When shopping for a new or used car, one often overlooked consideration is the annual maintenance and repair costs. This amount typically includes routine oil changes, tire rotation, changing air filters, brake pad replacement, and other recommended services by the vehicle manufacturer.

Luxury cars and EVs are known for having higher annual maintenance costs, and some brands, despite a reputation for reliability, can also come with unexpected expenses. So how does Kia fair? Let’s look at the model with the highest annual costs across the Kia product lineup, which, surprisingly, is not an electric vehicle.

The average annual repair costs for Kia vehicle owners

According to RepairPal, the average annual maintenance and repair cost for a Kia is $474, which can vary depending on the mileage and age of the vehicle as well as the location of the auto repair shop. This estimate includes routine scheduled maintenance and unexpected repairs. It is considerably lower than other brands, which average approximately $652 across all models.

The most commonly reported problems with Kia vehicles involve minor issues with headlamps burning out prematurely and door locks malfunctioning.

RepairPal estimates repairs can range from $49 to $1,343, depending on the problem. While replacing a PCV valve or electronic control module on a Kia Optima or Sedona can cost less than $100, a fuel pump replacement on a higher-end Kia Telluride can cost upwards of $1,300.

While not all Kia vehicles will incur problems, it is good to know the anticipated cost of repairs before deciding to purchase a new or used car.

The Kia model with the highest annual maintenance cost of the Kia K900

The Kia K900 full-size luxury sedan, discontinued after the 2020 model year, stood out as having the highest annual maintenance costs across the brand. According to RepairPal, the average for the Kia K900 is $697, significantly higher than other vehicles in the product lineup.

Commonly reported problems include sound issues with the standard Lexicon audio system. Several repair costs were also more expensive than other Kia models, with an exhaust muffler replacement costing as much as $1,566.

The higher annual maintenance costs may be due to the 365-hp twin-turbo V6 engine, which can be more expensive to maintain than smaller engines in other models. The luxury sedan also has premium cabin materials and advanced technology features that can also cost more to maintain than other vehicles.

The maintenance/repair costs of Kia EVs

Meanwhile, owners of Kia electric vehicles are happy to report lower-than-average annual maintenance and repair costs. According to RepairPal, the Soul EV has an annual maintenance and repair cost of only $267, which can vary based on mileage, the vehicle’s age, and the location of the repair shop.

There are no reported problems for the Kia Soul EV, making it one of the most reliable vehicles on the market. Repair costs are considerably lower than the K900 luxury sedan, with most repairs costing less than $100. RepairPal lists the most expensive repair as $657 for a steering column adjust motor replacement. Likewise, the Kia EV6 has no reported problems and an estimated repair price range between $88 and $910.

The Kia brand receives an above-average reliability rating from RepairPal, based on the “cost, frequency, and severity of actual repairs.” Ranking third among 32 competing brands, the rating takes into account 345 unique models.

The auto reviewer reports factors contributing to Kia’s reliability “include an average of 0.2 visits to a repair shop per year and a 10% probability of a repair being severe.”