Known faults for Kia.

Most common faults

Sorted by how many of this make's models each entry applies to.

1. Weak points of the small CRDi diesels (U family) from Hyundai and Kia11 models

   Injection / turboRio (II) · Rio (III) · Rio (IV) · Venga · +7

2. Judder on the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (7DCT)8 models

   Automatic gearboxRio (IV) · Stonic · Cee'd (II) · Ceed / XCeed (III) · +4

3. Timing chain, fuel filter and clutch on the Sorento II 2.2 CRDi6 models

   Timing systemCee'd (I) · Stinger · Sorento (II) · Sorento (III) · +2

4. Carbon on the injectors and intake of the T-GDi petrol engines5 models

   Injection / turboPicanto (III) · Rio (IV) · Stonic · Sportage (V) · +1

5. Connecting-rod bearings on the Theta II 2.0 and 2.4 petrol engines5 models

   EngineOptima (III) · Optima (IV) · Sportage (III) · Sorento (II) · +1

6. Timing chain on the 1.4 and 1.6 Gamma petrol engines4 models

   Timing systemRio (III) · Venga · Soul (I) · Cee'd (I)

7. Variable-geometry turbo and glow plugs on the 2.0 CRDi (D4EA)4 models

   Injection / turboCarens (II) · Carens (III) · Magentis · Sportage (II)

8. Driver assistance that switches off at times because of an internal front camera fault2 models

   Electrical and electronic systemsSportage (IV) · Niro (I)

Models by era

Grouped by the launch year of each generation. Photos show the generation listed; if there is no verified photo, no other car is shown instead.

Recalls

Check what each recall covers: market, production period and VIN. Ask the manufacturer whether a repair is outstanding.

• Instrument cluster showing information late (2025 Kia)Electrical and electronic systems
• Instrument cluster that goes blank (Niro II and Sportage V)Electrical and electronic systems
• Recall: wiring under the passenger seat on the Niro IIElectrical and electronic systems
• Kia airbag and seat-belt recalls (2002–2026)Airbags and seat belts
• Kia brake recalls (2003–2024)Brakes
• Kia steering recalls (2003–2016)Steering