Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know

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Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know originally appeared on Autoblog.
Can Kia match Toyota in the reliability stakes?
Kia recently posted record sales in the United States, emphasizing just how far the brand has come since the Sephia compact arrived here in the first half of the 1990s. Once known for little more than plasticky, high-value econoboxes, today's Kia's are true style leaders, boast the latest tech, and some are as quick as far more expensive sports cars. One would assume that the brand's success has something to do with a strong reputation for dependability, too, but are Kias actually reliable? And can the brand match Toyota in this aspect? We'll try to answer that here.
Brand Reliability Vs. Model Reliability
Many consumers like to paint a single brand and all its models with the same brush. Just because you were able to cover 250,000 trouble-free miles in a basic Civic doesn't mean that all Hondas are automatically as reliable, which is why it's important to distinguish between brand reliability and model reliability. Often, there is some correlation, but even the best manufacturers are guilty of producing a lemon every now and then.
For this exercise, therefore, we'll hone in on specific Kia model issues while also taking a bird's eye view of the brand as a whole. We'll consult a range of reputable sources and customer complaints, as one source can often be at odds with another.
Most of our information will also be based on Kia models from the 2022 model year and older, as it's impossible to make an accurate dependability assessment for vehicles that are still quite new and which have not racked up many miles.Kia's Brand Reliability: Consistently Better Than Average
We'll start by looking at Kia as a brand. According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which assesses issues that owners of 2022 model year vehicles experienced over the first three years of ownership, Kia fares quite well.
The study ranks automakers by the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100); the lower the number of problems, the higher that manufacturer ranks. Vehicle owners were surveyed about aspects such as the driving experience, infotainment systems, the seats, the powertrain, and anything else that could affect the ownership experience.
Kia was ranked 11th out of 30 brands, with 196 PP100. This was marginally better than the study average of 202 PP100. With this score, Kia outperformed the likes of Honda and Subaru, while ranking far higher than its corporate rival, Hyundai (222 PP100). Rival brands like Mazda (161 PP100) and Toyota (162 PP100) performed better than Kia, but the Korean brand still put in a decent showing.
We went back a few years to see how Kia performed:
2024 study: Ranked 8th with 187 PP100 (study average: 190 PP100)
2023 study: Ranked 3rd with 152 PP100 (study average: 186 PP100)
2022 study: Ranked 1st with 145 PP100 (study average: 192 PP100)
2021 study: Ranked 3rd with 97 PP100 (study average: 121 PP100)
2020 study: Ranked 14th with 132 PP100 (study average: 134 PP100)
2019 study: Ranked 10th with 126 PP100 (study average: 136 PP100)
So, how reliable are Kias? Based on these results, we can see that while Kia's ranking has fluctuated, it has consistently been above-average in brand rankings for dependability.
Consumer Reports ranks Kia ninth out of 22 brands for predicted reliability. Much like J.D. Power's results, Kia is above average but does not quite hit the consistently high ratings of Toyota.
Examples Of Reliable Kia Models
Below, we've looked at some of the most reliable Kias between the 2010 and 2020 model years. We've chosen this time span, as these vehicles have been around long enough for reliability data to accumulate, but they're also not so old whereby maintenance will become an issue.
These models have a low number of recalls and complaints, and the complaints that were logged are also not severe or have been successfully resolved via a recall. This is by no means an exhaustive list of reliable Kias, but gives us an idea of specific models and years that have high ratings.
2020 Kia Sportage
J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 89/100
No. of complaints via Car Complaints: 12
A high quality and reliability rating and few complaints single out the 2020 Sportage, which is part of the crossover's fourth generation. This model was affected by two recalls for a fire risk, but these recalls affected many Sportage model years and once addressed, we see no issue with buying one of these.
2019 Kia Soul
J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 87/100
No. of complaints: 15
Kia's Soul is a simple, affordable crossover without a lot of technology that can fail. For the lowest-risk option, consider the base 1.6-liter model with no turbo and the manual gearbox. The only recall on record is from 2022 and relates to airbags, so as long as these have been checked, this should be a solid runabout.
2018 Kia Optima
J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 86/100
No. of complaints: 12
With few complaints and a high quality score, the now-defunct Optima sedan makes for a solid used buy. Over at Kelley Blue Book, it also has a commendable 4.3 out of 5 rating for reliability. KBB suggests you can pick up a used example for under $10k, which is great value for a spacious and comfortable sedan.
