NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia

Data refreshed June 26, 2026

Complaints

42,638

Active records

Recalls

210

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

2,300

Crashes

2,402

Fires

1,877

Top reported issues — Kia

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

12,920

Condition issue

12,665

Reporting mechanism

9,119

Engine behavior

7,533

Noise

6,761

Performance issue

5,941

Fluid issue

5,423

Safety restraint issue

4,282

Thermal issue

4,105

Lighting behavior

2,785

Access/entry issue

2,552

Vibration/harshness

2,546

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

2,323

Driver assistance issue

2,146

Braking behavior

2,110

Steering behavior

1,973

Electrical issue

1,957

Safety restraint behavior

1,840

Starting behavior

1,482

Smell

1,187

Powering on/off behavior

933

Ride/handling behavior

742

Recent change

617

Electrified system issue

535

Infotainment behavior

518

HVAC behavior

476

Wiper/washer behavior

194

Charging behavior

107

Communication/network issue

45

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

10,128

2

Optima

7,714

3

Soul

5,404

4

Sportage

4,765

5

Sedona

2,500

6

Forte

2,492

7

Forte5

2,492

8

Telluride

1,820

9

Sephia

1,703

10

Rio

1,283

11

Spectra

912

12

EV6

515

13

Seltos

496

14

K5

439

15

Carnival

428

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.

2021 KIA K5

Filed Jun 23, 2026


I took my 2021 KIA K5 to the dealership in March of 2025 for an oil change. While I was there, a diagnostic test was conducted to determine if my vehicle was affected by a damaged check valve. Therefore, the car could have caught on fire while it was being driven. I was given a rental car while my vehicle was supposed to be fixed. KIA deemed my 2021 K5 to be a hazard to the road. In June of 2025, KIA offered to pay my loan balance off and give me less than $250 for the down payment. Please…

2023 KIA EV6

Filed Jun 23, 2026


ICCU failed and replaced under warranty

2022 KIA EV6

Filed Jun 23, 2026


ICCU electrical system failed while driving (~1mi from house). Warning messages popped up and caused me to pull over and drive back to house under reduced speed. Kia told me car was not safe to drive and to tow car for repair under warranty. ICCU failure was confirmed by service provider and repaired after 2 weeks (diagnosis, part order, and replacement).

2014 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Jun 23, 2026


The component that failed on my 2014 Kia Optima was the engine. Prior to the malfunction there were no lights indicating a failure. My safety was put at risk several times as my car had completely shut down on the highway going over 55 mph in way of many vehicles causing police to shut down the highway. I took the car to several auto shops to test and there was no indication of engine failure. I’ve got my battery checked, front end alignment and oil changed on schedule. The car still…

2015 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Jun 23, 2026


While driving my 2015 Kia Optima, the engine failed completely without warning. The vehicle lost power while in motion approximately 300 miles away from my home. All warning lights illuminated and the car shut down during driving conditions, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership where it was inspected. I was informed the engine has failed and may be related to the known 2.4L engine defect and prior recall campaign involving this engine type. This vehicle…

2016 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 23, 2026


What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle is a 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI with approximately 83,000 miles. The vehicle experienced engine performance issues, loss of power, and stalling. A Kia dealership diagnosed a failed/melted catalytic converter and reported metal shavings in the engine oil. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at…

2019 KIA NIRO

Filed Jun 23, 2026


My car is a 2019 KIA Niro Hybrid. It's only 7 years old, and my husband and I have been the only owners. It only has 61,000 miles on it, and it is serviced regularly and has to pass a state emissions test each year. As I was driving the other day, the dashboard lit up with critical alerts saying check regenerative battery and the braking system went completely soft; I could not stop the car using the brakes. It was terrifying. I had to pull off the road and use the emergency brake to stop the…

2020 KIA TELLURIDE

Filed Jun 23, 2026


My vehicle’s white exterior paint and clear coat are delaminating and peeling off in pieces while driving. Loose paint pieces fly off the vehicle, creating a potential road hazard for other drivers. The defect affects the hood, the front, and the area above the windshield. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The paint delamination has been visually confirmed and is worsening over time. I have contacted Kia customer service multiple times by phone and email requesting repair…

2023 KIA TELLURIDE

Filed Jun 22, 2026


The engine cooling fan activates at high speed and runs continuously for an extended period — in one instance, overnight — after the vehicle has been turned off, locked, and left unattended. This has occurred on multiple occasions. No warning lamps or messages appear before or during the event. The vehicle gives no indication anything is wrong; the fan simply runs at full speed on its own, without the ignition on, for hours at a time. The component involved is the engine cooling fan and/or its…

2015 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Jun 22, 2026


1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The primary failure involved the engine. The vehicle experienced a major engine failure that resulted in an engine replacement under a manufacturer recall. After the replacement engine was installed, the vehicle later developed additional engine-related problems. An independent mechanic advised that the vehicle would require another engine replacement or extensive engine repairs. Additional…

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

Updated June 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.