Kia

7 serious, 3 to watch. Found 16 of 23 practices.

Applies to: everyday users.

Compare with the other 7 car companies we rated →

kia.com/us/en/terms-of-service (8 Oct 2026)kia.com/us/en/privacy (8 Oct 2026)

Do they get wide rights to what you post or upload?Yes

Except as otherwise described in any applicable Additional Terms which specifically govern the submission of your User-Generated Content, you grant to Kia the non-exclusive, unrestricted, unconditional, unlimited, worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual, and cost-free right and license to use, copy, record, distribute, reproduce, disclose, sell, re-sell, sublicense (through multiple levels), display, publicly perform, transmit, publish, broadcast, translate, make derivative works of, and otherwise use and exploit in any manner whatsoever, all or any portion of your User-Generated Content (and derivative works thereof), for any purpose whatsoever in all formats, on or through any means or medium no

kia.com/us/en/terms-of-service, lines 46–46

In plain wordsThis clause gives the company permanent and total control to use, change, sell, or share anything you post however they want, forever. They can even let other companies use your content without paying you or asking for further permission.

2 of 3 other car companies we rated do this too.

Do you give up the right to sue?Yes

Further, unless both you and Kia agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. The arbitrator may award injunctive relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party's individual claim.

kia.com/us/en/terms-of-service, lines 117–117

In plain wordsYou cannot join a class action lawsuit or participate in a group legal claim against Kia. You are only allowed to bring legal claims against them as an individual.

4 of 4 other car companies we rated do this too.

Do they sell or share your data?Yes

Why We May Disclose Information With Third Parties. We may disclose your information to third parties including our Affiliates and Partners and their service providers, who may provide offers or services to you, including the fulfillment of our loyalty or rewards programs. We may also disclose information to advertising and social networks, our marketing and promotional service providers that assist with marketing campaigns and other outreach efforts aimed at Kia vehicle owners, or our data analytic, data enhancement, and market research providers that assist in keeping our contact information up to date and understanding our audiences.

kia.com/us/en/privacy, lines 328–328

In plain wordsYour information may be shared with advertising and social networks, as well as marketing partners, to show you targeted offers and help with outreach campaigns.

7 of 7 other car companies we rated do this too.

Do they refuse responsibility when things break?Yes

Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE,” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS” BASIS.

kia.com/us/en/terms-of-service, lines 119–122

In plain wordsThis clause means the company provides its services "as is" and does not promise they will work correctly or be error-free. You use the service at your own risk, and the company is not responsible if something goes wrong.

6 of 6 other car companies we rated do this too.

Do they use your data to target ads?Yes

Some of these third parties may use cookies or other technologies to collect information about your online activities over time and across third-party websites or online services in order to deliver advertising based on your interests and preferences, as inferred from your browsing histories. This type of targeted advertising is sometimes called “online behavioral advertising” or “targeted advertising.” We follow the industry privacy standards for this type of online advertising.

kia.com/us/en/privacy, lines 463–463

In plain wordsThis means the company and its partners track your browsing habits to show you ads tailored to your specific interests. You may see ads on other websites that are based on what you have looked at previously.

7 of 7 other car companies we rated do this too.

Do they track you across sites, apps or places?Yes

Precise Location Information. Our mobile applications and websites may collect precise information about the location of a Device after the user permits us to obtain such information via GPS, Wi-Fi signals, or cell tower signals. To opt out of the collection of location information from your Device, you can adjust the permissions on your Device or uninstall our mobile applications. We collect precise location information to provide you with information that you request, such as the location of a nearby dealer.

kia.com/us/en/privacy, lines 288–288

In plain wordsThe company can track your exact physical location using GPS, Wi-Fi, or cell towers if you grant permission through your app or device. This information may be shared with other companies as described in their broader privacy policy.

7 of 7 other car companies we rated do this too.

Do you pay their legal bills?Yes

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold the Kia Parties harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, costs, investigations, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, settlements, interest, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) that directly or indirectly arise from or are related to any claim, suit, action, demand, or proceeding made or brought against any Kia Party, or on account of the investigation, defense, or settlement thereof, arising out of or in connection with: (i) your User-Generated Content; (ii) your use of the Services and your activities in connection with the Services; (iii) your breach or alleged breach of these Terms or any Additional Terms;

kia.com/us/en/terms-of-service, lines 150–150

In plain wordsThis clause means that if Kia faces any legal issues or costs because of your content, your actions, or your failure to follow the rules, you are responsible for paying their legal fees and any resulting damages. You are essentially promising to pay for their defense and any losses they suffer.

7 of 7 other car companies we rated do this too.

Can they hand your data to authorities without telling you?Partly

We may disclose your information to our Affiliates and Partners and their service providers. In addition, we may disclose your information to our marketing and promotional service providers that assist with marketing campaigns and other outreach efforts aimed at prospective vehicle owners, as well as data analytics, data enhancement, and market research providers that assist in enhancing and updating our customer information. We may also disclose your information to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, subpoenas, court orders, warrants, governmental requests, or legal process if in our good faith opinion such is required or permitted by law.

kia.com/us/en/privacy, lines 435–436

In plain wordsThe company can share your information with government agencies or in response to legal orders, and the policy does not promise to notify you when this happens.

7 of 7 other car companies we rated do this too.

Can your data go to a buyer if the company is sold?Partly

We may also disclose your information to a third party performing audit, legal, operational, or other similar services for or on Kia’s behalf. Moreover, we reserve the right to disclose and transfer the information we collect: (i) to a subsequent owner, co-owner, or operator of the Services or associated databases; or (ii) in connection with the negotiation, planning, or completion of a corporate merger, consolidation, restructure, sale of substantially all of our shares or assets, or other corporate change. (e) Kia Employees

kia.com/us/en/privacy, lines 353–354

In plain wordsIf the company is sold, merges with another company, or undergoes a restructure, your personal information can be transferred to the new owner or operator.

6 of 7 other car companies we rated do this too.

Do they own your ideas and feedback?Partly

You understand that, in exercising such rights, metadata, notices, and content may be removed or altered, including copyright management information, and you consent thereto and represent and warrant that you have all necessary authority to do so.

kia.com/us/en/terms-of-service, lines 46–46

In plain wordsThis means the company can use your ideas, feedback, or suggestions for any purpose, including making new products, without paying you or asking for further permission. They also have the right to change, edit, or delete your content as they see fit.

2 of 3 other car companies we rated do this too.

Checked, nothing hostile

Lets you delete your account or data.
Does not say it reads your private messages.
Does not lock you into a year-long or longer commitment or charge you to leave early.
Does not say it can close your account at any time without a reason or warning.
Does not say it shows your name, photo or activity in ads.
Does not say it joins your data across its products into one profile.

Not covered by these documents

The documents we read do not mention these practices, which usually live in a document we haven’t read yet:

Can they change the deal without asking?
Do they use what you post to train AI?
Do they keep your data after you leave?
Do they keep rights to your content after you leave?
Are they off the hook if your data leaks?
Does your subscription renew by itself?
Must disputes be settled in their chosen court?