2016 Kia Forte
J.D. Power quality and reliability score: 82/100
No. of complaints: 10
One minor recall for a trunk emergency release that could fail, few complaints, and a good quality score make the 2016 Forte a solid used bet. Consumers on KBB also rated it at 4.4 out of 5 for reliability, and a used example will cost you under $6,000. There's nothing remarkable about it, but the Forte is hard to beat for simple, honest motoring.
The Most Problematic Kias
According to Car Complaints, the following Kias have racked up the highest and/or most serious number of complaints by drivers:
2013 Kia Optima
2013/2014/2015/2016 Kia Sorento
The 2016 Sorento, for example, is prone to complete engine failure for a rod bearing issue. The typical repair cost is extremely high, at $7,390, and the average mileage this occurs is at just over 94,000 miles.
Major Kia Reliability Issues
No automaker is perfect, and even Kia doesn't have an untarnished reliability record. These are some of the brand's most serious issues to watch out for.
Theta II Engine Failure
This four-cylinder engine family was introduced in 2009 and went on to power many Hyundai and Kia models. Equipped with gasoline direct injection (hence the GDI name), two versions were available: A 2.0-liter and a 2.4-liter, both with four cylinders.
Once consumers began to put some miles on the Theta II engines, a range of very serious issues cropped up. In 2015, the NHTSA recalled 470,000 Sonatas with these engines, manufactured for the 2011 and 2012 model years. According to Hyundai, metal debris may have been left in the crankshaft's oil passages, forcing the debris into the connecting rod oiling passages amd restricting oil flow to the bearings. Ultimately, this leads to premature bearing wear, a knocking noise, and complete engine failure in some cases.
On Car Complaints, there are 193 complaints for a seized engine on the 2011 Sonata, with a typical repair cost of $5,150.
Later, the 2015 recall was expanded to include thousands of Optima, Sorento, Sportage and other models with the Theta engine. Lawsuits followed, and it's estimated that Hyundai and Kia spent over $2 billion in settlements and engine replacements related to this engine. In 2022, Hyundai and Kia announced a settlement for over 2 million affected vehicles, plus a replacement (if necessary) of vehicles still in the extended warranty period of 15 years/150,000 miles.
Some Kia model years appear to be much more affected than others, so we recommend thoroughly researching your specific model if buying a used Kia with this engine.
Other Kia Problems
On RepairPal, the most complaints related to Kia are for the following issues. Fortunately, none are as serious as the Theta II engine troubles:
Headlamps
Malfunctioning door locks
Difficulty starting due to malfunctioning anti-theft control module
Faulty throttle position switch
Transmission issues
We have also noted a few cases of owners noticing paintwork issues on some older Kias, which can be prone to cracking, peeling, or fading.
If Anything Goes Wrong, Kia Has A Brilliant Warranty
Together with Hyundai, Kia has one of the best warranties for new cars. Its limited warranty runs for five years/60,000 miles, but the powertrain warranty is particularly good, stretching to 10 years of 100,000 miles; that's double the duration offered by Toyota or Honda.
EV batteries are also covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
Kia's long-term reliability reputation may not match Toyota's, but its warranty provides great peace of mind.
Summary: So, Is Kia A Reliable Car Brand?
Based on the available data, we'd say that yes, Kia can generally be regarded as a reliable car brand. It consistently ranks higher than the average for all car brands in terms of the number of customer issues, and many individual models score highly. Build quality of modern Kias has improved steadily, to the point where most of its models now feel quite premium.
The Theta II engine scandal is a particularly serious blemish, though, so we'd advise you to find a used model without one of these engines, or to make sure that your particular model year isn't one of the riskier options. That said, even Toyota has had engine troubles; it had to recall certain Tundra and Lexus LX models for almost exactly the same issue as the Theta II engines, whereby machining debris could be left in the engine from the manufacturing process. While these issues are damaging to the brands' reputations, it would be unfair to suggest they don't make any reliable cars.
If you buy a well-maintained used Kia, it has the potential to last for a long time before a serious issue occurs.
FAQs
Is Kia a good, reliable vehicle?
Many Kias are reliable, but watch out for models equipped with the Theta II engine.
Do Kia cars last long?
Kias can last for well over 10 years if well-maintained, although the brand doesn't have the same reputation for longevity as Toyota.
Where does Kia rank in reliability?
Depending on the study or year, Kia often ranks above the industry average, and has even been as high as number 1 previously.
Is Kia as reliable as Toyota?
Kia ranks as better than average, but it does not consistently outrank Toyota for reliability.
Is Kia or Honda better?
In terms of reliability, both brands are above average, but Honda has a slightly stronger reputation in this area. Kia leads in some areas, though: Its cars are more boldly styled, generally pack in more tech, and its EV lineup is much broader than Honda's.
Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 20, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.