Kia Picanto Problems and Buying Advice

Small cars like the Kia Picanto are popular in city traffic. They are compact and economical, which makes them ideal for daily use for many people. Since 2004, Kia has offered a practical car with the Picanto, which is often at the top of the lists of best-selling cars in the Netherlands.

Known problems Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto has some weaknesses. Whether it is problems with the engines, known defects at the TÜV or the gearbox as a weak point: there are a few points car owners should watch out for. We clarify what these are with the following guide.

The CarWiki.de team has identified the classic weaknesses and clearly presented them. Would you like us to use your experiences? You have had problems with the Kia Picanto (e.g. during the inspection) and would like to tell us about it? Feel free to use the comment function at the end of the message. Thanks a lot!

Problems with the Kia Picanto III Type JA (since 2017)

The third generation of the Kia Picanto has been sold in Germany since 2017. Unlike its predecessor, the model is only available as a five-door. With 1.0 MPI as inline three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, 1.2 MPI as inline four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine and 1.0 T-GDI as inline three-cylinder engine with direct injection and turbo, there are three engine versions to choose from.

A five-speed manual transmission is installed as standard, with four- and five-speed automatics available at extra cost on some models. In June 2020, Kia introduced a facelift for the Picanto. The engines of the Kia Picanto have so far shown no weaknesses. Atmospheric engines in particular show no defects even at high mileage. With direct injection, dirty injection nozzles can develop over the years. Then the injectors should be replaced to avoid problems.

The same goes for the transmission, whether it is switch or automatic. Increased clutch wear, which is not unusual for small cars in city traffic, poses no problems for the Kia Picanto. However, those who opt for the automatic should expect higher fuel consumption. According to official figures, consumption increases by up to one litre per 100 kilometres, depending on the engine and transmission. So far, there have been no recalls for the third generation of the Kia Picanto.

Problems with the Kia Picanto II Type TA (2011 to 2017)

The second generation of the Kia Picanto was sold in Germany between 2011 and 2017. The model was available in three- and five-door versions. In addition to the classic petrol engines, there was also a drive that could be operated on LPG. In addition to the standard five-speed manual transmission, the model with 1.2 CVVT petrol engine was also available with a four-speed automatic at extra cost. A minor facelift was carried out in 2015.

The second Kia Picanto has its problems with the main inspection, as numerous problems and defects can make the TÜV appointment an insurmountable hurdle. The main focus is on the steering joints, which wear out after only a few years. Similarly, the low-beam headlights often remain without function. The exhaust system and the operation of the brakes, especially the handbrake, are often inadequate. Furthermore, the Kia Picanto is known for increased oil loss in the engine and transmission, which causes problems at the first TÜV appointment.

The breakdown statistics from ADAC show a mixed picture, as older vehicles in particular are affected by various breakdowns. The battery (2012 to 2014) and spark plugs (2012 to 2014) are the most common causes of breakdowns. Numerous car owners have reported problems with the air conditioning system, which does not always seem to work properly. It remains unclear whether these are defects or whether the air conditioning system in general does not provide sufficient cooling capacity. Also various rumbling noises, among others due to defective wheel bearings, as well as blind, foggy headlights were frequently reported to us.

Recall actions: Corrosion on the brake and fuel loss

The second Kia Picanto was recalled twice. In vehicles produced from 2011 to March 2012, the mechanism of the rear brake calipers could corrode and become stiff. This in turn led to the parking brake no longer being fully released, resulting in overheating and driving stability problems. The second recall concerned models built between 1 February 2011 and 30 June 2012. Here, increased wear of the outer coating on the fuel filler and expansion hoses could not be excluded. In the worst case there was a loss of fuel and possible fire risk.

Problems with the Kia Picanto I Type BA/SA (2004 to 2011)

The first Kia Picanto celebrated its market launch in April 2004. At the time, there was a choice of a petrol and a diesel engine, with the petrol engine being a four-cylinder in-line, while the compression-ignition engine was a three-cylinder. Both models were available with a five-speed manual transmission as standard, but a four-speed automatic was also available for the petrol version at extra cost. A facelift took place in December 2007, as a result of which the diesel engine disappeared from the range.

Most car buyers chose the Kia Picanto with a petrol engine, so this is where most information is available. Some owners were not spared an engine failure. The cause is known to be the crankshaft pulley, of which the fastening screws were too short. After all, Kia performed a free service using optimised components. However, that was not the only problem with the crankshaft. The sensors also caused headaches time and again. Both crankshaft and camshaft sensors often fail. In this context, motorists should be aware of the P0340 error code. In the ADAC analysis statistics, the Kia Picanto performs well to very well, but the low number of registrations doesn't allow for a meaningful evaluation. We found out that the batteries, the components of the ignition system and knock sensors are also causing more and more problems.

Although there is no information on the 4-speed automatic, the 5-speed manual transmission has a number of weaknesses. On the one hand, the clutch is exposed to increased wear due to the many trips in city traffic, which leads to clutch damage over the years. On the other hand, some gears, especially reverse, can often only be engaged reluctantly and with greater effort. In this context, the gear change mechanism should also be checked for any damage. In the worst case, the journey ends with gearbox damage due to torn clutch cables. With the first Kia Picanto, we heard more about this problem.

The owners of the first generation Kia Picanto criticise, among other things, the poor quality of the small car, which is reflected in annoying noises and rattling, wobbly seats. Furthermore, the sound quality of the standard sound system leaves much to be desired. The window controls often give up the ghost, mostly for electrical reasons.

Recalls: material fatigue and stuck brakes

The first Picanto from Kia has had two recalls. Material embrittlement in the area of the fuel filler pipe may cause fuel leakage in some vehicles. For this reason, the part had to be replaced with an improved version. The second action concerns the mechanics of the rear brake calipers, which become stiff due to excessive corrosion. In addition, it could not be excluded that the parking brake was blocked. The handbrake cable or the complete calipers had to be replaced in the workshop.

Buying advice Kia Picanto