NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Complaints

42,351

Active records

Recalls

209

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

93

Injuries

2,293

Crashes

2,394

Fires

1,866

Top reported issues — Kia

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

12,859

Condition issue

12,571

Reporting mechanism

9,071

Engine behavior

7,466

Noise

6,742

Performance issue

5,883

Fluid issue

5,369

Safety restraint issue

4,274

Thermal issue

4,078

Lighting behavior

2,776

Access/entry issue

2,539

Vibration/harshness

2,534

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

2,307

Driver assistance issue

2,122

Braking behavior

2,091

Steering behavior

1,964

Electrical issue

1,949

Safety restraint behavior

1,835

Starting behavior

1,474

Smell

1,183

Powering on/off behavior

931

Ride/handling behavior

740

Recent change

606

Electrified system issue

521

Infotainment behavior

508

HVAC behavior

471

Wiper/washer behavior

193

Charging behavior

105

Communication/network issue

43

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

10,078

2

Optima

7,685

3

Soul

5,365

4

Sportage

4,737

5

Sedona

2,494

6

Forte

2,480

7

Forte5

2,480

8

Telluride

1,768

9

Sephia

1,703

10

Rio

1,281

11

Spectra

912

12

EV6

508

13

Seltos

482

14

K5

431

15

Carnival

417

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 SPORTAGE

Filed May 28, 2026


I had gotten my windshield replaced by safelite last year. On a cold day while driving to work, I went to adjust my rearview mirror and the rearview mirror came off from the windshield. It completely detached. I was adjusting it as I would any other time I adjusted the rear view mirror. This obviously left me in a lurch because I had to go to work. So I drove without a rear view mirror until I could get a replacement after the work day. This is obviously a dangerous situation to be in. I…

2023 KIA SORENTO

Filed May 28, 2026


EHICLE: 2023 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX] , currently 48,000 miles. Vehicle has never been in a collision. DEFECT: MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH / WIRING HARNESS — OCCUPANT EGRESS HAZARD The driver's master power window switch fails intermittently, causing simultaneous loss of all window operation and electric door lock function. When this occurs, occupants cannot operate any window or unlock any door electrically until the condition resets, typically by opening and closing the driver's door. The…

2023 KIA SORENTO

Filed May 28, 2026


VEHICLE: 2023 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX] , currently 48,000 miles. Vehicle has never been in a collision. DEFECT: FUEL FILLER DOOR ACTUATOR WITH NO EMERGENCY RELEASE — STRANDING HAZARD The fuel filler door actuator fails to release on demand intermittently. When the actuator fails, the door must be pried open with tools or force, which is inconsistent and not always possible. The dealership service advisor has stated that this model is not equipped with any emergency release mechanism for the fuel…

2025 KIA CARNIVAL

Filed May 28, 2026


We have been having persistent safety issues with this vehicle. The issues have ranged from unsecured gas cap to loss of power. We’ve also had severe transmission issues where the car will not shift out of first gear. This happened on the Garden State Parkway and nearly caused an accident as the car wasn’t able to go above 27 mph safely.

2023 KIA SORENTO

Filed May 28, 2026


Vehicle exhibits repeated brake pulsation and vibration under normal braking conditions, affecting braking performance consistency. The issue began at approximately 10,000 miles and has progressively worsened. The vehicle currently has approximately 30,000 miles. The pulsation is felt through the steering wheel and brake pedal during moderate braking from highway speeds and occurs consistently across multiple driving conditions. The condition is significantly more pronounced when using the…

2014 KIA SOUL

Filed May 28, 2026


COMPONENT FAILURE: The engine, power train, and speed control systems failed due to the known Nu 2.0L GDI connecting rod bearing defect. SAFETY RISK: My [XXX] daughter was driving in heavy rush-hour traffic when the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and entered a 20 MPH limp mode. This sudden deceleration created an immediate and severe risk of a rear-end collision, endangering my daughter and surrounding motorists. DEALER CONFIRMATION: The failure was officially confirmed by Flow Kia of…

2016 KIA OPTIMA

Filed May 28, 2026


This vehicle is eligible for Theta II class action settlement, and I cannot seem to get the Kia dealerships, or the Kia Corporate to honor the engine failure issue that I was told by the AAA mechanic should have been replaced. I have also been told by others, including another mechanic at a nationally recognized mechanic that it needs to be taken care of, and that they had the same vehicle and had there's taken care of without any issues.

2025 KIA TELLURIDE

Filed May 28, 2026


I always turn off the engine auto stop while driving and am sure this feature was turned off at the time of the incident. I was stopped at a drive thru idling in drive when my RPM sounded like it lowered and the the vehicle started shaking. Since it sounded like it was going to stall, I instinctively put the vehicle in park and that naturally bumped up the RPM avoiding a stall. I tried to replicate it and could not in the 15 minutes I sat in idle afterwards. I would like to note that…

2021 KIA SOUL

Filed May 28, 2026


2021 Kia Soul | VIN: [XXX] | Recall SC336 (NHTSA 25V099) | Kia America Case No. XXX DEALER: Team Kia of El Cajon, 541 N. Johnson Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020 SYMPTOMS: Rapid oil consumption, abnormal engine noise, overheating, vehicle stalling at complete stops, difficulty restarting. All symptoms are explicitly documented in SC336 TSB (Rev 6, 10/21/2025) as consequences of defective piston oil rings. DEALER CONDUCT ISSUES: 1. CHARGED $280 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PERFORM A RECALL. Owner confirmed open…

2019 KIA SORENTO

Filed May 28, 2026


The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that a few days later, the contact noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with detached cylinder head bolts and a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be…

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

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.