KIA Motors
Reviews and Complaints

I received a notice in the mail stating the engine to my 2012 Kia Optima was on recall. I took my car to Barnes Crossing Kia on 2/20/18 and a test was performed to check my engine. My engine failed during the test meaning my engine had to be replaced. I left my car there and the work was done on it and I was able to pick my car up on 2/26/18. This was done under a warranty. A year prior to the engine being replaced my fuel pump went out and had to be replaced on 3/15/17. The fuel pump replacement cost me $826.45 and I was told it was not under warranty.
On 10/21/18 my car caught fire and burned while I was driving it. Now I have no car to get to work or do y daily tasks. What is KIA going to do about this?

My rims began peeling on my 2017 Kia Cadenza so I brought it to the dealership in June, 2018. They took pictures and submitted my claim. I contacted them several times to inquire about the status of my vehicle but they told me it was still being processed. I continued to call them, and in September I was told they could not find the pictures that were taken, and no information, because, they said, the employee that was taking care of it was no longer there, and they could not locate the file. They scheduled me to come in AGAIN, and take more pictures to be submitted, over three months after I filed the first complaint. I still have not heard from them, they provide me no information when I call, and it is now been over four months since opening claim.

KIA Motors United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi

Deceive in the course of service delivery/ KIA Sorrento Car

Dear Concern department
My Name Randy Al Zurba Engineer in Abu Dhabi Oil & Gas Company (Contact: [protected]@adnoc.ae +[protected]), I'm sending you today because I fed-up from your KIA cars supplier in Abu Dhabi and the main branch in Dubai act like it is not there.

I bought new KIA Sorrento car category number 1 last year from your agency in Abu Dhabi with service contract extra, last month I sent my car for the 20, 000 kilometer service and I told the agent that my small kid 2 years old put some coins in the CD player but all other options working perfectly (the screen, touch, sound system, GPS, USB ...etc.) so if it easy to remove the coins without affecting any other options do it otherwise don't touch the car, and this confirmation recorded on their sound system because I report it using the main number +[protected].
After couple of days the service center called me and inform me exactly like this "Sir come and collect your car is ready and working 100%", once I went and turn on the car the sound system was working but the monitor gone, I complaint to the concern person and the workshop manager in the beginning the kept telling me to wait so they will check and confirm back after that they start saying some excuses that it happened once they remove the coins the technician touch the motherboard so the system went down and can't be fixed and they recommend to buy new system by 20, 000 Dirhams. And it is not their fault it is the fault of the coins !?
And now since one month they keep telling me wait and we will see and after that nothing happening or we will call you back and also no one call or follow up and this is what also happen with the main branch in Dubai, they will answer 1 out of 10 calls then they will tell you give us your number and we will call you back and nothing happened after that.
So your agency act without approval from my side (I said clearly "if it easy to remove the coins without affecting any other options do it otherwise don't touch the car") and once they call me they lied and saying the car working 100% without any issues, if there was any risk to effect other options they should ask for my approval before they do anything and it is not my fault that the technician touch the motherboard, seriously if small kid hear of this excuse he will laugh and he will tell you it is stealing.
Really I'm surprised that I'm dealing with KIA Service Center or with stealing workshop, if they have extra sound system they want to sell it, this is definitely the way of selling.
Currently the sound system still with the workshop and no follow-up no process and I'm driving new car with big empty hole inside it.
I'm sending you base on advice from our technical partner KNOC, they confirm to me that such a respectful multinational company won't allow for local distributor to affect the company repetition because he want to cover their failure and run out from their own mistakes and try to blame others without valid reasons.
I appreciate your support to sort out the issue.

Regards,

Randy Al Zurba
+[protected]
[protected]@adnoc.ae

I love my 2012 Optima SX but you have to hope you never have to do with consumer affairs. My dealer had put in a new battery, a month and a 1/2 later it leaked and burnt through a transmission pan and a transmission line. Resulted in a very fast transmission fluid leak. Due to how fast it was leaking, the seriousness of it being a transmission, I felt it was too much of a risk taking it o the dealer. So I took it to a much closer place and now Kia is trying to tell me they will not cover the cost of the repair. I have been dealing with this issue for over a month. It has now been in the escalation to what I am told is regional consumer affairs and no one in over a week has ever gotten back to me about it. I call every other day and keep being told that my case manager, Morgan Morgan, SHOULD be getting back to me that day. A couple agents even claimed they were cc'ing her manager on the lack of communication. I feel this is an easy solvable issue, that yes I should get my $740 back for an issue their battery caused despite it being a 3rd party company doing the work. I also do work for Uber and Lyft. Many customers do ask how I like my car. I am more than willing to share my thoughts on my experience through the customer service end so the $740 is nothing compared to the THOUSANDS of dollars the company could lose! Considering the month+ long battle, I should also be compensated $250 for lost wages and having to use rideshare myself!
What's the escalated phone number that I should be calling?! I am fed up with being told the same BS all the time. I am not going away, I am going to keep fighting this!
Thank you your attention to this matter, I hope.
Jen Pottebaum
Case # [protected]

My 2018 rio lx has been showing poor gear shifting and delayed acceleration. All of These are immediate safety issues that are casuse of concers; it is a danger to the road and high risk for car accident. I am aware of lemon law. And I do not appreciate how reluctant the staff were to help. This is not the first time I have I have brought these concerns to their attention. If these saftety concers are once again dismissed by the reluctance of kia's staff I will take legal action.

In April my son had my 2012 Kia Optima taking it to school . On his way home the car lost all power . He was able to coast the car off the road luckily without any harm . The car had to we towed to Hometown Kia in Beckley WV where we were told the car had complete engine failure and that it was indeed locked up but covered due to an engine recall . After several calls and back and forths we were told it would be MONTHS before we would have our car back because the motors were on backorder, and there just simply wasnt any . Needless to say after I threatened to get a lawyer we had a motor in 3 days . Mind you, this was in July. They had the car since April . On the day I was supp to pick my car up in drive over an hour to get it, and to my surprise nothing is working on the dash . So, they keep it. I go back the following day and finally I get it back . A couple days have passed, the engine light comes on . They tell me it could be numerous things but to bring it back in . Since July this car has been back twice and fixing to go a 3rd time . My mom had my newborn son in it, and at 65 mph the car shuts off . In 3 diff instances within an hour . I had the car towed, they call me the next day, say nothing is wrong . This week my boyfriend has it, and here we go again, it shuts down, no power. I have had the absolute worst customer service experience dealing with the escalation dept with Kia Corporate . As I am explaining how scared I am to out my 3 kids in this car and that this certain car all over America has recalls, he reminds me ALL CARS IN AMERICA HAVE RECALLS ! Really ... we are talking the safety of your trusted customers that bought these cars and you could care less about their safety . Not to mention it isnt just 1 but 1000s . So my car is once again being towed in the morning, and it's up in the air if it's coming out of my pocket, because they dont feel they have anything in this . Brandon in the escalation dept also reminded me ITS A PART OF CAR OWNERSHIP ... I feel that KIA needs to make this right for all customers affected by this . I initially brought up for them to buy mine back, they offered 7k on a 13k loan BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN ! They also said it wouldnt happen because I had no grounds for lemon law . What kind of company is this !? I make sure to tell everyone to stay away from this brand, and the next step will be taking it to a lawyer .

Schedule my car for service on Tuesday, 23 Oct 2018 with Pat Peck Kia. Explained the issue to the customer service representative. Schedule the appointment for Friday, 26 Oct 2018 at 8:00 am. Arrive at 7:50 am on the 26th. Explain to the issues of the headlights going out and the dashboard lights going out while driving the vehicle to service center representative at Pat Peck Kia. She asked if I was staying with the vehicle or dropping it off. I told her dropping it off. She stated that after the service tech check the car she would call and let me know the stated. The service representative call me at 10:21 to tell me the tech could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. I explain to her again over the phone the issue with the vehicle. She stated if I could left the vehicle overnight so they could test drive the vehicle later on that evening to see if the issues would happen while the tech was driving the vehicle. I gave permission to keep the car a drive it around. Around 5:30 pm on the 26tth my daughter realized that she had left her credit card in the car. She called the service center to see if she could get her credit card out of the car. The spoke with the Chris Pagano, she explained to issue with the vehicle again. He told her that the service tech was taking her car home for the night to check the issue. She or I gave Pat Peck Kia approval for the service tech to take the car home over night. I talk with the service representative the next morning around 8:30. She stated that the service tech could not find any issue with the vehicle. I asked her who gave permission for the service tech to take the car home overnight. She stated she told me, I explain that she told me that the service tech would be driving the car around that evening to see if issue happen again, not for him to drive my vehicle to his house. I told her to replace the switch assy - lighting. I talked with the Service Manger Chris Pagano at 11:47 on the 27th. I explained to him that my daughter or myself had not given permission for the service tech to take my vehicle to his house to stay overnight. He told that my daughter gave him permission when she came to get her credit card. I talked with my daughter and she said she did not. I am very disappointed that Pat Peck Kia let a service tech drive my vehicle to his house overnight without my permission. I stated this to Chris on several times during our conversation. This is a practice that no dealership should be doing without the customers permission.

i have got two incidents within by cerato 2017.
there is a problem concerning the lock of the trunk of my car
i am unable to open it from the inside . i have ordered it since July and no respond i received and i did not get any care from the company. and they did not follow up my problem after i have complained.

there was another problem concerning my window glass as the back left side glass was suddenly smashed while i was driving. the problem is that i had to put another kind of car glass and not the original one as the company in my country dosen't have any spare window glasses to maintain any problem.

the company is unable to provide such minor problems and don't have the ability to care to follow up there customers after complaining.

I need your help. My complaint and concern is falling on deaf ears. KIA headquarters is not willing to make this right.

In July 2013 I bought my first brand new car and I chose that new car to be a KIA. I did my research on the brands because I was a Chevy and Jeep person. Never had another brand. 

However I went out of my comfort zone looked into a Honda accord and a KIA optium. The KIA was my choice. 

Now fast forward to March 2017. KIA corporation notes a problem with the engine. There was machining error during engine manufacturing that may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. A recall was issued, I took my car onto the KIA dealership where my car was purchased and my car "passed" inspection. 

Fast forward to June 2018 my car began to burn oil and it was found that my engine was indeed part of the engine recall and I "was lucky my engine did not seize while driving ".

I was provided with a 2017 Cadenza while I waited 8 weeks for my car to be repaired. During that time I looked into the recall and found the KIA knew that the 2.0 and 2.4L engines were defective. 

Hyundai your parent company issued a recall in 2015 for these engines effecting the [protected] Sonata 470, 00 cars. However KIA waited 20 months to issue a recall. In 2015 KIA felt that a recall was of "extreamly low issue". In 2017 618, 000 cars were recalled by KIA I do NOT find this of an extreamly low issue. 

Here is my issue and concern.  I feel that KIA was negligent in waiting 20 months for a recall that they KNEW about. Engines were seizing at any given time with no warning, or catching fire. KIA took a big chance in not issuing a recall till 2017. 

A federal investigation was launched when a whistleblower from Korea flew to Washington to inform federal regulators that KIA/HYUNDAI did not recall as many vehicles as it should have citing internal documents. It then took a full year to launch a large recall.

October 11, 2018 the government advised KIA to initiate a larger recall of 2.9 million vehicles. I do NOT feel this was an extreamly low issue.

USA today reported on June 27th 2018 the NHTSA sent a letter to senator Bill Nelson of Florida there were 402 reports of engines seizing or catching fire with and without collisions.  

The federal government issued a statement:

" Just because a company has a recall underway does not mean a company is doing all it can to remedy the issue"

The NHTSA is looking to see if KIA moved too slow in issuing the large recall, KIA can be fined and additional recalls to come.

As a consumer I feel KIA was negligent and took a chance with every customer who bought a [protected] KIA optium. Knowing there was an issue with this engine but idly standing by watching, waiting and doing nothing. 

My family and I were put in danger by KIA.

I have read only hundreds out of the thousands of reports of cars either seizing or catching fire. Here are a few examples that were reported to the NHTSA:

5-18-18 Napa IDAHO 

at 80mph engined seized, engine part of recall

Could have been seriously injured. 

8-7-18 Hochton GEORGIA 

car failed to accelerate at 50mph

Engine passed initial evaluation but it was found to be defective and replaced.

10-15-17

Stoped at stop sign car engine on fire, electrical system failed was unable to unlock doors car was engulfed in flames by the time I got out.

7-15-17 

Engine seized at 45-50mph no control over car.

6-23-17 Attalla Alabama 

DO NOT FEEL SAFE now in driving car even with new engine. Reliable mechanic told me that new motor is no better.

5-14-17 Los Angelos California 

Engine replaced 2x now on third engine car seized no warning engine exploded in car.

This one hits close to home because it happened in Ohio where I live:

Engine caught fire, killing the person in Toledo ohio

Investigators stated:

" The volume of fires here make it appear that hyundai-kia are content to sit back and allow consumers and insurers to bear the blunt of poorly designed manufactured and repaired vehicles Jason Levine the center of NHTSA director says the fire reports come in from across the country"

These are just a few of the reports I read. What is so disturbing is there was no warning of the engine seizing or catching fire. 

The what if's that could have happened have eaten away at me now for 6 weeks. What if that was me and my 8yr old daughter who could not get the doors open with the car on fire? What if I was driving on the freeway at 80mph with her and the engine seized with me having no control over the car? 

I have thanked God and my guardian angel everyday that this did not happen to us. 

Now my daughter is so frightened to even ride in the optium she flat out refuses to get in. She has asked "mommy what if the car catches fire? What is it stops running and we get hurt?" 

This kills me knowing I cant tell her she is safe and its O.K because you know what...its not the truth. 

I know my car has a new engine but I do not trust this engine at all! I can not put me or my family back in danger.

I have been driving the Cadenza for 9 weeks and I feel safe in this car. The safety rating is 10/10 it won 2018 best large car for families and an above average predicted reliability rating from JD power.

I want to know and feel safe in my car and I feel KIA owes me that. 

I called KIA headquarters on September 21 expressing my concerns. I advised them I want KIA to buy my optium back, and sell me the Cadenza for the remainder of my loan. 

I do not want a new car, or new car payment I didn't ask for this to happen and should not have to buy another car. 

KIA owes me for their lack of care or interest in me or my family or for even that matter any other motorist on the road.

However i was told by Bruce at the expedited level today that he cant help me and i need to take my request up with the dealership. 

Even though 3 weeks ago I was told by Brandon the sales manager at the dealership that its KIA who has to make the arrangements.  I have been given the run around now for 3 weeks. Making daily calls to KIA headquarters and not getting anywhere. 

So I've taken my request to you by email in hope YOU will listen and understand...please

It's now October 19th and my car is ready to be picked up, but I DO NOT WANT THE CAR BACK for fear of something happening. The Anxiety of knowing my car is ready for me to drive scares the hell out of me. 
KIA replaced the engine with the same defective engine that was recalled. How is that "fixing" the issue...ITS NOT!  

So am I suppose to drive the car and take a chance that this engine will not catch fire or seize?

I want to be safe, I want my daughter to be safe actually KIA owes me that security of that feeling again. The cadenza is the next car up from the optium and I do NOT want another 4 cylinder engine.  The cadenza is a V6 with no major recalls. It was rated 2018 best family car. You cant get much safer than this. 

KIA lost my trust and needs to earn it back.

Thank you,

Kim Risner

[protected]

Case#[protected]

I visited the branch twice to fix the AC (15 days ago) and they informed me that it is an industrial defect, and they will order a specific spare part and till now no one called me and the warranty is about to expire, and they know that, it was so obvious that they were stalling till the warranty expires. noting that all services and maintenance was made at their side.
branch address 3 Roxy sq. Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.
mob. [protected], Ahmed El-Amir Chassis No 478001

I phoned the above mentioned dealer and spoke to Ricardo Pantalone about a issue I have and left numburous messages with Marieta to call me back but never had any responce. Both tail lights has numerous cracks and the vehicle is still under warranty so I need this replaced. The vehicle was purchased in 2016 with 30158 kms ans the services was all done at the dealer and service book updated. Eventually Jamie from the workshop department said I can drop the vehicle. I also asked Ricardo for a quotation to trade this vehicle in to buy a 2018 model Kia Rio Tech but yet no response. I am utterly disappointed in the service and will not do any further business with the above mentioned branch or Kia for that matter.

I drove my 2016 kia soul about 250 miles from Las Vegas to Anaheim, and the following morning after driving there, my car wouldn't drive more than 20 mph. I had it towed to the nearest kia mechanic, where it sat for a week while they tried to figure out what was wrong with it. First they said it was one thing, then another, then finally they say something must have chewed the wires underneath the car. I was stranded during this time, so I had a relative drive me halfway home, where my husband met me and drove me the rest of the way. I called Kia customer service to get a rental car, and they said they would approve one for a maximum of $35 a day! There is no such thing in Las Vegas where I live. The cheapest rental is $70 a day for an economy car. The dealership who had my car was terrible about returning calls, and finally when we found the car was ready, my husband took a plane back to Anaheim to pick the car up, and drove it home. I tried to get reimbursement for the plane ticket, and the towing expenses, and they (customer service) "worked with me". Every time I called, (about 10 times) I got someone different, and they all said my actual agent is "someone", but I never got to talk to them. They pretended to be concerned, put me on hold for forever every time I called them, and finally said I needed to email them all the information, receipts for the airline ticket, towing etc. I did that and was told they received the information (I had to call and ask if they did) and that it would take about 6-8 weeks to be notified or reimbursed. It's been about 12 weeks and I called back today, got yet another person, who put me on hold and pretended to look something up. She told me the case was closed. I said it wasn't resolved, and she said I sent my receipts to the wrong place, and that it should have gone to Massachusetts. I sent my receipts via email. Why would they have gone to the wrong place? I could go on about the terrible service I got from the Kia garage I had the car towed to, but what's the point. I am a 67 year old woman who was stranded, and no one from Kia cared.
Kia case number [protected]

I received a Product Improvement Campaign letter from KIA in late August 2018. I contacted KIA to find out what exactly I needed to do which they told me to contact the dealership so I could schedule an appointment for them to update the software on my engine. I explained to the person on the phone that I had already replaced my engine and were they reimbursing...I was told yes and to send in my receipts for the replacement which I did the next day and I called to verify they had been received. A month later I get an email from Felina Chandler requesting the documentation again. I resent it under Case #[protected]. When I called her about the maintenance records to let her know that I had recently moved and had gotten rid of them she was extremely rude and said that she had to have them. That was October 2, 2018-I emailed her yesterday 10/21/2018 to find out the status of the case and received an email back from her stating the claim had been denied because the vehicle had not been maintained. The car had 30, 000 on it when the engine blew; the very nature of the issue with these engine is that the metal flakes that create the sludge in the engine make it appear like it has not been maintained.
This entire experience from the time my engine blew up until today has been a nightmare and this person did not have the decency to contact me. I have all of my receipts that were sent to her if you wish for me to send them to you.
When I spoke initially to the person at KIA I was under the impression that KIA was trying to make things right for the consumers that were affected by this but today I feel like I did over a year ago that KIA knew they had problems with these engines and basically blamed the consumer. It has opened up an extremely stressful time and threw it right back in my face. Honestly why would you make us go to the trouble of providing the invoices and receipts if the answer was going to be the same as it was the day the engine blew. It is a horrible way to treat people.

