Kia Problems & Recalls by Model
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Models in our index
| Model | Complaints (indexed years) | Worst indexed year |
|---|---|---|
| Sorento | 9,842 | 2011 · 1,517 |
| Optima | 7,191 | 2013 · 1,381 |
| Soul | 5,325 | 2015 · 897 |
| Sportage | 3,671 | 2017 · 399 |
| Forte | 2,277 | 2014 · 440 |
| Sedona | 1,999 | 2006 · 385 |
| Telluride | 1,848 | 2020 · 750 |
| Sephia | 1,390 | 1998 · 491 |
| RIO | 504 | 2001 · 223 |
| EV6 | 412 | 2022 · 276 |
| Seltos | 365 | 2021 · 365 |
| K5 | 288 | 2021 · 164 |
| EV9 | 207 | 2024 · 207 |
| Spectra | 152 | 2007 · 152 |
| Carnival | 133 | 2022 · 133 |
Totals cover the model-years in our index (the highest-complaint vehicles in NHTSA's file), not every year ever sold. Year pages list every indexed year.
Sorento by model year
Optima by model year
Soul by model year
Sportage by model year
Forte by model year
Sedona by model year
Telluride by model year
Sephia by model year
RIO by model year
EV6 by model year
Seltos by model year
K5 by model year
EV9 by model year
Spectra by model year
Carnival by model year
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my Kia has an open recall?
Look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It returns any open safety recalls for your exact vehicle, and recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Where does this Kia complaint data come from?
All complaint and recall figures come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. government's vehicle-safety agency. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners; a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Which vehicles are listed here?
This index covers the model-years with the highest complaint volumes in NHTSA's file (complaints received since January 1, 1995) and expands over time.
