Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (31.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train complaints here are 3.7× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 46 · 31.5% | Recalled | Recall 20V459000 |
| Engine | 35 · 24% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 20 · 13.7% | No official action | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 14 · 9.6% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 · 8.2% | Recalled | Recall 18V771000 |
| Steering | 8 · 5.5% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 146 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 18V771000 · 2018 · reported 10/31/2018
If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V459000 · 2020 · reported 08/05/2020
A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“Have only 70000 miles on it and Kia refuses to replace the transmission that went out and they have lied to me repeatedly and need…”NHTSA complaint 11606688 — filed 08/06/2024 · POWER TRAIN
“I accelerated from a stop to turn onto the a road. Upon doing so, the car made loud sputtering and grinding noises. So I pulled…”NHTSA complaint 11579161 — filed 03/24/2024 · POWER TRAIN
“suffered an immediate loss of engine while driving due to the crankshaft wearing a hole in the block”NHTSA complaint 11575574 — filed 03/05/2024 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 46 of 146 NHTSA complaints (31.5%), followed by engine (35), unspecified/other issues (22), electrical system (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
146 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V771000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
