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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2021 KIA SELTOS- Milford, MI
My vehicle is currently in the shop at the local Kia dealership. Over the past week my vehicle has randomly stalled several times. The engine sounded like it was sputtering, and just not accelerating properly. The car would stall at low speeds while turning corners or pulling into a parking spot. I do not have the diagnosis as of yet but believe my vehicle should be considered one of the recalled engines due to its date manufactured and the current issues that are occurring. Noticed stalling at speeds 45mph or less. It's very frustrating with a vehicle having 82,000 miles on it. All mandatory maintenance has been done at correct intervals and now this. It needs to be reported.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA TELLURIDE- Austin, TX
Vehicle Information • Make: Kia • Model: Telluride • Year: 2022 • Approx. Mileage: 30k 2. System Involved • Component/System: Forward Collision Avoidance, Automatic Emergency Braking, Brakes, or Electronic Stability Control 3. Incident Description On 6/7/25 while driving my 2022 Kia Telluride on neighborhood street in Windsor Park austin Texas at approximately 25-30 mph the vehicle suddenly and forcefully braked on its own with no warning and no visible obstacle or vehicle in front of me. This unexpected braking occurred under normal driving conditions, with clear weather and dry pavement, and almost caused a collision with the vehicle behind me. No warning lights appeared on the dashboard, and no manual braking was applied by me. I believe this may be related to known technical service bulletins SC243 and SC252 concerning faulty automatic braking logic and the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU). This is a serious safety concern, and I am submitting this complaint in the hope that Kia will address this potential defect through recall or repair. There are reports similar to mine at highway speeds which would be deadly. 4. What Happened Next? I have contacted my local Kia dealership for inspection and plan to request that they document and diagnose the incident fully. Their online scheduler is showing next service appt not for over a week out which is not soon enough. I will call them first thing in the morning. I am also submitting this report to NHTSA to ensure that this is recorded as part of any ongoing safety investigation. Our vehicle was serviced within the last few months and we were assured there were no safety recalls on our vehicle. We would like this reevaluated.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA NIRO- Missouri City, TX
The incident, occurring on [XXX], was first submitted by phone, followed by email to [XXX] on 27 May with incident description and sketch. I was given the Complaint ID no ODI11663050. However, now when I search for that number, nothing shows up! I have not received any information that the complaint has been investigated and dismissed! In order to publicize this event as much as possible to warn the public about this dangerous safety issue, I have posted the following on my X account ( [XXX] ) and have asked family and friends to spread the information as much as possible. Appreciate you contacting me at [XXX] and/or [XXX] about this. Post 1: ??Hybrid Car Warning! ?? If you drive a hybrid and get a Hybrid Motor Failure warning, STOP IMMEDIATELY and seek help! My 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid flashed this warning—I drove straight to an auto shop nearby. What happened next was terrifying… (?? 1/3) Post 2: As I tried braking to park, the brakes failed, and the car accelerated instead! I barely avoided the shop, parked cars & trees—but I jumped a curb, went in & out of a ditch, and stopped across a major road. A red light saved me from being hit! ?? (?? 2/3) Post 3: The airbag deployed, hitting my chest hard. My chest is in pain. I had a major lumbar surgery in 2021 and my back is a mess ChatGPT indicates several possible causes, but the most relevant is a hybrid motor failure may cause unintended acceleration & brake issues. Post 4: Drivers, take these warnings seriously! ???? Stay safe! ?? #HybridCar #Safety INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2018 KIA FORTE- Red Bluff, CA
About a week ago, I noticed small chips in the Pearl White paint on the hood of my Kia Forte 5. One of the chips has started a peeling of the paint which has benn steadily getting larger. This indicates a delamination is occurring. Many Kia owners have been posting about this with the Pearl White paint. I asked my local Kia service center in Redding, CA today about it. He said he knew nothing of this as a problem and said it looks like I got hit by rocks which caused the problem and offered no assistance in how to resolve the problem. I hope someone will look into this issue and address the problem that many of us are experiencing. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2022 KIA SORENTO- Utuado , PR
Vehicle lost power and transmission failed. Vehicle only has 36,000 miles. Dealer is denying recall from manufacturer.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2020 KIA SOUL- Cheltenham, PA
