KIA Complaints

My 2016 Sedona’s engine is not operational. At this moment it is sitting at the dealership after having a diagnostic completed in which I was informed that it will cost me $21,000+ to replace my engine. I am SHOCKED to be informed of this! I love my car! It is our family car full of precious memories! There were no warnings that something was wrong with my engine. Not a single one came on - believe me I would have taken a picture of it to inform the mechanic for it to be serviced. I have had it serviced repeatedly for oil changes; more oil changes than what should be done for the age and milage according to the manual. It is not due to my lack of competence and poor maintenance. I've done my part. Now to find out that I can't drive it. Now to find out that I don't have anything reliable to get my children to school, is unacceptable! This is a major issue that should be covered by Kia, not out of my own pocket. The engine and its ability to function properly is your responsibility as a company. Engine problems with this model have been noted by others, and resolved. Please resolve this issue as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired, and the mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for additional assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a fuel injector failure. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts need to be ordered to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,880.

The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was acknowledged that the failure was a known issue. The dealer recommended that the vehicle no longer be driven and remain with the dealer for additional diagnostic tests. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); which was linked to the failure. The contact stated that several attempts were made to reach the dealer and the manufacturer about the recall repair; however, an update on the repair was not yet provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 33,621.

I own a 2025 Kia K4 that has experienced multiple serious defects since purchase, raising ongoing safety concerns. Within the first four months, my windshield has failed or cracked four times, with one replacement denied by Kia and paid out-of-pocket. The windshield continues to make loud cracking noises, suggesting a structural defect that has not been resolved. In addition, the sunroof does not open or close properly, and while Kia acknowledged the defect, they only offered a potential software adjustment that does not address the root cause. The vehicle also makes loud, unpredictable popping noises from the dashboard, a problem that multiple other Kia owners at the same dealership have reported. The dealer confirmed that Kia does not have a fix and only offered to temporarily “push in the dashboard.” Furthermore, the seat cooling system has stopped working entirely without repair options provided. These defects compromise the safety and reliability of the vehicle, creating risks of reduced visibility, potential structural failure, and driver distraction. All issues have been reported and documented at Courtesy Kia of Brandon, FL, and confirmed by the dealer, but Kia has failed to provide adequate remedies. No warning lights or error messages appeared prior to these failures. I have also filed reports with the Better Business Bureau Auto Line, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, and Kia Customer Care, but no meaningful resolution has been provided. These ongoing unresolved defects indicate systemic safety issues with the Kia K4.

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to exceed 18 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was linked to the knock sensor detection system(KSDS). The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was unreachable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,798.

I recently paid out of pocket for replacement of Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit and I see that it was a recall on my make model and year, but my Vin number was not included in the recall

Vehicle (2021 Kia Telluride) at ~94K miles received CEL P000A for (Camshaft Position - Slow Response (Bank 1)). Personally checked the oil before taking the vehicle to the dealership and there was very little oil, below the "L" line. Vehicle is burning oil fast, which more likley than not cause the P000A CEL. Vehicle would go im amd out of not being able to accelerate. Dealership wants me to pay diagnostic fees for them doing absolutely nothing other and resetting the code and conducting an oil change. Vehicle is a CPO which has a 10y / 100k mile warranty which seems like the dealership is trying to prolong until vehicle is out of warranty to diagnose it correctly. Engine is burning oil and needs to be replaced but the dealersbip wants to play games with customers.

While driving Kia Optima, unable to turn steering wheel. No notice when first starting vehicle. While driving, a traction and steering wheel light turns on without a sound(ding) to notify driver. Then once driver attempts to turn, unable due to steering wheel locked. Unsafe to drive on the road. Dangerous for all passengers. Our safety is put at risk due to unable to turn steering wheel while driving. Must turn vehicle off in middle of road, then it resets so steering wheel to turn. Code C12 60 returns for power steering sensor malfunction.

Subject: Urgent Complaint Regarding Unresolved Safety Recall – NHTSA Recall #25V494 / VIN [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall affecting my 2024 Kia Telluride (VIN: [XXX] ), associated with NHTSA Recall Number 25V494 and Kia Manufacturer Recall Number SC347. As of August 19, 2025, the recall status remains incomplete, and the remedy part is still unavailable, despite the recall being issued on July 28, 2025. The defect involves the door belt molding trim, which may delaminate and detach, posing a serious road hazard and increasing the risk of crash for other vehicles. This vehicle is not only a personal asset—it is a primary source of income through the Turo platform. Every day that the vehicle remains unrepaired results in direct financial losses, as I am unable to rent it out due to the unresolved safety issue. I am deeply concerned about the lack of timely remedy and the absence of a clear resolution timeline from Kia America. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this delay and take appropriate action to ensure Kia provides a remedy within a reasonable timeframe. I am prepared to provide documentation of income loss and correspondence with Kia, if needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your guidance and support in resolving this issue promptly. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Dad, driving back with Daughter, noticed a brief and unusual delay between shifts, but was able to make it home fine. A few minutes later, Mom left for picking up Son after school. On the way there, she noticed sluggish acceleration, louder engine sounds/effort on acceleration and mild slopes, and there was a lag in acceleration response. After powering off the vehicle and sit in idle to recharge battery, restarted trip home and was unable to get acceleration response up the hills, doing only 20 MPH. Engine was struggling and not getting any acceleration response. No check engine lights were generated as usual. Dad called Service Manager at Kia Temecula and he said to call Kia Roadside Assistance to come tow the car to them. He also said that likely we'll be out of pocket to do any car rentals until they have a car to loan to us.