Kia problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 24,338 safety complaints with NHTSA about Kia vehicles in our database, and Kia has issued 169 recall campaigns. Pick a model to see its problem areas and worst model years.

Complaints
24,338
Recalls
169
Models
35

Kia models with the most complaints

  • Sorento · worst year 2016
    5,722 complaints
  • Soul · worst year 2015
    4,058 complaints
  • Optima · worst year 2013
    4,024 complaints
  • Telluride · worst year 2020
    1,960 complaints
  • Sportage · worst year 2017
    1,916 complaints
  • Forte · worst year 2014
    1,717 complaints
  • Sedona · worst year 2016
    745 complaints
  • Seltos · worst year 2021
    559 complaints
  • EV6 · worst year 2022
    544 complaints
  • K5 · worst year 2022
    500 complaints
  • Carnival · worst year 2022
    414 complaints
  • RIO · worst year 2013
    383 complaints
  • Niro · worst year 2023
    328 complaints
  • EV9 · worst year 2024
    256 complaints
  • Cadenza · worst year 2014
    159 complaints

All Kia models

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsMost complaints
Kia Sorento2005–20265,722382016
Kia Soul2010–20254,058152015
Kia Optima2005–20204,024182013
Kia Telluride2020–20271,960192020
Kia Sportage2005–20261,916232017
Kia Forte2010–20241,717182014
Kia Sedona2005–2021745142016
Kia Seltos2021–202755942021
Kia EV62022–202554452022
Kia K52021–202650092022
Kia Carnival2022–202641472022
Kia RIO2005–202338362013
Kia Niro2017–202632862023
Kia EV92024–2026256102024
Kia Cadenza2014–202015962014
Kia Stinger2018–202314972018
Kia Sportage Hybrid2023–202714222023
Kia Sorento Hybrid2021–202611562023
Kia Niro EV2019–20259162022
Kia Carnival Hybrid2025–20269012025
Kia Optima Hybrid2011–2020745—
Kia Niro Phev2018–20256332019
Kia K42025–20265832025
Kia K9002015–20204742015
Kia Sorento Phev2022–2026448—
Kia Sportage Phev2023–2026353—
Kia Spectra2005–2009281—
Kia Optima Phev2017–2020252—
Kia Soul EV2014–2019225—
Kia Rondo2007–2011193—
Kia Borrego2009–2019184—
Kia Amanti2005–2009131—
Kia Telluride Hybrid2027132—
Kia Forte Koup2010–201755—
Kia Niro Hybrid201721—

Recent Kia recalls

  • Recall 26V545000Aug 21, 202621,290 vehicles

    Risk: A child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash.

  • Recall 26V430000Jul 2, 2026462,869 vehicles

    Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V431000Jul 2, 20268 vehicles

    Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V356000Jun 2, 20266,264 vehicles

    Risk: A seat belt strap that does not extend can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V232000Apr 10, 2026141,032 vehicles

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 26V173000Mar 20, 2026568 vehicles

    Risk: A person, especially a child, may become trapped by a rear powered seat, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V135000Mar 6, 202614,870 vehicles

    Risk: A seat belt buckle that is not latched properly can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V105000Feb 23, 202685,515 vehicles

    Risk: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V046000Jan 26, 202642,677 vehicles

    Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V874000Dec 17, 20255,046 vehicles

    Risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology