Reliability and problems of Kia cars
We have documented 10 engines and 1 gearbox across 29 generations of 15 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 Smartstream 1.6 T-GDi (low risk).
6.0 out of 10Average rating of its 22 models with solid evidence: ranked 12 of 31 makes. See the make ranking
72 recalls and campaigns documented in 23 models. See the Kia recalls
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
- 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
- 27DCT gearboxKia Ceed II, Ceed III, Sportage IV, Sportage V, Stonic and XCeedMost serious fault:Critical severity46Moderate risk
- 31.6 GDI / T-GDIKia Ceed II, Ceed III, ProCeed, Soul II, Sportage IV, Sportage V and XCeedMost serious fault:Critical severity43Moderate risk
- 41.7 CRDiKia Carens IV, Optima III, Optima IV, Sportage III and Sportage IVMost serious fault:High severity38Moderate risk
- 52.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)Kia Optima IV, Sorento II, Sorento III and Sportage IIIMost serious fault:Critical severity38Moderate risk
- 62.0 and 2.2 CRDiKia Sorento II, Sorento III, Sportage III and Sportage IVMost serious fault:High severity38Moderate risk
- 71.1 and 1.4 CRDiKia Ceed II, Rio III, Rio IV and VengaMost serious fault:High severity36Moderate risk
- 81.0 T-GDIKia Ceed III, Picanto III, ProCeed, Rio IV, Stonic and XCeedMost serious fault:High severity32Moderate risk
- 92.0 CRDi (D4EA)Kia Carens II, Cerato I and Sportage IIMost serious fault:High severity32Moderate risk
- 101.0 / 1.25 MPiKia Picanto II, Picanto III, Rio III, Rio IV and StonicMost serious fault:Medium severity23Low risk
- 11Smartstream 1.6 T-GDiKia Sorento IV and Sportage VMost serious fault:Medium severity16Low 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.
Kia Ceed
- Ceed IED · 2006–20121.6 CRDiMost serious fault: Critical severityVerdict:With caution
- Ceed IIJD · 2012–20181.6 CRDi, 7DCT gearbox, 1.6 GDI / T-GDI and 1.1 and 1.4 CRDiMost serious fault: Critical severitySafest choice: 1.6 GDI / T-GDIBuy
- Ceed IIICD · since 20181.6 CRDi, 7DCT gearbox, 1.6 GDI / T-GDI and 1.0 T-GDIMost serious fault: Critical severitySafest choice: 1.0 T-GDIBuy
Kia Cerato
Kia EV6
Kia Sorento
- Sorento IIXM · 2010–20142.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II) and 2.0 and 2.2 CRDiMost serious fault: Critical severitySafest choice: 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)With caution
- Sorento IIIUM · 2015–20202.0 and 2.2 CRDi and 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)Most serious fault: High severitySafest choice: 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)With caution
- Sorento IVMQ4 · since 2020Smartstream 1.6 T-GDiMost serious fault: Medium severityVerdict:Buy
Kia Sportage
- Sportage IIJE/KM · 2004–20102.0 CRDi (D4EA)Most serious fault: High severityVerdict:With caution
- Sportage IIISL · 2010–20161.7 CRDi, 2.0 and 2.2 CRDi and 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)Most serious fault: High severitySafest choice: 2.0 and 2.2 CRDiBuy
- Sportage IVQL · 2016–20217DCT gearbox, 1.6 GDI / T-GDI, 1.7 CRDi, 1.6 CRDi and 2.0 and 2.2 CRDiMost serious fault: Critical severitySafest choice: 2.0 and 2.2 CRDiBuy
- Sportage VNQ5 · since 20211.6 CRDi, 7DCT gearbox, 1.6 GDI / T-GDI and Smartstream 1.6 T-GDiMost serious fault: Critical severitySafest choice: Smartstream 1.6 T-GDiBuy
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