A car’s total lifespan in years is a bit more difficult to determine than the number of miles it will last. That’s because drivers put a varying number of miles on their cars each year.

That said, if you drive about 15,000 miles per year and keep up with routine maintenance, you should expect it to continue running for about 13 years.

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Kia reliability

RepairPal

rates Kia 4 out of 5 for reliability, placing it third out of 32 car brands. RepairPal bases its ratings for reliability and durability on the cost, frequency, and severity of repairs reported at over 3,000 shops and dealerships across the U.S.

In addition, Kia earned the No. 1 spot in

J.D. Power’s 2022 dependability study

Most reliable models: Kia Forte, Kia Soul, and Kia Rio

While Consumer Reports hails the Kia Niro EV as the most reliable Kia, both J.D. Power and RepairPal disagree:

Model	J.D. Power rating (out of 100)	RepairPal rating (out of 5)
Kia Forte	87	4.5
Kia Soul	87	4.5
Kia Rio	87	4.5

Methodology: J.D. Power’s ratings are based on quality and reliability. RepairPal’s scores are based on actual

car repairs

performed at actual garages, rather than a statistical average based on owner-completed surveys.

Least reliable models: 2011-2013 Kia Sportage

Although the 2022 Kia Sportage earned high quality and reliability ratings from J.D. Power and RepairPal, previous model years didn’t fare as well.

Kia fans may remember some particularly pesky engine issues with the 2011 to 2013 Sportages that resulted in:

Blown engines

Engine death while driving

Engine knocking

For those reasons, the 2011 to 2013 Sportages are the least reliable Kia models.

Average Kia maintenance costs

Not only are Kias some of the most affordable cars to buy, but they’re also some of the most affordable cars to own. The average annual cost of maintenance and repairs on a Kia is $474—well below the overall average of $652 across all car models.

That said, the maintenance and repair costs on your Kia will depend not only on its age and mileage but also on how well you stick to a regular maintenance schedule.

Brakes

Kia

brake pads

generally last between 50,000 and 70,000 miles, depending on your driving habits, driving conditions, and the model.

If you have a daily commute that involves a lot of stop-and-go traffic or you routinely slam on your brakes rather than allowing ample time to slow your vehicle, your brake pads won’t last as long as they may for someone who brakes less often or less aggressively.

Tires

In general, with normal driving, your Kia’s tires should last about 50,000 miles. That said, if your Kia is equipped with standard, all-season tires, you should expect to replace them about every three to four years.

However, if you have a Kia Stinger with performance tires or you have a Kia Telluride with

all-terrain tires

, they will likely need to be replaced more often.

MORE:

How to read a tire

Transmission

With proper care and maintenance, your Kia’s transmission should last you up to 200,000 miles. Proper care and maintenance for your transmission include regular fluid checks and

transmission fluid service

every 40,000 miles.

Spark plugs

Like most cars, your Kia’s

spark plugs

should be replaced every 30,000 to 40,000 miles.

While this is typical, you may need to replace one or more spark plugs sooner if you experience any of the following:

Car is difficult to start

Check-engine light is on

Fuel economy has reduced

Power on acceleration is lagging

Engine is vibrating or misfiring

How to prolong the lifespan of your Kia

As mentioned, the best way to prolong your Kia’s lifespan is through regular maintenance and care.

Here are a few tips to help you prolong the life of your Kia:

Follow a schedule: In addition to the services described above, you should also check your Kia owner’s manual for recommended schedules for basic maintenance, like oil changes,

tire rotations

, and more.

Buy quality parts: Quality parts may cost more, but saving some cash on parts or fluids now will likely wind up costing you more in the long run.

Pay attention to car alerts: Like most cars, your Kia knows when something is wrong, and it lets you know by turning on the

check engine light

. If you choose to ignore that light, you could be ignoring something that’s sapping miles from your Kia’s lifespan.

Keep your car clean: It’s about more than just looking good—keeping your car

washed and waxed

enables your vehicle’s paint job to protect your car’s body from the elements.

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