KIA Complaints

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle lost power. The contact exited the vehicle and pushed the vehicle to the right side of the roadway while awaiting Roadside Assistance. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the traction control warning light was continuously flashing on and off. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 189,000.

My engine went out at 100,000 miles I bought the car with 118,000 mi on it I drove it for 3 years and the engine went out need help

We purchased a brand-new 2021 Kia Sedona in 2021. Since January, we’ve been experiencing an intermittent but serious issue where the vehicle refuses to accelerate or shift beyond a certain point. This issue has put us in dangerous situations multiple times. One incident occurred while crossing a fast-moving, single-lane road—our vehicle would not accelerate to the appropriate speed, placing us at serious risk. On another occasion, while merging onto a highway, the car failed to accelerate, and we feared being rear-ended due to our inability to keep up with traffic. There are no warning lights or error messages to indicate a problem when this occurs. The only temporary solution has been to pull over, turn the car off, and restart it. After doing this, the vehicle functions normally for a few days, weeks, or even months before the issue reoccurs. We have taken the vehicle to our local Kia dealership, but they were unable to replicate the problem or identify any issues. We also brought it to a second Kia dealership with the same result—no diagnosis and no resolution. We are extremely concerned for our safety and would appreciate guidance on how to escalate this issue or pursue a resolution. I also have a video of an incident.

This is about paint damage on my Optima is a known factory paint defect.This factory paint defect, specifically paint delamination causes bubbling, peeling then flaking off in large chunks while driving, has been reported on 2015 KIA Optima with white pearl paint. The damages ares are exposed to the metal, subject to rust and corrosion. On 5/30/35 KIA in Ontario, Ca. Body Shop Manager Yvonne Ramirez inspected my vehicle and immediately confirmed the paint damages to the exterior of my vehicle is a known factory paint defect on 2015 Optima with white paint. Yvonne instructed me to contact Corporate KIA, report the case, receive a claim # then contact her to schedule an appointment for the repair. On June 3, 2025 KIA reopened case number [XXX] originally reported on June 11, 2024. No claim # issues, no repairs made. Safety Concern: The paint damage has affected both sides of the adhesive inside the glass securing the windshield. This is a nation wide problem. Owners have documented and continue to keep reporting this problem to KIA, NHTSA, AutoLine and BBB. Several class-action lawsuits have been filed against KIA in USA and Canada. This is also happening to Toyota, Honda & Subaru. It’s basically all the car manufacturers who are using this pearl white paint. The amount of Optima owners dealing with the massive rapidly spreading paint defect to their vehicle is over whelming. December 2023 my 2015 KIA Optima SXT Pearl White beautiful exterior paint began to bubble, peel, flake followed by large chunks of paint falling off even while driving. This started on the roof top right and left of the rear window. February 2024 - the same paint damages started on the right and left sails/pillars next to the front wind shield and is causing damage, bubbling and spreading through out the left and right side of the glass. It is a safety concern. March 2025 - the same paint damage started on the top right truck with huge chunks of paint falling off while driving.HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF

The contact owned a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at slow speeds and approaching a stop sign, the engine seized. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was repossessed. After some investigation, the contact related the failed to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised contact that there would be an email from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had reached out via email; however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

The lower opening in the front grille allows road debris to damage the A/C condenser. This repair has an average cost of 2500.00 to 2800.00

The panoramic sunroof exploded. We were driving down the hwy. Going roughly 55mph when there was a loud bang and glass started falling down on us. Glass fell down onto our heads and our child. The sunroof Glass was pushed up and outward so nothing had hit the car to make the Glass cave in. Two small peices had fallen from the sunroof mechanism one containing a rubber gasket and one lacking one.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that weeks after having an oil change, the oil warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where the oil change was performed, and the contact was informed that the failure was common for the model vehicle. The contact was advised to have the oil topped off every 6 weeks due to the failure. The contact then stated that while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that three unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and remained for several days before the vehicle could be diagnosed. The dealer asked for receipts of the oil changes and the contact provided the receipts available. The contact was later informed that since there were missing receipts, the engine would not be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

I own a 2014 Kia Sportage (VIN: [XXX] ) that qualifies under Recall SC147 for engine seizure. The vehicle’s engine has seized randomly with no check engine lights. Was running and driving perfectly and shut off. However, Kia and the local dealership are refusing to repair the vehicle under the recall because the vehicle is not currently registered. This is a clear violation of NHTSA recall requirements, which mandate free recall repairs regardless of ownership or registration. I am requesting NHTSA review and enforcement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)