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.
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2020 KIA TELLURIDE- Delhi , NY
Had in deals hop several times was told it was on record I was there with the issue but no light on, light came on during travel on interstate and car lost all power Long block blew . Was extremely lucky I didn’t get ran over by the tractor trailers . Loaded car with kids included . Kia should be reasonable for everything and they are saying no .
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2016 KIA SORENTO- Damascus, OR
The electric power brake (EPB) on my vehicle had a fault three separate times. The first time, the rear brakes were engaged by the EPB for approximately a half an hour. The second time a few weeks later, they stayed locked for approximately one hour. A few weeks after that, the brake locked up while the car was parked, and would not release for almost 7 days. It isn’t the fault itself that is of the greatest concern. It is the fact that there is no apparent emergency release for the parking break. I’m grateful I did not need to use the car to drive my kids to the emergency room, for example. I’m very surprised and disappointed that Kia, throughout all of their other innovations, does not have an emergency EPB/brake release handle. One could easily be put in the back of the car, near the spare tire, with a cable and set of release pins, which when pulled, would release the EPB and the car could be driven.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2016 KIA SORENTO- Albany, OR
My 2016 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ) has suffered a head gasket failure due to a known manufacturing defect identified in a Kia Technical Service Bulletin (TSB WTY035). The defect causes head gasket failure, which in my case has resulted in external oil leakage. While Kia issued a TSB acknowledging this defect, they are denying warranty repair on a technicality — stating that the failure must involve coolant entering the combustion chamber to qualify, despite acknowledging the underlying part defect. The vehicle’s engine is losing oil through the failed gasket, and the issue poses increasing risk of engine damage or sudden performance loss. Kia’s denial is inconsistent with the intent of the warranty and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This problem affects vehicle function and reliability. It is also being experienced by other owners of the same model and engine. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA is aware of this known defect and the manufacturer's refusal to take accountability unless the failure meets arbitrarily narrow criteria. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2016 KIA SORENTO- Tampa , FL
Vehicle stuck in park. Able to use emergency procedure to drive. Repair of fault would have cost 1600.00 if not covered by my extended warranty. There is a similar recall for not requiring brake to be applied before the shifter can select a gear. This is caused by the BCM body control module. I believe that most of these units are failure prone and they control a number of functions that are related to safety.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA SPORTAGE- Columbia, MO
vehicle dash reset and cruise control was set. when dash came back up car surged nearly causing a wreck Reported to dealership and they could not replicate so not sure what to do as they can never replicate the issues and won't do anything to help
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2025 KIA SPORTAGE- Columbia, MO
Started vehicle and was driving, ISG (auto start stop) light went amber and transmission refused to shift to allow uphill travel. Had to pull over and turn engine off and on again for the transmission to start working. Have had to dealer, however yet again they cannot replicate in their test drive so they can't do anything about it.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA SPORTAGE- Columbia, MO
was driving at 40mph and vehicle turned off engine. Auto start stop was beeping and flashing. steering and braking was hindered (was manual) for a few seconds until the auto start stop turned the engine on again. Had car to dealer with other issues (dash resets) and they couldn't duplicate the issue and stated there was nothing they could do
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA SPORTAGE- Columbia, MO
Dash resets and you loose instruments for a few seconds. When they come back they are inaccurate. This has happened many times and have had the car to the dealer twice who cannot replicate the issue. Warning lamps did illuminate for a second then goes away. vehicle has had less than 300 miles on it when this first started
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2017 KIA SOUL- Hollywood , FL
Engine is running very rough. At a low idle, the engine turns off. Today the car turned off 11 times. A diagnostic reading shows all four cylinders misfiring.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA SELTOS- Conyers, GA
Our vehicle was in an accident with extensive damage to the entire front end. The accident warning senors did not go off and the air bags did not deploy. The insurance adjuster said the entire engine was pushed back towards the driver area so it's surprising the air bags did not deploy. In our Kia Access app, only the "passenger turn signal" has a critical error detected. The car has been deemed totaled.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE