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MotorFiable

Reliability and problems of Kia cars

We have documented 13 engines and 1 gearbox across 30 generations of 16 models from Kia. The one that gives the most problems, according to our risk index, is the 1.6 CRDi. The lowest-risk one is the 1.0 / 1.25 MPi (low risk).

6.4 out of 10Average rating of its 21 models with solid evidence: ranked 6 of 31 makes. See the make ranking

71 recalls and campaigns documented in 25 models. See the Kia recalls

How we work

The Kia engines that give the most trouble

From highest to lowest risk according to our index, which weights the severity and frequency of their documented faults. The same engine is often fitted to cars from several makes. How we calculate it

  1. 11.6 CRDiKia Carens III, Ceed I, Ceed II, Ceed III, Soul II, Sportage IV, Sportage V, Venga and XCeedMost serious fault:Critical severity70High risk
  2. 27DCT gearboxKia Ceed II, Ceed III, Sportage IV, Sportage V, Stonic and XCeedMost serious fault:Critical severity46Moderate risk
  3. 3Hyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV)Kia Niro I, Niro II and Soul IIMost serious fault:Critical severity45Moderate risk
  4. 41.6 GDI / T-GDIKia Carens IV, Ceed II, Ceed III, ProCeed, Soul II, Sportage IV, Sportage V and XCeedMost serious fault:Critical severity43Moderate risk
  5. 51.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Kia Ceed III, Niro I, Niro II and XCeedMost serious fault:Critical severity43Moderate risk
  6. 6Hyundai-Kia E-GMP (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6)Kia EV6Most serious fault:High severity40Moderate risk
  7. 71.7 CRDiKia Carens IV, Optima III, Optima IV, Sportage III and Sportage IVMost serious fault:High severity38Moderate risk
  8. 82.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)Kia Optima IV, Sorento II, Sorento III and Sportage IIIMost serious fault:Critical severity38Moderate risk
  9. 92.0 and 2.2 CRDiKia Sorento II, Sorento III, Sportage III and Sportage IVMost serious fault:High severity38Moderate risk
  10. 101.0 T-GDIKia Ceed III, Picanto III, ProCeed, Rio IV, Stonic and XCeedMost serious fault:High severity36Moderate risk
  11. 111.1 and 1.4 CRDiKia Ceed II, Picanto I, Rio III, Rio IV and VengaMost serious fault:High severity36Moderate risk
  12. 122.0 CRDi (D4EA)Kia Carens II, Carens III, Cerato I and Sportage IIMost serious fault:High severity32Moderate risk
  13. 13Smartstream 1.6 T-GDiKia Sorento IV and Sportage VMost serious fault:High severity29Moderate risk
  14. 141.0 / 1.25 MPiKia Picanto II, Picanto III, Rio III, Rio IV and StonicMost serious fault:Medium severity23Low risk

Kia models by generation

With the engines we have documented on each one. Open yours to see its faults, the verdict for each version and what to check before buying.

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