FaultScore

KIA body problems

Owners have filed 2,861 complaints with NHTSA about the body and structure on KIA vehicles — 5% of everything reported about the brand, across 40 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.

2,861

Complaints

5%

Share of all KIA complaints

159

Crashes

117

Fires

Which KIA models have the most body problems

Sorento 937 32.8%

Worst in 2011

Optima 565 19.7%

Worst in 2013

Sportage 285 10.0%

Worst in 1998

Sedona 229 8.0%

Worst in 2006

Telluride 149 5.2%

Worst in 2020

Soul 136 4.8%

Worst in 2010

Sephia 127 4.4%

Worst in 1998

Forte 80 2.8%

Worst in 2014

RIO 56 2.0%

Worst in 2001

Carnival 55 1.9%

Worst in 2022

Spectra 50 1.7%

Worst in 2003

K5 43 1.5%

Worst in 2023

Worst KIA model years for body problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2011 KIA Sorento 269 13% 89,000 B
2014 KIA Sorento 161 12% 72,000 B
2013 KIA Optima 127 7% 70,000 C
2016 KIA Sorento 111 7% 47,000 B
2015 KIA Sorento 100 10% 60,000 B
2013 KIA Sorento 91 7% 63,000 B
2015 KIA Optima 76 5% 56,000 C
2019 KIA Sorento 54 9% 43,500 B
2020 KIA Telluride 52 6% 3,835 A
2014 KIA Optima 48 6% 75,500 B
2004 KIA Optima 42 14% 103,900 B
2006 KIA Sedona 41 7% 45,983 C
2016 KIA Optima 40 4% 34,000 F
2012 KIA Optima 39 3% 47,700 F
2001 KIA Optima 37 16% 95,200 C
2012 KIA Sorento 37 3% 70,500 D
1998 KIA Sportage 33 6% 122,500 B
2000 KIA Sportage 33 7% 114,000 A
2002 KIA Optima 33 20% 117,176 C
1999 KIA Sportage 32 6% 100,198 B