Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 62,191 complaints for KIA
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and accelerating through a four-way intersection after a complete stop, the vehicle was T-boned on the front passenger’s side by another vehicle that had ran the stop sign. The passenger’s side air bags deployed as expected, and the driver’s side air bag also deployed, causing a fractured right humerus. The contact... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
There is a bad flexible steering coupler. Caused steering wheel to click and lose responsiveness, shakes going over bumps. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by the dealer Vehicle was inspected by dealer There were no warning signs other than the wheel click and losing responsiveness.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
The infotainment displayed information at the home screen is so close to the left side of the screen that when you are driving, the steering wheel and my hand covers it, so if you want to see it, you need to bend a little to the right, taking the eyes off the road and more important things. The infotainment screen design has a lot of room in the middle of the screen, but somebody with very low bra... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I was driving in heavy rain on a busy highway (I4) and the lane assist pulled me off the road to the road hand side and then cut across all lanes of traffic to the left hand side. It also engaged emergency braking going forward when there was no reason to do so. Many times when I am backing up, it's engaged emergency breaking when there is no risk of collision. Finally, the front sensors are very ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I was driving in heavy rain on a busy highway (I4) and the lane assist pulled me off the road to the road hand side and then cut across all lanes of traffic to the left hand side. It also engaged emergency braking going forward when there was no reason to do so. Many times when I am backing up, it's engaged emergency breaking when there is no risk of collision. Finally, the front sensors are very ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
I was driving in heavy rain on a busy highway (I4) and the lane assist pulled me off the road to the road hand side and then cut across all lanes of traffic to the left hand side. It also engaged emergency braking going forward when there was no reason to do so. Many times when I am backing up, it's engaged emergency breaking when there is no risk of collision. Finally, the front sensors are very ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving 79 MPH, the thermostat displayed that the engine was running hot and there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that a hose underneath the radiator was disconnected, and coolant was leaking from the hose, and the dipstic... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
The contact’s son owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the vehicle was repaired. A day or two after the recall repair was completed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel tank could expand a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
When driving, the vehicle will randomly shut off. Every warning light and alarm goes off. A message displays on the dash to put the vehicle on P or N to turn it back on. This happens unexpectedly. It's happened about 16 times on the road and 2 times on the highway. This is a huge safety issue. We notified Kia in February of 2026, it's gone to the service department three times for this specific ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
When driving, the vehicle will randomly shut off. Every warning light and alarm goes off. A message displays on the dash to put the vehicle on P or N to turn it back on. This happens unexpectedly. It's happened about 16 times on the road and 2 times on the highway. This is a huge safety issue. We notified Kia in February of 2026, it's gone to the service department three times for this specific ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2026
When driving, the vehicle will randomly shut off. Every warning light and alarm goes off. A message displays on the dash to put the vehicle on P or N to turn it back on. This happens unexpectedly. It's happened about 16 times on the road and 2 times on the highway. This is a huge safety issue. We notified Kia in February of 2026, it's gone to the service department three times for this specific ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2026
Im getting denied dued to engine failure but whoever had the vehicle before didn't follow up with the ksds update, I just purchased the vehicle on June 30th,2026, I need this fixed ASAP because I still owe on this car.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair was completed and the contact was provided a receipt. However, the contact later received several email recall notifications and verified that the VIN remained included in th... Read more
KIA
TELLURIDE HYBRID
(2027) - ENGINE
Aug 31, 2026
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
I went for a test drive of this 2027 Kia Telluride X-line Hybrid at Gateway Kia of Warrington PA ([XXX]). After turning the ignition on and attempting to drive, the car didn't respond. When it did respond, it then drove extremely rough, shuddering hard in and out of gear. It then started to drive normally, only to fail again and not exceed 5 mph. We had to turn the car completely off and then rest... Read more
KIA
TELLURIDE HYBRID
(2027) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 31, 2026
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
I went for a test drive of this 2027 Kia Telluride X-line Hybrid at Gateway Kia of Warrington PA ([XXX]). After turning the ignition on and attempting to drive, the car didn't respond. When it did respond, it then drove extremely rough, shuddering hard in and out of gear. It then started to drive normally, only to fail again and not exceed 5 mph. We had to turn the car completely off and then rest... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
I owe a lady made a complete stop in front of me and I hit her. I wasn’t traveling close behind her. Her car was not damaged at all, but my Kia was totaled from the front. They had to cut the car off because it was smoking like it was gonna catch a fire. I’ve been had this sign on my car the steering wheel with an! It says that the car is hot before the car accident I had driven to [XXX] back ... Read more
Crash
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
I owe a lady made a complete stop in front of me and I hit her. I wasn’t traveling close behind her. Her car was not damaged at all, but my Kia was totaled from the front. They had to cut the car off because it was smoking like it was gonna catch a fire. I’ve been had this sign on my car the steering wheel with an! It says that the car is hot before the car accident I had driven to [XXX] back ... Read more
Crash
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
I owe a lady made a complete stop in front of me and I hit her. I wasn’t traveling close behind her. Her car was not damaged at all, but my Kia was totaled from the front. They had to cut the car off because it was smoking like it was gonna catch a fire. I’ve been had this sign on my car the steering wheel with an! It says that the car is hot before the car accident I had driven to [XXX] back ... Read more
Crash
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
My 2020 Kia Rio S caught fire spontaneously while parked and unattended for 5 hours at my work parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and had not been involved in a collision. I was notified of the fire after it had already started. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Component/system suspected: The exact component that ini... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
My 2020 Kia Rio S caught fire spontaneously while parked and unattended for 5 hours at my work parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and had not been involved in a collision. I was notified of the fire after it had already started. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Component/system suspected: The exact component that ini... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
My 2020 Kia Rio S caught fire spontaneously while parked and unattended for 5 hours at my work parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and had not been involved in a collision. I was notified of the fire after it had already started. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Component/system suspected: The exact component that ini... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 21, 2026
My 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX-Prestige has repeated issues with the engine and drive train. On December 30th, 2025 it was diagnosed with a blocked breather hose sensor, causing the check engine light to come on. On July 1, 2026, the car rapidly decelerated while driving on the highway (limp mode), creating an unsafe condition, with an alert to charge the battery. The car also seemed to struggle... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - ENGINE
Aug 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 21, 2026
My 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX-Prestige has repeated issues with the engine and drive train. On December 30th, 2025 it was diagnosed with a blocked breather hose sensor, causing the check engine light to come on. On July 1, 2026, the car rapidly decelerated while driving on the highway (limp mode), creating an unsafe condition, with an alert to charge the battery. The car also seemed to struggle... Read more
KIA
SORENTO HYBRID
(2025) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 21, 2026
My 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX-Prestige has repeated issues with the engine and drive train. On December 30th, 2025 it was diagnosed with a blocked breather hose sensor, causing the check engine light to come on. On July 1, 2026, the car rapidly decelerated while driving on the highway (limp mode), creating an unsafe condition, with an alert to charge the battery. The car also seemed to struggle... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2026
I have a 2020 Optima, apparently there is a recall for the older models, yet mine is experiencing the exact same issues. Over oil consumption leading to engine failure. I have been in a rental for a month and a half due to fighting with Kia to correct the issue all while they drag their feet. Smells like another class action.
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
XXX While returning home, we just turned right onto [XXX] heading south, an audible alarm sounded which surprised us and then a message appeared that stated "Engine Off! Shift to [XXX], then start engine". This same problem had just occurred not 10 minutes earlier while crossing the bridge into [XXX] from [XXX]! Again, once I was able to refocus my attention to the road, I was then able to turn on... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
XXX While returning home, we were crossing a 2 lane bridge between [XXX] and [XXX] heading south, an audible alarm sounded which surprised us and then a message appeared that stated "Engine Off! Shift to P or N, then start engine". Once I was able to refocus my attention to the road, I was then able to turn on my hazard signals, stop the car, shift to Park and restart the car. This all happened wi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
Aug 1 2026 While going to the store, we were waiting at the traffic light to make a left turn, as we were making the left turn and entering the store parking lot an audible alarm sounded which surprised us and then a message appeared that stated "Engine Off! Shift to P or N, then start engine". Fortunately, there were no cars behind us and I was able to shift into Park and restart my car. With en... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2026
Was driving and power steering became difficult to steer and a red steering wheel icon with a exclamation mark came on in the dashboard.
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
My 2021 Kia Seltos stalled twice while driving and failed to restart, creating a severe safety hazard. The vehicle was previously inspected twice at a Kia dealer for the Piston Ring Recall (SC209). The dealer diagnosis now shows timing failure codes P0014 and P0017 with misfires. The technician notes that the engine oil is entirely 'metalized' and the oil control valves are contaminated with metal... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
Vehicle steers with more resistance to the left but very loose and easy to the right. Dealership diagnosed that a new steering column is required. Kia also issued a new vehicle limited warranty extension on the motor driven power steering. I believe the warranty extension should apply; however, dealer says it does not apply. The warning light required for the extended warrant is not on in my vehic... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
I had recall 26V430000 service performed at: Regal Kia [XXX] After the work was performed, both front power seats were inoperative. I was never informed by the service rep that the power seats were inoperative. I received a text of the multi-point inspection which included a quote for $546.87 for both front seat power switches. Never had the service rep discuss this with me while I was at Regal Ki... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2026
Constant failure of the rear self leveling shocks there is tsb on the issue but manufacturer will only replace first set of shocks which causes the owner to pay every 20k plus miles for new rear shocks
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
l have a 2014 grey Kia soul with engine problems engine recall. The car has stopped multiple times. The KSDS is already installed since my Kia in limp mode can’t got past 40mph. Its engine recall P1326 knock sensor rod bearing engine recall. Everything on car is up to date oil change last month and all other car parts. Smoke come inside car and outside my 2014 Kia soul making very very d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
l have a 2014 grey Kia soul with engine problems engine recall. The car has stopped multiple times. The KSDS is already installed since my Kia in limp mode can’t got past 40mph. Its engine recall P1326 knock sensor rod bearing engine recall. Everything on car is up to date oil change last month and all other car parts. Smoke come inside car and outside my 2014 Kia soul making very very d... Read more
KIA
TELLURIDE HYBRID
(2027) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 29, 2026
Incident date: Aug 29, 2026
The 2027 Kia Telluride's battery continues to deplete after being inactive for a period of 6 to 48 hours. implying that I am compelled to repeatedly jump over this vehicle. This poses a significant safety hazard and concern for me as an amputee and female. I will be left stranded if the car is left uncranked overnight while traveling away from home. The dealership does not possess a solution for t... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
The component was the engine. The engine has since been replaced. The safety of myself or others was not in immediate danger before the engine seized. Luckily my mechanics employee was test driving for other issues at the time. My mechanic said it was likely due to the recalls that have been issued from KIA. Unfortunately the engine was seized so the dealership I had the car towed to was unable t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2026
I am filing an official safety complaint against the manufacturer for refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall repairs on my vehicle. My vehicle is impacted by critical safety recalls involving high-severity fire risks, specifically the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) electrical short circuit risk. Corporate Customer Care and my local authorized dealership have officially re... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2026
I am filing an official safety complaint against the manufacturer for refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall repairs on my vehicle. My vehicle is impacted by critical safety recalls involving high-severity fire risks, specifically the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) electrical short circuit risk. Corporate Customer Care and my local authorized dealership have officially re... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2026
I am filing an official safety complaint against the manufacturer for refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall repairs on my vehicle. My vehicle is impacted by critical safety recalls involving high-severity fire risks, specifically the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) electrical short circuit risk. Corporate Customer Care and my local authorized dealership have officially re... Read more
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2026) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 28, 2026
Incident date: May 15, 2026
When I start the car and use the dial to shift into drive or reverse gear quickly, it fails and locks up. I have to turn the car off and/or open the door before restarting the car and wait a few seconds until the "Ready" message appears on the instrument panel. Then, it did not fail to shift into gears so far. However, this is a major safety hazard if I need to quickly move the car to avoid an im... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
On XXX, at approximately 7:40 a.m., my 2023 Kia Telluride, VIN [XXX], experienced a sudden mechanical failure while traveling approximately 65+ mph southbound on [XXX]. The vehicle suddenly locked up, causing the driver to lose control, skid, and swerve toward the side of the freeway. The rear wheels appeared to be locked. Fortunately, no collision occurred and no one was injured. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2026
I bought this vehicle less than 60 days ago and there is transmission hesitation, hard engagement in lower gears, Rough jerking shifting along with acceleration lag. Erracric shifting and phantom braking. I have taken it into the dealership I bought it at at they are not seeing anything. It currently is at another Kia dealership for the past two days. This vehicle is going to cause an accident tha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2026
I bought this vehicle less than 60 days ago and there is transmission hesitation, hard engagement in lower gears, Rough jerking shifting along with acceleration lag. Erracric shifting and phantom braking. I have taken it into the dealership I bought it at at they are not seeing anything. It currently is at another Kia dealership for the past two days. This vehicle is going to cause an accident tha... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2026
I bought this vehicle less than 60 days ago and there is transmission hesitation, hard engagement in lower gears, Rough jerking shifting along with acceleration lag. Erracric shifting and phantom braking. I have taken it into the dealership I bought it at at they are not seeing anything. It currently is at another Kia dealership for the past two days. This vehicle is going to cause an accident tha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2026
I am reporting a total of 6 failed lug bolts on the rear tires of a 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line within 1 year of ownership. This vehicle was purchased in Aug 2025 as a new vehicle from a Kia dealership. In March 2026, vehicle was brought for it's 8000 miles service at a Kia dealership. At the time the vehicle had 9336 miles. During tire rotation, service technicians found passenger rear wheel to have... Read more