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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2012 KIA SEDONA- McLeansville, NC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to parallel park and gear in drive, the vehicle independently accelerated violently while lightly depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The contact crashed the front of the vehicle into the rear of a parked vehicle where it came to a stop. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed however the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact's wife mentioned that the failure had occasionally occurred in the past but was able to avoid a collision. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer for the previous incidents where it was confirmed that the vehicle performed as normal. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000.
Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE -
2016 KIA OPTIMA- Pittsburgh, PA
The car is leaking a massive amount of oil. This was accompanied by a warning light for low oil levels. Problems started in the summer/fall of 2024. It is available for inspection upon request. An independent mechanic has confirmed the leak and replaced the spark plugs in September 2024 ago, and the oil was changed as part of regular maintenance in October 2024, but the car is still leaking oil (just had to add 2.5 quarts of oil after the check oil light came on again). The mechanic suggested I check for related recalls and report the issue.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2011 KIA SORENTO- Seattle, WA
My car has been in the Kia shop for engine. We just stopped on the freeway and for the module recall and my safety bag is just constantly on since I’ve gotten it and now I’m noticing electrical issues that shouldn’t be someone told me. Hey you need to file a complaint because your car can catch on fire And I don’t know what else to do but to do a paper trail just in case but it’s been recalls after recalls
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2019 KIA NIRO- Venice, FL
Car brought to dealership on 12/2 due to check engine light. scan showed cylinder 4 misfire. Car in shop for 1 week to fix cylinder head replacement. stated "operating as designed". Car returned to shop due to car turning off in the highway. All light were on. now showing hybrid system fault. Dealership had to open kia tech ticket [XXX]. CONFIRMED LIGHTS ON DASH, HYBRID SYSTEM FAULT. DTC SCAN FOUND MCU,BMS DTC'S. REMOVED CONNECTIONS FROM THE HPCU TO INSPECT WIRING AND FOUND CENTER PIN IS MELTED AND THERE IS THERMAL DAMAGE TO WIRING. P0A3E DTC, OPEN TA#[XXX] TA HPCU REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED. CABLE REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED. 1/6 - now advised another part is needed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2015 KIA SOUL- Wrightsville, GA
I was driving my 2015 Kia Soul along a 4 lane highway when the Check Engine light came on and begun to flash. The Kia began to lose about 5 mph off and then return to the previous rate of speed a few minutes later. Then it would repeat the cycle. As the vehicle lost the engine power, the steering also became very tight as if the power steering was also malfunctioning. I could also hear a slight tapping sound, as the driver side window was open just a few inches. Since I had my mother whom is ailing with dementia and heart problems, I tried to remain calm and undisturbed by these issues. As soon as I arrived at the closest auto parts store that offered diagnostic readings (O'Reilys), I asked them to see what codes the vehicle was throwing. The codes were P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) and P1326 Knock Signal Range/Performance. I have seen these codes listed as recalls for other 2015 Kia Souls, but for some reason my VIN is not listed amongst those. So how do I get this repaired?? This car is extremely important and sentimental to me, as it was the vehicle my son drove before he passed away at [XXX]. Please, please help me keep this Kia running. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2014 KIA OPTIMA- Glen Burnie, MD
Driving down the road several large pieces of pain flaked off on the driver side door. This is a 2014 Kia Optima with 61,000 miles on it. None of the other questions apply. I am filing this because I see on other forums that both KIA and Hyundai cars with the Snow White Pearl paint have this problem, so it seems to be a failure by the manufacturer.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2018 KIA STINGER- Bailey, NC
The bright lights on both headlights stopped working instantly.. the design is flawed as it operates on a shutter using one bulb.. the malfunction is cause by premature failure of the gears in the shutter. The dealerships are aware of this problem as the shutter is also used in their Telluride vehicles as well… it causes safety issues when driving at night. Kia also knows the problem also the gear in the headlight can’t be replaced and Kia forces to replace whole headlight assembly which is $1200 per light.. on many Stinger forums a lot of people are saying the same problems with their headlights. This is a major safety hazard!
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2024 KIA TELLURIDE- Elizabeth, NJ
The dashboard will turn black while driving. It will reset after disconnecting the battery, but it will do the same thing a few days later. Also, with cruise control, the car will suddenly slow down on the highway when no vehicles are in front of the car.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA FORTE- Greenwood, SC
Passenger air bag/seat belt goes off like someone is sitting in passenger seat but no one is. Have to do seat belt for the alert stops
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 KIA TELLURIDE- Madison, AL
In November 2024, the sunroof mechanism failed in a crooked, partially open position and would no longer move. The motor operated, but there was a grinding noise and no movement of the sunroof. I had to return from North Carolina to Alabama in the rain with a partially open sunroof. The service department at Bramlett Kia in Decatur, Alabama, confirmed the sunroof mechanism has to be replaced. The service technician said the electrical cable to the sunroof was caught in the mechanism. Parts were ordered and took several weeks to be shipped. The sunroof is to be repaired next week. This is obviously a defective design and could lead to safety issues if the sunroof were to become detached while the vehicle is moving. My sunroof has stayed in place but the mechanism is bent on both sides and loose in one corner. I don't know if the sunroof is still being held safely by the mechanism. Parts invoice ($2907) is attached. Labor is estimated at $1000 but I do not yet have the invoice.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE