NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia

Data refreshed July 12, 2026

Complaints

42,841

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

2,309

Crashes

2,408

Fires

1,884

Top reported issues — Kia

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

12,980

Condition issue

12,732

Reporting mechanism

9,151

Engine behavior

7,586

Noise

6,784

Performance issue

5,986

Fluid issue

5,461

Safety restraint issue

4,288

Thermal issue

4,121

Lighting behavior

2,788

Access/entry issue

2,558

Vibration/harshness

2,555

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

2,336

Driver assistance issue

2,159

Braking behavior

2,125

Steering behavior

1,979

Electrical issue

1,962

Safety restraint behavior

1,844

Starting behavior

1,491

Smell

1,191

Powering on/off behavior

935

Ride/handling behavior

742

Recent change

626

Electrified system issue

539

Infotainment behavior

523

HVAC behavior

477

Wiper/washer behavior

194

Charging behavior

108

Communication/network issue

47

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

10,160

2

Optima

7,728

3

Soul

5,427

4

Sportage

4,788

5

Sedona

2,504

6

Forte

2,502

7

Forte5

2,502

8

Telluride

1,861

9

Sephia

1,703

10

Rio

1,284

11

Spectra

912

12

EV6

520

13

Seltos

506

14

K5

451

15

Carnival

440

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 NIRO

Filed Jul 9, 2026


There's a problem with the horn in my car. Either the high or low. The problem is intermittent and the horn will fail and it is not available in emergency situations. I brought this to the dealership and made them aware but they refuse to take this seriously and two adequately evaluate the car. They blew the horn and said it was working. It was not working and I said it was intermittent and they said well we could not find any problem. There were no warning lights. Nothing else. The horn is…

2025 KIA CARNIVAL

Filed Jul 9, 2026


The rear sliding door on the driver's side was not locking. I took it to the dealership and they have replaced the actuator, the wiring harness, and the IPM power module. None of this has fixed it. We now have a Kia special mechanic coming to Georgia to take a look at it. I was told there are 19 other vehicles in Georgia with the same issue.

2018 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Jul 9, 2026


I’ve had my 2018 kia optima for round about two years.I only got this car because they refused to replace my previous engine on my 2015 Kia optima,even though I had a warranty but that’s another story(Kia on the Blvd).This car have given me problems from the start.Going through oil in less than a month,which they can never find a leak,not being able to go over a certain speed before I start to hear noises.Ive complained about noises,they act like they can’t hear,and said nothing is wrong with…

2020 KIA NIRO

Filed Jul 9, 2026


This submission is supplemental information for my prior NHTSA complaint (Complaint #11744598 ). After filing the original report, I learned additional details from the Kia dealership that serviced my vehicle. The service department stated that they have seen the same electronic parking brake controller and actuator failure on multiple Kia Niro vehicles from model years 2018–2021. They reported that these failures were not covered under warranty for those years, even when the symptoms began…

2024 KIA SOUL

Filed Jul 9, 2026


Had to make a panic stop in rain on interstate due to vehicle in front of me using emergency turn around (vehicle was not authorized to use). Brake pedal went down furthur than normal amd abs did not activate. Barely missed having an accident. Exiting 12 miles later brake pedal went to floor. Stopped (had to pump pedal repeatedly to stop as iy was going to floor) & checked brake fluid level. It looked low. Drove carefully home. Upon parking at home, 'Low brake fluid' light came on. Checked…

2022 KIA STINGER

Filed Jul 9, 2026


My 2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line (VIN: [XXX]) has experienced three HVAC blower motor failures in Phoenix, AZ — August 2025, June 2026, and July 2026. Loss of AC in Phoenix summer temperatures exceeding 110°F is a direct safety concern. The first failure occurred in August 2025 while the vehicle was under full factory warranty. Ken Garff Kia Phoenix replaced only the blower motor multifuse (Part No. 18980 09400) and charged $624.57 out of pocket, incorrectly advising the repair was not covered under…

2020 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed Jul 9, 2026


I bought vehicle used from a Honda dealership at 51,000 miles. At 55,000 my engine broke, mechanics found metal fragments in my engine. The Honda dealer nor Kia were willing to do nothing. So I had purchase new engine at 12,000.

2020 KIA SOUL

Filed Jul 9, 2026


The car began making a weird noise and stalling. Then close to home if shut off, I was able to restart it and drove a short distance to home. Realized couldn't drive it like that and contacted City Kia Greater Orlando dealer. Towed the car to the indicated destination and after about four days (it was the July 4th weekend) they sent me a diagnostic of engine failure due to internal combustion and want to charge me $7500. Offered another alternative for about $1500 but acknowledged that would…

2023 KIA K5

Filed Jul 9, 2026


I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2023 Kia K5 and the unacceptable experience I have had following a dangerous brake system failure. On Wednesday June 24th, while driving on Route 22 in New Jersey, my vehicle's brakes suddenly became extremely hard, making it incredibly difficult to stop. There were no lights on indicating an issue, neither any concerning sounds prior to this incident. I came dangerously close to being involved in an accident and was left extremely shaken.…

2020 KIA TELLURIDE

Filed Jul 9, 2026


Vehicle has 75,000 miles. The knuckle on the steering column and the rack and pinion became worn out causing the steering wheel to be loose and jump at high speeds. Mirrors would stop opening randomly. Rear camera stopped working making it very difficult to view when backing up. Replacing the camera did not work, the harness was tested to be ok. The only other option is the software in the head unit. This is the 2nd head unit as the first one was replaced for a failed bluetooth. Cost…

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

Updated July 12, 2026. Refreshed nightly.