YearToAvoid

Kia Best and Worst Years by Model

24 Kia models, 32,710 NHTSA owner complaints and 221 recall campaigns for model years 2010–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Kia models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Kia Sorento2010–20258,656352011, 2012, 2013, 20162018, 2023, 2024Engine
Kia Soul2010–20255,526152013, 2014, 2015, 20162010, 2019, 2024, 2025Engine
Kia Telluride2020–20251,987172020, 20242021, 2023Electrical System
Kia Sportage2010–20252,575202012, 2013, 2017, 20232010, 2014, 2019, 2022Engine
Kia Forte2010–20242,537182011, 2012, 2014, 20172020, 2021, 2022, 2024Engine
Kia Optima2010–20206,158162012, 2013, 20152010, 2017, 2020Engine
Kia K52021–202548282022, 20232024Fuel System
Kia Sedona2010–2021926142015, 2016, 20172020, 2021Engine
Kia Seltos2021–202554542021, 20242025Engine
Kia Carnival2022–2025383620252023Electrical System
Kia Rio2010–202358352013, 2015, 2016, 20202011, 2021, 2022, 2023Engine
Kia Niro2017–202534662022, 2023, 20242020, 2021Engine
Kia Stinger2018–202316872018, 20192020, 2023Engine
Kia EV62022–2025541520222025Electrical System
Kia Sportage Hybrid2023–20251291——Engine
Kia Cadenza2014–202021662014, 20152019Engine
Kia Niro EV2019–20259062022, 2023—Electrical System
Kia EV92024–20252269——Electrical System
Kia Sorento Hybrid2021–202511162023, 20252024Engine
Kia Carnival Hybrid2025630——Engine
Kia Optima Hybrid2011–202027452012, 2013, 2014—Engine
Kia K9002015–20206842015, 2016—Electrical System
Kia Niro PHEV2018–202568320192020Transmission & Powertrain
Kia Forte Koup2010–20175252012, 2013—Engine

Kia model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2011 Kia Sorento · 1,517 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  2. 2013 Kia Optima · 1,383 complaints · 9 recalls Avoid
  3. 2016 Kia Sorento · 1,250 complaints · 8 recalls Avoid
  4. 2015 Kia Optima · 1,008 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  5. 2014 Kia Sorento · 986 complaints · 6 recalls Caution
  6. 2013 Kia Sorento · 981 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  7. 2012 Kia Optima · 919 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  8. 2014 Kia Soul · 900 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  9. 2015 Kia Soul · 898 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  10. 2012 Kia Sorento · 880 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid

How we rank Kia years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.