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.
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2019 KIA SORENTO- Elmira, NY
The vehicle (90k miles) has a check oil light on. When I took it to the dealer, they diagnosed the issue as a faulty oil pressure sensor (see attachment #1). The model year warranty is 10yr/100k for engine/powertrain, I was informed that since I am a second owner that they will only honor a 5yr/60k warranty. I then looked to see if there was an extended warranty on this component and there is on the nhtsa.gov site. A letter from Kia dated 4/6/2022 (WTY026) (attachment #2). Attached for you convenience shows an extension of the warranty of this component to 15yr/150k. The letter includes my vehicles make and model, but uses the model year 2014-2018 with a manufacturing date of 12/17/2012 - 3/7/2018. My vehicle was manufactured on 3/2/18 from the VIN plate attached to the vehicle (attachment #3). The dealership also refused to cover the warranty based on this letter because of the model year. My issue is this model year uses the same engine and components and was manufactured before the cut-off of the extended warranty. I would like to see the extended warranty extended to cover further model years as the component is still causing the same safety issue
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2013 KIA OPTIMA- Spencer, OK
We were driving and then suddenly stopped, thank goodness nothing bad happened to us. and the car never turned on again! I Was told by a mechanic it was the engine. We were told there were several recalls and alot regarding the engine for this year. Why should I have to pay for something we're still paying on and that has been sitting in our driveway for over 2 years! Fix our car!
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA SORENTO- TAVARES, FL
I received a safety recall letter from Kia America July 2023 and Dec 2024 and called Jerry Seiner Kia Salt Lake City and they will not help me. I then called Kia customer care number on the recall letter 800-333-4542 and it goes to roadside assistance and they cannot help me. I then called the USGOV safety hotline listed on the recall letter 888-327-4236 and that goes to Coach Elkhart. So the Kia customer care number is incorrect and the USGOV safety hotline number is incorrect and no one except me knows this? Zombieland America. Anyone out their know why the USGOV safety hotline number lists Coach Elkhart phone number? I have had 3 other people look to see how crazy this all is.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2020 KIA TELLURIDE- Mequon, WI
Upon braking the vehicle would run rough and the engine would shut off completely. This was first noticed when my wife was turning into our driveway and turning across traffic. She was heading westbound and slowed down to take a left(northbound) into our driveway. Upon braking the engine started to run rough & as she accelerated to turn into the drive, the engine shut off completely. This left her stranded turned perpendicular to oncoming traffic. The oncoming traffic narrowly avoided an accident and left my wife shaken from the incident. I brought it into the dealer where after multiple days of investigating found the vehicle was 4.9l of oil low. There was no indication of low oil in the engine; no indicator light or sounding of low oil, prior to complete engine shut down. The dealership stated when the vehicle shut off, the low oil light would then turn on. This is possible as when it had shut off on me while bringing it to the dealer, there were 4-5 lights that would turn on when the vehicle shut off. The dealership performed an oil change, which it was near to the mileage for needing an oil change anyways. Since this was completed we have not had any issues since. I am working with the dealership currently on why the vehicle is consuming so much oil, but my main concern is there was no warning or indication before the vehicle shut off while in normal driving conditions. I called Kia service and the dealership today and they stated the light should come on when there is less than .5 qrts of oil left in the engine. They believe I did not reach the threshold for the light to come on, but again my concern is the only first indication of low oil should not be my vehicle shutting off in an unsafe condition.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2011 KIA OPTIMA- Westland, MI
Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) experienced an electrical short circuit and engine hardly running.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2019 KIA NIRO- Los Angeles, CA
The contact's customer owns a 2019 Kia Niro LX. The contact stated that his customer stated that the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The owner stated that the vehicle was randomly stopping. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. While test driving at 15 MPH, the brakes were operating as designed, and then after several attempts, the brake pedal was applied and depressed to the floorboard, and the driver crashed into a parked BMW X5. There were no warning lights illuminated. The brakes were inoperable. The air bags deployed. There were no reported injuries, fire or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the faikure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,800.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2016 KIA SOUL- Longwood, FL
I am writing to formally express my concerns and dissatisfaction regarding the handling of Recall SC176 on my 2016 Kia Soul. The vehicle is currently at the Kia, yet there are significant discrepancies and unresolved issues related to the recall service history and the persistent problem described in the recall notice. Issues and Concerns: Lack of Recall Service Documentation: According to Kia Motors’ service line (800-333-4542), recall service for SC176 was reportedly performed on 12/13/2019 at 60,160 miles. However, I recently pulled the Carfax report, and there is no mention of any recall-related maintenance being performed on this date. Instead, the report lists unrelated services such as tire balancing, detailing, etc. Why is the recall repair not documented on Carfax, and why is there no proof of this critical work being completed? Persistence of Recall Issue: Despite the alleged completion of the recall work, the issue described in Recall SC176—excessive oil consumption—persists. The engine light remains on, and I have had to purchase oil by the case to maintain proper levels since taking the car into the shop on 4/7/2022. No corrections were made during this visit, and there was no mention of the recall despite the vehicle’s ongoing symptoms. Inadequate Responses from Dealership and Corporate: When I inquired at Greenway Kia North, I was informed that the recall would not be honored because "no goodwill was offered." This explanation is vague and unsatisfactory, especially given the seriousness of the issue and the safety implications of the recall. Safety Incident Due to Recall Issue: On [XXX], my vehicle stalled in the middle of the busy intersection. The car had to be towed to a trusted mechanic and later towed again to Greenway Kia when I learned of the recall which is not even listed on the car's official report. This dangerous incident underscores of the unresolved recall issue and the risk it poses to my safety and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2025 KIA SORENTO- Madison, OH
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 25 MPH in the snow with the windshield wipers activated, the windshield wipers became stuck in the middle of the windshield due to snow accumulation in the area between the windshield and the hood. The contact's wife pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the accumulated snow had turned into built-up ice, which obstructed the windshield wipers functionality. The contact's wife removed the ice in the area between the windshield and the hood and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper gear shaft was damaged and the arm that originated from the windshield wiper motor was bent due to the built-up ice. The dealer determined that the windshield wipers motor assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,600.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2024 KIA TELLURIDE- Washington, DC
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that all four windows' exterior B-pillar trims had detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the B-pillars needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed being aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2023 KIA EV6- Warrington, PA
Rear seat 120 ac voltage outlet indicates an open ground when utilizing an outlet tester. I believe this risks a electrical shock injury to the user. The dealer service department states all is well since a device plugged in powers up. It seams that the dealer service department does not have the requisite knowledge in dealing with household voltages and is not equipped with the appropriate test equipment.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE