KIA Complaints

Vehicle not be able to accelerate over 31 mph, seems to happen when its cold outside. This is unsafe especially on highways. Dealership was not able to reproduce the issue. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. The issue first appear under cold weather.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then tried to merge into the Wal-Mart parking lot with the assistance of a police officer. An independent mechanic arrived at Wal-Mart where the vehicle was parked to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed with starter failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle had not been repaired under the other 7 recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for service, and the contact was informed of a washer fluid leak. The water fluid hose was replaced. However, the failure persisted. Most recently, the contact stated that the sensors failed to function as intended, and the windshield wipers would turn on independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the water fluid hose had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 600.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was started, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or special programs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,743.

The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH in hot weather, a loud popping sound came from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact coasted into a ditch and inspected the vehicle, but no exterior damage was found. The vehicle was restarted and driven to a gas station. The check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The failure persisted and the fuel gauge level dropped while driving. The contact pulled over and placed a bag under the vehicle to check for fuel leaks, but found none. The contact stated that the vehicle failed state vehicle inspection due to an unknown emission code. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who performed an oil change and updated the computer system. The failure recurred while driving with three minor children in the rear seats. The fuel tank made a loud explosion, and the rear seats propped up, pushing the children forward while the seat belts restrained them in their seats. The child seated in the rear passenger seat received medical attention for injuries to the back of his legs caused by hot fuel fumes from underneath the seat, as well as black specks stuck on his legs. The contact's husband opened the fuel tank, and loud air pressure was released. The fuel tank was bubbling. The vehicle was towed to Classic Kia of Carrollton (2920 N Interstate 35E, Carrollton, TX 75007), who determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced and requested that the manufacturer send an engineer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the third dealer, Huffines Kia Corinth (6940 S Interstate 35, Corinth, TX 76210), where an engineer determined the vehicle was non-repairable due to the fuel tank expanding in multiple locations and bending the sub-frame. The contact was informed that the fuel tank was manufactured without a pressure release valve. The vehicle was not repaired. Up

At 85,400 miles just outside of warranty the engine began knocking and the Kia Dealer is saying that the motor is in bearing failure and the engine needs to be replaced. Kia is doing nothing.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 111,000.

Component or System Failed: The fuel tank exploded, causing the vehicle to become undrivable. The explosion was so severe that the back seat was completely blown off. The vehicle is currently not in my possession, as it has been with the dealership for over three months. I have photos and proof of the damage, and I am willing to provide them for inspection. How Safety Was Put at Risk: I have a [XXX] son who sits directly above the fuel tank in the back seat. When the explosion occurred, the back of his seat was completely blown off, and had he been in the car at the time, he could have been seriously injured or killed. This was an extremely dangerous defect, and I am deeply concerned that this could happen to other Kia vehicles, putting more lives at risk. Beyond the immediate danger of the explosion, I have been left without a working vehicle for over three months, and Kia has provided no resolution. Despite confirming that the vehicle is not repairable, they have stalled the process, forcing me to continue making payments on a car I do not even have. Problem Reproduced or Confirmed by a Dealer or Independent Service Center? Yes, the Kia dealership confirmed that the vehicle is not repairable and that the fuel tank failure was severe. However, they have not provided any solution or compensation. Has the Vehicle Been Inspected? Yes, the vehicle was inspected by the Kia dealership, which determined that it was not repairable. I do not know if it has been inspected by any third-party mechanics, insurance representatives, or other authorities. Warning Lamps, Messages, or Symptoms Prior to the Failure? There were no warning lights, messages, or other symptoms prior to the explosion. The vehicle was operating normally before this occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I have requested that this recall be repaired and updated with the NHTSA, however I've made an appointment, taken this vehicle to the dealership, and called Kia corporate, but they have yet to update this repair so that it shows repaired in the system. In addition to this, when I took the vehicle to have the recall fixed, there were other important recalls that I wasn't notified about, this includes the vehicle anti-theft software for this particular model, make, and year and another product improvement as I was also told by another Kia associate that this one may be regarding the ECU on this engine.

Oil pressure switch is malfunctioning. At idle, low oil light comes after. When accelerating the light goes off.