Kia Lemon Law California

Kia lemon law claims in California are filed under the Song-Beverly Act against Kia America, Inc. Kia participates in BBB Auto Line. Kia shares the Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L gasoline engine platform with sister-brand Hyundai and has the same engine-seizure defect on Optima, Sorento, Sportage, and Soul. Kia EVs (EV6, EV9, Niro EV) share the E-GMP architecture with Hyundai Ioniq and inherit the same ICCU charging unit failures. Other defects include Telluride and Carnival transmission issues, anti-theft software vulnerabilities, and SmartSense ADAS issues.

 

 

Notable Kia Pattern Defects

  • Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engine seizures. Optima, Sorento, Sportage, Soul (2011–2019); rod-bearing failures; same defect as Hyundai.
  • EV6 / EV9 / Niro EV ICCU failures. Reduced or no charging.
  • 12V battery drain.
  • Telluride 8-speed transmission issues.
  • Carnival transmission shifting.
  • Anti-theft software vulnerabilities. Same as Hyundai (2011–2022 without immobilizer).
  • SmartSense AEB issues.
  • Stinger GT exhaust/turbo.

 

 

Models Covered

  • Rio, Forte, K5, Stinger, Soul, Seltos, Sportage, Sorento, Telluride, Carnival, Niro, Niro EV, EV6, EV9

 

 

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About the Author

Julian McMillan is the founder of McMillan Law Group and a California lemon law attorney with over 25 years of legal experience, having represented San Diego consumers since 2000. He has been named a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer twelve consecutive years (2014–2025), recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Lawyer, and listed in San Diego Magazine’s Top Attorneys in San Diego (2016–2025) and America’s Most Honored Professionals (2018–2025).

Julian holds an L.L.M. from the University of San Diego School of Law, an L.L.M. from Nottingham Law School (England), an L.L.B. with Distinction from the University of Exeter (England), and a B.A. (Honors) from the University of Victoria (Canada). He is admitted to the California Bar, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Central, and Northern Districts of California, and the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Before founding McMillan Law Group he practiced at DLA Piper (San Diego) and Ashurst Morris Crisp (London).

McMillan Law Group · 4655 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109 · +1 619-795-9430 · Statutory citations on this site link to leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.