KIA Motors
reviews and complaints

Before Christmas last year our Kia Sportage (2016) developed a strange rattle at the back right hand side of the car. Due to closures over Christmas the earliest it could be looked at was on 10th January. After the service we were advised the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. We were informed the service center would contact us when the part arrived. After waiting approximately 6 weeks, and having not heard from Kia we called them. We were advised they had the part and it had arrived a week or so prior. The car was booked in to be fixed on 6th March and they would need it for most of the day. At 5pm (when the service center closed) we were still waiting to hear from them. Finally someone called at 5:15pm to advise the car had been fixed and we could collect it. As it was after hours they keys would be left in the glove box (wrapped in foil) and we can use our spare key to access the car. Immediately I noticed the car had not been fixed and the rattle was still there and very obvious. I'm assuming the car was not taken for a test drive after the new part was fitted. When I called the service center again they advised me to being it in first thing this morning (7am on 13th March) and they will have a look at it. I was served by Ahmed Raza and advised they would need the car till 2pm. I sat and waited till 10am when Ahmed then advised me the problem is the rear shock and they would need to order a part, which may take up to 2 weeks. After advising him the car needed to go for a rego check, as the rego is due this time next week he replied with a 'Yep' and looked at me with a blank expression, and when I responded that wasn't good enough he said he couldn't do anything. I asked to speak to the manager. Ahmed went and spoke with the manger, who did not come and speak with me as requested. Ahmed said they could do a rego check on it, but I would need to come back another day. I've spoken to another mechanic on my way home and I will be taking it to them to do the rego check. Unfortunately I have to return to Ryde Kia Service Center for the rear shock to be replaced, but as soon as I'm able to stop using your service center I will. The staff their need urgent customer service training and your managers need to have some level of confidence and expertise in how to deal with complaints. Your team also need to ensure they follow up with customers when they say they will. We should not have to chase your staff when they advise us they'll contact us. It is extremely disappointing and a terrible way for me to start an already very stress week. I will not be recommending your service center to any of the local community and if anything I will be warning people not to use it.

On December 26, 2022, I purchased a Kia Telluride Nightfall Edition for $64,000.00, which was $5,000.00 over MSRP. I now have 12,000 miles on my car and the window trim is peeling and decoloring terribly.

I have been in contact with my Kia dealer at Huntington Kia and they have agreed to replace the trim when it comes in (back ordered). However, they said it would be the same trim and I would probably have the same problem again.

I don't understand why Kia has not resolved this problem with a new trim item. It seems to me to be a waste of money, time, and resources to replace with the same substandard trim.

I know this is a nationwide problem with the Nightfall Telluride, I have been reading it all over the internet

I purchased a 2013 KIA Sportage for my daughter to take to college. When she got married a few years ago, she registered the vehicle in her name. She had a baby on Christmas Day 2022 and was taking him to his well baby visit when the vehicle started making strange noises. She took the vehicle to the KIA dealership in Beaverton, Oregon where she lives. The dealership proceeded to tell her that the engine had failed entirely at 107,000 miles. Today, after spending 4 hours on hold, I spoke to several people. The last one told me that we were out of luck and Tristan would have to pay the over $11,000 to replace the engine because she didn't do the recall which she was never informed of. Registered owners do not get recalls and she never received this recall. This is her only vehicle and she has a 2 month old baby. There are 2.1 million vehicles impacted by this issue of engine failure and another class action suit in progress for overuse of engine oil. I have never had any issue with Kia assisting with issues until now and I am shocked because the engine issues are well documented, have been legally proven and millions of customers have been helped. I have a Mazda with 260,000 miles on it and a Ford Truck with 190,000 miles on it and both have the original engines. I also have a 1957 chevy pick-up with the original engine and nearly 220,000 miles on it. Clearly this catastrophic failure is manufacturer issue and should be resolved as such. I am disappointed that a vehicle I purchased based on a promise that the customer experience and quality would be second to none has turned out to be the earliest and only engine failure I have ever experienced in my lifetime. This is not an isolated issue and I am one of millions of people impacted. I would like to be contacted by someone who can explain how KIA can do business this way. I would like an explanation as to why only customers who join class action lawsuits or hire attorneys are getting assisted with known manufacturer defects. My daughter has saved to purchase a second vehicle and actually went to the KIA dealership to test drive vehicles as the KIA Sportage has been a good car for her. Not only does she not have a vehicle at all to drive, every penny of the money she has saved for her down payment on a new car and another $5000 dollars on top of that would be spent to replace her motor in her old vehicle after a very short 107 thousand miles in today's standards. With this type of customer service for known and legally proven issues, why would she or anyone ever purchase a KIA ever again. Although I am aware I can contact an attorney and I can also wait for Lemon Law benefits after the most recent class action, all I am interested in is KIA standing by their product and the known failures in a way that continues to support the customer service promises made in the past that are still advertised today. I am currently on hold again after the last representative told me to "eat the cost" before reportedly sending me to another person above him who could possibly do more. After another 10 minutes on hold and a phone ringing and ringing, I was hung up on. You can reach me on my cell phone @ [protected] and I am very excited about the opportunity to receive assistance with this issue.

