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.

  • 2022 KIA SELTOS
    - Rialto, CA

    The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle or while accelerating, there was an abnormal amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust, with droplets of oil. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the piston rings had failed due to oil build-up and the accumulation of moisture inside of the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); as the possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2022 KIA CARNIVAL
    - St. Johns, FL

    The back tailgate door, when opened, will go up to desired height set in car settings, then slam back down 1/4 to 1/2 of the total height. Turning off auto open and close it continues to do so. When manually pushing the door to the open position, it will continue the problem. We have had numerous incidents of heads being hit by the door, arms and hands have also been hit. We took the car to the dealership and they said the door actuator would be over $2000 to fix. It seems like this is a similar issue to the side door actuators that had to be replaced via recall.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA NIRO
    - The Villages, FL

    Took car in and dealership kept it. Recall indicated that parts were available, however, dealership says that because there's additional fraying of wires, they don't have the parts. When I contacted Kia corporate, they confirmed that they have release of parts indicated as "TBD." According to NHTSA records, they should have the parts but they say they don't and can't indicate when parts will be available.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2010 KIA FORTE
    - Saint Charles, MO

    I got a car from coparts and they told me nothing was wrong! I recently bought the car

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA EV9
    - Hollywood, FL

    The drivers seat rocks and shakes or wobbles while you drive. They need to change the frame to fix the issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Richmond, TX

    I let the sunroof back and it pretty instantly snapped and a piece of the traction for the sunroof broke off. I don’t use the sunroof often (maybe 6 times total since buying the car). I let it back occasionally to make sure it doesn’t stop working from use. Now the back of the sunroof is titled upwards and will not close.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Columbus, OH

    Without warning vehicle stalled. Started right up and had ticking sound at low rpm which went away. Oil change and next day same thing happened. Won't start and engine has seized.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 KIA EV9
    - Woodstock, GA

    All of a sudden the EV battery management system warning light is on and it suggest I do not drive it until fixed. This was after my entire screen went out, where I could not see the speed I was going or use turn signals. Very unsafe

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 KIA SORENTO
    - East Islip, NY

    While driving the car will stall, making maneuvering the car to safety difficult. There was no warning that this was happening. I did take the car to a mechanic, he said because the engine light was not on, he could not track the problem. I had this happen at least 6 times in the past few months

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA SPORTAGE
    - Mckinney, TX

    I had my 2023 Kia Sportage in the Kia shop in McKinney, Tx about 3 weeks ago for an electrical issue. ALL of my lights on my dash were on. They INSISTED my battery was bad, so they made me buy a battery. (My car isn’t even 3 years old). So, once the new battery was installed, the technician stated all was good, that it was just a bad battery, that was why all the lights on my dash were there. When I started my car this morning, what do you know! All of the warning lights were on my dash AGAIN. They did nothing to fix the issue. There were unsure of what was causing the electrical issues in the first place. I am writing this to you to inform you of the electrical issues among Kia.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE