Driving off the dealership lot in your new Kia should be a moment of excitement. You’ve researched, saved, and finally invested in a vehicle that promises reliability, safety, and enjoyment for years to come. But what happens when that thrill of driving with your new Kia turns into a spiraling motion of frustration.
When repeated visits to the dealership fail to resolve persistent problems, that dream purchase can quickly become a financial and emotional burden.
If you find yourself constantly going in for repairs for the same recurring issue, you’re not alone—and you shouldn’t have to endure this cycle of disappointment. California’s lemon laws exist specifically to protect consumers like you from bearing the cost of manufacturer defects.
At American Lemon Law Group, we understand both the technical complexities of vehicle defects and the emotional toll of dealing with a problematic vehicle. Our experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of Kia owners, securing buybacks, replacements, and cash settlements for defective vehicles.
Don’t continue to struggle with a defective Kia—call us today at (877) 311-1133 for a free case evaluation.
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How Can Kia Lemon Law Help Me?
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, commonly known as the “lemon law,” provides powerful protections for consumers who purchase or lease defective vehicles. This law applies to all major manufacturers, including Kia, and holds them accountable for the quality and reliability of their products.
If your Kia has persistent issues that substantially impair its use, value, or safety, and these issues cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts, you may be entitled to significant remedies under California lemon law, including:
- A complete buyback of your vehicle (refund of your purchase price, minus a usage fee)
- A replacement vehicle of comparable value
- A cash settlement to compensate you for your troubles while allowing you to keep the vehicle
Is Your Kia a Lemon Car?
Not every problematic vehicle qualifies as a “lemon” under California law. To be considered a lemon, your Kia must meet specific criteria:
- The vehicle must have a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
- The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety
- The manufacturer (through its authorized dealerships) must have been given a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect
- The vehicle must have been out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 days or more
California law creates a presumption that a vehicle is a lemon if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery (whichever comes first), any of the following occur:
- Two or more repair attempts for a serious safety defect that could cause death or serious injury
- Four or more repair attempts for the same substantial defect
- The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a total of 30 days or more
It’s important to note that recent changes to California’s lemon law have impacted certain aspects of these requirements. Assembly Bill 1755, which takes effect in phases (January 1, 2025, and April 1, 2025), introduces new procedural guidelines, including a pre-suit notice requirement and updated statute of limitations provisions.
Warranties Applicable to Kia Vehicles
Kia offers several warranties that provide coverage for different components and timeframes:
- Basic Limited Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles (original owner only)
- Anti-Perforation Warranty: 5 years or 100,000 miles
- Emissions Control Systems: 8 years or 80,000 miles
- Hybrid/Electric Vehicle System Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Under the updated California lemon law, you now have one year after the final warranty expires to file a lawsuit, or six years total after the delivery of your vehicle. This represents a significant change that Kia owners should be aware of when considering a lemon law claim.
Common Kia Defects That May Qualify for Lemon Law Claims
Kia vehicles have exhibited several recurring defects that have led to successful lemon law claims. Understanding these patterns can help you identify whether your issues might qualify for legal remedy:
Engine Defects and Fire Risks
Kia’s 2.4L Theta II engines (found in 2020-2022 Sorento and Sportage models) have demonstrated a pattern of catastrophic failures. These issues led to a $1.3 billion settlement in 2023 covering approximately 3.4 million vehicles. Common issues include:
- Connecting rod bearing wear leading to engine seizure
- Excessive oil consumption
- Unusual knocking sounds from the engine
- Complete engine failure, often with little warning
Additionally, in 2024, Kia issued a “Park Outside” recall (NHTSA 24V115) affecting approximately 440,000 Telluride SUVs due to potential ABS module fires. This follows earlier recalls for Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit leaks in 2022-2023 Carnival models. These safety-related defects often require fewer repair attempts to qualify under lemon law provisions.
Transmission Issues
Kia’s 2.4L Theta II engines (found in 2020-2022 Sorento and Sportage models) have demonstrated a pattern of catastrophic failures. These issues led to a $1.3 billion settlement in 2023 covering approximately 3.4 million vehicles. Common issues include:
- Connecting rod bearing wear leading to engine seizure
- Excessive oil consumption
- Unusual knocking sounds from the engine
- Complete engine failure, often with little warning
Additionally, in 2024, Kia issued a “Park Outside” recall (NHTSA 24V115) affecting approximately 440,000 Telluride SUVs due to potential ABS module fires. This follows earlier recalls for Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit leaks in 2022-2023 Carnival models. These safety-related defects often require fewer repair attempts to qualify under lemon law provisions.
How Does Kia Lemon Law Buyback Work?
If your Kia qualifies as a lemon, you have several options for remedy, with the buyback being the most common:
The Buyback Process
- Documentation: Gather all service records, repair orders, and communication with the dealership
- Legal Consultation: Contact a lemon law attorney to evaluate your case
- Demand Letter: Your attorney will send a formal demand letter to Kia
- Negotiation: Kia may offer a settlement or request additional information
- Resolution: Either through settlement or, if necessary, court proceedings
What You Can Recover
In a successful Kia lemon law buyback, you’re typically entitled to:
- Refund of your down payment
- Reimbursement of all monthly payments made
- Payoff of any remaining loan or lease balance
- Reimbursement of registration fees, taxes, and other official charges
- Compensation for incidental expenses (towing, rental cars, etc.)
- Attorney fees and costs
The manufacturer may deduct a usage fee based on the mileage accumulated before the first repair attempt for the defect. This is calculated using a formula specified in California law.
Will Kia Buyback My Car?
Kia’s willingness to initiate a buyback depends on several factors, including:
- The nature and severity of the defect
- Documentation of repair attempts
- Whether your case clearly meets lemon law criteria
- The strength of your legal representation
In our experience handling Kia lemon law cases, the manufacturer is more likely to offer a buyback when presented with well-documented evidence and represented by knowledgeable legal counsel. Kia, like most manufacturers, has a dedicated team that evaluates lemon law claims and often contests cases that lack proper documentation or legal representation.
It’s worth noting that Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program has faced scrutiny for allegedly reselling lemon buybacks with unresolved defects. This underscores the importance of working with experienced attorneys who understand the manufacturer’s practices and can advocate effectively for your rights.
Requirements for a Successful Buyback Claim
To maximize your chances of a successful Kia buyback, ensure you:
- Report problems to the dealership immediately when they occur
- Keep detailed records of all repair visits, including dates and descriptions of issues
- Obtain and save copies of all repair orders
- Document all communication with Kia and its dealerships
- Take photos or videos of defects when possible
- Consult with a lemon law attorney before accepting any offer from Kia
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Contact a Kia Lemon Law Attorney Today
If you’re experiencing persistent issues with your Kia vehicle, don’t continue to endure the frustration, inconvenience, and potential safety risks.
At American Lemon Law Group, our lemon law attorneys specialize in representing Kia owners in lemon law claims. We understand the specific defect patterns in Kia vehicles, the manufacturer’s response strategies, and how to build the strongest possible case for our clients.
Our success rate in securing favorable outcomes for Kia owners is a testament to our dedicated approach and deep understanding of California lemon law.
In addition to handling Kia lemon claims, we’ve also successfully recovered $50 million handling other manufacturer claims including:
Call us today at (877) 311-1133 for a free case evaluation, or complete our online contact form to get started.