FaultScore

KIA engine problems

Owners have filed 17,238 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on KIA vehicles — 28% of everything reported about the brand, across 40 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the KIA Sorento, worst in 2016.

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.

17,238

Complaints

28%

Share of all KIA complaints

230

Crashes

1,281

Fires

Which KIA models have the most engine problems

Sorento 4,214 24.4%

Worst in 2016

Soul 3,505 20.3%

Worst in 2015

Optima 3,390 19.7%

Worst in 2013

Sportage 2,024 11.7%

Worst in 2012

Forte 1,175 6.8%

Worst in 2014

Sedona 525 3.0%

Worst in 2016

RIO 399 2.3%

Worst in 2001

Sephia 395 2.3%

Worst in 1998

Seltos 334 1.9%

Worst in 2021

Telluride 315 1.8%

Worst in 2020

Optima Hybrid 150 0.9%

Worst in 2012

Niro 87 0.5%

Worst in 2017

Spectra 86 0.5%

Worst in 2003

K5 86 0.5%

Worst in 2021

Cadenza 65 0.4%

Worst in 2014

Rondo 52 0.3%

Worst in 2007

Stinger 51 0.3%

Worst in 2018

Sorento Hybrid 48 0.3%

Worst in 2025

Carnival 47 0.3%

Worst in 2022

EV6 38 0.2%

Worst in 2022

Forte Koup 37 0.2%

Worst in 2012

Amanti 36 0.2%

Worst in 2004

Sportage Hybrid 31 0.2%

Worst in 2023

Worst KIA model years for engine problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2016 KIA Sorento 722 44% 84,994 F
2015 KIA Soul 687 56% 97,814 F
2016 KIA Soul 661 58% 90,000 F
2013 KIA Optima 655 35% 100,000 F
2015 KIA Optima 652 47% 88,000 F
2014 KIA Soul 606 50% 103,558 F
2013 KIA Sorento 516 40% 89,479 F
2012 KIA Sorento 477 39% 99,700 F
2016 KIA Optima 448 42% 91,083 F
2012 KIA Optima 418 33% 100,000 F
2014 KIA Sorento 409 30% 101,430 F
2017 KIA Sorento 409 40% 65,895 F
2015 KIA Sorento 364 38% 87,560 F
2012 KIA Sportage 330 73% 100,000 F
2013 KIA Soul 326 38% 119,784 F
2011 KIA Sorento 323 16% 98,000 F
2013 KIA Sportage 314 70% 100,110 F
2014 KIA Optima 294 37% 88,000 F
2011 KIA Optima 263 34% 101,000 F
2021 KIA Seltos 260 52% 54,000 F