Kia Reliability: Everything You Need to Know - VehicleHistory (2023)

FAQs

How reliable are Kia vehicles? ›

Are Kias Reliable? The short answer is yes, Kia reliability is above average. While Kia earned a poor reputation when it entered the United States market nearly 20 years ago, much has changed. Today, the brand has an overall RepairPal reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and ranks third out of 32 car brands surveyed.

Not only are Kia vehicles the most reliable on the road today -- they're also backed with industry-leading warranty coverage for even greater peace of mind. A testament to the Kia commitment to quality, ever new Kia includes comprehensive warranty protection including: 10-year / 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

A Kia can last around 200,000 miles or 13 years with regular maintenance, depending on factors like the model year and your driving habits. .

Exceptional reliability is the name of the game with both Toyota and Kia. A 2019 study done by J.D. Power found Kia is highest in U.S. initial quality in the non-premium category. J.D. Power also ranked the 2016 Kia Soul, as well as the 2016 Toyota Corolla, Prius, and Prius V among the most dependable cars on the road.

Honda and Kia vehicles are both reliable and provide impressive warranties for you to take advantage of. While Kia is sure to keep you and your passengers safe on every trip, Honda wants to make sure your car, truck, or SUV remains in working order for as long as possible.

Buy: 2019 Kia Optima

The 2019 Kia Optima is arguably the most reliable Kia Optima year across all generations. It featured a stylish interior and exterior, a spacious trunk, and plenty of powertrain options. Also, there are little to no complaints about this model, so you can buy it used with confidence.

However, several 2018 Kia models were named as the most dependable in their class for the 2021 Dependability Awards. The 2018 Kia Sportage was the most dependable small SUV, the 2018 Kia Sorento was the most dependable midsize SUV, and the 2018 Kia Optima was the most dependable midsize car.

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

With the combination of Kia's top-tier warranty and excellent safety ratings, the Kia Rio will last you a long while with the proper care and maintenance. As mentioned, some Rio owners claimed that they managed to reach 250,000 miles on their subcompact vehicle.

Kia and Hyundai models have been targeted across the country following a TikTok social media challenge that encourages the stealing of these vehicles and shows viewers how to steal the vehicle without a key. The vehicles being targeted are Kia models from 2011-21 and Hyundai models from 2015-21.

Which Kia models have engine problems? ›

Over the last few years, Kia has had to recall various models for two main engine issues, namely stalling and non-crash fires. Most of these engine issues have involved 2.4-liter and 2.0-liter Theta II GDI engines, which power multiple Kia models, including the Optima, Sorento, and Sportage in model years 2011-2019.

What is the most dependable car brand? Here are the brand rankings based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. vehicle dependability study. The industry average is 186. The highest-ranking premium brand was Lexus, and Kia was the highest-ranking mass market brand.

Selling your Kia within three years of ownership will maximize the chances that you'll get up to 50% of its original value back upon resale. But there's more at play than just the ticking clock—your Kia's condition, mileage, and popularity all impact your car's worth on the used car market.

Kia is an affiliate of the Hyundai Motor Company and therefore uses Hyundai engines. Hyundai engines are manufactured in Korea and China and later placed into Kia models around the world.

In a recent 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study by J.D. Power, Kia gets the top rank overall in vehicle reliability. In 2021, Kia ranked 3rd in overall reliability, which means the company has been upping its game and making its cars more dependable. Kia is followed by Buick and fellow South Korean company Hyundai.

A trending TikTok challenge publicizing a technique for stealing certain makes and models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles caused vehicle thefts to soar across the country, according to reports from several police departments. Now, Kia and its parent company Hyundai are getting sued by pissed off victims.

Interior problems account for a large chunk of the complaints by Kia owners, but one particular issue that often comes up is the door lock. Many owners of Kia vehicles like Optima, Sorento, and Rio have expressed concerns about this door lock issue.

One of the biggest reasons why Kia models are so reliable is the Hyundai connection. In the 1990s, Kia was a failing car brand — and its vehicles were plagued by quality issues. However, both the financial health and vehicle quality greatly improved once Hyundai bought Kia in 1998.

The Honda CR-V has better non-hybrid fuel economy and class-leading cargo space, but the Kia Sportage is the value choice because of its lower starting price and longer warranty.

Kia produces affordable vehicles, but its more upscale models can be on the pricier side.

Which Kia model is best? ›

Taking top honors this year are the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid (Best Hybrid SUV for the Money), Kia K5 (Best Midsize Car for the Money), and Kia Rio (Best Subcompact Car for the Money).

The most popular Kia cars in India are Sonet, Seltos and Carens.

Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2021-2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Studies. 2023 Study based on responses from 30,062 original owners of 2020 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, surveyed August-November 2022.

