glitch continues. This has been occurring since the beginning of June 2026.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA TELLURIDE- Mars, PA
Digital instrument cluster disappears upon startup of vehicle. Happened today August 4, 2026. When the digital instrument cluster disappears, the gas cap is also unable to be opened. Getting out of the vehicle and locking the vehicle and then getting back in and restarting the vehicle resets the system. I found this fix after the first time this happened in 2023 by googling and there were so many complaints a forum had been made about it. This is approximately the fifth or sixth time this has happened since purchase of the vehicle in 2022. Previous year 2022 models have a recall for the same problem, my Telluride is not included in that recall as it was built approximately a month after the recall dates. Was able to report the information to my dealer today and have it documented, previous attempt attempts to have them documented at the service department have been denied and was given the reason of “there’s nowhere to put that information if you don’t bring the car in”.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2023 KIA CARNIVAL- Rio Rancho, NM
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle, causing the contact’s six children to become dizzy from the odor. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V232000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the remedy failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer might offer a buyback of the vehicle. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 58,425.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2019 KIA SPORTAGE- Buffalo, NY
The vehicle is have issues every time I get and oil change the vehicle loses about 2 qt of oil there are no leaks that are notice but the lost of engine oil still happens this oil could cause the engine to turn on fire it is nerve reacting to every often to check the oil level dealership are brushing this problem as they don't seem to know what is causing this issue if customer don't check
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
-
2021 KIA SELTOS- Warwick, RI
While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain. Without striking any road debris, potholes, or other vehicles, the entire driver-side rear wheel, wheel assembly, and structural axle components completely fractured and ejected from the moving vehicle. An eyewitness at the scene explicitly confirmed the nature of the failure, stating on video that they observed the 'entire rear axle just come right out' while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle sustained extreme structural damage, completely disabling it on a high-speed highway and creating an immediate, life-threatening situation. The vehicle is a low-mileage Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) unit with under 24,000 total miles on the odometer, indicating a severe manufacturing, material, or component fatigue defect rather than wear-and-tear. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to the failure. The vehicle is currently being held at a recovery yard and is fully available for inspection upon request. A formal defect investigation has been initiated with the manufacturer, and the insurance provider is inspecting the sheared axle and metal components for structural forensic analysis
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2020 KIA TELLURIDE- Punta Gorda, FL
I bought my vehicle used around 62,000 miles, I was the second owner. Around 90,000 miles my vehicle suddenly stopped driving. There was absolutely no signs of issues prior to this event. I had it towed to the Kia dealership where they recommended an entire engine replacement, but assured me I was outside of warranty. I did not pay for extended warranty so I decided to take it to an independent mechanic who informed me there was a missing internal pin. This mechanic felt certain this was a manufacturing issue. He was able to repair multiple components without replacing the whole engine and the vehicle was drivable again. Now at 122,000 miles the vehicle had the same exact issue occur. I have owned this vehicle for less than three years and have had engine failure twice. After researching online there are many people who have experienced the same exact issues and probably thousands more who were not vocal about it. This is absolutely a manufacturing problem with this vehicle and it deserves to be addressed.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA TELLURIDE- Florence, AL
SUBJECT: SAFETY RECALL DENIAL APPEAL: Pinched Seat Harness Fire Hazard - 2024 Kia Telluride VIN: [XXX] KIA case #:XXX TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I am filing an urgent safety appeal regarding a refusal by my local dealership to repair a severe fire hazard on my 2024 Kia Telluride. This vehicle is experiencing the exact failure mode detailed in federal safety recalls regarding the front passenger power seat wiring. The dealership has denied coverage by claiming rodent damage. However, the official photograph provided to me by the dealership’s own service department completely disproves the claim and confirms a manufacturing/design defect: 1. CLEAR MECHANICAL FLATTENING: The first wire in the harness is severely flattened and shows distinct mechanical abrasion and rubbing marks across its surface. The insulation is pressed flat, which can only happen under the immense pressure of the moving metal seat frame or track. 2. ELONGATED CUT AND SHEARED: The second wire directly behind it features a clean, continuous one-inch cut where the rubber insulation has been completely stripped away exposing the live circuit. 3. NO BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE: There are no jagged chew marks, frayed insulation fibers, nesting materials, or pest droppings anywhere in the area or vehicle itself. This is an undeniable case of the seat mechanism pinching, rubbing, and exposing the wiring harness during normal operation, leading to a direct short circuit and blown fuses. Leaving a live, exposed wire beneath a moving power seat presents an immediate thermal and fire risk to my family. I requested that Kia Corporate immediately override this dealership assessment and to dispatch a Field Technical Specialist if necessary, and authorize the complete replacement of the damaged wiring harness under the active safety recall and factory warranty. They also wanted to repair this wire by using liquid rubber, which is totally unacceptable and I refused. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA TELLURIDE- Bailey, MI
When turning the vehicle, say on to another road and not coming to a full stop, when you accelerate it doesn't want to accelerate, you press the pedal down gradually until all of a sudden it jumps to 2 or 3000 rpms and goes. Previously when we had this issue it was the AWD coupler that was fixed 1 to 2 years ago. My vehicle was inspected just before my warranty was up at around 98000 miles, I waited 8 hours for them to tell me they couldn't recreate the issue, I got in the vehicle and went to leave and had the same issue, turned around had their Lead Technician Zach ride with me and recreated the issue for him, he acknowledged that when I was accelerating the RPMs were not increasing, they kept my vehicle another 5 days after stating the first day they had to open a case with the Tech Line and do a flight diagnostic, after very poor communication over those days and the dealership telling me that the Tech line said if they couldn't recreate it there was nothing they could do, I finally called the Kia Customer Care line to ask for the Case number, the Kia Customer Care line stated that no where in the case did it state a Technician went on a ride along with me and experienced the issue and they also stated that Kia Tech line did not tell them there was nothing more they could do they asked them to keep trying to recreate the issue, eventually after having the vehicle for 6 days I finally had to go get my vehicle back. After 6 days of poor communication and no resolution. I have researched online regarding this issue as well and I am not the only one who has experienced this issue in this vehicle.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2020 KIA SOUL- Orlando, FL
The engine shut down unexpectedly while driving. The dealer confirmed it was due to internal oil consumption. There's a known history of engine failure in these vehicles due to manufacturing defect, including shutting down while driving, noise coming from the engine and even a risk of fire. The warning oil lamp never came up, there was no oil leak spots in my driveway. My safety definitely was at risk, and Kia was sued and lost for these same reason before. I towed the car to Kia City in South Orlando but they wanted to charge me $7500 for fixing the engine under the excuse that the warranty had expired. This is not true, since this vehicle was purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle with only 3000 miles and still is under the ten year powertrain warranty. I towed the vehicle back home after almost a week in the dealer.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE