KIA Complaints

While driving at random times, no specific speed limit, the screen behind the wheel which shows speed and tachometer, will go into a system check mode. This is similar to when you start up the vehicle. The screen will come back after 5 to 10 seconds but during that time no information is displayed. If you have the vehicle in cruise control, it will disconnect cruise control, and you must catch it, so it does not decelerate to much while in traffic. When it comes back up it may reengage the cruise and it may not. This is a safety issue while driving for both no screen as well as disconnection of cruise control as you can not tell your speed and it slows vehicle down with no brake indication for those behind you which could result in a crash. Vehicle went to dealership and they could not recreate, but were told to replace the cluster which they did, but the issue is still happening on the vehicle. I have a case open with the automobile manufacturer to have the vehicle purchased back as they are not sure what the issue is.

Window regulator assembly failed twice within 20k miles. Attached is the first repair. Dealership only repaired motor but not full assembly and it failed again.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH and going up a slight hill, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son said multiple unknown warnings illuminated. The son depressed the brake pedal and felt that it was very hard to depress. The son was able to restart the vehicle and continued on to his destination. The contact stated that the engine stalling failure had occurred once, however the failure of the brakes had occurred several times. The contact's son stated that when he was slowing the vehicle, as he was in reverse (R) backing out of a parking spot, he was unable to stop the vehicle using the brake pedal and had to use the emergency brake to stop. The son stated that another brake failure occurred as he was slowing for traffic. The son stated that he depressed the brake pedal and it was stiff and the vehicle was not stopping. The front end of his vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle in front. The son said that when the brake failure occurred the check engine, oil check and the battery warning illuminated. The son stated that he used the emergency brake to stop. The police were called and wrote a report, both of the vehicles were drivable and there were no injuries. The son stated that there were minor dents and scratches on the front bumper and grill of his vehicle and dents and scratches on the rear bumper and trunk of the other vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was determined that there was no mechanical issue with the brakes or the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. The contact stated that in 2021 the vehicle had an engine failure and the engine had been replaced.

for the past year, I have been constantly replacing the spark plugs and ignition coil in my 2017 Kia optima. Recently I have had the valve cover gasket replaced. It is a constant oil consumption issue. I have received the P1326 diagnostic code. My dealership told me that the engine cannot be replaced unless it’s knocking. This is my only mode of transportation, and I would hate for me to be stranded because I’m waiting for the engine to knock for my engine to be replaced.

I own a 2017 Kia Optima. My vehicle was brought in for the tail light recall at Lupient Kia, but the dealership only replaced a bulb and refused to replace the harnesses. I was told by the service advisor (Brad Baranowski) that my tail lights had “nothing to do with the recall” and that I would need to pay $210 for a diagnosis, even though I am still experiencing the exact defect described in the recall (shortage/failure in the harness causing tail light malfunction and warning lights). This incomplete recall repair is a safety hazard my tail lights continue to fail, and I have received tickets because of it. I request that NHTSA investigate Kia’s failure to properly complete this recall. Lupient Kia 6030 N Green Bay Ave Glendale, WI 53209 Phone: (414) 351-3000

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH in the snow, the windshield wipers were activated to clear the snow, but failed to consistently wipe the windshield. The wipers were intermittently operating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken a third time to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the ring sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The ring sensor was replaced; however, the next day, during a rainstorm, the wipers failed to operate while activated. The failure reoccurred several days later while driving approximately 40 MPH. The vehicle was returned to the dealer for a fourth time, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer for a month. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 25.

On or about December 2024, we noticed a hesitation or sputtering in the performance of our Kia. I contacted Ancira Kia who reviewed the vehicle, which displayed no warning lights. Since they couldn’t duplicate the issue, nothing could be done. On or about [XXX], the vehicle’s cooling fan engaged on its own while parked in the garage and revved up extremely high. This was the second time this had happened. Ancira Kia couldn’t duplicate the problem although they mentioned another customer was experiencing the same problem. A few days later, I was advised to bring the vehicle in for a sensor replacement. So far, the problem hasn’t recurred but I won’t know if it’s fixed until it never happens again. On [XXX], while traveling from Del Rio to San Antonio, TX, we stopped at a rest area. There were no warning lights visible and no performance issues noted until this time. When we started the vehicle to leave, we noticed a slight knocking that went away when we put the vehicle in drive. After our next stop, we noticed the knocking noise again when we started the vehicle and the noise dissipate when we drove. After the next stop the noise appeared to be louder so we decided to stop for lunch and let the vehicle cool down so we could check the oil. When we checked the oil, we saw there was no oil marking the dip stick. I took the vehicle to Ancira Kia who also found no oil marking the dip stick. The engine was ruined and needed to be replaced. None of the Telluride’s warning systems illuminated. No check engine or oil pressure lights lit up. This is a catastrophic failure of the Telluride which placed my husband and I in severe danger. We could have been injured and possibly killed had the engine seized while we traveled on the highway between Del Rio and San Antonio, Texas (150 miles). My vehicle is meticulously maintained at Ancira Kia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The vehicle experienced catastrophic engine failure due to burning oil. At no point did warning lights or alerts appear on the dash. This failure occurred well within the terms of Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. I was informed by the dealer that warranty coverage is being denied because I do not have every oil change or service record available. I want to emphasize that under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Kia cannot deny warranty coverage solely due to lack of receipts unless Kia can prove that the absence of maintenance directly caused the failure. Premature engine failure due to excessive oil consumption is a known defect and not the result of neglect. Kia is refusing to replace the engine, the vehicle has been at the dealership for 3 weeks now with no resolution.

Was driving home and vehicle started to sputter shut off. There were no warning lights or messages. Took to the dealership, who was aware that there is history of this with Kia, but my VIN was not included in recalls.

Car starting shaking violently while on the highway. Daughter pulled over and parked car on side of road. Had to have car towed as it would not restart. Engine failure.