Hyundai Reliability. Both brands are known for their long-lasting performance and durability, but comparing Kia vs. Hyundai reliability ratings from J.D Power reveals a clear winner: Kia. In fact, Kia beat out all other automakers in 2022 with a score of 145 PP100 (Problems per 100 Vehicles).

While it's a good idea to consider the age of a vehicle and the number on its odometer, it's more important to look at how well the owner maintained the car. A 10-year-old car with 100,000 miles may have received more TLC than a five-year-old model with 50,000 miles.

At 100,000 miles, your Kia will be thoroughly broken in with primary systems and components showing some wear. If you have followed the maintenance schedule diligently so far, you are well prepared to continue with the routine maintenance needed for the next 100,000.

How many miles on a car is bad? As a general rule, most vehicles begin to seriously degrade at around 150,000 miles. It is considered rare, and therefore outstanding longevity, if a car reaches 200,000 miles on the road.

What is the longest lasting car of all time? ›

The highest mileage car on record is Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S, with over 3 million miles. There were even two electric cars in the study. The Tesla Model S has a potential lifespan of 133,998 miles and the Nissan Leaf 98,081.

Coming in with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/31 mpg highway, the 2023 Kia Seltos definitely ranks as one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs across the board.

However, the most recent rating by Global NCAP in India gave the Seltos a three-star safety rating for adult occupants and a two-star rating for child occupants. Q. Which Kia car has a 5-star safety rating? The Kia Carnival is the only Kia car that has a 5-star safety rating.

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America will resolve class-action lawsuit prompted by a surge in vehicle thefts with a settlement agreement that could be valued at $200 million, the automakers announced Friday.

Hyundai and Kia's modern engine issues date back to 2015, and the 2011 and 2012 model year Sonata. A class action lawsuit in May of 2015 alleged the Theta engine in the Sonata was defective. In particular, it was claimed the 2.4-liter version of the Theta II engine suffered from connecting rod bearings issues.

Our Lifetime Warranty covers various parts throughout the powertrain in the engine, transmission & drivetrain.

Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors and the engines are made available by the Hyundai Motor Group.

According to this trusted organization, the most reliable cars for 2021 are from brands such as Audi, Buick, Hyundai, and Toyota. The Consumer Reports study is based on surveying more than 400,000 people who own current-generation vehicles made within the last three years.

Who makes the most reliable engines? ›

According to both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, Toyota constantly figures in the top places as the most dependable brand in the automotive world. Granted, those data pools include far more than simple engine reliability but that feels like a point for Toyota rather than one against it.

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

Three Kia models are recognized with 2023 Best Cars for the Money awards. This year, three Kia vehicles have been honored with Best Cars for the Money awards. The winners are the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, the Kia K5, and the Kia Rio.

It is much easier to keep a Kia SUV on the road with the help of an expert. An estimated average lifespan of 200,000 miles equates to about 13 to 17 years on the road. Vehicles tend to drive 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. A well-maintained Kia SUV could even last 250,000 miles.

At this time, three Kia models are made and manufactured in the United States: Kia Sorento. Kia K5. Kia Telluride.

Kia and Hyundai Motor Group operate independently, but Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors. The difference between Kia and Hyundai is that both companies have their own brand philosophies to uniquely produce their vehicles.

According to the company, the name "Kia" derives from the Sino-Korean characters 起 (ki, 'to arise') and 亞 (a, which stands for 亞細亞, meaning 'Asia'); it is roughly translated as "Rising from (East) Asia".

Kia and Hyundai Motor Group operate independently, but Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors. The difference between Kia and Hyundai is that both companies have their own brand philosophies to uniquely produce their vehicles.

Kia Motors Car Sales Worldwide by Global Region in 2022

By model, the Sportage SUV topped the 2022 global sales ranking with 452,068 units, followed by the Seltos SUV with 310,418 units and the Sorento SUV with 222,570 units.

This year marks Kia's fifth consecutive as the top-ranked mass-market brand. The three Korean brands were followed in the top 10 by Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Nissan, Dodge, Lexus and Toyota.

Does Kia have good engines? ›

Kia also offers V6 engine options, most producing over 270 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. However, despite having impressive engine options, engine problems account for up to 35% of all Kia complaints filed with CarComplaints. Kia's Sorento, Optima, and Sportage account for the bulk of the problems.

If you're wondering the country of origin for Kia, here's the answer: Kia started out in South Korea and currently has its headquarters in Seoul. More specifically, Kia cars are made in the Yeongdeungpo-gu district in southwest Seoul.

According to kia.com, Kia comes from South Korea. They are Korea's oldest manufacturer of automobiles, starting as a bicycle company and moving to the car powerhouse they are today. They are not a Chinese or Japanese brand.

History. The group was formed through the purchase of 51% of Kia by Hyundai Motor Company in 1998. As of 2011, Hyundai owns 33.7% of Kia Motors. On May 22, 2022, the Hyundai Motor Group announced the company would invest an additional $5 billion in the United States by the year 2025.