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.

  • 2017 KIA SORENTO
    - Gilbert, SC

    When my head lights are on automatic, they will cut on and off on their own while driving at night! Completely off! My break lights also come and go. I have had the bulbs replaced and still have the same issue

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Sparks, NV

    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving the vehicle, it intermittently hesitated during acceleration until there was a very loud popping and banging noise, it was sudden and very loud. We experienced a complete and sudden loss of power. The car then proceeded to send off nearly every alert on the dash, and threw a code which was P061B. The engine blew out, the oil pan was fractured by ejected connecting rod (visible from underside). How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the engine blew out in the fast lane, our physical safety was at risk due to the immediate loss of control and power, the inability to merge, and stopping next to the center divider in a high-traffic area. In the car were my wife and 3 kids. Psychologically, the fear and panic of our family being stuck, the stress of making quick decisions, and the vulnerability of being exposed to fast-moving vehicles added significant pressure. In that moment, our family was left utterly helpless, fearing for our lives in the face of an overwhelming, life-threatening crisis. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The car is currently at a Kia service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN, the vehicle is at the service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. The vehicle was also inspected by a local mobile mechanic. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no alerts, warning lamps, or messages, the car did experience some hesitation during acceleration but it was intermittent.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Braselton, GA

    March 7th my engine light came on while pulling out, in reverse, of a parking spot. My engine light also turned off on March 7th later in the day. Between then and now, it came on and went off a few times, but my car seemed fine. On April 1, the light reappeared again while backing out of a parking spot. My car was not working like normal. It was shaking a bit and seemed kinda stuck, but also very slowly moving in reverse. Shaking stoped once I put it in drive but the engine light stayed on. I took it to my mechanic and the code given was “internal engine failure”. He told me should be under warranty, so I called the dealership. Service guy told me no active recalls and also that I was outside of the warranty. I have 118,800 miles. Vehicle is less than 4 years old. I am waiting to hear back from my mechanic as to how much repairs should be. I don’t know if he is thinking I need a whole new engine or just a part.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA OPTIMA
    - Woodhaven, MI

    My engine is burning oil at an alarming rate, my car is not recognizing low oil, so I no oil lights are appearing. I have to go to the oil change place weekly to have my oil checked. When my oil is low, I have to pay to have my oil replenished between months of my oil changes. My and my son safety was put at risk, when I found out at an oil change visit, I had less than an quart of oil I was driving around with. Which can cause engine failure while driving, overheating, and reduced performance while driving. This was confirmed by an oil change facility. I am currently in a ongoing dispute with the dealership I received my car from. The Kia dealership is refusing to do any maintenance until I can produce five years of oil change records that are not showing on car fax. To date my car oil light is not coming on, no signs are shown in my car showing this issue. I have to just get it checked weekly and pay for oil to be safe until, I can get a new engine.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA EV6
    - Abilene, TX

    While driving my car a warning flashed stating "check electrical vehicle system." Pulled over, contacted Kia of Abilene and asked if we could drive the car to the dealership. While on the phone another warning flashed ""Stop vehicle and check power supply." Attempted to drive car, "Limp mode or turtle mode" occurred and the max speed for the car was 25mph, sudden loss of acceleration. Made it home, which was approximately 2 miles away, and it seems like the 12V battery was draining quickly. Eventually the vehicle stalled at home and became unresponsive, no power. Contacted roadside assistance and the vehicle was towed to Kia of Abilene. All of this occurred March 29th at approximately noon. The dealership finally contacted us today, April 2nd, and notified us it was an ICCU failure and the part wasn't available with no foreseeable time-frame for repair. The car is absolutely inoperable!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA SELTOS
    - Diana, TX

    The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission would shift gear; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact merged to the side of the road, and the vehicle was then moved to the curb. The contact waited for the engine to cool down before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and diagnostic test was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact, that due to maintenance service records inconsistency and maintenance service not performed at the dealer, the vehicle would not be repaired under the recall. The contact was informed there was no oil in the engine and an oil change was performed. The dealer informed the contact that an assessment by the engineers on the cause of the failure was not yet provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2014 KIA CADENZA
    - Mobile, AL

    The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2016 KIA SOUL
    - Newport News, VA

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her husband was driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate until the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with internal failure in an exhaust manifold. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, approximately every 2,000 miles the oil warning light would illuminate. The contact stated that recently the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2017 KIA OPTIMA
    - Fresno , CA

    Unknown Oil consumption Spark plugs need replacement about every 500-1000 miles. Also needs oil every 500-1000

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA SORENTO
    - Cocoa Beach , FL

    I went for my regular wheel alignment last week and was told my tires need to be replaced - the tread was down to 3/32. I only have 30000 miles on the vehicle. I called Continental and was told the tires are considered a "performance" tire and therefore have no tread warranty. I bought a new set o Michelin Defender tires today. When I look on line, Tire Rack for example says the tires should be good for 65000 miles. I did not expect to have to buy new tires this soon. I am a retired safety engineer civil servant that worked for the Army Tank Automotive Command and also NASA and was involved in several tire recalls in the 1980s for Firestone so I have some knowledge about tires. I rotate the tires every 5-7k and get a wheel alignment at the same time. I do not abuse my tires. I feel that Continental came up with a term so they do not have to stand behind their product. I will never buy their tires. This set came OEM with my new Sorento

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE