NHTSA Data Explorer
Kia
Data refreshed August 8, 2026
Complaints
43,152
Active records
Recalls
212
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
2,319
Crashes
2,414
Fires
1,900
Top reported issues — Kia
Click a category to expand its values.
Operating state
Condition issue
Reporting mechanism
Engine behavior
Noise
Performance issue
Fluid issue
Safety restraint issue
Thermal issue
Lighting behavior
Vibration/harshness
Access/entry issue
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Driver assistance issue
Braking behavior
Steering behavior
Electrical issue
Safety restraint behavior
Starting behavior
Smell
Powering on/off behavior
Ride/handling behavior
Recent change
Electrified system issue
Infotainment behavior
HVAC behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Charging behavior
Communication/network issue
Most-reported Kia models
Ranked by total record count. Sparkline shows the last 12 months. Click a model to view year-level data.
Browse all Kia models
All Kia models with NHTSA records, listed alphabetically.
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
2024 KIA EV9
Filed Aug 5, 2026
When I started the car up, I noticed a little bit of chattering on the brake pedal, which seemed very unusual. I drove the car forward a little bit and then all of a sudden, all these lights displays and stop vehicle and check brake system now message showed up. The car was very sluggish to drive and had almost no brake pressure. I was able to drive it out of the parking lot (slowly and carefully). When I called a tow truck, I left the vehicle off for about 20 or 30 minutes, and then when I…
2021 KIA SELTOS
Filed Aug 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number : 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
2018 KIA RIO
Filed Aug 5, 2026
The Components that have malfunctioned are the airbags, exaust system, electrical systems, sensors, gaskets, and a few other things. We had 5 failed clockspring repairs. The first (3?) under warranty, we paid for another when they said it was our fault, then that mechanic said that it needed to go back to a dealership because it was defective. I advocated for months for it to be evaluated. No one at kia helped me despite this being a repeat warranty issue. I finally found a shop that would…
2026 KIA SPORTAGE
Filed Aug 5, 2026
Occurred on 8/3/2026: 1. I parked my car in my driveway 2. My car is sitting in the driver door storage area and my phone with digital key is sitting on the front passenger seat. 3. Vehicle is turned off; I exit the vehicle and close the door. 4. My toddler is the back seat (not on the driver side), so i start to walk over to take her out. 5. In the meantime, the car locks itself. 6. I walk back to driver door and it is locked as well. This was serious and immediate issue as the ambient…
2023 KIA TELLURIDE
Filed Aug 5, 2026
A P0741 warning light comes on and off leading driver to believe the problem is intermittent when in fact it is a torque converter failed. The intermittent nature of the warning light could lead drivers to believe the problem is not a safety issue, particularly on a SUV with only 105,000 miles. However, when a converter fails it is definitely a safety issue.
2016 KIA OPTIMA
Filed Aug 5, 2026
The engine assembly completely seized and the vehicle is currently stored at an independent repair shop . While traveling at high speed on Interstate 4 on July 24, 2026, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of power and stalled in live traffic, creating an immediate threat of a high speed rear end collision. An independent service center officially confirmed the engine seizure after a dealership failed to perform an inspection during an eight hour wait, and no law enforcement or…
2016 KIA SOUL
Filed Aug 5, 2026
My 2016 Kia Soul is a 2.0L Gasoline Direct Injection engine. 1 prior recall for Kia Souls have occurred, which is seemingly identical to my issue. Recall SC176 addresses Kia Souls with the 1.6L engine, and it just so happens my issue is the same. Kia also issued a response to knock issues with the Soul 2.0L MPI engine, the KSDS Campaign, where Kia rolled out the Knock Sensor Detection System software update (Campaign SC200) to monitor for connecting rod bearing. I have the GDI so this was…
2015 KIA SEDONA
Filed Aug 5, 2026
The check engine light illuminated with diagnostic code P0018 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, Bank 2), first recorded on a scan XXX. The vehicle was taken to a franchised Kia dealership in [XXX] on XXX at 88,719 miles. The dealer performed an engine teardown and provided a written diagnosis on XXX: metal debris on the exhaust camshaft position sensor, damaged camshaft phasers, a sheared camshaft pin, and metal contamination throughout the engine. The dealer states the engine requires…
2021 KIA TELLURIDE
Filed Aug 4, 2026
Opened the sunroof wind deflector broke tracks broke will not close
2021 KIA SELTOS
Filed Aug 4, 2026
While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain. Without striking any road debris, potholes, or other vehicles, the entire driver-side rear wheel, wheel assembly, and structural axle components completely fractured and ejected from the moving vehicle. An eyewitness at the scene explicitly confirmed the nature of the failure, stating on video that they…