My car has been in the Kia service shop since January 4th, 2023. The problem is a warranty engine replacement. We are waiting on the engine to be delivered to the repair shop. It is on back order with no delivery date set. The serial # KNDJP3A59H7482871. I have been without this car and am having to rent and insure another car while this car is in the shop.

purchased new 2019 sorento, noticed paint peeling on roof of car at the spoiler over back window. I contacted my local dealer to be told paint only covered for 3 yrs or 36000 miles. I understand paint on body of car could peel due to a lot of reasons however, the spoiler/roof area should not peel. It is peeling on both sides in the same area. I believe this is a default with the paint on the plastic part of spoiler.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Benjamin/Kara Hodess

[protected]@yahoo.com

I researched this car and thought it was the right car for me. Don't get me wrong I love this car, BUT I am so DISAPPOINTED with the quality. Let me explain,at 3years of driving this car ,my back up camera does not work($1000) for new one,the rear hatch opens when it wants to( I have to crawl in back with a popsicle stick to open it). But I have saved the best for last. There was so many things wrong with engine that it was cheaper to put an new engine in it! Wow was I shocked at the bill, when I still have a large balance to pay. I guess I got the Lemon car. Oh also one of my Windows gets stuck and won't come up without messing with it.

I'm curious as to what response I will receive about this. Here is my e-mail [protected]@gmail.com.

My name is Billy Edwards on March 2nd 2023 was my appointment for my 2016 kia optima in for a check engine light test. They found the issues.an has may or may not have fixed the problem. I have been trying to get the agent who worked on my order to call in my information. So that America Auto Shield can start on my claim with no luck . On March 4th 2023 the company that would be doing the claim tried to Fred Anderson Kia to see what was going , They couldn't reach anyone. March 6 2023 Fred Anderson kia sent me video of the my car as it relates to what is wrong with it ,an fixing it . March 6 2023 I replied please contact American Auto Sheild so they can start working on the claim . March 7 2023 still Fred Anderson Kias agent hasn't done so , I messaged the agent 24 times about my car over 5 working days .

Hi

Due to family reasons, I have recently imported my car from Cyprus to UK. It has been registered with DVLA. The car details are below;

Owner: Muhammad Yousuf

Address: 21, Alpine Road Easton Bristol BS5 6BE

VRN: WX19MEU

Make/Model: KIA Stonic 1368cc

Doc ref No: [protected]

V5C No: CT7462132

VIN No: KNAD6814MK6251873

Engine No: 428274

The issue I have is that I cannot legally insure the vehicle in the UK with any of the insurance companies available to me. Their system recognises the VRN (WX19MEU) however the car shows up with a manual gearbox 1368cc and not an AUTOMATIC. The vehicle has a KIA factory fitted automatic gear box from its manufactured date.

Ever since I collected the vehicle from my agents 'my car import' in the UK on 21 February 2023, I have tried many times to insure it for use on the UK roads however the motor insurance bureau (MIB) system does not recognise the VRN as an automatic but as a manual vehicle in the UK. MIB nor any of the individual insurance companies have the tools to amend the details of the car on their system to reflect it as an automatic import. I have already contacted them to get this issue rectified. I have also addressed this issue with DVLA who have said they do not have the means to amend their system for V5C documentations.