I would like to complain about the quality of service I have got from Kia Northland location in Calgary, Alberta. I have called to book an appointment for service on October 04, 2018, the lady confirmed me an appointment for October 20, 2018; October 19, 2018; I got a call saying the can't service on Saturday as they only work 4 hours shift. I have asked the lady to have Manager to call or somebody to explain why nobody checked before booking an appointment but nobody called or reschedule an appointment. Today is Monday I am still waiting for a call or explanation.
Thank you,
Syed M. Zaidi

I brought on my car so they can check why my steering wheel is shaking. My steering wheel shakes when it starts to hit 80 and up. The end verdict was I need 4 new wheels and a suggested alignment. The car has only got worse and when I called on Oct 22 a lady by the name of Rosemary attended to my call. She was extremely rude. Without me giving her my name she already new who I was as I had left a VM so I can be contacted. No one had contacted me which made it even more disturbing as she seem to know my issues. So they didn't call me back, I had to call again and she was rude. I explained that the shaking can not just be caused my tires needing to be changed and that it is probably causing more damage in other areas. I find that although the gentlemen working on my car was very nice the interaction with her was not at all pleasant. This is not the first time as they seem to be a busy location.

To whom it may concern.

My Name is Sairaj and bought Kia Picanto in November 2017, since July 2018 my car does not start every month.

My car stopped and did not start on below dates
16 July 2018
22 August 2018
27 September 2018
19 October 2018

Service center can not find the problem and just recharge my car battery and send me home.
on Friday 19th October 2018 I had enough and called Kia customer care call center in Sydney to complain about the on going problem with my car and 1 to 3 hour wait time for Road Side assistance every time my car stops.

Call was answered by mail who informed me that his name was Thomas (but called himself Tom), he was externally rude called me an [censored] bag (obnoxious or contemptible person, typically a man.) during the call and hug up on me. I called back and he Hug up on me again. Call times were 5:38 pm to 5:50pm on 19th Oct 18.

So I called Kia Australia head office today (22 Oct 2018) 5 time to complain about Thomas or Tom's rude behavior and offensive language over the phone only to be put through to same person Tom to be abused again at 5:19 pm 22 Oct 2018 for second time.

I would like a response for Kia South Korea office about their staff behavior and horrible customer service in Australia.

My radio and blue tooth quit working after i'd had service done on my car. I could not take my kia in that day, as I had to go out of town for a funeral. I contacted kia (800 number) and was told there was a recall on the radio/bluetooth. I told them I hadn't received a notice. They scoffed at me. I contacted kia south austin and they said the recall was no longer active. This makes no sense. A recall is a recall is a recall. They told me that it would cost me $1200 out of pocket to get it fixed. I am not a happy camper. This is my 3rd kia sorrento and I am very upset about this. I am a widow and cannot afford $1200! This has been going on for years and I finally decided to complain to you about this. Very poor customer relations. 2012 kia sorrento 79, 000 miles now. I've been patient - but my patience has worn thin.

I want my radio / blue tooth fixed / replaced - whatever the recall (which should never go out of effect) asap.

Dear Kia, kindly I nees your cooperation as much as I trust you(Company).I'm a owner of carens 2015 and I can't imagin that I'm facing issues in it since day one and there is no cooperate or support or solution from kia side here in egypt.
Issues:
1.Sun Roaf is not moving
2. Motor is not working normal as it is
3.Exhaust having always issues and sound
4. The responsible kia here broke while trying to maintain the sunroaf broke the interior light and roaf.

Please help with solution, you are a famous company and we sgould trust you.

Note: I'm the Admin too of kia carens owners in egypt group and we still trust you.

The Group is waiting and monitor your action regarding this case to make sure that kia is always keeping supporting her customers.
Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/304630643066932/

Thanks &BRGRDS
RAMEZ

Had to have the motor replaced just over 50, 000 miles due to it burning oil. Got it back and it leaked antifreeze and made a loud knocking noise when it started. Took in to have it fixed. They fixed antifreeze leak but told me the knocking noise was from damage done to the flex pipe that connects the exhaust to the motor and was not covered under warranty, but I could call consumer affairs and see what they said. Called Kia Consumer Affairs 4 times and was told I would get a call back with in 24 hours and still have never got a call back. Since then my car has started missing really bad and has no power. Not impressed with Kia at all, considering my car runs worse now then it did before the warranty work.