Kia Motors America Reviews 228

They don't care about their customers. I needed them to help me and they were so cold and uncaring...they call themselves customer care which is a joke

Good riddance, 2024 Kia Sorento! Never again.
I bought my Sorento new in September 2024. Just 5,922 miles later, on October 23, 2025, a dashboard warning flashed: “Transmission system error! Check transmission fluid immediately.” The car took 5–7 seconds to shift gears, revving helplessly in between.
That kicked off more than two months of dealer visits, 30+ days without the car and no diagnosis. They struggled for several weeks to replicate the issue until I drove with the shop foreman and reproduced it myself. I have 15 photos documenting every warning, the mileage and even the outside temperature. After all that time, no answers.
The “repairs” were laughable. First, per Kia Techline, they removed an aftermarket security system the dealer had installed, but I hadn’t purchased, which they thought was interfering with the main computer. The problem returned the next morning. Next, they performed a transmission service—basically a fluid change. It fixed the symptom, not the cause. The fluid was low, but no one could explain why a car with fewer than 6,500 miles would be low on transmission fluid.
The service manager admitted three things: they had no diagnosis; they could only perform repairs approved by Kia Techline; and the issue “was not unknown” to Kia. We discussed a Kia (not dealer) buyback and a lemon law claim—both long, uncertain processes. Meanwhile, I was stuck with a barely driven car I could no longer trust.
Eventually, I sold it back to the dealer at market value with just 7,000 miles and yet remaining new car smell. I’m reasonable—things break—but when I make a large purchase, I depend on the seller to uphold its end of the bargain—in this case, the warranty—and not push the problem back onto me with the cheapest, easiest non fix possible.
They knew there was a serious problem. They made it my problem, which I fixed at a significant cost. Ignoring a serious problem and “fixing” it by outlasting your customer is not way to run a business. Shame on you, Kia!
I’m done with Kia for good. If you’re shopping for a car, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

I don’t recommend Kia because My sister bought a new sadan Kia before 2 year the ac stopped working and within 3 years the engine started burning the oil to the point that she had to replace the oil every 3 days. She was denied replacement or any kind of fix because her auto was from 2020 and the class action recall was from 2019. She went to the dealership and had to pay a larger amount of money for the dealership to replace the engine. Which this is absolutely wrong because she’s still paying that car and the car only has three years.

I had an engine replacement done at First Team Kia Suffolk Va. The dealership already had my vehicle for approximately three weeks for the repair.
On the day I picked up my vehicle, I reported issues before even leaving the lot, including warning lights and a banging sound when going over bumps that were not present prior to service. I specifically asked for the vehicle to be inspected before I drove off.
Despite this, I was released the vehicle.
Shortly after leaving, I discovered serious safety issues including brake calipers that were not properly secured and a disconnected wheel speed sensor affecting ABS functionality.
When I brought this back to their attention, I was told to return the vehicle. I was also informed that the technician who performed the work was no longer employed there.
I scheduled two separate follow-up appointments with the service department, and both were not honored.
I also consulted two independent repair shops, both of whom advised this was a major safety issue and that Kia should correct it at no cost due to the nature of the repair and systems involved.
Ultimately, I had to pay out of pocket at another shop to correct the issues so the vehicle would be safe to drive.
This involved critical braking and ABS systems and reflects a serious failure in workmanship and follow-through. Releasing an unsafe vehicle after a multi-week repair and failing to honor follow-up appointments is unacceptable.
I cannot recommend this service department based on my experience. I've recently seen this is a typical experience for most Kia locations.

My experience with Kia USA and Kia Global has been nothing short of unacceptable.

My 2019 Kia Optima EX suffered a complete transmission failure at just 82,000 miles—while I was actively driving, with zero warning. A catastrophic failure like this is not normal, and it raises serious concerns about the quality and durability of Kia’s powertrain.

What’s worse is how Kia handled it. I contacted both Kia USA and Kia Global expecting at least a reasonable review of the situation or some level of goodwill support. Instead, I was met with a dismissive, one-line response: “we would not be able to assist with it.” That was it—no investigation, no accountability, no attempt to stand behind their product.

A company’s true character shows when something goes wrong. In this case, Kia chose to do nothing. For a major mechanical failure that can cost thousands of dollars, their response was essentially to leave the customer on their own.

If you’re considering buying a Kia, understand this: once you’re outside their narrow warranty window, don’t expect meaningful support—even in cases of sudden, serious failures. This experience has completely eroded my trust in the brand.

I would strongly urge Kia to reconsider how they treat customers in situations like this, because right now, it reflects very poorly on their commitment to quality and customer care.

We've owned 2 Kia's. First in 2007 and second from 2016 purchased from this location. They burn oil like nobody's business. Warranty forever is a farce.

They claim that it is normal for a car to burn oil. When you try to make do on their sham of a warranty you get to play a dance between the dealer and the manufacturer and neither one will fix the problem.

I am beyond disappointed with Kia’s handling of this situation.

We leased a brand-new Kia EV9, and within just 4 days and 256 miles, the vehicle completely died while we were driving on the freeway. The failure happened suddenly and created an extremely dangerous situation. My children were in the car, and we were fortunate that the outcome was not far worse. After an experience like that, I no longer feel safe or confident in Kia vehicles.

The EV9 has now been sitting in the shop for 3 weeks, and we were recently told it may take up to 120 days to receive a replacement vehicle. Despite the seriousness of the breakdown and the fact that this was a leased vehicle we only had for 4 days, Kia has refused to offer any assistance with the monthly payment, even though we have been without use of the car for weeks through absolutely no fault of our own.

What is most frustrating is the complete lack of effort to make this right for us as customers after such a serious safety issue. This was not a minor inconvenience — this was a brand-new leased vehicle failing on the freeway with our family inside, and yet there has been no urgency, no meaningful goodwill, and no support with the lease payments we are still expected to make.

I expected far better customer care, accountability, and concern for customer safety from Kia.

If I could give a no star rating, I would. This website is absolutely unusable. Signing in is a truely impossible task. When you click "vehicle dashboard" it just gives you and endless spinning circle. Don't waste your time with this website. It doesn't work. And signing in is a nightmare.

BUYER BE AWARE..STAY AWAY FROM THIS DEALERSHIP..
This is the worst service I have ever received. They want to charge $269.00???? for walking into the door on a so-called diagnostic fee? Even if the repair is only $100??? I Bought a brand new Kia Forte 5 in 2015. In 2025 June my engine broke down and they replaced it with less than 85,000 miles on it. Since then I have had all kinds of issues with elected systems. The gas gauge says the gas is empty when I just filled it up. The engine light goes off and on periodically, yesterday my air bag light came on and off. 2 YEARS AGO I TOOK IT CERRIOTS FOR AN OIL CHANGE, BUT COULD NOT PICK UP CAR ON A FRIDAY SO ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I PICKED IT AND NOTICED MY SEEMED LOW I CHECKED MY MILEAGE AND SOMEONE HAD DRIVEN MY CAR BEWEEN 50-100 MILES. TALKED TO MANGER AND AGREED TO A FEW OIL CHANGES STILL NOT DONE...I Should have made a police report. Today service manager Eli was rude and wanted to change close to $ 900 to diagnose Engine light, air bag light, and gas light??? I was told 8 months ago when they changed the engine that there was a 1 year warranty, along with the extended 150,000 mile or 15 years from Kia because of all the issues they have had with the engine. I wish I never bought a Kia. They look nice, but everything is cheap. I have a 2011 chevy Equinox with over 200,000 with less issues then kia.

We purchased a 2022 PHEV Sorento with high hopes of an incredible family SUV two years ago. They promised an amazing Certified Used Warranty, but the follow through has been horrendous customer service. Both Kia locations have been completely lax about our concerns for weak retracting seatbelts. We’ve driven in other KIA vehicles without issue but are continuously concerned for our children lacking seatbelt safety in our own vehicle. Every issue we’ve had has conveniently not been covered by warranty and their services are insanely expensive. Even their promise for a PAID rental when getting a long term repair or warranty covered service has never worked out. I absolutely LOVE the look of the Kia Carnival but refuse to continue to be a Kia customer, so we will most likely be selling our Sorento. So very disappointed.

I purchased a new 2021 Kia Sportage that began experiencing electrical issues during its second year of ownership. I made numerous service visits, but the dealership only applied temporary fixes and never resolved the root cause. Even after an engineer evaluated the vehicle, the issue remained unresolved.
The vehicle was briefly considered under lemon law review but was removed after additional temporary repairs. I opened multiple cases with Kia Customer Service, all of which were closed without a lasting solution.
I am now being told that due to mileage, no further assistance can be provided, despite the fact that the mileage accumulated while the vehicle continued to be driven with unresolved defects. I am still expected to continue making payments on a vehicle that has not been properly repaired.
Based on this experience, I cannot recommend Kia due to their handling of repeated defects and lack of effective customer resolution. And finally I had to leave that ca in the dealership at Garbo almost done paying it and getting another car.

Such a bad experience with the Kia Covina dealer. We’ve bought multiple new vehicles there and one of our brand new vans just stopped working. Covina Kia couldn’t figure out what was wrong and just left our vehicle sitting there for a week. They had no resolution and then demanded we leave and refused us service. They called the cops too and made a whole scene about it. We called Corporate and they were useless. They apologized but said there was nothing they could do about it. Mindblown about how unprofessional, incompetent, and deceptive Kia has been.

Purchased a 2022 Kia Sorento in 2022 with very low mileage. Wanted zero mileage but COVID created difficulties finding cars. Transmission went out one year later followed by multiple other problems including several fuel injectors, electrical issues, more fuel injectors, thermostat malfunctioning etc. Vehicle in shop a total of 60 days in 18 month period. Because I was not the original owner even though car was basically new at time of purchase, Kia would not honor lemon law otherwise I would have qualified. I worked very hard to pay car off in 2 1/2 years hoping to get another 8 years free of car payments but that was not the case. Car joy safe or reliable with problem after problem only to worry about what the next three years would bring. Limited warranty expiring at 60,000 which covered all but transmission replacement covered under a recall. Had to get rid of it at 53,000 and now have a $30k car loan again which should never have been. Beware purchasing from Kia, I submitted all of the paperwork to file for lemon law they requested ( ton of paperwork and time) and they denied it immediately. Not sure why I had to submit any paperwork since all work on car was done at a Kia dealership they had access to. This car was not safe and Kia did not make this right.

I leased a 2026 Kia carnival. I have had it since July 2025. Monday November 24 I was driving all the dash board warning lights came on. I had no speedometer, and, lights won’t work took it to dealership they had it until November 28th. Had it for 1 week the same situation took place the warning lights all freaked out again. I have addressed the issue with calling into Kia customer affairs. They said the would be in contact with me. I have heard nothing from them. Today is December 18 I do not have my car back and no one has reached out to me from Kia motors. I feel this vehicle is a safety issue from what the service department is telling me is everything is showing up normal and Kia wants them to drive and see if they can have it act up again. They said that if they can’t get it to do it again they would release the vehicle to me. I do not want this vehicle back I want out of this lease. I do not feel safe to get back in and drive it. Sometimes I can drive an hour to two hours away from home. Kia motors said they would get back to me no calls. This is a brand new vehicle with only 6100 miles on it. They told me the first time all was good and guess what it happened the 2nd time

These cars are trash. My kia optima I had for two years and the motor blown called dealership to try to get it fixed they won't fix it although they sold me this piece of s___. All this composition good for is taking your money and making your credit go bad because you finance a car from them that's trash never again will I deal with these people their new K5 just came out and have recalls already trash company trash cars .

my kia car's engine has been working for so many years already, and so far it has not given me any troubles...but i read in manual that some overhaul has to be done, so soon will go to the service center, not sure whether piston rings will have to be changedlub oil consumption is ok, with time tho it is higher, it is all about wearing inside the mechanisms

Bad engine
Please don't west your money
Buy amicran car

I bought a used Kia that needed to have the connect service disconnected from the previous owner so I could Use those features.

I called the 800 number on the dash thinking I would be waiting for hours, but instead, it took pushing two branches on the dreaded digital phone tree, and I was instantly connected with a human being.

They knew exactly where to rout me for substantive help. A ticket was entered. Communication from beginning to end was outstanding. They had the issue resolved very quickly and before the promised due date.

In a customer service world where it is very difficult to get humans help, let alone good help it was refreshing. I love my little Kia, and after that experience, I will be a Kia driver for life (sorry Kia, that may not mean any purchases anytime soon because this car is going to run for a long time)

I really need Kia Corporate to step in because this situation has become extremely difficult to manage.

I own a 2022 EV6. The ICCU failed (a known issue) and the part was backordered for months. When the repair was finally done, the incorrect 12V battery was installed. Because of that, the car now won’t reliably start and has entered the no-start sleep mode issue. The vehicle was then damaged during a Kia-directed tow and is currently not drivable.

My dealership (Matthews Kia Vestal) has been excellent. They already have a loaner assigned and ready for me. The problem is that I live in Oneonta, NY where there are **no Uber, Lyft, taxi, or rental car options**. I have no way to physically reach the dealership, and I have no PTO left to miss more work to figure this out myself.

I am simply asking Kia Corporate to authorize **Emergency Mobility Assistance**, either:

• Loaner delivery to my home, or
• Passenger-included transport to the dealership

This is a standard support pathway when a vehicle is not drivable and the customer has no access to transportation.

I am not asking for anything unreasonable — I just need access to the loaner that is already waiting for me.

Case #: 25178066

Please escalate this to a Regional Case Manager.
Thank you.