Buying a car today is one of the biggest expenses you’ll have in your life, second only to buying a house. So it’s completely normal to be wary of new tech or brands that don’t have the longest history of reliability. Kia is a perfect example here. No one bats an eye at Toyota for reliability, but Kia does not get the same treatment. It’s not unfair, either, since older Kia and Hyundai models were cheap and not known for their durability.
But that’s no longer true today, although the reputation for unreliability has stuck with Kia. Modern Kia models, especially hybrids and EVs, are incredible cars, offering bang-for-the-buck features. The latest generations also have a refined design. So, can you count on Kia’s electrified models being reliable? Yes, you can. Here’s how Kia’s electrified models have held up over the years.
Kia EVs And Hybrids Have Mostly Strong Reliability Ratings
2011-2013 Kia Optima HybridKia
Kia started producing hybrids and EVs a decade ago, and the early models weren’t the most reliable in their class. Kia was new to the electrified game, and those platforms weren’t as refined back then. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows, early Kia hybrids and EVs faced many complaints and recalls. But Kia has come a long way since then.
2019 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid ChargerCarBuzz
Fast-forward to today, and Kia has built a strong reputation for reliability across its lineup, and its electrified models are no exception. In fact, Kia consistently ranks among the more dependable brands, offering models that are designed for long-term durability. The same is evident in its models’ build quality, extensive warranty coverage, low recall rates, and high rankings from consumer review aggregators.
2025 Kia EV6 front 3/4 shotWilliam Clavey | TopSpeed
That said, Kia’s record isn’t spotless. The biggest weak spot for Kia owners, old and new, is the dealership experience. Plenty of owners praise the cars but express frustration with warranty handling and inconsistent service support. Kia’s electrified models also face two common issues: ICCU dying and the 12V battery losing its charge. These are covered under warranty and don’t affect all Kia models, but are common enough to be something to watch out for.
2027 Kia Telluride hybrid front driving shotKia
Another thing to keep in mind is that Kia models are built to a price point, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as you know what you’re getting into. Modern Kia hybrids and EVs are far more reliable than the internet stereotype would suggest, and many owners report trouble-free, long-term use, including models with 200k+ miles. The truth is that people rarely share their positive experiences online, and the bad ones always get highlighted.
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What Owners Are Saying About Their Kia EVs And Hybrids
Nicole Wakelin | Top Speed
Yes, negative experiences indeed get amplified on forums, but the internet is full of Kia owners reporting solid reliability from their EVs and hybrids. For instance, one owner on Reddit summed it up: “I love it and would buy another [Kia] in a heartbeat.” Comments like these aren’t rare, and you’ll find plenty if you scroll through online forums. And it’s these real-world good experiences that help cut through the noise, showing that, for most owners, Kia hybrids and EVs have proven to be durable and dependable.
Owner Experiences On Edmunds
2019 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Front Three QuarterCarBuzz
Owner reviews on Edmunds also show that Kia electrified vehicles are dependable in the long run. The most helpful reviews on the portal consistently give early Kia hybrids and EVs four- to five-star ratings. A 2022 EV6 owner wrote that while other EVs may outperform the EV6 in some respects, “none of them […] are overall as well packaged as the EV6.” Since most owners rate their cars highly in terms of dependability, it’s safe to say Kia, despite the rocky start, has ironed out most of the problems.
High-Mileage Examples, Many With Over 200k Miles
2018 Kia Soul EV Front Three QuarterCarBuzz
Then there are the high-mileage examples of Kia electrified vehicles, and there are many. We found Niro Hybrids with over 200k to over 300k miles still running strong, including a 320k-mile Niro HEV and a Sportage Hybrid with 187k miles. One owner reported that their Niro Hybrid has over 200k miles and that the only issue they’ve faced so far is a weird parking brake. On the EV side, a Niro EV owner with 142k miles reported their car still delivers 245 miles of highway range. Several other high-mileage EV owners say they haven’t noticed any range loss or battery degradation.
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What Consumer Reports And Other Aggregators Say
Side profile shot of a 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV chargingKia
Keeping anecdotal accounts aside, let’s look at what review aggregators say, starting with Consumer Reports, which measures long-term reliability. It notes that Kia has been building hybrids long enough that most of the company’s models are just as reliable, and in some cases even more reliable, than their gas-only counterparts. On the EV side, Consumer Reports ranks Kia near the top in multiple EV categories. In Consumer Reports’ Owner Satisfaction rankings, Kia sits at number 15, with a 61 percent score, with owners rating the models positively for long-term ownership.
Kelley Blue Book’s Owner Satisfaction Ratings
Kia
Kelley Blue Book owner ratings tell a similar story: Kia owners generally have a positive experience. For example, the Niro HEV has been consistently highly rated, scoring 4.7 out of 5 in the first model year and 4.8 in 2025. On the flip side, Niro EV dropped from 4.6 in its first year to 3.7 in 2025, as owners reported some issues with the car’s software and charging.
Front three-quarter static of a 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid Kia
Other Kia models also show generally solid ratings, with the Sportage hybrid models earning 4 out of 5, the Sorento hybrids earning 4.1, and the Carnival Hybrid earning a strong 4.6. Kia’s EV models also show a strong reliability record, with the EV6 holding 4.2 and the EV9 topping the charts with a perfect 5 on 5 rating. Earning a solid 5 is rare for three-row EV SUVs, by the way.
J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Assessment
2025 KIa Sorento PHEV EngineLyndon Conrad Bell – Photo
J.D. Power tells a slightly different story as it measures initial quality, i.e., issues in the first 90 days of ownership, rather than long-term reliability. Here, Kia’s electrified models mostly have an “Average” rating. For example, the EV9 dropped slightly from 70 in 2024 to 67 in 2025, while the EV6 moved from 75 to 76 between 2022 and 2025. The Niro, which got an excellent 83 back in 2017, now sits at 74 for the 2025 model year. These scores are still good, but they do point out that Kia’s quality and reliability in the first few months of ownership can vary.
WhatCar?’s Reliability Ratings
2024 Kia EV6 GT hero shot.Kia
Looking across the pond, the UK-based WhatCar? ranks Kia among the strongest for reliability. WhatCar? ranks Kia at number 8, above Lexus, with an overall reliability rating of 94.4 percent. According to WhatCar?, only 19 percent of Kia models had a problem, of which 37 percent were fixed within a day, and 98 percent of repairs were covered under warranty. Two great examples are the Niro PHEV and EV6, which have reliability ratings of 99 percent and 89.5 percent, respectively.
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Some Problems Still Persist With Kia EVs And Hybrids
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid engineNicole Wakelin | Top Speed
Despite the strong reliability ratings across the board, Kia EVs and hybrids still face some common problems. The most common problems reported by owners are related to the integrated charging control unit (ICCU) and 12V battery, which are fortunately covered under warranty. However, owners on Kia forums note that these problems do not affect all Kia models. Another common concern is the dealership experience.
ICCU And 12v Battery Issue
A shot of the 2024 Kia EV9’s E-GMP platform.Kia
The most talked-about issue on owner forums is the ICCU failure on early Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis models. The ICCU manages charging and DC-DC power distribution, and when it fails, the car can lose power while driving. According to the owners, recalls and software updates have helped, but the issue hasn’t completely gone away.
Nicole Wakelin | Top Speed
Another common issue is 12V battery failure. This tiny battery manages low-voltage systems and wakes the high-voltage battery pack when it’s time to move. So, when it dies, the car can’t start at all. Most owners report that the 12V failure likely occurs due to parasitic drains, cold weather, ICCU bugs, or accessories drawing too much power. Owners recommend swapping it for a better AGM battery to fix it.
Kia Smart Charging AppKia Global
Kia hybrids also have some minor issues here and there. Some owners report dropping fuel economy, random warning lights, or changes in how the battery behaves over time. A few Niro Hybrid owners also report occasional engine sputtering, overheating, and stalling, usually due to faulty sensors, coolant leaks, or a weak power pump. Again, these issues aren’t particularly common, but they are well documented in early models.
Dealership Concerns With Kia
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid front quarterNicole Wakelin | Top Speed
Many owners cite dealers as the biggest problem with Kia ownership. A few owners report that while Kia offers terrific warranty coverage, some dealers are notorious for not handling the repairs the right way; they either deny warranty claims or do not honor goodwill repair programs. Another owner on Reddit reported that, while their Kia model is great, they would not repurchase a Kia because of the dealer. This has led to some stress and mistrust for potential buyers considering Kia hybrids and EVs.
Recall History For Kia Hybrids And EVs
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid badgeNicole Wakelin | Top Speed
Kia’s recent recall activity shows significant improvement in the quality and reliability of its hybrids and EVs. According to NHTSA, newer Kia hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EV models have very few recalls in 2025. For example, the Niro lineup and EV9 had a single recall, whereas the Sorento hybrids had two in 2025. The EV6 had no recalls in 2025, with only software and battery-related recalls back in 2022 and 2024. The Sportage hybrids also received one recall in 2023, while the Carnival HEV has had no recalls so far.
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Kia Hybrids And EVs Repair Costs And Warranty Protection
Closeup of a 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid’s infotainment displayKia
Kia ranks high in repairs, too. According to RepairPal, Kia ranks 3rd out of 32 car brands in terms of repair frequency, with a rating of 4 out of 5 and an annual repair cost of $474. RepairPal also reports 0.2 visits to a repair shop per year, with a 10 percent probability that the repair will be severe. Since these rankings are based on the brand’s entire lineup, including gas-powered and electrified models, real-world experience may vary.
Kia
RepairPal also does not rate all Kia electrified models, but looking at some models does give you an idea of what to expect in terms of repair costs and reliability. For example, the Niro HEV has an estimated annual repair cost of $377 with a severity of 8.3 percent. Meanwhile, Sportage hybrid repair costs are estimated at $462, placing it at number 6 out of 24 compact SUVs. The Sorento hybrid models are slightly more expensive, with an estimated annual repair cost of $533.
Warranty And Protection
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid frontNicole Wakelin | Top Speed
Even the most reliable and meticulously-maintained cars can face problems from time to time. Fortunately, Kia has you covered with one of the strongest warranties in the market. Kia already offers a 10-year/100k-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty and 5-year/60k-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, along with 5-year/100k-mile Limited Anti-Perforation Warranty and 5-year/60k-mile roadside assistance.
A close-up shot of the 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid’s engineKia
For its electrified range, Kia extends this package with a 10-year/100k-mile EV System Warranty, which protects key components such as the electric motor, high-voltage battery, electric power control unit, and on-board charger. You also get EV Battery Coverage for 10 years/100k miles, which covers the battery even if its capacity drops below 70 percent. The battery coverage can restore the battery to at least 70 percent capacity.
2025 Kia EV9 Exterior EmblemKia
Looking at everything, from the strong reliability rating to the extensive warranty coverage, it’s safe to say that Kia EVs and hybrids are reliable. Yes, owners report problems with the dealerships and common issues, but which car is free of issues? Ownership reports and review aggregator ratings show that Kia’s electrified lineup is stable and durable, and that, for most buyers, a new, modern Kia hybrid or EV is just as reliable as any competitor’s.
Source: Kia, Edmunds, NHTSA, Kia-Owners, Reddit, Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book, J.D. Power, WhatCar?, RepairPal