I have also spoken to KIA uk head office (case file ref No: KMUK 1497012) and was very disappointed with their outcome in that they washed their hands of the issue and stated I needed to contact KIA Cyprus? yet failed to explain to me how KIA Cyprus would carry out the task.

I have spent 15 days trying to resolve this issue in order not to commit a criminal offence whilst driving illegally yet no one is prepared to help me or take ownership to do so. On many occasions to date, I have spoken with my car import, DVLA, MIB, individual insurance brokers, KIA UK head office, KIA Cyprus, whilst continually being passed from one organisation to another but no one is prepared to take accountability or even give me the name of the right organisation to talk to resolve this issue.

In summery I have imported a KIA vehicle from Cyprus to UK which was registered in Cyprus April 2019 yet cannot insure it as the transmission in the UK is shown as Manual on ALL systems date base but the actual vehicle is an automatic.

I am forced to pass this email on to the vehicle ombudsman to share and assist me if they can, with this issue going forward as I can't believe I am the first person to have imported a vehicle from one country in the EU to the UK with the same problems. All I request is for some assistance from any aforementioned organisation to fix this issue so as I can drive this vehicle legally but no one is willing to take this simple task as a next step and are happy to pass my issue on to some other organisation.

Regards

M.Yousuf

I purchased a 2023 KIA Sportage on 2/15/23.

The engine revs up and causes the car to pick up excessive speed.

On Tuesday, February 28, 2023 , I was pulling into my driveway and the engine sped up and I was unable to get the brakes to stop the car.

I ran into my house causing damage to my wall.

I purchased my car from Sterling Kia, Lafayette, Louisiana. (Michael Boudreaux). Service wouldn't give me a car to use unlike what my salesman told me when I purchased the car.

I went through my homeowners insurance to have the wall fixed and get a rental car.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, I purchased, is not safe to drive. No one from Sterling Kia has tried to contact me.

My niece bought a 2023 Kia Sportage in January. After a month the car stopped and wouldn't start again. Sterling Kia couldn't fix the car so, therefore they gave her another 2023 Kia Sportage. So far so good. She has an infant and I would want her Kia to cause a crash.

A simple phone call from Sterling Kia would, you'd think, provide better customer service.

Gerald Janise

I have a 2020 KIA Forte. It was vandalized in November 2022 as a result of the "KIA Challenge". The car is a push start and made it more difficult to take, however, during the pursuit the perpetrators, broke the rear window, entered the car and destroyed the steering column. The computer brain was dismantled causing the car to be completely immobile. The incident was immediately reported to my current insurance agency, GEICO. The insurance company came out to access the car a week later and gave a final total estimate of 5200 which included replacing the Engine Control Module, also known as "the brain," of the car. The shop informed me two weeks after the claim was submitted by the adjuster that the part was on back order "INDEFINITELY". I was allowed a rental car for 30 days only to find that my car would not be repaired in time and there was no estimate time in which my vehicle would be available for use. I'm now paying for a new car that's not drive-able. I spoke directly with the KIA dealer to inform them of my dilemma in hopes to come up with a solution. I was informed that not only were they unable to replace the car because it's not running but also, they had no control of when their KIA part will be available for the repair. The insurance company refuses to do anything different, and KIA has no input either other than they know the parts on back order, but they don't know for how long. The car repair shop has had the car since November of 2020 and threatening to start charging storage. I am so frustrated with the irresponsibility of these major business. I pay a total of 650 plus a month on the two bills alone only to find no one will help me remedy this issue. I'm without a car because KIA neglected to include immobilizer devices and inform me of the risks and GEICO has nothing to remedy the issue. I've owned 4 KIA's and have prided myself on purchasing cars from a reliable company with excellent customer service. I'm regretting the decision to invest in a company that I feel unreliable and lack the ability to get parts in a timely manner. I along with millions of others are struggling just to eat and pay bills, this has been a huge inconvenience. If I don't get any satisfaction, I will be sending my complaint to any and everybody who will listen including, the Department of Insurance, The National Association of Consumer Advocates and The Consumer Federation of America.

