Thinking about buying a used Kia Picanto (2004–2017) in New Zealand? We've documented 12 known faults for this model spanning engine, transmission, and brakes. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
12
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$600–$2,000
Typical repair
3
Systems covered
Known Kia Picanto faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Crankshaft pulley bolt loosening or shearing
CriticalOccasionalEngine $400–$4,000 to fix
The bolt holding the crankshaft pulley on can work loose or shear, and reports include failures from as little as 65,000 km. Once it lets go the pulley no longer drives the accessories properly, so the car loses charging and power steering assistance, and in the worst reported cases the crankshaft itself snaps behind the timing gear — which ends the engine. It announces itself as a knock or rattle from the bottom front of the engine and often a wandering idle. This is a less famous fault than the timing chain but a more sudden one, and the two live at the same end of the engine, so a noise from there deserves a proper look rather than a guess.
Symptoms to notice
Knock or rattle from the bottom front of the engine
Erratic idle, stalling, or difficulty starting
Battery or power steering warning light as the belt loses drive
Sudden loss of engine power
What to check
With the engine idling and the bonnet up, look at the crankshaft pulley at the bottom front of the engine — it should spin true, with no visible wobble or side-to-side movement, and the accessory belt above it should run straight rather than tracking in and out. Listen at the same spot for a knock or rattle distinct from the timing-chain noise higher up. Watch the tachometer at idle for a rev that wanders rather than sits steady. Check the dash for a battery or power steering warning at any point. Ask whether the belt, pulley or crank bolt has ever been worked on. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the crank pulley bolt torque and pulley runout checked — this is a cheap check now and an engine later.
Where to look: Bottom front of the engine — crankshaft pulley and its centre bolt
Ask the seller
“Has the crankshaft pulley or its bolt ever been replaced or re-torqued?”
“Is there any knock or rattle from the bottom of the engine?”
“Has a battery or power steering light ever come on?”
02Front Brake Caliper Piston Seizure
MajorOccasionalBrakes $250–$600 to fix
JA Picantos suffer from front brake caliper piston seizure, particularly on vehicles used primarily for short urban trips. Infrequent full brake travel allows piston dust seals to harden and the piston to corrode within the bore, causing the caliper to bind. The result is uneven pad wear (inner pad significantly more worn than outer), brake drag, and pulling under braking. The small piston bore design in economy calipers is more susceptible to seizure than larger caliper designs.
Symptoms to notice
Vehicle pulls to one side under braking
One front disc significantly more worn or heat-blued than the other
Brake drag — car does not roll freely when released from a stop
Inner pad worn significantly thinner than outer pad on the same corner
What to check
Inspect both front calipers for free movement of the sliding pins. Attempt to compress each piston with a C-clamp — a seized piston will resist. Compare inner and outer pad thickness on each side. Look for rust on the piston face, which indicates it has not been retracting fully.
Where to look: Front brake calipers, both sides
Ask the seller
“Have the brake calipers been serviced or rebuilt recently?”
“Does the car pull to one side when braking?”
“When were the brake pads and rotors last replaced?”
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
TransmissionMajor
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
10 more documented faults on the Kia Picanto
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 12 documented faults for the Kia Picanto, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and brakes. A Kia Picanto with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Kia Picanto?
+
We've catalogued 12 known faults for the Kia Picanto, covering engine, transmission, and brakes. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Kia Picanto?
+
Most single repairs on the Kia Picanto fall between $600–$2,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 12 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Kia Picanto?
+
Yes. A Kia Picanto inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.