The Korean brand has lately been dominating the market with a combination of quality and low prices, but owning a Kia isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
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Kia has built a good reputation for itself over the years with the production of reliable vehicles of all kinds. The large variety of Kia models available today ensures that there’s something for everyone. Whether you are looking for gas-powered models or hybrids, Kia has got you covered with some of the best-rated vehicles in their respective segments.
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With models scattered all over the world, there are just as many people excited about the brand as there are those disappointed with their ownership experience. If you plan on getting a Kia vehicle, this piece is like a heads-up about what you might experience. But then, bear in mind that most of these problems are not specific to Kia, so you might want to cut the band some slack. That said, here are glaring issues with Kia vehicles that no one might have told you about.
Steering Problems
Steering problems account for nearly 6% of all complaints by Kia owners, and the most affected models are the Optima, Sorento, and Soul released between 2011 and 2017. The more from steering problems, with many drivers complaining that their steering pulls to the side, even when driving a straight road and the vehicle has been aligned.
If you drive a 2012 Kia Soul, it’s not uncommon to hear a clunking sound when turning the steering wheel to the right or left. As if that’s not enough, there are also reports of loss of power steering for the Rio, which could pose a very serious danger to drivers and other road users.
Transmission Issues
There’s a Kia for everyone but the downside of owning a Borrego, Forte, Optima, Sorento, Spectra, Sportage, or whatever model you can afford is that you will most likely experience transmission problems. For Sorento owners, chances are you have experienced jerking when shifting, especially when going uphill at about 75 mph.
But the transmission problems of Kia don’t stop at jerking. The car transmission has been replaced twice with less than 5,000 miles on the odometer. Many other Forte owners have similar sad experiences with the transmission.
Door Lock Malfunction
Interior problems account for a large chunk of the complaints by Kia owners, but one particular issue that comes up often has to do with the door lock. Many owners of Kia vehicles like Optima, Sorento, and Rio have expressed concerns about this door lock issue.
A Kia Optima owner reports that the door lock failed to open from the inside or outside. Although this door malfunction may seem like an inexpensive issue to fix, it can be costly, especially in the event of an accident or emergency.
Airbag Failure
Failure to deploy airbags may increase the severity of an accident and put the life of the car occupants at risk. With this in mind, it’s important to do your background checks to ensure any Kia model you opt for doesn’t have airbag problems.
You might want to steer clear of models like the Forte, Koup, Soul, and Sedona produced from 2017 to 2019 because Kia recalled nearly 410,000 of these vehicles for airbag failure. The exact problem with the airbags is due to soldering joint damage, which triggers the airbag light to turn on, while the airbag fails to deploy.
Rust and Paint Peeling
Just like cancer, early detection is the key for your Kia to survive rust. That’s why you need to know to prevent rust or stop it from spreading at an early stage. Kia models like the Cadenza, Rio, Sportage, Sorento, and Spectra are rust buckets, so it’s either you avoid them or brace up for what’s coming.
Paint peeling is a consequence of a poor paint job or exposing your car to the sun’s ultraviolet rays for too long. Paint peeling problems are usually common among Sorentos and Optimas.
Poor Lighting
Lighting is another relatively inexpensive problem, but it can result in an accident and many Kia owners express worries about it. Kia Sorento owners complain about flashing headlights, while Forte and Optima owners do not feel comfortable with the dim headlights and taillights.
Brake Issues
There are a lot of problems with Kia brakes that you can’t ignore. For one, drivers express disappointment about the faulty brake pedal in the 2019 Kia Soul. Another issue you might find very irritating is the screeching sound you hear whenever you brake.
According to a 2014 Kia Sorento owner, the noise persisted even after replacing the four brakes and turning the rotors. In 2020, Kia recalled a total of 463,500 units of the 2014-2015 Sorento and the 2013-2015 Optima due to brake fluid leaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kia Optima A Good Car?
The Optima is a fantastic car, but you need to know which model you are buying. Recent models have been great, and models predate 2010 are also good.
Does Kia Optimas Hold Their Value?
The Optima has a depreciation rate of only 18% in 5 years. This is one of the best rates I have ever seen. This means you will not lose too much value at all.
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