KIA Motors
reviews and complaints

I have a 2015 Kia Optima and the paint clear coat is coming off in numerous places I’ve never seen a car do this. I already had the clear coat fixed on one part now it’s the hood this is ridiculous. The clear coat should not start chipping off for no reason. I have babied this car and took very good car if it and having the paint fixed out of pocket is very expensive. Someone needs to own up that this is a common issue with these cars and fix it. It’s the red Kia Optima and it makes my car look awful.

September 2021 I bought my car. The hood had a few paint chips that I had assumed were due to common reasons and they were so small it didn’t even bother me. I had NO clue at all that this was a very very common manufacturer defect with Kia/Hyundai cars. Had this issue been as public as the engine recall, I would not have bought it. Nobody wants to pay thousands of dollars over multiple years on a car that is an eyesore within 4 months of buying it. New or old doesn’t matter. I’ve included pictures from the date of purchase and the aftermath 1 snow storm caused. The 50 other cars parked in my apartment complex didn’t have paint peeling off their cars, so why did my paint peel off? Being an assembly worker for Honda at a plant in the US, working in the paint and plastics department, I know why my paint peeled off. I’m sure Kia knows why as well. An out of pocket paint job for just the affected areas would be on the precipice of being deemed “totaled.”

I’ve attached 3 pictures. The first is the day I purchased the optima on 9/18/21 from Tom Wood DJCR in Indianapolis. The other was taken on 2/5/22 after my car sat outside with snow on it for 1.5 days. 5 months-unacceptable. The last is a large area above the driver door that peeled off while I was at work. There are more areas and larger areas every day it seems like now. Fix this and make it a reputation builder, not a destroyer.

Both my wife's Android phone and my iPhone will no longer connect to the Bluetooth in our Kia autos. Mine is a 2011 Sportage. Hers is a 2015 Optima. We have gone through all the normal troubleshooting steps but our Kias still will not be recognized. It isn't the phones. Both our phones recognize other Bluetooth devices. (Mine recognizes my Fitbit Charge2 without a problem. I can drive by other Bluetooth devices and they will be recognized right away.) Something has happened with our Kias to cause this.

I can’t be the only one. I drive a 2016 Kia Optima for the last three years. The car didn’t start doing this until about a year ago. I talking EXCESSIVE OIL Loss as in I have to check the oil weekly and I’m dropping anywhere from one to three quarts of oil a drop. The worst part is the oil light never comes on to alert 🚨 me the oil is empty, not low but empty. Wtf is going on with this car? I could see if it was leaking or burning but no it’s just gone. This isn’t normal and I won’t even start on how much the oil is costing me. Grr, Kia you need to fix this problem

In January 2021 my Kia Sportage was broken into. In December 2021 my car was broken into again and 2 weeks later was stolen. All 3 times I filed a report with the police and all 3 times I was told that Kia cars are #1 car being broken into and stolen because the kids have no engine demobilizer. I called the Kia dealership and asked why there was not a recall for this and they didn't have an answer. In addition when the car stolen and found I tried to have the car towed to the Kia dealership I was told they had so many Kia cars in their shop needing repairs (due to this same reason) they had no room for my car

Why was there not a recall? I feel like this should have been addressed by Kia, I now have a car I will now need to trade in since it keeps being broken into

I purchased my vehicle in February 2021 by this year almost half of the paint is gone. I took my vehicle to Kia dealer was sent to an adjuster 2 hours away from home to be told it was manufacturing issue with the paint(I have this in writing by the way). Sent up the corporate ladder only to be told in my region they know its a big problem but Kia hasn't chosen to do anything about it. I was told this by the regional manager by the way he counted in the thousands how many complaints they've received just through their website about this issue. They offered 30% meaning I would be responsible for the other 70% for an issue they caused. After hearing this is what Kia thinks of their consumers this will be my last Kia purchase and now the same car is randomly catching fire as well. I've definitely lost all confidence in Kia to care about their customers

Cold air blowing in my car. Not the AC. Driver's side. Been to dealer 2 times. They tell me its the air circulation button both times. There is air coming in somewhere. It is not when the AC is on. It blows in from some where. I just called and they told me to bring the car in again and leave it. They do not have a loaner car. I have no transportation to get to work, and I cant take off. I took off a half a day on a Friday afternoon to be told its the air circulation button again. It is a 2022. I need help to get this fixed.

