KIA Complaints

Engine seized up on the highway going onto incoming traffic. Almost got into a car accident.

The vehicle exhibits a chronic, systemic electrical failure characterized by the intermittent loss of critical lighting systems, including turn signals and brake lights. This failur5e has persisted over several years and thousands of miles, independent of battery replacements or specific usage patterns. The issue has been confirmed via multiple independent service interventions. Most notably, in February 2024, a third-party professional repair - which included the replacement of the Power Distribution Unit (Central Fuse Box) was performed to address these electrical faults. Despite this professional intervention, the defect recurred in May 2026. The failure of the turn signals and brake lights while in traffic resulted in a Law Enforcement stop and the issuance of a citation. Prior to total failure, the vehicle often displays erratic engine performance, including sputtering and hesitation. These symptoms were identified early in the Vehicle's history, but inquiries regarding recall campaigns for similar Makes and Models were denied by Authorized Dealerships, who cited recall registry despite exhibiting identical Mechanical and Electrical failure modes. The failure of the brake lights and turn signals poses a severe and immediate safety risk to myself, my passengers, other motorists and those on the road...as it creates an unpredictable environment were emergency stopping and lane changes cannot be communicated to the surrounding traffic. The electrical architecture of this vehicle is fundamentally flawed, as evidenced by the recurring nature of the defect despite multiple repair attempts, including the replacement of the primary fuse distribution center. The vehicle, all service records. third-party repair receipt, and relevant law enforcement citation are available for inspection upon request to support this report. The recurring loss of safety-critical signaling systems represents a systemic design defect rather than isolated wear & tear.

Engine problems. Car stop running and I had it towed to a local KIA dealer in Medford, Oregon. They said the engine didn't have any oil even though it wasn't time for my next oil change per the mileage sticker. They said the engine has to be replaced. I'm waiting on KIA's approval since it is still under warranty. They have had the car for a week. It's a 2021 KIA Seltos and I'm assuming other people are having the same issue.

Twice since I purchased my car, once in 2025 and two weeks ago in 2026, I turned my car off in the garage and the engine kept running. I had to start the car up and turn it off again in order for it to shut down. I mentioned that to Arapaho Kia at my last visit in November 2025 and they just said that they didn’t find anything on the computer.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the heat and A/C control knobs had melted twice, and the contact had purchased and personally replaced the entire control panel. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the low-pressure fuel pump and fuel injectors were replaced on separate occasions. However, the failure recurred while leaving the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced; however, after the repair, the vehicle started making abnormal sounds. Additionally, the contact stated that the abnormally strong fuel odor had worsened. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that no diagnostic trouble code was retrieved, and the contact was advised to pick up the vehicle. The contact expressed safety concerns that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the persistent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

The wind deflector and track assembly on the sunroof of our 2020 Kia Telluride (56K miles) broke when trying to open the sunroof and Kia Corporate is unwilling to cover the cost of the repairs ($4,000). Because the track assembly cracked, the dealer had to break another part just to get the sunroof glass to sit flush, and it is only being held down with Gorilla tape. This happened in the drive way at our home and thankfully not on the highway at high speeds. We already had to pay $350 for Kia just to break a part of the sunroof so that it sits flush and they are quoting $3800+ for the remaining repair.

This complaint supplements a previously submitted report filed today, June 18, 2026, (Original is Complaint Number: 11845044) regarding the same vehicle and condition (TSB ELE234 drive unit rumble noise). The correct VIN for this vehicle is [XXX] — a 2019 Kia Niro EV EX Premium, 138,457 miles. I am filing on behalf of the vehicle owner, [XXX], who has authorized me to act as his advocate. The owner is a Ukrainian speaker and I am assisting with all documentation and communications. In addition to TSB ELE234 (drive unit motor rumble, April 2021), this vehicle is also subject to Kia Service Action SA512 (April 2023): Inverter Coolant/Debris Flushing for the "Refill Inverter Coolant" cluster warning, affecting 2019–2022 Niro EVs produced May 10, 2019 through October 4, 2021. SA512 has also not been confirmed as completed on this VIN. CARFAX records document multiple authorized Kia dealer visits — at Roseville Kia and Folsom Lake Kia — between 2019 and 2022, during the period both ELE234 and SA512 were active and applicable. Neither service action was applied during those visits. This filing requests that NHTSA investigate both the safety implications of the ELE234 drivetrain defect and the broader pattern of authorized Kia dealers failing to notify owners of and apply active service bulletins during routine service visits on affected VINs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Our 2019 Kia Niro EV (approximately 138,000 miles) exhibits an abnormal rumble/growling noise from the front drive unit while driving slowly in "D" range and when accelerating or decelerating between 0–25 mph. This symptom matches exactly the condition described in Kia Technical Service Bulletin ELE234 (Rev. 1, April 2021): "Drive Unit Inspection & Replacement for EV Motor Rumble Noise," which covers all 2019MY Niro EV vehicles produced from December 5, 2018. To our knowledge, TSB ELE234 has never been performed on this vehicle. The repair involves replacement of motor/roll mount brackets and, if necessary, traction motor or reduction gear replacement. Kia has a documented, tiered repair procedure for this exact issue with assigned labor operation codes. The failure presents a safety concern because drivetrain noise at low speed can precede loss of drive power or sudden drivetrain failure, which creates a hazard in traffic, intersections, and during highway merging. Despite the existence of this TSB since April 2021, NHTSA appears to have few or no formal complaints logged for this specific defect, meaning it has not triggered the regulatory scrutiny it warrants given the documented widespread nature of the issue. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether a formal recall of affected 2019 Kia Niro EV vehicles is warranted for this drivetrain defect.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with knock sensor failure, valve cover gasket failure, and an inoperable oil pan. The contact was informed that the knock sensor, valve cover gasket and oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was released to the contact. The contact stated that within two minutes after leaving the dealer, the failure reoccurred. The check engine warning light illuminated and the engine sputtered. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a clogged catalytic convertor. The contact was informed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 118,981.

Vehicle was shaking really bad. Inner tie rod was completely worn out and rusted around 32,000-37,000 miles. 04/23/2026 Ricart Automotive Group, Car purchased [XXX]. Issues since purchasing vehicle 1. AWD Electronic Motor Failed 02/28/2024 2,715 miles. 2. Chrome Side and Rear Pieces coming off 05/12/2026 22,019 miles. 3. Fuel Tank ECM Recall 08/05/2025 24,474 miles. 4. Passenger side mirror replaced 09/19/2025 26,180 miles 5. Fuel Tank Band Inspection 02/09/2026 34,167 miles 6. Passenger Side inner tie rod 04/23/2026 37,860 miles I have spoken with Theresa D. from Kia Customer Care (520)274-1627 requesting the vehicle be replaced or bought back, but due to Ohio's Law covering only the 1st year or 18,000 miles and Kia not issuing the recall until after these deadlines they were unwilling to work with me to replace or buy back, but instead offered me a 1,600.00 settlement. This seems unfair knowing that the issues above 3 and 6 had a recall for Kia K5 Models 2021–2024. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)