NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia

Data refreshed October 25, 2026

Complaints

44,060

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

2,356

Crashes

2,450

Fires

1,935

Top reported issues — Kia

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

14,692

Operating state

13,334

Reporting mechanism

9,386

Engine behavior

8,407

Noise

6,861

Performance issue

6,826

Fluid issue

5,730

Safety restraint issue

4,345

Thermal issue

4,265

Lighting behavior

2,850

Vibration/harshness

2,656

Access/entry issue

2,654

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

2,551

Braking behavior

2,307

Driver assistance issue

2,277

Steering behavior

2,067

Electrical issue

1,913

Safety restraint behavior

1,888

Starting behavior

1,557

Smell

1,247

Powering on/off behavior

1,062

Ride/handling behavior

836

Infotainment behavior

674

Recent change

672

Electrified system issue

637

HVAC behavior

511

Wiper/washer behavior

199

Charging behavior

140

Communication/network issue

59

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

10,373

2

Optima

7,845

3

Soul

5,579

4

Sportage

4,878

5

Forte

2,575

6

Sedona

2,541

7

Soul EV

2,243

8

Telluride

2,030

9

Sephia

1,718

10

Forte Koup

1,543

11

Rio

1,340

12

Forte5

1,281

13

Spectra

931

14

Spectra5

636

15

Seltos

561

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 FORTE

Filed Oct 22, 2026


While driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph, my vehicle suddenly lost normal braking function. The brake pedal felt loose, and I had to press it nearly to the floor for the vehicle to slow down. Even then, stopping took significantly longer than normal. Pumping the brake pedal approximately five times temporarily restored normal braking, but the pedal became loose again afterward. Fortunately, there were no vehicles directly in front of me, allowing me to gradually slow down and exit…

2024 KIA EV9

Filed Oct 22, 2026


In July 2024, approximately two months after purchasing the vehicle new in May 2024, a significant spiderweb-shaped crack developed in the front illuminated grille and fascia assembly. The vehicle had approximately 300 miles on the odometer and the damage was discovered during a routine hand wash. The vehicle had only been driven under normal roadway conditions in the Corpus Christi, Texas area with no collisions, accidents, or known abnormal impacts. This exposed acrylic-style front fascia…

2024 KIA SELTOS

Filed Oct 22, 2026


2nd defective horn failure on my 2024 Seltos. (1st occurrence 08/2025 car backing up into me attempt to use horn to alert that driver and it did not work/ was covered and replaced by KIA as a noted defect ) 2nd occurrence, noticed when another car pulling out in front of me/did not stop at stop sign, I attempted to use horn to alert that driver, horn did not work. I have taken car to KIA dealership, evaluated horn, noted it is defective. Now going on 3rd week of waiting for part for 3rd horn

2025 KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID

Filed Oct 22, 2026


My 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid was purchased new in January 2025. The problem began almost immediately, with the vehicle first presented to an authorized Kia dealer for this condition at only 810 miles. The vehicle repeatedly and unpredictably enters reduced-power or “limp mode,” causing a sudden loss of normal acceleration and limiting it to approximately 35 mph. This creates a serious safety risk on highways, while merging, crossing intersections, or whenever acceleration is needed to respond…

2012 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 22, 2026


2012 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI (VIN: [XXX]). Case #[XXX]. Safety Hazard Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden engine stalling event at highway speeds and repeatedly dropped into a restricted Limp Mode due to a recurring P1326 diagnostic code. This code is explicitly tied to Kia's Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) monitoring structural connecting rod bearing failure. The sudden loss of engine RPMs and throttle response created a severe traffic hazard, leaving me without power steering or…

2020 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 22, 2026


Reason for Dispute & Desired Resolution: I am filing an executive escalation regarding a catastrophic engine failure on my 2020 Kia Soul, which is actively included in the Piston Oil Ring Safety Recall (Campaign SC209). The engine suffered a total structural failure where a rod broke and punctured a hole directly through the engine oil pan. The vehicle is completely undrivable and presents an environmental hazard due to active fluid leakage. Standard Kia Customer Care and Roadside Support lines…

2018 KIA STINGER

Filed Oct 22, 2026


NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Statement Vehicle: 2018 Kia Stinger Premium 2.0L Turbo VIN: [XXX] Component: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: High Pressure Pump [1, 5] Recall Campaign Reference: 2023 Kia High-Pressure Fuel Pump Safety Recall [5] 1. Failure of Initial Recall Remedy & Active Safety Hazard This vehicle was subject to the 2023 Kia High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Safety Recall due to a known manufacturer defect that causes fuel pressure drops, stalling, and loss of motive power…

2020 KIA SORENTO

Filed Oct 22, 2026


I bought a used 2020 Kia Sorento LX 2.4L in 2022. It had 15,000 miles on it. AT 50,000 miles I noticed it was consuming oil. I have been changing the oil at 5,000 mile intervals even though the manual calls out to do it every 7,500 miles. I have records of the maintenance for every oil change done on this vehicle. I kept a log and now at 54,740 miles it is consuming 1 quart every 500 miles or so. I took it to the dealer on 10/19/2026 and was told that since I was not the original owner there…

2020 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed Oct 22, 2026


Fire

I was driving and my vehicle and saw smoke and it caught on fire and burnt..

2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

Filed Oct 22, 2026


hybrid battery low won't crank but turns on and says park do not drive check charging system

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

Updated October 25, 2026. Refreshed nightly.