I own a 2015 Kia Sorento. The paint started peeling off my driver's side pillar about 2 yrs ago. I spoke with Kia and they said there have been no paint recalls so they could not help me. The paint has peeled off of nearly half of the pillar now. It is obviously defective paint since it just continues to peel off but there has been no incident to cause it. I got an estimate from a local body shop and it was going to cost me about $1200 to have it repaired myself.

I have booked Kia Picanto automatic variant in May 2021 with the following booking details;

PBO Number - KMMR2501499

Customer Name - Naveed Ahmad

Delivery Month - October 2021

Down Payment - 1,079,000

As per the commitment by Kia Motors, this car was to be delivered by October 2021 and the remaining amount was to be paid before 1 month (September 2021). I have arranged the remaining amount and called Kia motors to let me know when I should pay the remaining amount. Unfortunately, there were no official notifications given to me about the delays in delivery, however, I was asked to delay my payment till further notice.

In the meantime, Kia announced an increase in prices (November 2021) and now I received a call to deposit the remaining amount as per the revised payment schedule.

This is a very disappointing situation for me and I have been suffering due to a lack of proper communication from your company and seems like that my payment timeline was delayed to impose extra charges which have not been the case if KIA motors have delivered my car as per the committed timelines. My question is that why should I suffer not only due to delays in delivery but also pay extra for something that is entirely due to KIA motors mismanagement & deviation from committed delivery timelines.

Therefore I would request that the price increase in my case be excluded (old price prior to November 2021 increase) and I should be given the delivery of my car in the month of November 2021.

As per the delays in delivery, I hold my right to claim damages due to lack of commitment (that too) without any official notice, which is against the business ethics.

On February 19,2022 we were driving back home when no alerts or anything my car started making rattling noises and started slowing down. Then the engine light, oil, and battery lights lit up. I pulled over to the shoulder until car died. I tried restarting but nothing happens. I always have oil change and do a check diagnostics and always says no issues. So why would this happen all of a sudden? Trying to take it to a Kia dealership but the closest one is over 300 miles and car is not running conditions. Just to tow the car to my house 50 miles it was $400. I haven’t received a recall notification and we bought this car brand new.

The car i bought 2 yrs ago will not run. It is said to have sludge in the engine. I've gotten zero help from you.

I diden't realize the kind of junk you sell. I have e-mailed corporate. I have also been in touch with a lawyer and sent him all paperwork. I have notified the better business bureau of your practices.I have gone on several websites with my story.I have looked into the cost of billboards near your store to alert the public of your practices. I will go on all social media to let people know what happened at Kia. I will be picketing your store with signs and have spoken to local news to come out and do a story on Kia's business practices and the reliability of your cars. i will continue to expose this company.

[protected]@aol.com

https://www.facebook.com/christopher.salazar.750/videos/304562208278153/

I have been going back and forth with Kia Motors Finance since October due to them asking me to make payment on a Fraudulent and forged contract. I went to Yonkers Kia and purchased a vehicle and worked with Hector Marquez. I have notified Kia Motors Finance in October that the contract that I have is fraudulent. I explained to them that Yonkers Kia forged my name on the contract, changed the price of the car from 37,000 to 40,000. Rhwy have also charged me for Capitalized Cost Reduction which I am told by the owner of Yonkers Kia I am not suppose to be charged for. They also lied on the contract. Yonkers Kia sent Kia a contract stating I gave them 3,500 downpayment and sent me a contract that I sent them $5,500 downpayment. I gave Yonkers Kia $5,500 downpayment. I have reported this to the attorney General, the BBB, and the FTC. I also have voice recording of Hector Marquez and the owner of Yonkers Kia admitting to the fraud on the contract. Kia Motors is aware of all of this and states that they are investigating. While they are investigating they have sent me bills and a Notice Of Default and also repossessed my vehicle. I have called customer service and they tell my I have to pay the amount on the contract that they have and I explain to then that contract is forged. They tell me I still have to pay. I have surgery today in 20 minutes that I have to miss due to no vehicle and I can not transport my children to school. They only thing I have asked KIA Motor Finance since November to explain to me what contract do we have and my payments since the contracts that we both have are different. I never recieve a response. I have contacted the CEO of the company on this matter as well and no response.

