Kia complaints & recalls by model
Across 7 Kia models and 46 model years, NHTSA has logged 6,636 owner complaints and 64 recall campaigns. The brand averages 34.9 complaints per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (index 0.87).
Analysis
Among the tracked Kia models, the Forte has the fewest complaints per year and the Telluride the most. By model year, the brand's average rate is highest for 2025 (54.4 per year) and lowest for 2018 (21.1).
Kia owners complain about Body & structure more than owners in general: 13.3% of complaints, 1.5× the share across all tracked vehicles. In the last 12 months owners filed 2,076 complaints versus 1,348 in the previous 12 months — up 54%.
Recalls: 64 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2022 (14), 10 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 8 NHTSA investigations touch Kia models, 1 of them still open.
Models
| Models | Segments | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Investigations | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Telluride | Midsize SUVs | 2,014 | 74.3 | 1.84 | Improving | Rising | 17 | 1 | Body & structure |
| Kia Carnival | Minivans | 507 | 45.8 | 1.13 | Improving | Rising | 7 | 1 | Electrical |
| Kia EV6 | Electric vehicles | 544 | 37.8 | 0.94 | Improving | Rising | 5 | 2 | Electrical |
| Kia Sorento | Midsize SUVs | 1,446 | 33.7 | 0.83 | Stable | Rising | 18 | 3 | Engine |
| Kia Sportage | Compact SUVs | 1,017 | 29.7 | 0.74 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | 2 | Engine |
| Kia Seltos | Subcompact SUVs | 559 | 20.1 | 0.5 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 4 | 1 | Engine |
| Kia Forte | Compact cars | 549 | 12.9 | 0.32 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 10 | 0 | Engine |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.
By model year · Complaints per year on the road
All-vehicle average: 40.4
What owners complain about
vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average
Recalls by year received
Do-not-drive / park-outside: 10
Investigations
- Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness Closed
On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, in…
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect…
- Loss of Motive Power Closed
On July 3, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened PE23012 to investigate allegations of loss of motor power on model year (MY) 2022 Kia EV6 vehicles. Some consumers reported loss of motor power immediately after warning lamp illumination or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. This investigation found that the Integrated Charing Unit (ICCU) may become damaged o…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Complete Loss of High Beams Closed
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23002 to investigate allegations of loss of high beams with no warning and no re-engagement resulting in reduced visibility at night in the 2020 Kia Telluride. The investigation revealed that the halogen bi-function projector beam, used in vehicles built between January 2019 and November of 2019, is composed of one halogen bul…
- Loss of Motive Power Closed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
- Seat Belt Pretensioners May Rupture Closed
On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) based on 3 incidents alleging front seat belt pretensioners that may rupture during deployment, on model year (MY) 2020-2022 of various Hyundai and Kia Models, resulting in 3 injuries (note: one incident occurred outside the U.S. and its territories).Between October 2021 and March 2023, Hyundai and Kia have …
- Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure Closed
On April 10, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving 5 consumer complaints alleging the Power Sliding Doors (PSD) auto-reverse function failed to work properly in the model year (MY) 2022 Kia Carnival minivan vehicles.At that time, ODI was aware of 3 complaints alleging injuries to consumer?s arm, hand or shoulder caused by the closin…