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.

  • 2003 KIA OPTIMA
    - Joplin, MO

    While driving on the roadway, I was almost to a four way intersection, as i was going to get into the left turn lane, I turned the steering wheel slightly to the left as the steering wheel turned but the car almost did little adjusting to turn into the left turn lane. As this occurred you could here a noise underneath the vehicle . As I wasn't sure exactly what had happened, I attempted to limp the vehicle down the road to a friend's. As I did the steering got worse and as I could nearly stear the vehicle something was in the road which because of the steering I couldn't avoid it as it was late at night and raining and I ran over something that gave me a flat on the passenger side front tire . I got to my friends drive a few feet away and almost didn't get it pulled in because of the steering. As I took a look at my car, I noticed that two bolts on the driver side on the rack and pinion were almost about to fall out, two ball joints were bent and one nut was completely missing from the lower ball joint, as well as the sway bar was out of place and If I would have been driving down the highway, I do belive I would have wrecked.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA OPTIMA
    - SEDONA, AZ

    MY VEHICLE HAS 75,583. I received a recall for 3 items and made an appointment and took the car in for the work. I noticed that their wasa slight dead spot in the centeing of the steering and asked if there was any adjustmen. I was told there wasn't but they would check it because there was a known problem thith the plastic gear in the electric motor's connection to the rack that wears out and can completely disintegrate. when I picked up the vehicle they had obviously checked it because the slight dead spot had turned into a clunk. As there was no recall they would nothing about it as the vehicle was out of warranty (10 years, 100,000 miles). Had it had a higher annual mileage it would have been replaced under warranty. My concern is that this fault may be hidden by the warranty coverage. If the plastic gear fails completely the steering could become locked or inoperable. This is clearly a well known problem as there is a youtube video showing the replacement process. This actual mechanism may be used on several other years and models. The video is here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 KIA SORENTO
    - Marion, TX

    Our Kia lost power on the highway in a construction site and we had to coast until we finally were able to pull over in a safe place. This has happened a few times before but Kia says they can't do anything unless it can be duplicated.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 KIA SPORTAGE
    - Phoenix, AZ

    Component/System Failure: Multiple issues have occurred with the vehicle, starting with the windows not functioning shortly after purchase. The most severe issue occurred when the engine failed completely, causing it to shut down in the middle of a busy intersection during rush hour. This left the car non-functional and posed significant safety risks. In addition, the fuel system consistently becomes contaminated, despite following proper fuel maintenance practices like using high-quality fuel and regularly using a system cleaner. Is the Component Available for Inspection Upon Request? It's important to confirm whether the damaged components (like the engine or fuel system parts) are available for inspection by a dealer, an independent service center, or the manufacturer. If you haven't already, request documentation or access to the faulty components so that experts can inspect them and provide insight into what went wrong. Safety Risk: The engine failure in the middle of a busy intersection during rush hour was a major safety risk, not just to you but to other drivers as well. An unexpected engine failure at such a critical time could have led to accidents, making it clear that there’s a serious safety concern that needs addressing immediately. Even if the fuel system issue isn’t as immediately dangerous, it still affects the vehicle’s performance and longevity. Problem Reproduced or Confirmed by Dealer or Service Center? Has a dealer or an independent service center been able to reproduce or confirm these problems? If not, it may help to schedule an appointment for a detailed inspection. If the dealer or service center has acknowledged the issues, ensure you have written confirmation or a detailed report. Inspection by Manufacturer, Police, or Insurance? Kia dealership finally took it in broke down the engine and wasn't fully clear what is causing the problem, my extended warranty sent a inspection but is taking way more time then what should be allowed

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2010 KIA OPTIMA
    - Port Barre, LA

    I was getting ready to go out of town for work so before I left my home town. I went to a place to get my oil change. Before going everything was fine. I left there and literally 5 minutes after my car killed. Once it start back. The motor start making a noise it’s been parked

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 KIA OPTIMA
    - Livonia, MI

    My driver's seat seatbelt has completely locked up rendering unusable. It neither retracts or goes out further so it is stuck in a state where it cannot buckle with a person in it. My car is only 7 years old and I have only had it for4 years.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 KIA SORENTO
    - Searcy, AR

    Driver side headlight keeps going out. Bulb doesn’t blow and fuses are fine….take the bulb out and put back in and after a couple minutes light starts working again for a couple days before it goes back out. If you go to the passenger side and pull that one out the bulb is smoking.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA OPTIMA
    - El Dorado hills, CA

    The car instrument panel showed two messages "check brake " and also "hybrid system warning safely stop and do not drive" The brakes stopped working and the car will not accelerate. I stopped reset the battery and started the car as if nothing was wrong. this happens intermittently when i drive the car for over an hour. the brakes are brand new the brake cylinder is working fine. only when this warning come up the brakes feel like they are grinding. a lot of owners are complaining about this. I am wondering if there is a recall for this issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 KIA SORENTO HYBRID
    - Rochester , NY

    While I am driving and try to give the car gas to speed up quickly it loses all power and won’t go faster, to speed up I would have to slow down and slowly gain up to the desired speed. It gave me a warning message that I need to park and charge the battery. I don’t have a spot to charge the battery.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA OPTIMA
    - Anderson, SC

    I was driving down the main street on my way home when my check engine light came on, and my car began shaking and sputtering, and I was unable to excel. I was barely able to make it home, less than 1/4 mile away. cars had to go around me in heavy traffic. taking it to the dealership Monday not the first time this has happened. I took it to a shop over the weekend and was told after diagnostic it was the ECU.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE