Pick a Kia Model

Reliability data is meaningful at the model level — not the brand level. Click any model below to see complaints, recalls, years to avoid, and common problems.

Why we don't show Kia-wide stats: Kia reliability varies hugely by model. Looking at the brand average is misleading — the Kia F-150 might be solid while the KiaFocus has known transmission issues. Pick the specific model you're interested in.

Kia Models (26)

Sorted by severity (worst first)
1

Kia Spectra

(2000–2009) high severity
1,210 complaintsCrash rate: 21.4%Severity: 6210
2

Kia Amanti

(2004–2009) high severity
353 complaintsCrash rate: 8.8%Severity: 6135
3

Kia Sportage Hybrid

(2023–2025) high severity
196 complaintsCrash rate: 8.2%Severity: 5815
4

Kia Optima Hybrid

(2011–2020) high severity
399 complaintsCrash rate: 7.8%Severity: 2943
5

Kia Rondo

(2007–2011) high severity
446 complaintsCrash rate: 11.0%Severity: 2744
6

Kia Borrego

(2008–2010) high severity
144 complaintsCrash rate: 6.2%Severity: 1340
7

Kia Sedona

(2002–2021) high severity
3,348 complaintsCrash rate: 5.5%Severity: 894
8

Kia Niro Ev

(2019–2024) high severity
128 complaintsCrash rate: 10.9%Severity: 861
9

Kia Ev9

(2024–2026) high severity
380 complaintsCrash rate: 0.3%Severity: 601
10

Kia Optima

(2001–2020) high severity
10,128 complaintsCrash rate: 4.9%Severity: 461
11

Kia Rio

(2000–2023) high severity
1,794 complaintsCrash rate: 12.8%Severity: 421
12

Kia K900

(2015–2019) high severity
99 complaintsCrash rate: 1.0%Severity: 308
13

Kia Ev6

(2022–2025) high severity
747 complaintsCrash rate: 4.7%Severity: 281
14

Kia Sorento

(2003–2025) high severity
13,603 complaintsCrash rate: 3.5%Severity: 270
15

Kia Soul

(2010–2025) high severity
7,252 complaintsCrash rate: 5.6%Severity: 220
16

Kia Cadenza

(2014–2019) high severity
281 complaintsCrash rate: 3.6%Severity: 214
17

Kia Sportage

(1995–2026)
6,606 complaintsCrash rate: 6.9%Severity: 153
18

Kia Forte

(2009–2024) high severity
3,499 complaintsCrash rate: 10.7%Severity: 119
19

Kia Carnival

(2022–2026)
465 complaintsCrash rate: 1.9%Severity: 112
20

Kia K4

(2025–2026) high severity
62 complaintsCrash rate: 22.6%Severity: 94
21

Kia Telluride

(2020–2025)
2,209 complaintsCrash rate: 2.7%Severity: 67
22

Kia Niro

(2017–2025) high severity
418 complaintsCrash rate: 10.5%Severity: 61
23

Kia Rio5

(2008–2009) high severity
9 complaintsCrash rate: 44.4%Severity: 55
24

Kia Stinger

(2018–2023)
209 complaintsCrash rate: 4.8%Severity: 54
25

Kia K5

(2021–2026)
636 complaintsCrash rate: 8.6%Severity: 51
26

Kia Seltos

(2021–2026)
666 complaintsCrash rate: 5.9%Severity: 41
Found a Kia you like?

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Most Common Kia Problems

Components most reported across all Kia models in NHTSA complaints.

ComponentComplaintsCrash %
ENGINE14,0281.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5,4232.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4,9173.7%
POWER TRAIN3,0513.3%
AIR BAGS2,76335.0%
STEERING2,4336.0%
STRUCTURE:BODY2,0636.6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2,0341.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1,8862.7%
SERVICE BRAKES1,65014.4%

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