If you purchased or leased a defective Kia that has required repeated repairs, contact our team of experienced Kia trial attorneys to begin pursuing your claim at no cost to you. The law protects you and we are here to fight for your rights. Our proven success record speaks for itself.

If you’ve brought your purchased or leased Kia in for repairs repeatedly, call 1(833) 4MY – LEMON to speak with a Kia lemon law attorney about your case for free.

At Wirtz Law APC, our experienced trial teams are dedicated to fighting for our clients and getting maximum damages, including civil penalties. Over the past 6 years, Wirtz Law APC has recovered more than $27,800,000 for consumers like you.

Common Defects

If you’ve had to bring your Kia in for repair two times or more for any of the following concerns, you may have a lemon. Call 1 (833) 4MY – LEMON to speak with a Kia lemon law attorney and get our team of experienced trial attorneys fighting on your behalf today.

Engine Failure

The engine is the heart of the vehicle. A car can’t drive without a proper engine.

Common symptoms of engine failure include:

• Engine Control Module (ECM) warning lights on the dash
• Check engine lights
• No start, excessive cranking
• Lack of acceleration
• Loss of power
• Stalling (most often when attempting to shift gear)

Battery Failure

The battery’s primary function is to store energy that can be used to feed the starter, which starts the engine. A car cannot start without a properly functioning battery.

Common symptoms of battery failure include:

• Dim headlights
• Clicking or flickering lights when starting the engine
• Slow crank
• Backfiring
• Frequent need to jump-start the vehicle

Alternator Malfunction

The alternator is a generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy using alternating current. When the car is running, the alternator generates electricity to power the battery and electrical system of the car. Sometimes alternator failures can be misdiagnosed as battery issues, despite a deeper problem.

Common symptoms of an alternator malfunction include:

• Electrical failures
• Strange noises
• Stalling
• Dead battery
• Headlight failure or dimness

Engine Seizure

The engine is the heart of the vehicle. Engine seizures are a mechanical failure that usually result in a lack of oil.

Common symptoms of an engine seizure include:

• Loud cranking/clunking noises
• A visible piston
• Internal parts are stuck/welded together
• Burning smell

Timing Chain Defect

The timing chain synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft within internal combustion engines. Misalignment can cause premature wear.

Common symptoms of a bad timing belt include:

• Ticking noises from the engine
• Misfires
• Oil leaking from the front of the motor

*Note that your Kia may still be a lemon even if the issue is not listed above. Call 1 (833) 4MY – LEMON today to describe your unique issues and get a free case evaluation.

Is My Kia Model a Lemon?

Think you might have a lemon? If your Kia is on the list below and has required repeated repairs for the same issue, contact a Kia Lemon Law Attorney at 1 (833) 4MY – LEMON.

•   Kia 2500TCI
•   Kia 3000S
•   Kia AM928
•   Kia Amanti
•   Kia Bongo
•   Kia Borrego
•   Kia Cadenza
•   Kia Carenas
•   Kia Carninval
•   Kia Ceed
•   Kia Ceed Hybrid
•   Kia Ceed SW
•   Kia Cerato
•   Kia e-Soul
•   Kia Forte
•   Kia Forte Koup
•   Kia Granbird
•   Kia K2
•   Kia K2700
•   Kia K3
•   Kia K4
•   Kia K4000s
•   Kia K5
•   Kia K9
•   Kia K900
•   Kia Koup
•   Kia Magentis
•   Kia Mohave
•   Kia Morning
•   Kia Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle
•   Kia Opirus
•   Kia Optima
•   Kia Optima Hybrid
•   Kia Pegas
•   Kia Picanto
•   Kia Pregio
•   Kia Pride
•   Kia ProCeed
•   Kia Quoris
•   Kia Ray
•   Kia Ray Plug-in hybrid
•   Kia Rio
•   Kia Rio5
•   Kia Rondo
•   Kia Sedona
•   Kia Seltos
•   Kia Soluto
•   Kia Sorento
•   Kia Soul
•   Kia Soul EV
•   Kia Spectra
•   Kia Sportage
•   Kia Stinger
•   Kia Stonic
•   Kia Strong
•   Kia Telluride
•   Kia Venga

*Note that your Kia may still be a lemon even if not listed above.

Notable Recent Kia Recalls

Kia Optima and Sorrento – Brake Fluid Leaks May Cause Fire (NHTSA Campaign number 20V519)

• In September 2020, Kia issued recalls for over half a million vehicles with a defective brake system.
• According to Kia, the recall is for a component within the anti-lock braking system. The defect causes brake fluid to leak onto electrical components, which in turn can cause an electrical fire in the engine compartment.
• After more than 3,000 reports of fires and petitions from advocacy groups, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into the defect. In documents provided to NHTSA, Hyundai reports some fires have destroyed entire Kia cars and SUVs.
• Kia has confirmed this recall is just the latest of many recalls issued by the manufacturer for defects which may lead to their vehicles catching fire.

Kia Sedona and Sorento – Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) (Safety Recall No. SC186)

• In April 2020, Kia Motors America recalled nearly 230,000 Kia Sedonas and Kia Sorentos, including 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 models. The recall was issued because of a defect that allowed moisture to enter the antilock brake system’s electronics which could start an engine compartment fire. The problem is largely unidentifiable until a fire occurs, giving consumers little warning of the defect. Kia’s temporary solution for consumers awaiting repairs was to instruct vehicle owners to “park their vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures” to reduce potential damage.
• According to Kia, “If moisture enters the HECU, an electrical short circuit could occur even though the vehicle is turned off and parked. An electrical short circuit inside the HECU increases the risk of an engine compartment fire even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of injury.” NHTSA’s Recall Report was unable to identify the cause of moisture entering the HECU, but confirmed that “an electrical short circuit may occur while the vehicle is turned off and parked.”

Kia Soul – Engine Control Unit (Safety Recall No. SC176)

• In April 2019, Kia Motors America recalled nearly 380,000 Kia Souls, including 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 models. The recall was the result of a defect in the catalytic converter which could be damaged by high exhaust temperatures and in turn cause engine damage and fire. Drivers reported a malfunction indicator lamp and/or an engine knocking noise.
• According to Kia, “the catalytic converter may become damaged due to overheating caused by an excessive increase of exhaust gas temperatures. If the catalytic converter is damaged, substrate particles can enter the engine combustion chamber and cause abnormal engine combustion. Continuous abnormal engine combustion can result in damage to one or more of the engine’s pistons which can cause piston connecting rod breakage, potentially puncturing the engine block allowing engine oil to escape and potentially contact a hot exhaust surface.” NHTSA’s Recall Report confirmed Kia’s identification of the problem and added that “engine oil that contacts a hot surface may result in a fire [which] increases the risk of injury.”

Kia Sedona – Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System Wiring Harness (Safety Recall No. SC175)

• In March 2019, Kia Motors America recalled nearly 95,000 Kia Sedonas, including 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 models. The recall was the result of a defect in the front passenger seat that improperly detected weight, hindering the airbag’s ability to deploy properly. This defect could cause the airbag to deploy even when a child, who does not weigh a sufficient amount, is in the passenger seat.
• According to Kia, “if a crash of sufficient severity occurs, the front passenger airbag will deploy even if the passenger seat is occupied by a child in a Child Restraint System (CRS), thereby increasing the child’s risk to injury.” NHTSA’s Recall Report identified the cause of the system malfunction as “a broken wire harness” that could “increase the risk of injury to a child.”

Kia Optima, Sportage, and Sorento – High-Pressure Fuel Pump Outlet (Safety Recall No. SC172)

• In January 2019, Kia Motors America recalled nearly 70,000 Kia Optimas, Kia Sportages, and Kia Sorentos, including 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 models. After a previous recall on these vehicles required an engine replacement, this new recall was required in order to amend errors completed in the previous recall which could result in leaking fuel, increasing the risk of fire. Drivers reported cars catching fire and at least six people reported injuries.
• According to Kia, “the high-pressure fuel pipe may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure [of the previous recall], allowing fuel to leak.” NHTSA’s Recall Report did not identify a cause but did confirm Kia’s report, adding that drivers may be warned by a “fuel smell.”

About Kia

At Wirtz Law APC, we are dedicated to protecting consumers from large automakers like Kia. Officially operating in the United States as the Kia Motors Corporation, the company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Founded in 1944 and acquired by Hyundai in 1998, Kia Motors America has nearly 80 years of car manufacturing experience. Beginning as a humble bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer, Kia has quickly grown to produce more than 1.4 million vehicles a year with annual revenues of $17 Billion. While Kia’s race to such growth is impressive, such speedy expansion comes at the expense of you, the consumer, in the form of poor-quality manufacturing and increased defects. Kia’s slogan, “The Power to Surprise” might be more accurate than consumers expect, with many surprises like fires and engine failure, included with purchase.

I think I have a lemon. What do I do now?

Under California’s Lemon Law, if you’ve given an automaker a “reasonable number of attempts” to repair your vehicle but the problems persist, your car might qualify for repurchase or replacement.

Big automakers like Kia often try to muddy the water and re-define the analysis of Lemon Law qualification to their benefit – which is why consumers should never fight the big automakers alone! Generally speaking, as few as two (2) repair opportunities can be enough for your car to qualify. Don’t rely on Kia’s evaluation of your repair history, contact the professionals at Wirtz Law today.

How Wirtz Law Can Help

Over the past 6 years, Wirtz Law has recovered more than $27,800,000 for clients like you. On average, Wirtz Law APC fights for its clients in ten jury trials a year and settles many more cases at all stages of the litigation. We consistently recover more than just a buyback for our clients, recovering both actual damages and civil penalties against the automakers and distributors. We are the firm other lawyers hire when it’s time to go to trial, and consumers hire when they want their case handled right. We are ready to fight for your rights, today!

If you have a lemon, call 1(833) 4MY – LEMON to speak with a Kia lemon law attorney about your case for free.