Current Kia models
Sorento2003–2026 · 10,207 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2016, 2017Soul2010–2025 · 5,573 complaintsAvoid: 2015, 2014, 2016Telluride2020–2027 · 2,056 complaintsNo years flaggedSportage1995–2026 · 4,705 complaintsAvoid: 2023, 2025, 2017Seltos2021–2025 · 559 complaintsAvoid: 2024EV62022–2025 · 548 complaintsNo years flaggedK52021–2026 · 506 complaintsAvoid: 2025, 2023Carnival2022–2026 · 417 complaintsAvoid: 2025Niro2017–2025 · 348 complaintsAvoid: 2023, 2025, 2022EV92024–2026 · 257 complaintsNo years flaggedSportage Hybrid2023–2026 · 144 complaintsNo years flaggedSorento Hybrid2021–2025 · 116 complaintsAvoid: 2025, 2023Carnival Hybrid2025–2026 · 94 complaintsNo years flaggedK42025–2026 · 60 complaintsNo years flaggedSorento Phev2022–2025 · 43 complaintsNo years flaggedSportage Phev2023–2025 · 33 complaintsNo years flagged
Older and discontinued models
Optima2001–2020 · 7,527 complaintsAvoid: 2013, 2015, 2012Forte2010–2024 · 2,558 complaintsAvoid: 2014, 2017, 2015Sedona2002–2021 · 2,535 complaintsAvoid: 2006, 2016, 2002Rio2001–2023 · 1,291 complaintsAvoid: 2013, 2016, 2001Stinger2018–2023 · 169 complaintsNo years flaggedNiro EV2019–2024 · 90 complaintsAvoid: 2022, 2023Niro Phev2018–2023 · 62 complaintsAvoid: 2022Cadenza2014–2019 · 218 complaintsAvoid: 2014Soul EV2015–2019 · 37 complaintsAvoid: 2017Optima Phev2017–2018 · 31 complaintsNo years flaggedOptima Hybrid2011–2018 · 270 complaintsAvoid: 2012K9002015–2018 · 66 complaintsAvoid: 2015Sephia1995–2002 · 1,685 complaintsAvoid: 1998, 1999, 2000Spectra2000–2009 · 906 complaintsAvoid: 2007Rondo2007–2010 · 295 complaintsAvoid: 2007, 2008Amanti2004–2008 · 243 complaintsAvoid: 2004, 2005Borrego2009–2014 · 90 complaintsAvoid: 2009Forte Koup2010–2014 · 50 complaintsAvoid: 2013Spectra52006–2008 · 44 complaintsAvoid: 2006, 2008Rio Cinco2002–2004 · 41 complaintsAvoid: 2002LD Spectra2004 · 5 complaintsNo years flagged
Kia model years to avoid
- 2009 Kia Borrego29.5× complaints · brake
- 2013 Kia Optima7.1× complaints · engine
- 2023 Kia Sportage6.7× complaints · electrical
- 2015 Kia Optima6.2× complaints · engine
- 2011 Kia Sorento5.8× complaints · engine
- 2016 Kia Sorento5.7× complaints · engine
- 2001 Kia Rio5.5× complaints · engine
- 2015 Kia K9005.5× complaints · headlight
- 2012 Kia Optima5.2× complaints · engine
- 2016 Kia Optima5.2× complaints · engine
- 1998 Kia Sephia4.1× complaints · brake
- 2017 Kia Sorento4.0× complaints · engine
Latest Kia recalls
- 2025–2026 Kia EV9: air bags – front passenger
- 2022–2024 Kia EV6, 2024 Kia EV9: electrical system – traction battery
- 2020–2024 Kia Telluride: seats – power adjust
- 2027 Kia Telluride: seat belts – front
- 2022–2026 Kia Carnival: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- 2026 Kia K4, 2027 Kia Telluride: seat belts – anchorage
- 2025 Kia Telluride: seats – recliner
- 2026 Kia Carnival, 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid and 8 more: electrical system – instrument cluster/panel
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia model years should you avoid?
By owner complaints compared at the same age, the worst Kia model years include the 2009 Borrego, the 2013 Optima, the 2023 Sportage, the 2015 Optima and the 2011 Sorento.
How many Kia recalls are there?
NHTSA lists 206 recalls for Kia vehicles from 1995 onward, the latest on August 21, 2026. See the latest Kia recalls.
What Kia model gets the most complaints?
In the last ten model years, the Sorento has drawn the most complaints (3,583) — partly because it is one of the brand's best sellers. Compare years on the Kia Sorento page.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.