We took the car to the dealership, and it was there for almost 2 months. We went to pick up the car and the next day, the airbag light appeared on the car's dashboard. I brought the car to them today to fix the problem because they are the ones causing the problem. Now, they're asking me to pay for the sensors and labor for what they've caused on my car.

My car was vandalized and has been in the repair shop for 2 weeks now. I had a club on the car but the back window was broken out and the column was vandalized. I was just informed that the parts will not be available until June 2023. I have to work two jobs to pay my bills and I have been utilizing a rental car that I will have to begin to pay for and would like some assistance with paying for a rental car or obtaining a loaner.

Hello,

My wife has a Honda Jazz (2017) which has an automatic speed limiting system which is very useful in the UK, as we are getting more and more speed cameras installed all the time. After setting the correct buttons on the Honda Jazz, the car will automatically reduce the car to the speed limit the car camera picks up from the road signs.

Hence you don't need to concentrate on the speed of the car, and carry on chatting to the passengers etc.

If would be useful if this automatic speed limiter system could incorporated into the KIA EV6 range etc.

Kind regards,

Martin

Kempston,

Bedford

England

UK

All these sound like most crooked Kia dealers to me.

I've had Battleground Kia dealer in Greensboro,NC do a bait and switch on me.I had made a cash bid on a 2022 Kia of 21,000,but they only had ONE black one,and I wanted a white car.The black soul I drove was one that had all the extras.it alerted you when someone came up to you on the sides and slowed the car to a stop if you pulled to close to a car in front.It also had 18" aluminum mag wheels.The manager told me they could have me one in a few days.He called the next day and told me if I'd come by and give him a check for the full amounts,He would have a temporary tag,and road ready when the car came in.I did that.I even took out Xtra insurance for the electrical and computer parts on the car.

Th salesman called a few days later and the car was there.I was soon leaving for work but the salesman said he would come by my house and pick me up so I could pick up my car!I drove it to work and noticed it didn't have the side warning lights in the mirrors,I tested it in the parking lot at work for front warning system and it didn't have that either.I looked at the wheels and tires and they weren't 18" Alum wheels.

I went back to Battleground Kia and told the manager this was not the car I bartered for!He told me my salesman said it was a soul stock car,but they had put the fancy window and front trim it to FOOL me.(that stuff is not stock)I asked the mrg. To pay me the difference in cash and he said NO!He wouldn't do that...So I said, since It hadn't been over 3 days And I wasn't happy with the car I wanted my money back!

The mrg said NO laughing...while he was busy paying for his food from a fellow employee had brought him!You don't qualify for that!because you paid cash!We got into a LOUD conversation about this situation!I told him I would get an attorney and sue them.

Before I got to my car The salesman told me that he felt it was all his fault and he would make payments to me monthly to help cover some of what I had lost.Only if I wouldn't file any complaints over the dealers heads!He was afraid they would fire him!He said he was 72 years old and couldn't find another job at his age!He immediately gave me a check for 500.00 and said he would send 100.00

A month untill I was even with him what I had lost.I had my dougths but I agreed.

He was honest and followed through with the payments.

I honor the salesman!

But I have no respect for the sales managers there!

Later in the week the Dealership manager called me and told me he was barring me from his business and suspending my LIFE TIME OIL CHANGES!

I wouldn't be interested in any of their repairs or any of the services they provide after reading all the complaints they get on the internet!

Because of this experience! I'll never buy another North Korean car like (KIE)

BATTLEGROUND KIA IS DiSHONEST!

Find another car dealer!

I assumed the loan and ownership for my deceased parents 2019 Kia Soul in Sept. 2022. Kia has received the title from the state my parents resided. They sent it to my local DMV office in California. The local DMV said they didn't receive it even though there is proof of delivery. Called Kia title department several times to see if they could track the shipment. First off, customer service line is automated and you hold for 30+ minutes. Then you get people who talk so fast you can't understand them. They act like they could care less about your problem and give conflicting information. Talked to a "manager" who cannot help and cannot resolve the issue. In the meantime I have a car that I cannot register because no one seems to know what they're doing and just say call back in 3 to 5 days. Then when I call back I have to tell the whole story all over again and still no help. This company's customer service is THE WORST!

