With an annual repair cost of about $474far less than the $652 average for vehicle maintenanceKias tend to be substantially less expensive to maintain than the average car. This is because they are an affordable brand with strong reliability ratings.
The sticker price of a Kia is just the beginning of the costs you’ll incur over the course of ownership, but you’ll receive a lot for your money. However, it’s essential to maintain your Kia properly to make sure it functions smoothly. Additionally, bear in mind that some Kias will cost more each year than others.
In This Article...
Do Kias have many issues?
bulletins for numerous vehicles that have had engine issues. among the most
Owners and tenants frequently report the following Kia engine issues:
- power loss or stalling
- A knocking noise
- Seizing
- Overheating
- Leaks
- Non-collision flames
- Unpredictable engine failure [1]
Do Kias require a lot of maintenance?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
Which vehicle has the lowest maintenance costs?
Vehicles with the Cheapest 10-Year Maintenance
- Prius from Toyota
- Nissan Yaris.
- Corolla, a Toyota.
- Prime Toyota Prius.
- Lexus Camry.
- Avalon by Toyota.
- Toyota Fit.
- Mirage by Mitsubishi.
Reliability of Kia vehicles
To obtain their overall reliability ratings, the RepairPal team considers a number of different variables. Simply put, your out-of-pocket ownership expenditures will be cheaper the more dependable your car is. The cost, frequency, and severity of repairs are some of these variables. In order to calculate an individual brand’s total RepairPal reliability rating, these categories are averaged.
In the RepairPal reliability rankings, Kia came in at number three, including second place when only non-luxury brands were included. The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it third among all car brands out of 32. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
“Kia had three well-liked models, including the Soul, Rio, and Forte, in the top 30 with Excellent ratings. The Optima and Sorento, two of its most well-liked cars, kept their Excellent rankings within the top 100.
Is service for Kia expensive?
Cost of maintaining a Kia Seltos For a period of five years, the Kia Seltos’ projected maintenance expense is Rs 23,140. The initial service is free after 10,000 kilometers.
Is Kia or Toyota better?
- The Kia Optima is more affordable than the Toyota competitor while also offering a superior basic warranty and roadside support program.
- When it comes to efficiency, the Kia Optima outperforms the Toyota Camry thanks to its availability as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
- Inside, the Kia Optima provides more room for the five passengers as well as more trunk capacity than the Toyota Camry.
- Thanks to the UVO Infotainment System, the Kia Optima surpasses the Toyota Camry in terms of technology.
- Both the Kia Optima and Toyota Camry receive five-star overall crash test safety ratings in terms of safety.
Why is Kia so inexpensive?
Why are KIAs so inexpensive when they are regarded for having a comfortable ride, a respectable new-vehicle warranty, and lots of cargo space?
Each automobile owner has a reason(s) for favoring a particular brand’s model. While some people are seeking the excitement and speed, others are searching for a reliable car for their family. The features you require, how the car is made, and the brand will all affect how much it costs. While some purchasers aren’t concerned with the vehicle’s price, others will focus on the perks that come with the cost.
KIAs are affordable since the raw material for their car bodies is plastic. As they are designed to survive five to seven years, they have a short production line and a bad image as disposable cars. Another factor contributing to KIAs affordability is the cheap cost of labor.
The company’s entry into the United States wasn’t easy, and most people thought of KIA as a budget brand with subpar automobiles. But over time, the Korean business has worked to disprove these allegations by spending money on production and research to demonstrate KIA’s dependability.
Continue reading to find out why KIAs are so affordable and whether you should buy one.
Here is what we learned after conducting our investigation and speaking with numerous professionals in the field of vehicle production.
of the Cheapest Cars to Maintain
The eight cars with the lowest maintenance costs are shown below. You’ll be shown a few makes and models that can prevent expensive repairs for your car and your wallet.
This list was created with input from technicians. They also know which are better because they witness cars being repaired on a daily basis.
Chevrolet Silverado, 2003 to 2007
Silverados are simple to work on and have room around the engine, making labor less expensive. Because the technology is simple, labor costs can be much lower. It is simple to locate parts. This is the ideal scenario for a low-maintenance vehicle, and it holds true for both the V6 and V8 versions of this specific vehicle.
Honda CR-V, 1996 to 2016
The CR-V is no exception to Honda vehicles’ reputation for dependability and value retention. Among all the vehicles from the same time period, the CR-V had the lowest frequency of “check engine light” repairs. This should be added to the list without a second thought due to less issues and the brand’s anticipated durability.
Honda Civic, 2001 to 2016
Speaking of Hondas, the Civic also ranks highly for affordable maintenance costs. Replacement parts are easy to find, are always available when you need them, and the design of the car makes most repairs simple.
Honda abandoned some parts with known replacement intervals as the model years went on, such as timing belts. As a result, the car requires less maintenance and lasts longer.
