Kia UK Reviews 

Very disappointing experience with Kia UK Customer Services regarding an ongoing tow bar issue for my Kia Niro EV.

The original problem began when a tow bar fitting appointment at Allen Kia Bath went ahead despite the required genuine Kia detachable swan neck tow bar apparently not even being available within the UK or Europe. The appointment had been booked weeks in advance, confirmed beforehand, and the dealership’s own check-in process had already been completed prior to travelling.

Following the failed appointment, Kia Customer Services became involved. However, despite multiple calls and a formal case being opened, communication and escalation handling have remained extremely unclear and frustrating.

I was advised that:
• the part is on back order
• there is no UK or European stock currently available
• a dealer stock search was submitted
• updates would normally be expected within approximately 48 hours

However, despite this, days later there was still no confirmed update, no ETA, no clarity regarding whether the part has actually been manufactured or allocated, and no meaningful timeframe regarding when the tow bar can realistically be fitted.

What has been most frustrating is the lack of visible ownership and proactive communication from Kia Customer Services themselves. The overall experience has often felt like responsibility is being passed back and forth between Kia Customer Services and the dealership rather than being actively coordinated and managed.

I fully appreciate that supply-chain delays and back orders can happen. However, clearer communication, realistic timeframes, and stronger escalation management would have significantly improved the customer experience throughout this situation.

At present, despite the amount of time, inconvenience, travel, and ongoing uncertainty involved, I am still left without a confirmed resolution timeline.

we bought a new kia sportage and have had problems from day one and Kia have tried everything to block any warranty claims - they have refused all warranty giving no reason each time charging us £160 for a diagnostic only to tell us yes it should be under warranty but its not once they have our money ??? now 4 allows are covered in corrosion after only 1 year should it be under warranty YES - ok will you cover it then NO why ? no answer - we simply do not trust Kia and feel the 7 year warranty is nothing but a scam - we are looking to off load our Kia and will not buy again buy after only 1 year the car has massively depreciated - i would think very hard before you buy a Kia and do not trust the warranty !

Lack of support from Kia UK Customer Service (Case Ref: KMUK2529484).
​I provided clear photo evidence that an authorised dealer (Burton Kia) failed to change a filthy cabin filter, despite confirming they would do it before my booking.
​Kia UK’s response? They admitted I was misled, yet refused to take any responsibility. Their "solution" was for me to spend my own time and money to fix the dealer's mistake.
​What is the point of a Kia Service Plan or warranty if the head office won't hold their dealers accountable? They acknowledge the failure but offer zero help. Truly disappointing "customer care".

Don’t be fooled by the 7 year warranty, the process to access it can leave a human being begging for life by the time they get to it!

I have never experienced the level of callousness & blatant disregard for a customer, that I faced with this company! No accountability for their failings or their franchisee here in Aberdeen.

After 14 months of trying to get a fault fixed with my Kia Niro PHEV and comforted by the fact I had 6 years left on my warranty. Kia technical has now decided that the fact my car jumps back and forth when stopped and brakes applied that it's not a fault it's a characteristic.

"Movement That Inspires” Sounds Good in Marketing, but the Reality Has Been Delays, No Support, and Poor Customer Service

I purchased my Kia through an authorised Kia dealership with a Kia Assured Warranty, expecting reliability and peace of mind. Unfortunately, my experience has been the complete opposite.

Within just 1.6 years, my vehicle has broken down twice despite always being serviced through authorised Kia dealerships. Most concerning is that this latest breakdown involves a serious engine problem.

While carrying 2 adults and 2 children, the vehicle developed loud engine noises, a burning smell, and oil leakage before completely stopping on the motorway a frightening safety situation for my family.

The vehicle was recovered on 31 March. Following inspection on 14 April, I was informed the required engine parts were on back order from South Korea with no confirmed ETA. Kia advised the parts might arrive towards the end of July, but no fixed date could be given.

Despite Kia claiming that “95% of parts are supplied within 24 hours,” we have faced months of delays, uncertainty, and very poor customer service.

