At the shop, Kia visibility issues have a recognizable signature. 876 documented complaints across 74 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2020 Kia Telluride tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 5 fire reports on the federal record — not common in this category but documented and worth weight. Across the 329 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 31,705 miles. Repair cost runs around $350 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Wipers, washers, backup camera, defroster — exercise all of them on the test drive. None of these failures are emergencies but they add up.
ProblemsByVin KIA / VISIBILITY
74 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Kia visibility problems
876 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Kia vehicles for visibility issues. 1 active recall campaign. See visibility across all makes →
Complaints
876
Recalls
1
Year-models
74
Avg fix
$350
3crashes
5fires
27injuries
Worst-affected Kia model-years for visibility Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2020 Kia Telluride
135 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2022 Kia Telluride
83 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2021 Kia Telluride
70 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2013 Kia Sorento
28 complaints · ~$350 severe
2023 Kia Telluride
27 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2007 Kia Optima
27 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2024 Kia Telluride
25 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 Kia Sorento
25 complaints · ~$350 severe
2012 Kia Sorento
24 complaints · ~$350 severe
2014 Kia Sorento
22 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2016 Kia Optima
21 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 Kia Optima
20 complaints · ~$350 severe
2022 Kia Carnival
17 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2013 Kia Optima
17 complaints · ~$350 severe
2011 Kia Soul
15 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2022 Kia Sorento
14 complaints · ~$350 severe
2014 Kia Cadenza
14 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2016 Kia Sorento
13 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2025 Kia Telluride
12 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2013 Kia Soul
12 complaints · ~$350 severe
2008 Kia Optima
12 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2014 Kia Optima
11 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2010 Kia Soul
11 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2006 Kia Optima
10 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 Kia Optima
9 complaints · ~$350 moderate
Active recalls — Kia visibility 2 on file
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Cadenza vehicles
Rear power windows that operate unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the Driver Door Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC225.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling all 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles
A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front windshield glass. If necessary, the windshield will be removed and reinstalled. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC232.
Common questions
How many Kia visibility complaints are on file with NHTSA?
876 complaints across 74 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 1 active recall campaigns cover visibility issues across the Kia lineup.
Which Kia model has the most visibility complaints?
The 2020 Kia Telluride leads with 135 complaints in this category. Next: 2022 Telluride (83) and 2021 Telluride (70).
What does it cost to fix Kia visibility problems?
Independent shops average $350 for visibility repairs across the Kia lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Kia visibility recalls?
Yes — 2 active recall campaigns cover visibility on Kia vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Kia.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.