I have owned Kia products for the past eight years and every time I go to a Kia dealership in South Florida the dealers are untrustworthy and want to add market adjustments, ADMs, and mandate additional dealer options that I don’t want.

If I cannot find a dealership that will sell the car I want at MSRP then I’m going to have to find another brand and manufacture to purchase my vehicles from. I currently on a 2017 Kia Niro touring edition. I want to buy a 2022 version.

What can I do to get this car without getting ripped off but bad dealers?

Please help

Garold Allen

[protected]@hotmail.com

[protected]

I purchased a new 2020 Kia Soul in 2019, just as the 2020's were coming online. Great vehicle. I love it. I put about 160,000 miles on the vehicle before I encountered any problems with it. At that point it cut off and would not restart. The "check engine" light was on. This would have been around 10/31/2021.

I had it towed to the nearest Kia dealer for service. It was out of factory warranty of course, but I had an extended warranty provided by the dealer from who I purchased the vehicle (Stafford Kia, in Fredericksburg, Va.).

The car has been in the shop since that day. Almost four months now. They have called me and turned the vehicle over to me on two occasions. On both occasions, I had to immediately return the vehicle to the dealer for the same basic problem. "Check engine" light, but at this point it was at least running.

Now, when I say "Immediately" I'm not exagerating. It was within 10 miles, both times.

Now I can't get any answers about what's going on. I get told "we're waiting on parts. Or I'm waiting to hear back from the warranty company. Or they simply don't answer the phone, or return my calls.

In the meantime, I'm making payments on a car I don't have. I have to pay insurance and taxes on a car I don't have. I did have to buy another car to get around.

What recourse do I have? I've considered just not paying for it until I get some action on it. I've even considered bankruptcy just to get rid of the XXXX thing.

Any help would be appreciated. This is about my 7th Kia vehicle, and the first one to have any problem. I'm a patient man, but I'm starting to lose what I have.

Richard W. Johnson

2100 Marina Drive, Apt F

North Chesterfield, Virginia 23234

[protected]@AOL.com

On 2/15/2022 around 10:00AM, I was driving my vehicle as normal. Notice brake lights head I was about 3 car lengths back, which I always try to drive since I am on the road a lot and I prefer not to have an accident. Well this time, I put my foot on the brake as normal and the vehicle felt like brakes were not even working, pushed harder with my foot and waited for that pumping feeling (which I have felt before) and literally nothing! Once I was about a car lengths away, I knew my vehicle was not stopping so I sat up straight and leaned back before the air bags deployed in my face.

I have since come home and found several complaints from other 2018 Kia Niro owners that have made a complaint about this on other forums and with the NHTSA and Carcomplaints.com - This issue has been ignored by Kia about braking system.

I only had my used 2015 Kia Sorrento for 4.5 months when my motor froze up on my way to work. My insurance had to have the vehicle towed back to the dealership, Garvey Nissan, which was over a hr away from my job. The dealership where I purchased the vehicle could not fix it bc of the recall, so they sent my vehicle to Garvey Kia. I was told that it will be replaced at no charge to me. My vehicle was at Garvey Kia from 1/6-1/16/21. The service manager there informed me that the vehicle's replacement motor has a lifetime warranty and the paperwork that was sent with my vehicle specified that the #1 fuel injector o-ring had to be replaced after the motor was replaced due to the smell of gas-o-line. I reported in May 2021 to Garvey Nissan that I was smelling gas but they could not find a leak and the smell went away. I started smelling gas again 2/9/22. I called Garvey Nissan but they couldn't get me in until 2/14/22. I call Garvey Kia and another Kia dealership none of them could get me in before the 20th. I went to work on 2/10 at night w/gas smell still present. When I got off the morning of 2/11/22, I went to gas station because vehicle was almost on empty. I filled up the tank. My check engine light came on so I went to the nearby Autozone to have it analyzed but they don't do it anymore. I left my vehicle running and noticed liquid pouring from my motor. I went across the street to Bennington Express Lube. My gas tank had depleted to a half a tank at this point and the gas smell was worse. The technicians at the Express Lube noticed that once my vehicle was turned of the liquid stop pouring. They confirmed that the liquid was gas. I placed a call to the Kia customer service line and informed them of the situation and was told that the issue I was having is not covered under the recall motor warranty and that I would have to pay almost $400 to have my vehicle towed back to the dealership, Garvey Nissan, where I purchased it. I call me insurance company and had the vehicle towed. I spoke to Kia customer service line 3 more times w/the same response. Garvey Nissan spoke w/Garvey Kia who also stated that this issue is not covered and offered no other solutions. I called to speak w/the service manage and manager at Garvey Kia on 2/11/22 w/o success. On 2/12/22 I called and was able to speak with the service manage at Garvey Kia who stated that there is nothing that he can do because the o-ring part that was replaced is only warranted for 12 months or 12,000 miles by Kia. So, I asked him if what he was tell me is that a very important safety part of a Kia motor that can cause a explosion is only good for 1 yr after being replaced. He had no comment. Also, no where on the paperwork that was provided after motor was replaced, does it state that the motor recall warranty only covers specific parts. I believe a faulty o-ring is a major safety issue that should be covered especially when it has already been replaced 1 year ago. My vehicle could have exploded and I feel like no one seems to care. Plus I am still paying on this vehicle. Kia also states that in order for a warranty to be honored, even if it could be, is that it has to been inspected by a Kia dealership. That is easier said than done because they are not always close by and it takes days to get vehicles into the dealer even when you tell them you are having safety issues like l have. I would greatly appreciate it if someone from a corporate level would address this safety issue and explain to me if this the safe practice that they have for there parts bc if so I will make sure no one I know will ever drive a Kia bc I care about their safety if Kia does not.

Sincerely,

Regina P. Johnson

I have a white 2010 Kia soul with only 40,000 miles because I have babied it what I can't baby is the fact that the paint is chipping away everywhere showing rust through some of it. In 2014 I took it to crown Kia and they told me there's nothing they could do about the paint chipping away so I never went back to have my car serviced there because they could have helped me then before it got worse

I am begging for help with an open Kia Claim.

I have written 12 letters to your corporate offices, countless email, hours on the phones and all to no avail.

I am reaching out in regards to Kia Consumer Assistance Center Case#[protected].

Can you please help or forward me to some one who can?

I have been trying to reach someone for 113 days at this point. I email the consumer assistance center daily. No one will respond.

You can reach me at [protected] or via email at [protected]@aol.com

I appreciate any help.

Kathleen Denison

Start by saying, I am an employee for a major auto manufacturer in the US, and I work in the paint/plastics department. I deal with all things paint 40 hours a week, I have knowledge backed to my issue.

I purchased a 2013 Kia Optima SXL with the Snow White Pearl paint in September of 2021. When I purchased the vehicle I had noticed a few spots where the paint had chipped on the hood, smaller then a penny, and also the driver and passenger pillars, again all very small that I had assumed was from the previous owner. Fast forward to February of 2022 we had our first snow and after cleaning my car a massive chunk of paint on the hood above the driver headlight peeled off and caused bubbles expanding the peel to bigger than a basketball in size. This is a problem directly related to the clear coat not being set properly and/or the cure time for the paint to settle was short cut.

After hours of online searching I have learned that this is a very common problem, probably more common than the engine recall as the paint problem affects all models and years specifically with the Snow White Pearl color. I am currently at the dealer and when I raised the questions to the service writer “it’s out of warranty and out of his control.” That’s understandable from his end. But from a company, UNNACCEPTABLE. If this issue were to ever happen at my company all owners would not be told to drive around in zebra paint job vehicle they pay thousands of dollars for. This issue will ultimately lead to rust and washing salt off the car during winter is a big mistake unless you want the paint to peel more.

Kia needs to fix this issue and own up to the fact, like they did with the engine recall, that they made a mistake and the owner parking outside or using a carwash is not the source of this major defect.

7 monthes ago I took my KIA to the only dealership in town for warranty work, (a defective driver door lock actuator), and they said they needed to order that part to fix the problem. I called them after no word from them for 3 months and they said the part had not come in. I visited them after 6 months of waiting and they said they had switched to a new computer system and my information had been lost. It's now been 7 months since first taking my car to them and there is no response from them.

I have to enter my car from the passenger door and lean across the front seats to unlock the driver door. I don't know what to do. KIA motors said in a letter to owners there door handles were breaking and extended the warranty to 10 years for this problem. I feel it's going to take ten years to get a dealership to honor that warranty.