During this period, my wife has had multiple hospital appointments due to ongoing health concerns, and we have had to rely heavily on Uber and public transport for work, medical visits, and family responsibilities. The stress and disruption this has caused our family has been significant.

After escalating to the CEO’s office, I expected empathy and accountability. Instead, there was no apology, no acknowledgment of the inconvenience and stress caused, and no meaningful support only references to terms and conditions and warranty exclusions.

The Kia Assured Warranty has also been disappointing. A hire car is only provided for 7 days, even when delays are caused by Kia parts shortages.

Kia promotes reliability, innovation, and customer care, yet my experience has been repeated breakdowns, long delays, and very limited customer support.

Very concerning experience overall, especially considering the safety implications involved.

Awful from start to finish. Terrible reliability and terrible customer service. Never again

2 year old sportage, bought new.

Cheap plastic boot handle broke after 7 months.

Gear box has gone. Dealership and kia offer nothing. It needs to wait 4 weeks to be seen. No courtesy car and no idea on how long until we get it sorted.

We have had issues with entertainment console randomly glitching with a huge noise 2-3 times a month.

No customer service or support from Kia - shocking!

No longer buying from them after 4 purchases.

Cheap materials, poor warranty service - my experience with Kia has been a letdown. The boot handle broke when I tried to close it, and the use of low-quality plastic is inexcusable. I won't be giving Kia another chance for my next car. 😢

Purchased a new EV6 on Contract Hire. 10 months later (just 6k miles), the ICCU failed. As its so expensive it has to be manufactured in Korea and it will take at least 2 weeks to get to the UK.

Wanted a loan car and Kia UK said its not down to us !! Went to the dealership who said Kia UK has to approve it - and guess what ? They said it has to come from the dealer who has no cars available

Love going round in circles. Everyone is blaming each other - the level of customer service is appalling and needs to be improved.

I contacted Kia UK to try to establish the service history and remaining warranty position on a Kia Sportage.

Instead of giving a clear answer to my specific question, I was given generic information about the 7-year warranty, told that servicing needs to be in line with Kia’s requirements, and then effectively passed off to the original supplying dealership.

That was not helpful at all. As a customer, I was trying to get a straightforward answer about whether the vehicle’s history supported the remaining manufacturer warranty, yet Kia UK customer services did not provide that answer and did not appear willing to take ownership of the enquiry.

It is very poor service for a manufacturer to promote a long warranty but then be unable to give meaningful support when a customer asks a basic question about service history and warranty position. Instead of resolving the issue, Kia simply redirected me elsewhere and left me to do the chasing.
Overall, I found Kia UK customer service unhelpful, frustrating, and unwilling to deal properly with the query. I expected far better.

Bought a Kia EV9 new, and at just 14 months old (11,000 miles), the battery has failed — which is disappointing enough on its own.

What’s been far worse is everything that’s followed.

I’ve been told the car can’t even be inspected for 6 weeks, and during that time there’s no courtesy car offered. When you speak to the dealer or customer services, the tone often feels like they’re doing you a favour rather than dealing with a serious fault on a nearly new vehicle.

Even more concerning, I’ve been advised the repair could take up to 9 months.

Despite paying extra for a maintenance package, I was also required to arrange (and pay for) the vehicle to be towed to them myself — which feels completely unreasonable given the circumstances.

Kia Finance won’t pause payments unless certain conditions are met, and there’s no guarantee of a like-for-like replacement vehicle. Meanwhile, the dealer, Kia customer services, and Kia Finance all seem to pass responsibility between each other, leaving the customer stuck in the middle.

I appreciate that issues can happen with any car, especially newer EVs — but the real test is how they’re handled. So far, this experience has been frustrating, slow, and lacking in accountability.

I genuinely could not recommend this brand based on my experience — please think carefully before buying.

Every experience I have had with KIA from vehicle handover to servicing and trying to sort ongoing issues is a nightmare, appears they sell the car then say goodbye and good luck

Sat Nav cannot be updated?
5 stars for Brayleys and no stars for KIA. I booked my 2021 Kia Niro for update to my sat nav. I waited while the work was done or in this case not done. after about one hour i was told that after trying 4 or 5 times they could not make it work. They did not know how I could get the sat nav updated. They have not been provided with the appropriate software updates by KIA although a further update is expected in June/July. The service people were very nice but this is ridiculous. my car is only 4.5 years old and i cannot get my sat nav updated??? so disappointed - up till now everything about KIA has been very good.

Absolutely shocking - wish I had never bought a Kia, petrol filter warning light came on , “keep driving” kept driving at recommended specifications… did this don’t clear. Long story short Kia do not want to know, customer service also shambolic, 7 year warranty not worth the paper it’s written on … waiting for a “did you own a Kia sportage between the years ******” would not recommend, feel very ripped off . would never buy Kia ever again.

In October my car went into Hendy Salisbury for a warranty part. The part was ordered and I was sent home in my car with the engine management light on. It wasn't until I reached out to Kia regarding a courtesy car that should have been issued after 18/10/25. I called Kia in January 2026 and advised them I was waiting on a car part. They then issued me a courtesy car that I was driving around in. The car was swapped over by Europcar and it had a chip in the windscreen that I informed them off. I get a email from Kia rental saying the are putting a claim in. I reviewed the document and noticed the drive way wasn't mine, meaning it was damaged after it was collected. If a claim goes through Kia need to cover this as I have been waiting for a part for over 6 months now. The communication from Kia has been disgusting regarding everything that's going on. Today I received an update from Hendy regarding my part, the update was the provider no longer does the part and my backordered part isn't happening. A new request was made with the ETA 28/09/2026. Any extra 20 weeks from 11/05/2026! It's going to take over a year to get my car back! I call the Kia customer services to discuss everything to be told I need to wait for the part then we can have a conversation about compensation. I don't think so at this point!! I suggested they swap the car for an alternative as they have been paying massive amounts in rental fees. I have been told to wait until monday so they can looking at options and get back to me. Right now I wouldn't suggest buying a Kia because they can't honor their famous 7 year warranty.

My car has been in for what should have been a straightforward DPF filter clean, but the experience has been anything but simple. I’ve now been waiting four weeks with no clear timeline for when I’ll get my car back, no courtesy car, and little to no proactive communication.

When I’ve had to chase for updates, the responses have felt dismissive and unhelpful, which has only added to the frustration. What should have been a quick, routine job has turned into a prolonged and stressful experience.

Had I known the level of customer service I would receive, I wouldn’t have entrusted them with my car in the first place. Based on my experience, I would absolutely not recommend getting a Kia.

Absolutely awful customer service!

My Sportage has gone down with a major engine fault which turns out to be a known fault. The dealer is horrendous and you cannot get a call back, email back or any answers. Kia's advice was to persist with communicating through the dealer who also does not respond to Kia themselves!
Motor ombudsmen next up.

Do not purchase any Kia cars. The after service and complaints departments are absolutely useless. I purchased a new car a week later was getting problems and was told it's because of the cold weather conditions and dirt on the sensors. Who pays 40k to be told that. The after service was awful and when returning the car was given £30k which is highway robbery. Do not buy. Beware. Don't fall for the flannel.

Decided to buy a brand new Kia from Chorley Ford Group, whom i have dealt with before and was extremely pleased ( Hyundai) section. The Kia section of the group was a nightmare to deal with. Having decided to buy a Stonic, spoke to the sales advisor regarding a special offer. Was told to obtain that i would have to take out a large ammount of finance, and only allowing me to use £10k of the value of my trade in as a deposit, then would then receive a refund for the rest of the remaining value of my car. Leaving the dealership i "smelt a rat". They seemed determined to make me have finance WHY? Decided to look on Autotrader and found brand new Stonic with discount. Looked at details, and was the SAME dealer Chorley Ford Kia Blackpool. The sales advisor Jonty Stow was excellent at his job. Why he should have to put up with Kia regime of selling cars is not customer friendly. He did not deserve this nonsense Kia operate. Eventually bought the car without any more irritation