KIA Complaints

July 2023: Vehicle brought in for first ICCU recall/ICCU SW Upgrade May 2024: Vehicla brought in for second ICCU recall June 2024: repeated 12 volt battery failure, 12 volt battery replaced, Car was stuck in a parking lot and needed to be jumped. July 2024: ICCU Failure, resulting in ICCU replacement. This took place after 2 recalls. ICCU failure luckily happened in a safe location. December 2024: Receive Recall Notice for a continued ICCU defect February 2025: Vehicle brought in for third ICCU recal - this time after ICCU replacement. The Recall notice described the possibility that the ICCU could fail while driving, even at high speeds. Leaving the vehicle stuck with no power or even hazard lights.

Subject: Possible Design Flaw in Accelerator Pedal – Kia Soul 2015 Dear Kia/NHTSA Representative, I am the owner of a 2015 Kia Soul and would like to report a concern regarding the design of the accelerator pedal. I have observed that when the vehicle is turned on and in “Park” mode, the accelerator pedal can be easily pressed unintentionally simply by moving the foot slightly while seeking a more comfortable position. This appears to be related to the low and forward positioning of the pedal, combined with the soft sensitivity of the electronic throttle system. As a driver, I believe this design may lead to unintended acceleration in certain situations, especially if one is not fully aware of their foot placement. There also seems to be no sufficient space to the right of the brake pedal to rest the foot without nearing the accelerator. While I have not experienced an incident as a result, I believe this characteristic may pose a safety risk to some drivers and could become a distraction either while driving or while the engine is idling. I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed by Kia’s technical team and, if appropriate, considered for design revision or future updates. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

KIA AMERICA, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2021-2023 SELTOS AND SOUL VEHICLES. THE PISTON OIL RINGS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, WHICH CAN RESULT IN ENGINE DAMAGE. Safety Risk ENGINE DAMAGE CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE STALL OR FIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY. After i was told about my recall i took my car to the Vineland new jersey Kia dealer. The look at my car and find 6 more recall. After I took mt car the dealer didn’t not fix my recall. Turn off my sign on my dash board told me to drive it. The next day my car engine stop working. I bring in my paper work with my oil change. Now don’t want to fixed my engine or replace me with whole new car.

The engine failed catastrophically on a highway bridge putting four [XXX] boys in grave danger. They managed to get the vehicle to the other side of the bridge but it was not safe. Not a single warning light came on prior, and the engine temperatur gauge didn't show anything out of the ordinary. Oil levels were checked and topped off prior to the trip. Oil was changed 9 months prior. A local Kia dealer has confirmed total engine failure. Kia has denied the claim despite being under the warranty period because I cannot supply complete oil change records. Who keeps those? I only keep the most recent one which shows 9 months prior. A quick search shows the 2020 Kia Telluride engine is failing at an alarming rate and Kia corporate offices are practing the deny and delay strategy to dodge responsibility. I will now have to hire attorneys and pay $10,000 to replace their faulty engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The steering shaft de-coupled from the steering wheel, leading to a complete loss of steering. After stop, engine was turned off and steering wheel lowered. At that point the steering wheel fell in my lap, completely decoupling from the steering collum.

My 2020 Kia Sorento engine light came on and not able to accelerate more than 40 mph. The code when I went to an auto repair shop says knock signal range/ performance. I had it reset by the mechanic and the engine light still on. The engine is also eating through oil very fast. We have to fill the car with oil frequently in between oil changes.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while attempting to have a vehicle inspected, it was discovered that there was an open recall on the VIN. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V148000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Kia denied repair and replacement of components damaged by a known safety recall (Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit) on my 2012 Kia Forte Coupe, VIN# [XXX] . There was also a recall on the “Knock Sensor”, but I was unaware of the recall and paid for the repair out of pocket. Specifically, I was seeking repair or replacement of the starter and battery, as well as any other component that I wasn’t aware of, which was compromised as a direct result of the defective HECU system covered under the recall. They denied the repair because they said that the warranty was voided because the car had a salvage title, but the request to repair was not a warranty issue. The recall involves the HECU potentially causing electrical shorts and engine compartment fires, which can damage surrounding electrical components — including the battery and starter. These are not wear-and-tear items in this case, but parts affected by the consequences of a manufacturer-recognized safety defect. The internal electrical short circuit condition of the HECU fuse caused an overcurrent, which resulted in the wire from the solenoid cable of the starter burning and damaging the starter. As well as the wire of the negative battery terminal, which also resulted in the battery being damaged. I even left the battery and the starter on the floor of the car to show proof that these occurrences happened due to the defect of the HECU fused because when I purchased a new battery and starter the overcurrent of the HECU caused white smoke to appear and was about to catch fire and burn out the replacement parts as well. Kia has declined to perform these recall-related repairs, citing that the vehicle holds a salvage title, which was issued due to hail damage only. I respectfully contended that the cosmetic damage had no connection to the mechanical or electrical condition of the vehicle and in no way contributed to the failure of the battery or starter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that after a recent oil change, the vehicle began to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipes with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road before being able to drive the vehicle to the residence in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where the oil change was performed, and the mechanic discovered a leak in the engine and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for assistance. The contact made an appointment with the dealer. The contact then stated that an abnormal odor started coming from the vehicle and chose to stop driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

I’m reaching out as my Catalytic Converter is needing to be replaced due to being faulty and my vehicle per VIN is not included in this recall for some reason however it is the exact issue all of the others have that are included in it. I have only had my vehicle for a year and it is an extremely expensive repair so I am asking if there is any help for this issue because I need it as well just as everyone else who has a recall for this issue