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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2020 KIA OPTIMA- Franklin Park, NJ
The turbo system on the car burns oil at a rapid rate. Had to pay $4000 to replace and still continues to give me problems and check engine light. Violates lemon law. Had replaced in September but was giving me problems well before and finally took it to the dealer for repair
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA K5- La Mesa, CA
I have a Kia K5 and was not informed of the SC288 Service campaign Fuel tank Inspection & EMC update (VESC) expansion of fuel tank and explosions' of fuel tanks. My vehicle was not apart of the recall for the fuel tank expanding program. I took my vesical in for service for over heating and it failed the SC288 Service Campaign. my gas tank expanded and caused structural damage to my car. it has been 8 weeks and I have not have had any contact from Kia consumer affairs. I am now with out resolve and I now have to get a lawyer.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA SORENTO- Charlotte, NC
On July 5th 2025 round 5:15 pm EST, while driving in the center lane of the highway at approximately 73 mph, the check engine light and multiple amber warning lights suddenly turned on. This occurred at just 1,920 miles on a brand-new vehicle. At the time of the incident, the vehicle stopped responding to the accelerator and would not move forward. Fortunately, traffic was light, and I was able to steer safely to the shoulder. However, I was traveling with my family, and under heavier traffic conditions or with vehicles closely following, this sudden loss of power could easily have resulted in a serious multi-vehicle accident. Following the above incident, I brought my vehicle to the Kia dealership for a diagnostic check. However, they did not take any corrective action, stating that the check engine light was not currently illuminated—even though I provided photo evidence and the fault code P069811 captured from the Kia app. This raises serious concerns, as I cannot predict when the issue might occur again. According to multiple reports on Kia forums and blogs, many owners of new vehicles have experienced the same problem, yet Kia has not addressed it. This is a serious, life-threatening safety issue while driving, and this trim should be publicly acknowledged as having low reliability and safety concerns until a resolution is found.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA FORTE- Rossville, GA
I purchased this brand new in 2024 and about 5 months ago it started to just loose power. It almost caused me to be hit several times and the car just won’t go it looses all power and you can press the gas and it won’t go but eventually will start going again. It’s very dangerous luckily I haven’t had a wreck with me and my Infant in the car and I’ve been able to move out of the way of others.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID- Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
When the vehicle is idling, the battery refuses to charge, therefore, the car suddenly dies and makes it unsafe to pull over and dyes while driving, very dangerous and transmission doesn’t shift properly.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2021 KIA SOUL- Roanoke, VA
My vehicles engine light is consistently flashing on and off, indicating there is an engine issue and when I took it to get the engine light diagnosed, error code P1327 shows up and the mechanic sites that it could be related to the faulty piston ring part, which is corresponding to the recent recall of Kia Souls from last February. Not to mention my vehicle sometimes goes through a momentarily power surge or lack of that temporarily stalls the engine.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2017 KIA SORENTO- Lauderhill, FL
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and running, the air conditioner failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat was moldy, and the sunroof had seized. Additionally, the sunroof headliner fell while changing lanes. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The windshield washer, the sunroof assembly, the reservoir pump, and the front axle seal assembly were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the corporate level and the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2021 KIA SORENTO- Sandy Springs, GA
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH over a speed bump, the vehicle shut off. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a bad connection at the fuel pump fuse box. The dealer performed a minor wiring repair. The contact stated that while driving 60-80 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle shuddered and then jolted. The vehicle was taken to Calavan Kia [XXX] ), but the failure could not be duplicated; however, the coils were replaced. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle was inoperable. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were turned off, and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact also stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal rattling and ticking sound while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the second dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a third dealer, Ed Voyles Kia [XXX] ), where the failure could not be replicated. Additionally, the contact stated that A/C system was inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 6,099. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2021 KIA K5- Fulshear, TX
Kia has a known issue with the HVAC blower motor circuit on this vehicle model. They have issued a warranty extension related to relocating the blower motor fuse to another circuit in the fuse box, due to potential burning of fuse(s). After executing this extended warranty fuse-relocation-procedure, our blower motor relay burned and was replaced twice by separate Kia dealers. Kia is now claiming that our entire wire harness needs to be replaced at our own cost. It is quite obvious that any wire harness issue is now very dangerous (electrical arcing and melting) and was caused by the original motor circuit issue. (The two Kia dealers agree with our assessment but are saying that Kia will not repair because original warranty extension was limited to rewiring.) Safety issues: Electrical fire hazard (already demonstrated with burning/melting fuse-box before and after extended warranty procedure was executed). No A/C in 95 degree F conditions.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA SORENTO- Janesville, WI
Knocking noise started when pulling off the interstate. No engine light came on. No oil registered on 'dip stick'. Oil change was due at 130,449. The mileage on the car was 132,635. Had towed to Kia dealership where they said there was no test that could be done due to the vehicle being a 6 cylinder engine. They said the 'sound' points to needing an engine replacement. I inquired about a oil pressure switch test and oil consumption test due to past recalls and known engine issues. I was told due to the car being out of powertrain warrenty they would not perform such tests. I have video that shows the car is burning oil. Visible out of the exhaust. This is not something I was aware of until after this incident. These are the same issues as noted in previous recalls. Dealership said would need full engine replacement.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE