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.

  • 2023 KIA SPORTAGE
    - Santa Clarita, CA

    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, the vehicle was struck on the passenger side front quarter panel by another vehicle that had failed to yield. As a result, the vehicle spun out of control through the intersection before coming to a complete stop, causing the driver to hit her head on the driver's side window. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was evaluated by EMT on scene but declined to be transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver later transported herself to an area hospital and was treated for a concussion, neck pain, bruising, and various minor cuts to the knees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2015 KIA OPTIMA
    - Casa Grande, AZ

    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection, the contact observed an excessive amount of oil leaking from underneath the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with engine failure, observing a hole on the side of the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer however, the diagnosis was not yet confirmed. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 112,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2017 KIA SOUL
    - Wilmington, NC

    After driving about 2,000 miles after an oil change, the oil warning light comes on. This happens regardless of whether I use 3,000-mile or 5,000-mile oil. When I check the oil, it is completely gone. This issue started about a year ago, and now I always carry extra oil because I am worried. My car has a 2016-manufactured engine, but since it is a 2017 model, the dealership says it is not eligible for a recall and refuses to repair it. They told me that if I want a detailed inspection, I would have to pay for the inspection and repairs myself, even if it is an engine defect. I don’t know what to do. Please help me!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - inman, SC

    The car started to shake really bad and the engine light came on, pulled over called the tow truck service took it to the shop where they informed me the engine was blown

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA K5
    - Dyersburg , TN

    The back chrome cover around the rear windshield all 3 pieces are coming loose and I had the one on my passenger side fly off while I was going down the highway and the piece almost hit the truck behind me thankfully traffic wasn’t to bad on the highway so he was able to hit his breaks and maneuver out of the way before. I currently have 2 more pieces trying to come off. After doing further research I have seen hundreds of other post from k5 owners years 23&24 all having the exact same issue of the chrome pieces coming off and or flying off while driving. In the pictures you can see the one missing piece and the other 2 you can see where the other 2 pieces are starting to loosen up. If you physically touch it they both will move and feel loose. I believe this should be a recall before one of the pieces fly off and cause a accident by hitting another car like what almost happened in my case or just flying off and hitting a person. I bought my car used but it was a single owner my car was a little over a year old I’ve personally had it for I believe 10-11 months and I keep it in the carport daily so I shouldn’t be having these issues already.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2015 KIA SORENTO
    - Gray , ME

    Just purchased Sorento and within a week a p1326 code came up. Kia refused to look at car saying they are booked out for months hung up phone on me.got the same response from every Kia dealer. Had a mechanic replace knock sensor and the problem still exists and car not drivable. I'm a single mom with two infants and spent all my money buying this car. I did a Google search on this car about it's dependability and it came back very dependable with engines lasting upwards of 300,000 miles. Mechanic told me Kia needs to replace engine as it falls under class action and lifetime warranty. Kia will not schedule an appointment for me to bring car in. Why are they not pulling these cars off road knowing they are damaged and continue stealing people's money ? This is destroying me and my family I may lose my job over this and I'll lose my apartment. Again I'm a single mom and can't afford to be defrauded like this. These vehicles should have their titles branded if Kia not going to repair them.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA OPTIMA
    - Woodstock, GA

    Dealing with sudden excessive oil consumption at 130,000 miles. Had an oil change about 2,000 miles ago and oil sensor has been going off after 1,500-2,000 miles driven. Mechanic put 3 more quarts in and a week and a half later oil sensor is going off again indicating low oil. Mechanic confined this has been a frequent problem with this engine and insists piston rings are faulty & will eventually need engine replacement.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 KIA OPTIMA
    - Fremont, CA

    I came in to Oil Changers in Fremont California on 4088 Thornton Avenue on 1/8/25 to come in and get an oil change prior to my road trip to Virginia with my dad on [XXX]. I talked to the worker about getting my oil changed and was even asked whether or not I wanted a regular or synthetic oil change in which I said synthetic because it was the best option for my car's long term health. During my service of the car I was also told my car needed a coolant refill soon and oil air filter and was asked if I would like to get that as well which i said yes. When my service was done I was given my receipt of the things done as well as given my oil service sticker that I put on my windshield. After my service I continued with my life as usual the next two days before taking my trip. While on my trip I got to approximately 150 miles from Fremont California before I started to feel an unusual feeling in the gas pedal which went away for a little before eventually turning into a clicking noise around 150 miles after which immediately turned to a complete stoppage on [XXX] about 10 miles Keene. We were in the middle of nowhere in pitch black darkness waiting for my AAA insurance tow truck to come pick us up. My car engine seized up and now it need a completely new engine. I was already paying a monthly car note of 247.69 every 10th and still have a remaining balance of $5,000 left. I now couldn't drive to Virginia with my car because of an error that was not of my doing i've always tried my best to mainta0in the car to the best of my ability. The car's error forced me and my dad to get last second plane tickets to Virginia the day after [XXX] for 611.94 so I could make it to my college on time. This has caused me so much hassle and now i cant even have a vehicle for school because of something out of my control. l still have the receipt from Oil Changers that states i paid for an Synthetic oil change as well all of this information can and will be sent over to you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 KIA SOUL
    - Minooka, IL

    The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle drifted to safety. The vehicle was restarted. Additionally, while driving on several occasions at speeds over 40 MPH, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); while researching the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that parts for the repair were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2015 KIA SORENTO
    - Lakeland, FL

    My 2015 pearl white Kia Sorento has had paint peeling off of the hood and front of the roof. It is getting really bad and there is rust and corrosion now. It's been doing this for a couple of years and it's really bad now. There is now reason for that. When I drive around I keep an eye out and I see Sorento after Sorento with the same exact problem -- paint peeling in the same spots with rust and corrosion starting. Online you can find forums and a facebook page about it. It's an awful issue that starts out as a bad cosmetic issue and become an even worse body and safety issue due to the rust and corrosion. I will include photos from July 2023 to show how it was bad even back then. It's even worse now.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE