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.

  • 2018 KIA OPTIMA
    - Waveland , MS

    My engine burns oil very bad. Black smoke comes out of my tailpipe and I burn through 5 quarts in less than a thousand miles. I just got my oil changed two weeks again and I just had to add more oil to my car bc it was empty. I’ve had to replace the spark plugs twice due to soot build up. I can’t afford a new car I’m 17 and can barely afford the maintenance let alone a whole new engine. Have spoken to many mechanics and they all say the same thing “it’s a Kia it’s gonna burn oil” ITS A KNOWN ISSUE. And yet Kia will not resolve it bc they don’t want to spend their own money to fix their mistake. I got an estimate for a new engine which is basically crucial and it’s over three grand. No matter where I take it everyone always says the same thing- to get rid of it before it’s too late. But I simply cannot afford to do that and I know my car is not the only one with this issue so many other people with the same car/engine have the same issue. 2.4 L GDI !!!!! I wish someone would have warned me before buying Kia. A recall to fix this issue is needed now. I lose control of the speed sometimes. I will keep my foot at a set position on the throttle and the engine will take off because it’s jumping to the usual power it should have. ( it has reduced power most of the time bc of the struggling engine) sometimes on the highway I’ll get a sudden burst of power and I have to let off the accelerator. Not safe at all

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA EV9
    - Issaquah, WA

    There is an "i-pedal" feature that sets regen braking to bring the vehicle to a complete stop when letting off the accelerator pedal. In this mode, the vehicle only moves when pressing down on the pedal, and it stops when the pedal is released. When shifting the vehicle into reverse, "i-pedal" is automatically and silently turned off, causing the vehicle to suddenly start moving when releasing the brake pedal and no longer stop when releasing the accelerator pedal. This is dangerous because the pedals suddenly and unexpectedly behave differently with no input from the driver. If "i-pedal" is enabled by the driver, it should not switch out of "i-pedal" without the driver choosing to do so.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID
    - Cromwell, CT

    I was driving on a secondary road that has a 45 MPH speed limit when the vehicle decelerated to 31 MPH on its own. I could not make it go faster with any application of the accelerator. This lasted for about 5 minutes. I called the dealer service and they said it was probably a "glitch" and they could not investigate unless I left the vehicle with them until they could reproduce it. One unusual fact is that it was very cold the morning it happened, 9 degrees fahrenheit. I believe this could be very dangerous, particularly if hit happens on a highway. I spoke to another owner on Reddit who had the same thing happen twice.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA SORENTO
    - Williston, SC

    1) The headlights went out along with the rear taillights. 2) Could have caused a crash. 3) No. 4)No. 5) No. Someone had to tell me the break lights were out and then we noticed that the headlights were also out as well. We notified the kia dealership of the problems and were told that a diagnostic of the problem would cost $150 plus repairs.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2015 KIA OPTIMA
    - Pompano, FL

    I am writing to file a complaint regarding a 2015 Kia Optima I purchased from Synergy Auto Deals LLC (formerly located at 1001 S State Road 7 Hollywood, FL 33023). The dealership failed to disclose a critical open safety recall on the vehicle at the time of sale, which I believe violates consumer safety standards and puts me at significant risk. Details of the Complaint     1.    Undisclosed Safety Recall:     •    The vehicle has an open safety recall that was never disclosed during the purchase process. I only became aware of the recall after the sale, which has caused significant inconvenience and concern about my safety.     2.    Dealer Misrepresentation:     •    In addition to failing to disclose the safety recall, the dealership misrepresented other aspects of the sale, including the price and fees, and employed deceptive practices during the loan approval process.     3.    Expenses Incurred:     •    As a result of these issues, I have incurred additional costs, including:     •    Gas mileage to address the recall issue     •    New tires     •    Monthly payments for a vehicle that was sold under false pretenses     •    Insurance payments     •    Costs for repairs related to the recall Vehicle Information     •    Year: 2015     •    Make: Kia     •    Model: Optima      Desired Resolution I am requesting the NHTSA to:     •    Investigate this dealership’s practices, particularly regarding the failure to disclose safety recalls.     •    Assess whether this case is part of a broader pattern that may require additional enforcement actions.     •    Provide guidance on any potential remedies or reimbursements available for these safety-related violations. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA SORENTO
    - Sacramento, CA

    There is delamination of the snow pearl white paint. It has been reported and noted at the Kia dealership. Starting on the hood and passenger driver side door. It is literally falling off after a bubble formed under the paint. Kia has pictures of this

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA TELLURIDE
    - Anna, TX

    The Snow White Pearl paint on my 2020 Kia Telluride is rapidly peeling directly above my front windshield. It started as a small 2 inch area first and quickly turned into multiple large areas where the paint is pealing. The largest portion is now roughly 5-6 inches in width. I believe the ENTIRE care needs to be repainted as fixing one spot is not the solution. I have not contacted the Kia dealership or any local repair shops but I could get a quote as needed. Please let me know how to proceed.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2019 KIA SORENTO
    - Denver, CO

    The Sorento is coated with a "Snow White Pearl" paint that started delaminating rapidly. I took it to the dealership at first for a pen touch up, but it started chipping and peeling exponentially quicker lately. This is a serious issue as the paint is the only protector of the body from rust and wear.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 KIA SPORTAGE
    - Elk River, MN

    My vehicle (and I've heard from others with a Sportage) has been burning oil with no errors. I regularly get my oil changed. My last oil change, I had no oil and didn't know (oil change every 5000 miles or less). After this oil change and before next is due, I looked and oil is burned up again. Concerning due to the age of vehicle and this should not happen. Again, I'm seeing this happening to others with the same vehicle. Several online discussions and doesn't seem to be a one off issue and a recall may be required.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA SORENTO
    - Clarksville, TN

    I was approaching a stoplight, applying my brakes ahead of time, got down around 45 mph and then the brakes locked up suddenly and took me across the road into a guardrail. Thankfully no other car was involved. The speed limit is 55 mph on that road and I was still a ways away from the stoplight. I was never notified of the recalls on the vehicle.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE