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KIA acceleration problems

Owners have filed 1,849 complaints with NHTSA about the throttle and cruise control on KIA vehicles — 3% of everything reported about the brand, across 38 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the KIA Sorento, worst in 2011.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

1,849

Complaints

3%

Share of all KIA complaints

212

Crashes

29

Fires

Which KIA models have the most acceleration problems

Sorento 398 21.5%

Worst in 2011

Optima 274 14.8%

Worst in 2012

Sportage 191 10.3%

Worst in 1997

Soul 178 9.6%

Worst in 2014

Sedona 175 9.5%

Worst in 2008

Forte 111 6.0%

Worst in 2017

Spectra 72 3.9%

Worst in 2008

Telluride 58 3.1%

Worst in 2024

Amanti 56 3.0%

Worst in 2005

RIO 40 2.2%

Worst in 2012

Sephia 39 2.1%

Worst in 1997

Sportage Hybrid 33 1.8%

Worst in 2023

Carnival Hybrid 27 1.5%

Worst in 2025

Worst KIA model years for acceleration problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2011 KIA Sorento 64 3% 26,982 D
2016 KIA Sorento 63 4% 63,122 C
2012 KIA Optima 40 3% 72,500 B
2013 KIA Optima 39 2% 56,500 C
2008 KIA Sedona 38 15% 25,000 B
2015 KIA Optima 35 3% 61,000 C
2014 KIA Soul 32 3% 77,250 C
2014 KIA Sorento 31 2% 66,380 B
2016 KIA Soul 31 3% 68,000 B
2015 KIA Soul 30 2% 92,500 C
2005 KIA Amanti 29 24% 33,889 D
2012 KIA Sorento 29 2% 14,000 B
2016 KIA Optima 29 3% 37,027 C
2008 KIA Sorento 28 9% 57,100 D
1997 KIA Sportage 25 8% 60,000 F
2013 KIA Sorento 25 2% 29,765 C
2023 KIA Sportage Hybrid 23 14% — B
2006 KIA Sedona 22 4% 63,500 C
2025 KIA Carnival Hybrid 22 22% 3,000 C
2007 KIA Sedona 21 9% 66,000 C

Other KIA problems

Acceleration problems on other brands