KIA Complaints

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding Kia’s failure to honor engine-related recall repairs on my 2020 Kia Soul. Despite these recalls being publicly issued by Kia and clearly applicable to my vehicle, I have encountered significant obstacles in obtaining the necessary repairs. I have made multiple attempts to have the recall issues addressed. However, the required repairs have not been approved or completed. The extended warranty provider has also refused coverage, citing the recall as the manufacturer’s responsibility. This situation is unacceptable given the known safety risks associated with the affected engine components. The following safety recalls and campaigns have been identified for this vehicle: 1.NHTSA# 21V259 (SC209) Kia Motors America is recalling certain 2020–2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage. 2.NHTSA# 21V259 (SC209A) This is to advise that the piston-ring noise sensing software is now available for this safety recall campaign, even if you have already been to the dealer to have the recall repair performed. Kia America, Inc. has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2020–2021 MY Kia Soul vehicles. The defect can cause an engine stall which increases the risk of a crash, and in certain cases, may cause engine oil to leak onto a hot exhaust, thereby increasing the risk of a fire and injury. 3.Campaign# CS2306 (Dated 04/18/2023) Anti-Theft Software & Decal: SK3 Given the severity of these safety-related issues and the legal obligations manufacturers hold under federal recall enforcement, I respectfully request that Kia schedule and perform the necessary recall repairs at no cost and without delay. Please provide a resolution or confirmation within ten (10) business days from the date of this submission. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the low battery warning light was illuminated, and the message stating an electrical failure was occurring was displayed on the infotainment center. The battery was tested and found to be non-defective. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where a mechanic diagnosed and determined that the alternator had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V161000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and linked the recall to the failure. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Passenger front side makes noises like something is clicking. It makes like a rattle noise too

Child Safety Lock Failure. At random times something within the rear doors will make a constant clicking noise for roughly 20 seconds. When clicking stops the dash will display child safety lock failure. The clicking noise sounds as though it is coming from an electrical component such as an actuator or solenoid.

The door locks will continually cycle to unlock on their own for up-to 90 seconds and then an error reads in the dashboard "child safety lock failure." Once that error occurs, the rear doors can be opened from the inside or outside of the vehicle when the child safety lock should be properly functioning. This error has been occurring for more than two years, and we have video of it occurring on many occasions. The dealership will not resolve the error unless they witness the error occurring. We've had it at service at least six times and they claim they cannot duplicate the error. The error occurs daily when the car is in our possession. I have researched this and found many Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade owners who have experienced the same problem and it is always traced to the rear door lock actuators being faulty.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); which the dealer linked to the failure. The vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, the failure returned soon after leaving the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to Arapahoe Kia (9701 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80112); where the contact was informed that the recall was closed by the previous dealer. The contact believed that the initial dealer never serviced the vehicle under the recall. The contact made several requests to the dealer to provide documentation about the work that was performed for the recall; however, the contact had not yet received the documentation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact later received an email from the manufacturer stating that all future repairs would be performed out of pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while stopped at the traffic light, a tractor-trailer crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained back pain. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was still drivable at the scene. Prior to the crash, the dealer was contacted on several occasions to schedule an appointment for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer would reschedule each appointment attempt. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,100.

I recently purchased this vehicle. Only after purchasing it did I realize the unsafe/hazardous location of the backup light. The backup light, located under the rear license plate on the rear bumper, cannot be easily seen by oncoming vehicles, promoting the chance of a rear end collision. It would have been more reasonable to locate it within the area where the housing for the turn signals, warning flasher and brake lights are located. There is a blank wedge within that housing that could be replaced with clearly visible backup lights. I don't feel safe backing-up in this vehicle and am asking for remediation of this non-feature. Please advise me how I can protect myself and those approaching my new vehicle. I'm an avid user of turn signals and careful driving. This needs to be the concern of Kia designers and advisors. I'm surprised that this was not caught by your Administration. Please advise.

I have a 2025 KIASportage Hybrid that I loved due to all its safety features. Yesterday I was pulling into a parking space when my car lunged forward two times making very loud sounds. I was near a brick pillar it it tore off the right front of my car. The bricks were damaged. When I came home I looked up Kia Sportage lunching problems. There are many to read. They talk about “sudden acceleration’” and that is exactly what happened. It just lunged forward. Thankfully a human was not on the sidewalk. It went up over the curb and on the sidewalk. It’s called a jerking car in articles. Even if my car is fixable I won’t trust it. If this problem IS FIXABLE, why isn’t it fixed before selling the car to consumers. I’m quite distraught about this event. Warning must go out to consumers. I called a collision center this morning and they have seen this before. On the Cars Connect website, it tells of this event on 2020 Kia Sportage. It says ‘’Violent, scared the heck out of me.” So, what is happening and why hasn’t it been fixed? I could have injured someone badly. [XXX] [XXX] Arlington, Texas INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We were driving on vacation in the Nevada desert on a Sunday when the RPMs began to bounce between 2,000 and 4,000 RPMs causing the carto jerk back and forth when we were going up hill. This continued until it got to the point where the engine was going 8,000 RPMs but we were not moving forward. It felt like when driving a stick shift and you are out of gear. We pulled off and were towed to St. George, UT. The tow truck said it was the transmission and that we should go to a Kia dealer because it would be covered by warranty. No warning lights came on. Our mileage was 70,000 miles. The dealer said they could not find anything wrong and suggested it was bad gas. After paying $150 we were sent on our way back home through the mountains. We got about 20 minutes on the road when the car starting doing the same thing again as we went up hill. We immediately turned around and made it to the dealer in St. George. They checked the car again and found the transmission fluid was black instead of red. They eventually got approval from Kia for a new transmission. It ended up taking 5 days to finally get our car working. while the transmission installation was covered, we ended having to pay $2,000 in out of pocket expenses. Kia claims to have a Trip Interruption Policy to cover expenses when they have a failure covered by warranty when you are on vacation. At best, it only covers $100 per day for a maximum of 3 days ($300). But you have to have pre-approval before they will even pay that little amount. We made a mistake buying a Kia but it is one we will never make again. It was interesting to see how many similar transmission incidents with the 2020 Forte have happened when they hit 70,000 miles.