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.

  • 2015 KIA SOUL
    - Altus, OK

    While my 80 yr old dad and 18 yr old daughter were driving on the highway to get to my uncle’s funeral. My dad had his cruise on, when he and my daughter started noticing a strange sound almost a knocking sound. But the next hill when the car went to go up the incline it kept reducing in speed. My dad took the cruise off and at that point had no power to keep traveling. So August 2nd the car threw a rod. My dad had a warranty plus an extended warranty with the company GWC. They missed my uncle funeral, sat on the side of the highway for an hour before the tow truck got there. A local dodge dealership has gotten the vehicle and have done a complete inspection. The safety of my dad and daughter were at risk do to the car malfunctioning on the highway. As well as them sitting on the side of highway. And now the stress of all of this on my dad’s health has started causing him to not be able to eat, if he does eat he will throw it up. His mental health is declining due to KIA and GWC denied to fix the car now. My dad has had to pay for towing, a U-Haul res talk to get home, the Dodge dealership has gotten to do full inspection. Unknown if any warning lights or messages before hand. He bought the car with cash and it had 70,177 miles on it, when rod blew it had 78,784. He bought it used from a local dealership on or about Sept 16th 2022. Extended warranty paid for was 36 months. 1month shy of the extended warranty expiring.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA SORENTO
    - Bradenton, FL

    I saw the KIA Sorento safety recall #24V-220 for the defective high pressure fuel pump. When I look up my VIN on your site, it doesn't show this affecting my vehicle. Although my vehicle does this exact same thing. It will randomly go into limp mode and not accelerate when pulling into traffic. I took it to the Kia dealer and they said it is the Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor and would be $1266 to replace. I believe this is an Increased Crash Risk due to the loss on acceleration when the vehicle converts to limp mode and should be added to the recall you issued under #24V-220.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA SORENTO
    - Castle Rock, CO

    On August 6, 2025, I discovered that both the driver and passenger front seat belts in my 2024 Kia Sorento were installed backwards from the factory, with the buckle facing inward instead of outward. This defect has been present since the vehicle was purchased brand new, but it was only discovered and documented on this date. The issue was confirmed by an authorized Kia dealership in an official service report and in a video recorded by the service technician. I also have photos and videos taken before the dealership visit showing the same defect. This is a manufacturing defect and poses a serious safety risk to occupants in the event of a collision, as the seat belts may not function as intended. Supporting documentation is available upon request.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA SOUL
    - Milwaukie, OR

    Check engine light flashing and began to lose exceleration. Pulled off the highway and vehicle died. Unable to start it. Told that the engine is bad by a mechanic.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA SPORTAGE HYBRID
    - Cary, NC

    The highway driving assist in my vehicle turns off without warning. It’s having control of the steering and speed but randomly even when the hands are on the steering it switches off with no warning. Because it has control on the steering it tries to adjust even if we are to move it a little, But when it disengages there’s no warning or indication. This is a dangerous and it needs to notify the driver when ever it’s disengaging. It either needs to have a warning or needs to be disabled by Kia through a recall. This seems to be a common problem in Kia vehicles as reported online. Kindly look into the issue!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2015 KIA SORENTO
    - Lebanon , TN

    I had catastrophic engine failure while driving with no warning lights indicating my engine was losing oil, the engine and power shut off at 55 miles and hour causing me to lose power steering and power assisted breaking.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SOUL
    - Kittanning, PA

    The vehicle started losing power and then stalled just as we pulled onto our road to our home, no light indicators were on and it started back up, but the traffic behind us causing slowing and potential risk to us and others. When restarted it would not accelerate appropriately and at that time we were able to put it in neutral and push it the remaining way, again causing a VERY dangerous situation. Upon inspection it was noticed that the oil was barely readable. We added 4 quarts (the vehicle has routine oil changes and is not due for another month or 1,000 miles) and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Upon restarting, the engine started making a loud pinging sound and oil was noticed coming out around the butterfly valve. At that time the cabin air filter and engine air filter was changed, butterfly valve cleaned and another quart of oil with valvoline stop leak added. Engine started and ran decent. Used car next day after rechecking oil, after about 15 minutes of driving it stalled once again, in traffic and pinging was tremendous, black smoke from the exhaust. The vehicle is the only vehicle we have, ONLY transport to work and have now lost out on 4vdays. We need this addressed. This is ridiculous that our VIN isn't included in the recalls that are experiencing the exact issues in the exact year makes and models. Help please!!!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2014 KIA OPTIMA
    - Oxford, NC

    The wire that causes the car to crank start burning that in the wiring hardness. which it make the car hard to crank

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA CARNIVAL
    - Davie , FL

    Side passenger doors do not stop when something is in the way when the automatic door close feature is used. We tried holding a hot dog and large piece of celery in the way of the door as it closed. The sensor did not detect either item and broke them both in two. If this was a human limb, finger, neck or other body part, great bodily harm would occur.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA SORENTO
    - Bainbridge, PA

    Purchased this vehicle in June 17 2025 from a used car dealer, as i was driving from time to time, i noticed that the vehecle would hesatate, and at times would stall, i had the spark plugs and coild replaced along with a new high pressure fuel pump, it still hesatates when pulling out into traffic, from a stop, this places the vehicle in a very dangerous position in that it can be broadsided, or another form of collision with on comming traffic, I looked on line on various sites and there are quite a number of kias with this issue, some contacted the mfg and were told that it is withing the 8 speed transmission, something about the servers inside it, this appears to be an issue with several year models, and the mfg does not repair or replace the defective part, so i am quite sure they are awar of it, i am not aware of any loss of life for this priblem, i have also seen that by placing the selective system out of eco, economy or comfort mode into ( sport ) mode that it does not do it as often, but at time does, this mode also has a determental effect on millage. i am sure that many KIS SORENTO owners have the same issue and shoudl be fixed under a nationwide recall, ASAP before anyone is hurt or killed like stalling out when pulling out into highway traffic.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE