KIA Complaints

I own a 2016 Kia Optima EX with VIN [XXX] . The engine failed at 85,763 miles due to a rod bearing seizure. This matches the known defect in Kia’s 2.4L GDI engines, which has been the subject of recalls and service campaigns in the past. Despite being covered under Kia’s extended engine warranty, Kia America denied my engine replacement claim. They cited "vehicle reconditioning" and "multiple ownership" as reasons — neither of which are valid grounds to void warranty coverage, especially for a known defect. A certified Kia dealership (Mark Kia in Scottsdale, AZ) approved my vehicle for warranty replacement, and submitted the request. Kia corporate denied it. This creates a serious safety concern and shows that Kia may be wrongfully avoiding responsibility for this defect. Please investigate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH in traffic, the vehicle started to sputter and jerk before the vehicle slowed down and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the piston oil rings, anti-theft update, ECM, and an engine replacement were needed. The dealer informed the contact about NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 ( Engine) and requested the service records. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

The car is literally burning through oil so bad every other week I am putting more in, the electrical system continues to fail and shorts, the motor sounds like it is ticking now due to the oil consumption.

When using the power sliding doors, specifically the driver's side, it will not close and latch 100% of the time. It usually beeps and indicates it has not closed and has to be manually closed but on two occasions has opened on it's own. Fortunately it's been while parked, which poses a whole different issue, but I've read that others are having this happen while driving.

My car is losing oil and the light does not come on to tell me when oil runs low I have been to Coral Springs Kia in the Coral Springs automall many times and they have all my records.

My 2021 Kia forte GT is currently sitting in my driveway, undriveable. It started about 3months or so ago I had realized I was getting more and more frequent oil changes to the point where the car would be consuming a quart of oil in at least a week or less. Fast forward to this previous week, I now had a hard knock/rattle within my engine. The engine gave way on my way home which is a significant safety issue to myself and those who were driving around me. I have contacted Kia customer as they have had previous complaints as well as a lawsuit on the engine for the excessive engine oil consumption leading to possible engine failure. There’s no reason why an only 4 year old car should have a blown motor. I am thankful that I am personally ok and didn’t hurt anyone else while in the midst of driving my vehicle home.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine hesitated while turning over, with black smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact scanned the vehicle with an OBD2 scanner for an unknown error code related to the catalytic converter. The vehicle was taken to a local AutoZone, where it was diagnosed with a catalytic converter malfunction. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not being associated with any recalls. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

My Sorento burned oil excessively, without warning, and now has a damaged engine, requiring replacement. This is a serious problem and common. There are two other Kia vehicles with the 3.3L Lambda engine in Weston Kia for the same problem - low/no oil and no “low oil” light. Those two vehicles and mine now require new engines. When my car experienced the problem, the car shook and the engine vibrated with a significant loss of power. This would’ve been extremely dangerous if towing anything or driving uphill. This is a common problem among Kia forums and Kia is unwilling to assist.

My car started having electrical issues, started smoking and stopped completely while driving, now it won’t turn on / start

I own a 2015 Kia Optima (VIN:[XXX]) with a 2.4L GDI engine. The engine has failed — a local repair shop diagnosed it as a “jumped timing” issue, which matches the well-documented Theta II engine defect. I never received recall notice or notice of the required KSDS update. Kia has denied me coverage, stating the update was not done before failure. I now have a vehicle that is undriveable and potentially unsafe. Kia confirmed there is no extended warranty or coverage for rod bearing failure — despite widespread issues — and they ignored my open fire-risk recall (NHTSA 21V331000) in their denial. I am requesting that NHTSA review why my VIN is excluded despite the same failure symptoms, and ask that Kia be required to expand recall eligibility or offer a goodwill resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)