On 4Nov22 I took my 2020 Kia Sorento to a Kia service center due to tire noise I thought they might be getting louder than normal. It was determined by the dealership (Peoria KIA Peoria, AZ (Invoice#496698)) that after road testing they determined the tire noise and tires were normal. Again, on 15Feb23 I took it another dealership (Sands KIA Surprise, AZ (Invoice #629682)) and they determined that all 4 tires had uneven wear and feathering on inner edges and the tires needed replacement to include an alignment.

My concern is I have been taking my vehicle to KIA dealerships (Ken Graff, Avondale, AZ (Invoice#K1CS1888), (Invoice#166228), (Invoice#153679) for maintenance and multipoint inspections, and tire rotations, with no indications that my tires were starting to look like uneven wear and feathering. If I had known at the time of these inspections, I would have had an alignment completed to avoid buying 4 new tires.

Thank you. I look forward to your response in resolving this.

Sincerely, Richard J. Pechan

13003 W. Blue Sky Drive

Sun City West, AZ 85375

Email: [protected]@yahoo.com

Cell#[protected]

This is the 8th complaint I’ve made regarding this car and the dealership! I’ve been having issues with the steering wheel and the hesitation following the shut off. I brought it back to the dealer each time. They tell me there is no issue.

On Wednesday February 15, 2023 the steering wheel warning sign came on and I could could not accelerate or turn the wheel. I turned the car off and turned it back on after a few minutes and it went off. I could drive it. Thursday Feb 16, 2023 it came back on 3 times. The second time I was at a stop light at an inner circle. When the light turned green a started to proceed through the light and the warning light came on my car would not accelerate and the steering wheel locked in the middle of the intersection! Car were swerving around me trying not to hit me! I was scared to death. 3 males at the near by gas station came over to my car and ask me if they could help? They pushed over to the side street next to the gas station. After a few minutes I started it back up and was able to go. I drove about 4 miles and it stopped again going up a hill. After a few minutes I restarted it again and proceeded to drive it and park it at my daughters house. I was a nervous wreck! This car is a serious hazard! I took it to the dealer and they told me basically I’m delusional and there’s nothing wrong with the car. I’ve had the owner and owners son drive the car in the past because I keep having issues! I want out of this car! I don’t feel comfortable driving it after this last incident. I have cancer and presently undergoing chemo. I need a car to get back and forth. I have a little over 34,000 miles on it. The owner of dealership were I purchased it from told me he would help me get out of this car, but I haven’t heard a thing. They gave me a loaner to drive. I want out of this car and willing to get another type of Kia, I feel since I’ve been having so many issues and this present issues supersedes the rest I should be able to be granted my request. If I’m not going to let cancer kill me, I’m not going to let this vehicle kill me either..

I purchased a 2013 Kia soul in October 2022. It had 110 thousand miles on the car. And now 4 months later I need some sensor. ? The engine light came on. And it has died in traffic! You people should be ashamed of yourselves!

Trust me you will get your just reward from YHVH on judgment day..

I’m so sick of being ripped off! Hope you have a wonderful day and life!

I bought my 2018 KIA Soul almost 3 years ago, to the day. I am a delivery driver and I've enjoyed my KIA for the most part. However, I had my oil changed on December 20, 2022, and on January 31, 2023, les than 3000 miles since maintenence, my engine seized while coming off of the highway. After talking to Walmart where I had the oil change, talking with mechanics and mechanically inclined individuals, and a friend who is a former service manager of a large dealership, I began looking into the potential cause for this malfunction. There was no prior warning. I found out that there was a recall and a safety update, only through looking online. The only letters I've ever received was for airbags.

Called Kia because my car stopped accelerating over 40mph, was told that would start a claim for me a new engine, then advised they would not, charged over $1200 for repairs, and have had even more issues since today car is doing the same thing less than 5 months later and I may have to be swindled out of more money! Please help! My car note is due 2/18/23 and I cannot afford to pay it. I am out of work at this time and now a car.