KIA Complaints

Kia Sorento Limited 2015. Regular oil changes on engine using Valvoline synthetic oil. 118k miles on the 3.3L engine. Car is in mint condition. I have all records. At oil change, Valvoline tech mentioned it was low on oil. Never had a tech tell me that before. 24 hours after oil change, I started the engine and heard a pinging noise. I let the engine warm up and the sounds smoothed out. I drove it for less than 5 minutes on the highway at 60mph and warning lights came on and the car had no power from the engine. No loud sounds or knocking at the time. Kia South Dealer is telling me I have to buy a rebuilt engine for $5.5k and will cost $6K to install. That cost is more than the car is worth. With me research, there are two huge issues with the engine. Head bolts loosing and lack of oil distribution on one cylinder causing bearings to melt. I know there is not a recall on this but there is on the same engine for the Hyndai Sante Fe. I baby this car and I feel very betrayed that the engine gave it the way it did. My car looks brand new as I take great care of it but now I have an engine that should last twice as long that is now dead. Shouldn't this engine should be applicable for an extended warranty or for Kia to step up and help with the cost? What can I do? Really appreciate your help!!!!! Sincerely, [XXX] Original Owner since I bought it Dec 2014. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Kia is aware of the engine oil consumption causing misfires, failed emissions test, blowing a rod and engine lock up. THEIR SOLUTION WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT STATE ONCE THE CAR IS LOCKED UP OR ROD HAS BLOWN THROUGH THE ENGINE THEN THEY WILL FIX IT. I have had to replace the spark plugs multiple times in last 12 months due to misfires while driving. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY CANT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THEY SUGGEST THAT I DRIVE WITH NO OIL AND LOCK THE ENGINE UP EVEN THOUGH IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. MY LIFE SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN DANAGER FIRST IN ORDER FOR THEM.TO FIX THE ENGINE.

I brought my vehicle to the dealership due to serious safety concerns, including the engine randomly shutting off while driving, sudden unintended acceleration, unresponsiveness when pressing the gas, difficulty turning the key to start the engine, loud noises while running, and the engine, battery, and oil lights coming on. This is the second time I’ve brought the vehicle to the Kia dealership for the same issue. The first time, I was told the transmission had been replaced and the problem was resolved. However, the same issue resumed shortly after I got the car back. I called the dealership that day but they were already closed, so I dropped the vehicle off the next morning when they opened. At drop-off, I was told no repairs could begin until the recall was “officially” announced, but that they would look into the issue and keep me updated. Unfortunately, I never received any updates and had to reach out myself multiple times. This morning, I was told the sensor lights showing were “old codes” and that everything seemed fine. They said they’d take the car for a test drive and that I’d have it back by the end of the day. No one called me back. I followed up around 4:30–5:00 PM and was told the service department had closed, but the notes said that after the test drive, more codes appeared and the vehicle would require additional work. When I first dropped the car off, I was told I’d have it back the next morning, and if not, I’d be provided with a rental. Neither happened. When I expressed that I didn’t feel safe driving the car—even if the test drive went well—especially after a mechanic told me he wasn’t sure how to fix the current recall, I was dismissed. As I was saying, “Okay, just call me after the test drive so I can come by and check it out,” Greg hung up on me mid-sentence. This entire experience has been frustrating and concerning given the nature of the issue.

Was driving down the highway and all of a sudden the car shut down in the highway lucky cars was not close by. Tried to crank it it would not crank would not take a boost it won’t say anything I had the battery checked at auto zone the battery is really good. The mileage on the Kia optima is 1,900 actual miles it will not crank or move it was very scary I called Kia customer service there wanted to charge me over $400.00 dollars to come get it and take it to the shop so it took me 2 days to find a tow to get it home and it still needs to go to the Kia shop

No early warning lights displayed, but traveling on the interstate in this Kia Soul, having only 74,000 original miles on it when sudden knocking began. Had to quickly get to a stopping point and eventually have the vehicle towed. Mechanic reported is the very common Theta II motor issue where a spun bearing has occurring and could have easily locked up the engine, causing safety risks. Only after the start of the knocking did the oil lamp indicator begin to flicker; was not even a stead light. Indications are that though some recalls were made for this model, this vehicle was not included, and many others have reported similar issues on the same model.

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with cruise control activated, the RPM's suddenly increased to over 4,000 and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she was previously informed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced prior to the failure; however, the catalytic convertor had not been replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.

The doors won't lock. The button on the handle won't work sometimes. It's just random. This has happened 4 times in the last 2 years I have owned the car. I have to use app to lock and unlock the car. Once I drive it again everything is fine.

In February I was driving on the highway at the speed limit, 65MPH when a rock flew back from a truck and hit the bottom middle part of the windshield. This formed a small dime sized crack, which eventually formed into a 3FT crack that spanned from the dent, up and to the right side of the windshield. In March, while waiting for the windshield to be repaired, another rock was launched from the back of another vehicle while driving on a local road going the the speed limit, 35MPh stuck the right side of the windshield making a nickel size crack. This can be a safety concern given the fact that the windshield can crack that easily and possibly injure someone inside. I have never had a windshield break so easily on other vehicles that I have owned when such event happened. A real bad injury can occur if an object going a a bit faster or bigger were to strike the windshield and shatter it. Can this type of windshield be thick enough or the material strong enough to prevent this to continue to happen?

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an unknown dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

While driving, thankfully not with my [XXX] son, the vehicle made a real big bang noise and lost power. Looked back and the whole back seat was lifted. Towed to dealer and tech found that fuel tank had expanded and exploded seat back. Incident happened in November 2024, and to this day, Kia has been the most difficult to deal with. They offered to buy vehicle back, but we have been waiting for a long time for answers and resolution of this issue. Its impossible to get someone on the phone and we keep getting the run around with a loaner/rental while trying to continue to live normal life going to work and dropping kid at school INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)