Maintenance costs should always be considered when shopping for a used or new car. Paying a little extra for a reliable vehicle is better than buying one that needs numerous repairs. When you buy a Kia, you can have the best of both worlds. The cheapest new Kia currently retails for $16,750, and most of this automaker’s cars have dependable reputations. 

In fact, only one model requires over $600 for annual repair costs. Let’s examine this model in detail and some common Kia problems.

How high is the average Kia’s annual repair cost?

According to RepairPal, the typical Kia car costs $474 to repair on a yearly basis. For comparison, the annual repair average across all automakers is $652. Only 10% of the average Kia’s repairs are classified as severe, and it’s 50% less likely to require unexpected maintenance compared to other brands.

The most common problem Kia drivers experience is burned-out headlamps, particularly on the Kia Sorento. However, you likely won’t have to worry about this problem until you’ve hit about 80,000 miles on the odometer. Most drivers only report paying a maximum of $158 to fix the problem.

If you’re driving the Optima, your Kia’s door latch might also become worn down over time. It typically only occurs after the car has racked up over 100,000 miles.

Still, the Kia Optima is slightly less expensive to maintain compared to your average Kia. Its annual repair costs amount to $471. The Kia Sorento is relatively more costly, requiring an average yearly repair budget of $533. That’s still lower than what most SUVs need, but it shows that not all Kia models are equal in terms of reliability. 

The Kia K900 might need more repairs than average

RepairPal data shows that the average Kia K900 luxury costs approximately $697 to repair annually. Discontinued after the 2020 model year, the Kia K900 was marketed as a luxury cruiser with more premium cabin materials. It’s only available in one nicely appointed trim with many soft-padded surfaces and genuine wood accents inside.

The latest Kia K900 is powered by a 365-hp twin-turbo V6 and has standard all-wheel drive. There’s room for five riders, and the interior provides generous legroom for both rows. The Kia K900 also features a fully-loaded, advanced safety features suite and highly-desired tech-like smartphone integration.

The Kia K900 was also sold with a standard Lexicon stereo system, which turned out to be the K900’s biggest frustration. Many drivers report that the speakers stop working unexpectedly before the vehicle even hits the 40,000-mile mark. 

Some of the Kia K900’s most expensive repair costs include a steering knuckle replacement, which costs a minimum of $761. Drivers also frequently search for powertrain control module replacement estimates, which could cost up to $1,987.

The Kia Soul EV typically has below-average maintenance costs

The average used Kia Soul EV only costs $267 to repair each year, and it currently has zero reported problems on RepairPal. However, these numbers may be skewed by a lack of user data, as the Kia Soul EV was only offered for a few model years in the United States. The 2019 model was the last one produced, powered by a tiny 109-hp electric motor and a battery with 111 miles of range.

Its capabilities are very dated compared to EVs on the current market, but its modern rivals might be more expensive to repair. The Soul EV’s most frequent repair quote inquiry concerns replacing a faulty radiator fan, typically costing less than $300. However, if you want something with more power, Kia has plenty of affordable and reliable options.