KIA Complaints

In May 2025, my 2021 kia soul engine suddenly seized while I was driving close to my home. I took it to my local Kia dealership to have it inspected in which they said my engine needed to be replaced but did not identify exactly what caused my engine to fail. I have not had any issues with my car before this happened and kept up with oil changes, etc.I also told the service department about the recent recall on my vehicle regarding faulty piston rings leading to engine failure. Due to not having an extended warranty, I was told the replacement would be around $10,000. I reached out to them Kia Customer care to see if they could provide assistance considering this was something I did no t expect to happen. I decided to have it towed to a mechanic my family knows and he had my engine rebuilt for lower cost. Today (8/21/2025), we picked up the car which started out good initially but still demonstrated the same issue with the engine failing after driving it one time. My VIN is not in the recall list but I am not understanding how my vehicle which was performing perfectly, all of sudden seized on me. Prior to my engine failing, there were no dashboard indicators that anything needed to be inspected. They appeared after the engine seized. Fortunately, when my engine seized, I just turned into my neighborhood but I'm sure if I was a couple seconds or minutes late, my safety would have been at risk considering I live off a busy highway.

I own a 2020 Kia Forte LXS with approximately 136,000 miles. The check engine light came on with code P0420 (“catalyst system efficiency below threshold”), and an Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers location confirmed the catalytic converter is failing. The back pressure was measured and is within spec but slightly elevated, showing the part is deteriorating. I was also told my O2 sensors are burned due to the failing catalytic converter. This failure affects drivability and safety: the vehicle sometimes struggles on acceleration and hills, and I feel vibrations through the gas pedal. Because I commute 50 miles each way to work on the interstate, sudden loss of power would put me at risk in high-speed traffic. I have learned Kia and Hyundai vehicles from other years/models (including the Forte) have had recalls and extended warranties for premature catalytic converter failure and excessive oil consumption, but Kia has not yet extended coverage to the 2020 Forte. This appears to be the same issue. The vehicle has been inspected by Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, and the quoted cost for replacement is $3,000–$3,600. This should be investigated for potential recall or warranty extension to include the 2020 model year.

My 2012 Kia Optima experienced engine failure due to a dropped valve. The dealership (Kia of Des Moines) performed a borescope inspection but stopped after discovering the broken valve. This means rod bearing failure was not ruled out. Two separate service reports conflict, one citing Cylinder 2 and another citing Cylinder 3. Kia denied coverage, citing that the failure was unrelated to the settlement and outside the mileage warranty

August 18, 2025 at 3pm PT; My 2025 Kia Sorento X-Line was parked in my driveway facing the street. I had the engine on, and in Park mode, AC on, back hatch door open. No one was in the vehicle. I was standing behind the vehicle when it then started to go in reverse, then stopped for 2 seconds. It then proceeded to go into reverse again. The garage door was open. The vehicle pushed me into the blades of our lawn mower (it is stored in the garage on its end, so the blades face the garage door), and continued to push me and the lawn mower into our gardening tool supply rack. I did all I could to stop the vehicle with my body and yell for help. I was trapped. The vehicle eventually stopped because the back hatch door was open and caught on the upper part of the garage frame. I got myself unstuck and got out to the right, and went straight to the passenger front door to check out the gear shift. It was still in Park mode. All was captured on our Ring camera. I called Kia corporate customer service and received a case number (25476533) and was told I would hear back in 10 business days. This was after calling the dealership twice directly (Elk Grove Kia) leaving a detailed message with no response.

My 2015 Kia Optima (VIN [XXX] ) case # [XXX] is covered under Kia’s engine recall for potential engine failure/fire. However, Kia and Ray Skillman Northeast Kia, Indianapolis refused to perform the recall repair because I do not have the last two years of oil change records. This is a safety recall, not a warranty claim, and denial of repair violates recall obligations. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance to ensure Kia complies with the law and replaces the defective engine. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car began hesitating and stalling, particularly from a stop. Engine light came on. Took the car to the KIA dealership for diagnosis. Was told by svc coordinator that the diagnosis indicated a bad knock sensor. The technician replaced the knock sensor, then test drove the car. It failed immediately. I was told that it would likely need engine replacement. After a few days, svc coordinator called and said that KIA recommended replacing the knock sensor (again) and perform a tuneup. They declined to replace the engine. The car runs in "limp home mode" (Kia's terminology), hesitates and stalls so as to make it very unsafe to operate. The engine on this car was replaced about two years ago for excessive oil consumption. There cannot be more than 30k miles on the new engine. KIA stated that there is a lifetime warranty on the replaced engines, but are apparently not going to honor the warranty. Car is serviced regularly and is in otherwise excellent condition.

Dashboard shows a crack right where the passenger airbag is and Kia Motors wont change it, also the paint is flaking and noticed other Kia models with that same paint scheme that’s peeling off.

The panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattered upon entry in to the vehicle and closing the driver door. If the privacy cover closed, my daughter would have been showered with glass. I have tried reaching out to a Kia Dealer directly but have not received a response. I did notify my insurance so there would be a record and I am waiting for an adjuster to come out to look at the vehicle and document it. No warnings.

vehicle has been exhausting small amounts of smoke since 20,000 miles. between recommended oil changes, car will lose a quart or more of oil in its reservoir. there is every indication that the vehicle is burning oil. painted trim around windows is fading, failing. some areas are completely without paint.

I will be driving 70mph on the freeway and suddenly the "check hybrid system" alert flashes and I have about 20 seconds to safely pullover. Once stopped it will not drive over 5-10 mph for about a half a mile, then completely dies. If I jump start it, it will start, but the car is limited to ~40mph and may not start again once turned off. Has been to the Kia dealership three times in the past month and they say there are no codes to fix regarding the Hybrid battery or system and keep returning it to us. It is exceedingly dangerous to drive and we are afraid to drive on the highway now.