NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia

Data refreshed August 27, 2026

Complaints

43,354

Active records

Recalls

213

Active records

TSBs

3,370

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

94

Injuries

2,323

Crashes

2,419

Fires

1,906

Top reported issues — Kia

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

13,105

Condition issue

12,897

Reporting mechanism

9,255

Engine behavior

7,680

Noise

6,819

Performance issue

6,074

Fluid issue

5,547

Safety restraint issue

4,310

Thermal issue

4,175

Lighting behavior

2,797

Access/entry issue

2,582

Vibration/harshness

2,578

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

2,367

Driver assistance issue

2,189

Braking behavior

2,157

Steering behavior

2,000

Electrical issue

1,992

Safety restraint behavior

1,852

Starting behavior

1,510

Smell

1,208

Powering on/off behavior

952

Ride/handling behavior

750

Recent change

656

Electrified system issue

557

Infotainment behavior

536

HVAC behavior

493

Wiper/washer behavior

197

Charging behavior

109

Communication/network issue

49

Most-reported Kia models

Ranked by total record count. Sparkline shows the last 12 months. Click a model to view year-level data.

1

Sorento

10,252

2

Optima

7,779

3

Soul

5,487

4

Sportage

4,831

5

Forte

2,521

6

Forte5

2,521

7

Sedona

2,519

8

Telluride

1,948

9

Sephia

1,703

10

Rio

1,330

11

Spectra

913

12

EV6

534

13

Seltos

532

14

Niro

508

15

K5

477

Browse all Kia models

All Kia models with NHTSA records, listed alphabetically.

AmantiBorregoCadenzaCarnivalEV6EV9ForteForte KoupForte5K4K5K900NiroOptimaRioRio5RondoSedonaSeltosSephiaSorentoSoulSoul EVSpectraSpectra5SportageStingerTelluride

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2023 KIA SORENTO

Filed Aug 25, 2026


The transmission failed for the fourth time. The transmission (Power Train) is the component that failed and is available for inspection at the dealership. The vehicle became unsafe and unreliable to drive due to the repeated transmission failures, creating a risk of sudden loss of power or control. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer on multiple occasions, most recently on August 24, 2026. The vehicle has also been inspected by Kia America as part of an open case (Case #25964896). …

2021 KIA SORENTO

Filed Aug 25, 2026


Vehicle: 2021 Kia SorentoCurrent Mileage: Over 100,000 miles (Original Owner) Description of Safety Defect & Failed Recall Remedy: Background: This vehicle is equipped with the 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) and has suffered from severe slipping, jerking, and hesitation since delivery (at 5 miles). In 2023, the vehicle received the software update remedy under Kia Safety Recall SC250 (NHTSA Campaign 22V760) for the defective electric oil pump circuit board. The Failure: The 2023…

2014 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 25, 2026


XXX engine seized while driving on freeway — lost power, no crank, dash lights work, coasted to shoulder — safety hazard. Towed to Nayo's Auto [XXX] then to Kearny Mesa Kia [XXX]. Dealer confirmed 6 open recalls including recall 17V224 SC147 engine bearing failure / premature wear from machining defect. Kia corporate denied engine replacement under 15 year 150k extended warranty because product improvement PI1803 knock sensor update was not done. I never received PI1803 notification. I moved…

2022 KIA NIRO

Filed Aug 25, 2026


2022 Kia Niro EX Premium Hybrid was sold as Kia Certified Pre-Owned on August 12 2026 with an active check engine light present at time of purchase. Dealer Calavan Kia West in Lithia Springs GA represented the vehicle as passing a 165-point CPO inspection. Dealer attributed the light to a gas cap issue and cleared the code to complete the sale. Six days later approximately August 18 2026 the check engine light returned. Dealer attempted one repair which failed. As of August 25 2026 the defect…

2016 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 25, 2026


Crash

Vehicle was purchased in 2023. AC blower failure occurred for the first time in June 2024 and was repaired by PepBoys. On 4/2/2025 the ve3hicle had an active recall event when the engine seized on the highway because of a faulty oil pump/filter, Engine was replaced 4/17/2025 under that recall. Kia advised at the time that the wiring harness should be replaced due to electrical issues at the time but said that there was no recall for that work. At the time, there were no electrical failures of…

2015 KIA K900

Filed Aug 25, 2026


Vehicle had the official HECU fire recall performed overheated less than 2 weeks later causing an overheated ECM power relay. Spoke with KIA corporate a represenative in the premium department is actively denying the existence of their court-ordered safety settlement and refusing to repair the vehicle. The dealership and Kia Corporate Customer Care are denying warranty coverage and refusing to recognize the active Kia HECU (Zakikhani) Settlement Extended Warranty for this dangerous thermal…

2017 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed Aug 25, 2026


I have a 2017 Kia Sportage with a recurring door latch problem. Several years ago, the driver’s door developed a problem where it would not open properly from the outside. Kia repaired the driver’s door latch under warranty extension WTY020. The passenger door has now developed the exact same problem. It will not open from the outside, although it can still be opened from inside. A Kia dealership diagnosed the problem as a failed door latch. Kia’s WTY020 warranty extension was created for…

2026 KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID

Filed Aug 25, 2026


Ac compressor has now failed twice and this will be the third compressor they are going to install. The car was completely shutting off at lights and having other electrical errors that they said was all related to the ac system. The part is now on back order with the company

2024 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed Aug 24, 2026


I am reporting a concern regarding the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on my 2024 Kia Sportage SX Prestige. I have been attempting to understand the operating behavior of the vehicle’s FCA system using cardboard boxes as targets. I conducted observations at very low speeds (approximately 5 mph) as well as at approximately 30 mph. During these observations, the vehicle did not provide a forward collision warning or automatic braking at distances at which I…

2024 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed Aug 24, 2026


I am reporting a concern regarding the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on my 2024 Kia Sportage SX Prestige. I have been attempting to understand the operating behavior of the vehicle’s FCA system using cardboard boxes as targets. I conducted observations at very low speeds (approximately 5 mph) as well as at approximately 30 mph. During these observations, the vehicle did not provide a forward collision warning or automatic braking at distances at which I…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated August 27, 2026. Refreshed nightly.