Honda Accord, 2003 to 2014
As the final Honda on the list, we cannot stress enough how dependable these vehicles can be. Timing belts were used to create models up until the 2003 model year. The timing belt is no longer used in vehicles from 2003.
The 2011 and 2012 model years of the Accord were when it was most dependable. However, getting dependable, effective performance is essentially a given when the Honda name is involved.
Toyota Corolla, 1998 to 2017
One of the most popular vehicles ever sold is the Toyota Corolla. Since the Corolla’s 1966 debut, 44.1 million of them have been sold. The majority of them are still traveling.
The Corolla, one of the most dependable vehicles you can buy, is another vehicle to keep an eye on if you’re seeking for affordable maintenance because of its popularity and abundant availability of parts.
Toyota Camry, 2008 to 2015
The Camry is another excellent Toyota model to mention. The four-cylinder Camry is known for having many of the same advantages as the Corolla and is less expensive to maintain because repairs are simple.
The Camry is a traditional low-maintenance choice when you consider its reliability ratings, which as of 2017 were a flawless 5/5 from J.D. Power.
Jeep Wrangler, 2007 to 2017
Despite having a modern engine, Jeep Wranglers are inexpensive and simple to repair due of the powertrain and suspension. Labor also doesn’t take long because of the interior components’ conventional layout.
Even while newer versions don’t have as much room close to the engine as earlier ones, it still costs little to repair.
Nissan Altima, 2008 to 2015
Nissan competes with other companies thanks to its 5-year/60,000-mile restricted power train coverage and 36-month/36,000-mile limited vehicle coverage. When problems do arise, the Altima is also simple to service.
The Altima, which is renowned for its durable engine and dependability, will last the test of time and be inexpensive to replace if something goes wrong.
Cheap to Maintain Doesn’t Mean “Cheap”
Cheap isn’t always the best when it comes to car maintenance. While it may be tempting to perform your own oil changes and tire pressure checks, if you have a warranty, use it. However, be cautious of additional services provided by the dealership as these may frequently be completed by another shop (or by you) for considerably less money.
If you purchase a used automobile from a dealership, they might provide you with some sort of extended warranty. Make sure you’re receiving a good bargain before signing anything. Some extended warranties only cover two multi-point inspections and two oil changes.
Some commonplace tasks can also be easily completed on your own. If you wish to:
- Verify the tire pressure.
- Keep an eye on and preserve hydration levels.
- Put new windshield wipers on
- cabin air filter replacement
Car Insurance Decreases Maintenance Costs, Too
The correct auto insurance coverage can be quite beneficial if you’re seeking for additional ways to increase the worth of your vehicle and safeguard your financial situation.
By presenting you with multiple quotations for coverage before you purchase, independent insurance agents can assist you in getting the best coverage for the best price. We have agents standing by to assist you.
Is a secondhand Kia automobile a wise choice?
Many Kia vehicles receive excellent dependability ratings, and the company has made significant advancements throughout time as a whole. The Kia Soul is now regarded as the most trustworthy small utility model in its class (by a wide margin), and the Kia brand as a whole comes in second as the most trustworthy on the market in 2019.
atop of it? Genesis. Simply behind? Hyundai. In the most recent round of the J.D. Power and Associates examination of vehicle dependability, Korean automakers came in first, second, and third, besting well-known brands like Lexus, Subaru, Mercedes, Honda, and Porsche.
Is Kia as effective as Honda?
Reliability. Both Honda and Kia vehicles are dependable and offer outstanding warranties that you may benefit from. While Honda wants to make sure your vehicle, truck, or SUV stays in working order for as long as possible, Kia wants to make sure you and your passengers are safe on every journey.
Which Kia model is the most dependable?
These Kia vehicles can readily compete with the most dependable Japanese automobiles.
Kia experienced a rollercoaster of a trip when they first started making cars. The business started off making tubes and bicycle components before building the Samchully, Korea’s first homegrown bicycle, in 1952. The Asian company began producing the K360 for Mazda in 1962, and then went on to produce the Kia T600 in 1969 and the Brisa pickup in 1973.
A year later, Kia began producing cars with the Brisa, its first entry-level model. They were forced by the government to concentrate on producing light trucks like the Bongo in 1981, therefore it was a short-lived affair. The Pride, which Kia introduced to the American market in 1987 and continued to produce until 2017, is a good example.
The Asian financial crisis claimed Kia as one of its casualties. They declared bankruptcy in 1997. In 1998, the company merged with Hyundai as a result. Since then, the business has established itself as one of the most reliable ones available. In fact, Kia was named the most dependable model sold in the United States by J.D. Power in 2016, making it the first non-luxury manufacturer to top the list since 1989. Kia marketed itself as a low-cost automaker that shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to functionality and performance.