Someone broke my window, and entered my car. Then proceeded to tear apart the entire area of the car that it below the steering wheel including the ignition. The car was not able to be turned off. This left the car unable to be used and unfortunately needed to be towed away. This is the second time this has happened and it is causing a serious safety hazard to my family, my home and my neighborhood. I unfortunately cannot get rid of the car because I am not the title owner and cannot afford to trade it in. I am looking for some assistance and to learn what other options I may have
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA SELTOS- Avondale, PA
Rear view camera collects rain drops obstructing the rear view while backing up during rainy weather
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA SOUL- Conway, AR
[XXX], the vehicle was delivered to Crain KIA dealership located in Conway, Arkansas, due to failure of engine to start (engine would turn over but not run). I scheduled a service appointment for May 20th at 0930, for the car to be evaluated/troubleshot. While at the KIA dealership service desk, I discussed KIA SAFETY RECALL SC336, and that my VIN# was effected by the recall (verified by speaking with KIA Customer Care representative) and by using NHTSA's VIN/Recall search engine. At that time, I disclosed that the car was a SALVAGE TITLE vehicle, but was restored, looked nearly brand new and was otherwise operational prior to the engine "no start" condition (4 months of ownership). The service team at the dealership confirmed the SALVAGE TITLE via "Carfax", however they noted that KIA's internal VIN/TITLE database DID NOT REFLECT the car as salvaged. Crain Kia dealership then decided to submit the car for KIA's SAFETY RECALL inspection and possibly warranty work since the vehicle has not exceeded the 5yr/60,000 mile limited basic warranty. Unfortunately, the dealership did not open a "tech-line case' until approximately 15 days later. Tech-line communication between the service technician and KIA's engineering/recall rep, directed the dealership to perform an engine wet/dry compression test (due to deficient piston oil-rings). On June 5th, Crain KIA notified me that the resulting 'LOW" compression test results indicated that the piston rings were faulty, and that the engine would need to be replaced. Additionally, they told me that the vehicle would NOT BE ELIGIBLE for factory warranty due to the SALVAGE TITLE and that I would be responsible for engine change costs. Moreover, the dealership's service team charged me for the cost of the compression testing. I have thoroughly reviewed the KIA recall SC336 documentation as well as NHTSA's 25V-099 bulletin and verified that neither notices proclaim, exclude or deny coverage to salvage title vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA SELTOS- San Antonio, TX
Got to engine light error codes: P030100 and P030000. Happened 3 times: 1st time had loss of power and engine light flashed, could not accelerate, and vehicle shuttered. Took to world kia north San Antonio. They cleared the code. It ran fine for a while and same problem occurred. Took back to world Kia north. They had it quiet few weeks, finally got it back, they said they took it on a 60 mile road test no problems so gave it back. I drove it maybe less 2 hours after getting it back and the same problem happened loss power would not accelerate and engine light flashed but did not come on. Called Kia right when happened and brought it right back world Kia North and the service manager said to keep it running so they can see what going on, and they finally noticed the same thing. So it been at dealership since then.about month has past and it not been repaired yet. It been serviced every 5000 miles and been taken care of since I owned it! I have looked up how lot people with the S/X models have had same problems and many recalls on seltos and souls due to same problems. I’m a 100 disabled vet and having a vehicle get me to the hospital reg important. I was given a loaner car which was great so wanted to share this.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA EV9- Newport News, VA
Vehicle experiences steering vibration when at highway speeds (above 65mph). I have brought the vehicle in for service four times and the issue still returned after multiple alignments, rotations, and road force balances. The local service techs are working with Kia, but it has currently been in the shop for 24 days with no resolution. According to the service advisor, tires have been inspected and even swapped with new ones but the problem is still present. I am concerned with the safety of the vehicle because it creates issues with control at high speeds which could result in an accident. Even at low speeds, the rear end fishtails over small bumps creating a temporary loss of control. I am unsure if the two are related. I can provide Kia service order numbers and Kia customer care case number upon request. Multiple other owners have experienced the same concerns and have posted a growing number of instances where the vehicle was purchased back by Kia as a result.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE