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.

  • 2017 KIA OPTIMA
    - Whittier, CA

    I purchased the 2017 Optima Hybrid from Huntington Beach Hyundai on [XXX]. I made sure to double check with the dealer if the engine and hybrid battery were in good condition, in which the salesman reassured me everything is good. The car was driving okay for a while, and I had oil change and tires/alignment changed recently. Just barely 4 months in after I owned the car, the incident happened on the night of [XXX]. I was driving on the highway near the Getty going roughly 70 mph up the mountain roads while all of a sudden the "check hybrid system" warning came on in the car. The car immediately went into limp mode, and I did everything I could to slow the car to a complete stop, and stop on the freeway shoulder safely. It was a traumatizing experience to me, as this is a major safety issue with the vehicle, and other cars were travelling really fast in LA mountain areas. I had the car towed to a auto repair shop the next day, the mechanics did a deep inspection and informed me the hybrid inverter has failed. I paid $2,177 to replace the hybrid inverter with the mechanic. The mechanic also informed me while they were test driving they heard a knocking sound from the engine. I did a look up and found out there is a class settlement and safety campaigns on the engine for 2017 Optima Hybrid due to the faulty factory rod bearings, and the 150K miles extended warranty from Kia should apply to replace my faulty engine free of charge. I will be getting my car towed to Car Pros Kia in Huntington Beach on October 15th, 2025, and request the dealer to replace my engine per Kia's extended warranty. I am filing the complaint because the car is having problems after problems in barely 4 months of ownership, in which I believe I have purchased a lemon, or Huntington Beach Hyundai knowingly hid the facts the components were faulty. I have also filed a case with Kia corporate. Attached is the repair invoice for the hybrid inverter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA SORENTO
    - Redlands, CA

    We have a brand new 2025 Kia Sorento and suddenly the AC stopped working. Took it into the service center who could not identify the problem but didn't see any damage. They got it working again and we drove it for a couple of days and it stopped working again as anticipated. We brought it back in and they now report debri damage, now not covered by kia warranty. I searched online and this seems to be a common issue with the unit and that the grill design does not protect the engine and is prone to significant damage to the vehicles engine components that Kia will not cover under warranty.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA SELTOS
    - Weidman, MI

    I bought this Kia with 25 miles on it and I had all oil changes done and then at 33,000 miles the engine seized and Kia refused to honor my 100,000 mile warranty. The dealership told me that the spark plugs melted causing the issue and that it definitely wasn’t an oil issue. Kia still refused to honor the warranty. I only owned the car from June 2023 to September 2024 I want them to pay the remaining balance since I had to give it back to the bank for them to only be able to sell it for 8000.00 dollars. I will never deal with Kia ever again but they need to do the right thing by paying the remaining balance for something they refused to take accountability for. I contacted the lemon law attorney office for the state of Michigan and they wanted to help me but couldn’t because Kia refused to give me any vehicle repair invoice or anything documentation on the vehicle while it was in their care. I tried hard to find a lawyer to help me with my case but I couldn’t find one that does these particular cases.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SEDONA
    - Ivey, GA

    Engine replacement KIA had it for 8 months got it back and engine blew up again.. now they want service records on the first when it is the second motor. Trying to get away from replacing the motor.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA SOUL
    - Powder Springs, GA

    Second engine installed in the car ceases to fire. Condition does not change with new sensors for camshaft nor crankshaft. Engine turns freely cranks but will not restart. Unreliable driving conditions. Mathew’s Kia wants $1400 upfront to start exam in blind faith to see if a properly serviced car has a common warranty claim

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Thompson's Station, TN

    The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V494000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in June 2025. While driving back to the residence after the vehicle was purchased, the cover behind the rearview mirror detached and was hanging loose. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for repairs, and the dealer refused to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle had an aftermarket windshield, which caused the glue to melt. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while closing the front driver’s side door, the door molding trim had delaminated and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2015 KIA OPTIMA
    - Centreville , IL

    All recalls were not done false input information they never fixed engine bearing recall I’m getting a consultant to handle all the false information being provided by Kia Federico in woodriver

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Denton, MD

    Subject: Ongoing Issue with Excessive Oil Consumption – 2020 Kia S V6 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern and frustration regarding a recurring issue with my 2020 Kia S V6 related to excessive oil consumption. Despite multiple visits to the dealership and attempted repairs, the issue remains unresolved and continues to affect the safety and reliability of my vehicle. Vehicle Information: Year: 2020 Make: Kia Model: S V6 VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 85,808 miles Timeline of Events: September 6, 2024 – Oil change completed at Kia dealership in Easton. No prior issues reported at this time. [XXX] – After about a week of shaking and stuttering during acceleration, the vehicle shut off completely at a stoplight. Upon checking, the oil level was found to be empty. I added 6–7 quarts of oil. No oil warning light appeared on the dashboard at any time. January 14, 2025 – Brought the vehicle to the Easton Kia dealership. Diagnosed with a broken and leaking oil filter housing, which was replaced. Another oil change was completed. [XXX] – After the engine light came on, I checked the oil at 77,021 miles and found it to be low again. I added 1 quart of oil. The engine light was later determined to be due to a loose gas cap. Once again, no oil warning light appeared. [XXX] – At 78,000 miles, I checked the oil, as advised by Kia, to monitor consumption. The oil level was completely empty. I added another 6–7 quarts of oil. No warning light appeared on the dashboard. [XXX] -- Kia for oil change and consumption test at 82,177 miles. Consumption was read after 1,000 miles and I was advised it was good. I was told to come back at 86,075 miles as per Kia recommendation. [XXX] -- A few hundred miles before the deadline, at approx 85,790 miles I checked oil before a trip, it was empty. Again, no warning light came on the dashboard to warn me of low/no oil. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA SOUL
    - Chandler, AZ

    While driving, the vehicle began accelerating (forced acceleration) without driver input. When driver attempted to stop or slow the vehicle down, the brakes were unresponsive due to the brake override system failure. Because the vehicle could not be stopped or slowed down, and to avoid hitting or harming others, driver veered off the road which caused the vehicle to flip multiple times and finally stop, landing on the roof. It was noted that the engine was still running at that time. The safety of the driver and others was in immediate risk, as the vehicle could not be controlled. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA K5
    - Chino, CA

    The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 15-20 MPH, the engine revved and the gears in the transmission unexpectedly failed. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. Due to the safety concerns, the vehicle was no longer driven and remained parked at the residence. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE