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Kia lemon law · MMWA

Kia Lemon Law Attorney

We represent owners of defective Kia vehicles nationwide under federal MMWA and state lemon laws. Cash-only settlements. Contingency — we seek MMWA fee-shifting. Real trial firm, not a lead-gen funnel.

Read the Kia lemon law guide →
Federal MMWA focusCash-settlement focusWe seek manufacturer-paid fees

Common Kia defects we see

Optima, Sorento, Telluride, Sportage, Forte, EV6, and Niro defect cases. Here's the cluster of recurring issues that drive Kia lemon law and MMWA claims.

  • Kia Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engine failures (same class action as Hyundai)
  • Telluride and Sorento 1.6L turbo and 2.5L turbo issues
  • EV6 charging port (ICCU) failures
  • Kia 8-speed transmission shifting issues
  • UVO infotainment freezing and CarPlay disconnects

Kia shares drivetrains and electronics with Hyundai — the same Theta II engine class action and ICCU charging recalls apply.

If the dealer says it's normal and it isn't, that's why we exist.

What to do when the Kia dealer can't fix it

You've been to the dealer. Multiple times. They've reset codes, swapped parts, told you it's normal — and the problem keeps coming back. Here's what we actually do.

Step 1 — get every repair order in writing. The dealer is legally required to give you a written repair order for every warranty visit. Save them all. Even the "no problem found" ones — especially those.

Step 2 — escalate to the manufacturer, not the dealer. Under both state lemon laws and federal MMWA, the warrantor is the MANUFACTURER, not the dealer. The dealer is the manufacturer's authorized agent, but the manufacturer is who owes you the remedy.

Step 3 — call us before you accept any "goodwill" offer. Kia manufacturer representatives sometimes offer goodwill repairs, extended warranties, or limited cash payments to make the issue go away. These offers are usually significantly less than what you'd recover under federal warranty law. Take the case eligibility quiz first — we'll tell you what the case is actually worth.

Cash-only settlements are our default. You keep the Kia, pocket the cash. We seek to have the manufacturer pay our attorney fees under MMWA — never out of your settlement.

How the case actually works

Same process, regardless of make. The manufacturer changes — the playbook doesn't.

1

Take the quiz

A few quick questions on your purchase, repairs, and warranty. Tells you whether you likely have a case before you talk to anyone.

2

We review

Upload (or text us photos of) your purchase agreement, every repair order, and your warranty booklet.

3

We demand the manufacturer, not the dealer

Under MMWA and state lemon laws, the warrantor is the manufacturer (Ford Motor Co, Stellantis, Toyota Motor North America, etc.) — not the local dealership. We file against the manufacturer.

4

Cash settlement

You keep the vehicle, pocket cash for diminished value. We seek to have the manufacturer pay our attorney fees under federal warranty law — never out of your settlement.

Kia lemon law FAQs

Real questions Kia owners ask. Plain English answers.

Does Kia have a special arbitration program I should use first?+

Many Kia dealers and manufacturers offer informal dispute-resolution programs (BBB AUTO LINE, NCDS, or manufacturer-specific). These programs are funded by the manufacturer, which limits how aggressive they can be in your favor. We typically advise skipping informal arbitration and going straight to formal MMWA demand — the fee-shifting provision means we seek to have the manufacturer pay our fees when we win, which is rarely true in their arbitration programs.

How many repair attempts before I have a Kia lemon law case?+

State lemon laws vary — typically 3-4 attempts for the same defect, or 30+ cumulative days out of service for warranty repair, within a presumption window (1-2 years / 12,000-24,000 miles depending on state). Federal MMWA has no specific repair-attempt count — it asks whether the manufacturer has had a "reasonable number of attempts" to fix the problem. "Reasonable" depends on the severity and the specific defect.

Does Lemonaid Firm handle used Kia cases?+

Yes — if the Kia is still under the original manufacturer's warranty, OR if there's any kind of written warranty (CPO program, extended warranty, dealer-issued warranty). State lemon laws often don't cover used vehicles; federal MMWA usually does. Take the quiz and we'll tell you which laws apply to your specific vehicle.

What's the typical cash settlement on a Kia case?+

Our default settlements run 15-25% of the original purchase price as a cash payment, plus manufacturer-paid attorney fees under MMWA. You keep the vehicle when the math works. For high-value vehicles, settlement amounts scale up correspondingly.

Can I sue the Kia dealer or only the manufacturer?+

Under MMWA and most state lemon laws, the warrantor is the manufacturer — Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Toyota Motor North America, Stellantis, BMW of North America, etc. The dealer is the authorized service agent but doesn't own the warranty obligation. We file against the manufacturer; the dealer's role is documentary (their repair orders are the evidence).

What documents do I need to start a Kia claim?+

Three documents to start: (1) your purchase or lease agreement, (2) every repair order from every dealer visit, (3) the manufacturer's warranty booklet. The case quiz starts the intake; we send you the full document checklist once we open a file.

How long does a typical case take?+

Most cases resolve within a few months of the initial demand letter. Cases that need to be filed in court take longer but usually settle before trial.

Is Lemonaid Firm only for Kia cases?+

No — we handle MMWA and state lemon law cases on every major manufacturer. We work with brands across the entire market, from mass-market to ultra-luxury. The playbook is the same; the manufacturer changes.

Free case review

Find out if you have a Kia case

A few quick questions on your purchase, repair history, and warranty status — then we tell you whether you have a Kia lemon law or federal MMWA claim. No appointment, no office visit, no fax.

Find out if you have a case →

Or call us at 844-321-LEMON