Kia Carens: common problems, APK failures and recalls
There are 4,371 Kia Carens cars registered in the Netherlands, first registered between 2001 and 2019.
In a sample of 399 cars, 68.7% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, more often than average (51.5% across all models).
The most common defect is tyre tread depth insufficient (19% of inspected cars).
The RDW lists 2 recalls for this model; 11.6% of registered cars still have an open recall.
2.4% have an odometer reading the RDW marks as illogical, a sign of a rolled-back odometer.
Check a specific Kia Carens
Free: APK expiry, insurance, open recall and odometer verdict. The full report adds every APK inspection with its defects.
Most common APK defects
| Defect | Cars |
|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth insufficient | 19% |
| Tyre pressure incorrect | 15% |
| Number plate light not working (properly) / missing | 13% |
| Tyre damaged | 10.8% |
| Dipped beam incorrectly aimed | 10% |
| Wipers give insufficient visibility | 9.8% |
| Dipped/main beam not working (properly) | 8.8% |
| Exhaust not gas-tight / exhaust gases discharged unsafely | 7.3% |
| Indicator colour deviates or not permitted | 5% |
| Brake light not working (properly) | 4.5% |
Share of 399 sampled cars (first registered 2012–2021) with this defect at an APK inspection since 2024. RDW Open Data: Geconstateerde Gebreken.
Common advisories
| Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm | 13% |
| Mechanical brake parts show wear | 9.3% |
| Steering or kingpin ball joint wear up to 1.0 mm | 2.5% |
| Shock absorber leaking | 2% |
Advisories are noted at the APK but are not a failure.
Fleet figures
| Registered in the Netherlands | 4,371 |
| Open recall (not yet fixed) | 11.6% |
| Illogical odometer reading | 2.4% |
| Used as a taxi | 0.1% |
| First registered | 2001 to 2019 |
All Kia Carens passenger cars in the RDW register, 2026-10-06.
Recalls
| Published | Component | Risk | Cars in NL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-11 | electrical system | – | 45,406 |
| 2013-05-21 | lights | – | 17,751 |
Recalls registered with the RDW for this model; not every recall applies to every car. Check a plate to see if one is open.
Questions
How often does the Kia Carens fail the APK?
In a sample of 399 cars first registered 2012–2021, 68.7% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, against 51.5% across all models.
What are common problems with the Kia Carens?
The most common APK defects are: tyre tread depth insufficient (19%), tyre pressure incorrect (15%), number plate light not working (properly) / missing (13%).
Does the Kia Carens have recalls?
Yes, the RDW lists 2 recalls. 11.6% of registered cars still have an open recall. Check a specific car by licence plate on factline.dev/vehicle.
Other Kia models
Picanto · Niro · Sportage · Rio · Ceed · Stonic · Venga · Cee · EV3 · EV6 · Xceed · Sorento · Proceed · Soul · EV5
Source: RDW Open Data (Gekentekende voertuigen, Geconstateerde Gebreken, Terugroepacties), CC0. Model grouping by Factline from RDW trade names. AI agents: factline.dev/llms.txt.