KIA Complaints

The entire instrument display panel (which includes things like gear, speed, fuel level, auto hold status, etc.) was completely black with no information displayed. The navigation system still illuminated, but the gps was not working properly and resulted in the car thinking (and telling me) that I was driving on the wrong side of the road. My safety was at risk and the safety of other drivers because I had zero feedback about the operation of my vehicle. I was able to drive it, but only able to rely on visual cues (going with pace of traffic). It's currently at the dealer now, but yes I recreated it several times. The only possible warning sign is that a few weeks prior, the vehicle gave me a message stating 'Battery discharging due to external electrical devices', despite no external electrical devices being plugged in. I took it to the dealer, and they had no idea what the cause was but said my battery tested fine.

There is a safety issue with the specific implementation of the regenerative braking system when the car is put into reverse that I have experienced on several occasions. This is not a failure or malfunction of the system as it is working as intended nor are there any warning messages or alerts to signify a defect. The way Kia's system works is that regenerative braking is always on (like all EVs), but at a level you set from 1-4, with 4 being the most aggressive. I leave it on level 4(i-pedal) because I prefer one-pedal driving which I find to be more comfortable and safer. When the car is parked, or at a complete stop, if I put the car into reverse then the regenerative braking level is forced down to level 3. This creates a novel situation where regenerative braking is holding the parked car in place, but also the car won't move until the acceleration pedal is pressed. So I need to tap the accelerator then quickly move my foot to the brake pedal to stop the car which takes a couple of seconds. This causes the car to lurch backwards quickly until my foot reaches the brake pedal because Level 3 is not aggressive enough to bring the car to a complete stop in a short distance. Once I have held down the brakde pedal I can use that to slowly reverse more safely. I haven't hit anyone or anything yet, but I have had a few close calls from cars or pedestrians suddenly appearing from outside my view range at the same time I'm doing that initial reverse lurch. If someone were slower than me or have some physical hindrance that didn't allow them to move their foot quickly then it would be more likely the car may accidentally reverse into a person or car before the driver could respond. Being that regenerative braking is still engaged while reversing it should be a simple software change to allow for level 4 to be enabled thus eliminating the initial reverse lurch issue.

On March 19 I completed my 8,000 mile oil change and then drove to Florida. I had a warning light to change my oil since the company did not reset it. Unsure of the other warning lights. As I was driving in Florida on the interstate the car started having issues. It was making a noise, then started smoking and by the time I got off the exit and got out the front right of the car was in flames. I was transported to the ER with smoke inhalation. The car in still in Clermont, FL with no resolution. The car has been inspected by the insurance and a third party inspector. The last I was told the inspection report is with the Kia engineers. I am unaware at this point what the failure was that led to the fire. No response from Kia for over a month.

While driving my 2016 Kia Forte with my [XXX] daughter in the car, the engine began making loud knocking noises and quickly deteriorated until it became unsafe and undriveable. This failure occurred without warning lights, oil pressure issues, or prior symptoms. We were nearly stranded in an unsafe location and had to immediately pull over and arrange alternate transportation. I later learned this issue aligns with a known defect in Kia’s Theta II engines, which have been recalled or covered under extended warranty in many cases. However, Kia has denied any support, stating my vehicle is “outside the factory warranty” and disqualified due to not completing a knock sensor software update I was never notified about. How Safety Was Put at Risk: My daughter was in the vehicle at the time, and we were placed in a vulnerable position with a failing engine, unable to safely continue driving. A sudden loss of power could have resulted in an accident if we had been in traffic or on the highway. This defect is a serious safety hazard, especially for families with young children. The vehicle has not been inspected by Kia directly since they declined to assist once they determined the factory warranty had expired. I am happy to make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. Warning Lamps or Messages: There were no warning lights or indicators prior to the onset of the knocking and failure. The symptoms began suddenly and escalated rapidly. My Request: I am requesting an investigation into Kia’s handling of these failures, particularly in cases where families were not properly notified about knock detection software updates and are now being denied support for what is clearly a known and widespread engine defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a known defect in my 2020 Kia Telluride, which is experiencing severe and excessive oil consumption that poses a potential safety risk and financial burden. Vehicle Information: •Make/Model: 2020 Kia Telluride Since ownership, I have experienced repeated and worsening oil loss between routine oil changes — with no visible leaks or warning lights in most cases. The rate of consumption is approaching or exceeding 1 quart per 1,000 miles, which Kia itself defines as “excessive” under Technical Service Bulletin ENG222 (Rev 5). This condition not only creates a risk of engine failure while driving, but it also puts owners like myself at risk of uncovered repair bills in excess of $12,000. I have already contacted my dealership, Kia Corporate, and Fidelity Warranty Services, and was told coverage is uncertain — despite this being a well-documented issue affecting a wide range of Kia engines. I believe this is a safety defect that warrants further investigation due to: •Sudden engine failure or stalling from low oil levels •Lack of adequate early warning indicators •Unreasonable financial exposure to consumers for a manufacturer-related defect •A potential pattern of complaints across similar models/engines As a responsible vehicle owner, I respectfully urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter further and ensure Kia is held accountable for this widespread and dangerous issue. Thank you for your time and consideration.

On [XXX] I took ownership of the described brand new vehicle from Kia of Portland OR,(12miles on the odometer) and insisted twice to sales management that the vehicle is prep'ed with a full fuel tank, fully charged battery and that tires are set to OE spec. The following 2 days the area experienced a head wave of near 100oF. During the following week, we noticed instability with the vehicle driving. Upon verification of the tires pressure with a digital pressure gauge on 6/12/25 at 8am to my disbelieve I discovered that both left side tires (Michelin PRIMACY TOUR A/S 235/55/R19) where at 50.3/50.4 PSI while the right side tires where set correctly at 35.4 PSI. After conversation with Michelin these tires may have exceeded during the heat wave the max allowed operating pressure of 51 PSI making them unsafe for driving. I immediately contacted the dealership Maintenance manager who confirmed that on their digital record the vehicle, as part of Kia standard procedure, was transported and arrived with all 4 tires above 50PSI and that the maintenance team, despite been warned, they forgot to reduce the tire pressure to OE spec of 35PSI on the left tires before allowing the vehicle to be operated on Oregon highways/streets. I requested Kia to send a technician to inspect and adjust the tires but the Maintenance manager refused. Thus I had to gradually release the pressure to match the right side tires and OE spec (35PSI). After the adjustment of the right side tires the vehicle did not exhibited more stability issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car is burning oil and check engine light came on. It shakes and stalls when coming to a stop.

Paint has been chipping on this SNOW white pearl has gotten progressively worse. Cannot wash the vehicle without more paint chipping.

An intermittent error occurs where these services stop working. It was last for a day or two and then the error will clear. I am not able to be alerted to passing cars or cars in my blind spot when changing lanes. And if there is a situation to suddenly stop the emergency automatic braking system will not be engaged.

The car is not able to shift out of park unless the shift interlock release button is depressed. This issue has occurred intermittently in the last year but has been consistent in the past few weeks of the submission of the complaint.