Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11521803May 13, 2023
ENGINE
2016 kia optima lx 2.4l 4cyl got car brand new started using a qt.of oil at about 50000 miles at every 800-1000 miles took to dealership they did there testing and said it needed a new motor free because it was under 100000 warrant now with new motor same problem about 65000 a qt. or more every 1000 miles i take very good maint. on my car on time by the book including oil changes every 4000 mile.I think is a waste money when i' adding a qt. every 1000 mile . being they all ready replace the motor once do i still fall under a new warrant or lemon law being its the same problem any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521647May 12, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and was flashing; however, he continued driving the vehicle. The contact stated that she later took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor and an unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, 6 hours later while her son was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed back to the independent mechanic. The independent mechanic then informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced by the local dealer approximately in October of 2021. The contact then stated that on March 13, 2023, while her son was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into a tree on the other side of the road. The contact stated that the air bags deployed; however, her son was pronounced deceased at the scene. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that the Police Officer informed her that the speedometer was reading 90 MPH at the time of the crash and that the Event Data Recorder (EDR) was destroyed. The contact stated that the engine and transmission dislodged from the vehicle approximately 30-feet. The contact was concerned that the crash might have been caused by unintended acceleration. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#11521541May 11, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Shortly after I purchase this vehicle, my driver side window stopped going up and down. I was disappointed but it was what it was there in about a month and a half later the rear passenger side, the rear driver side stop going up and down and then a week after that, the driver side front step going up and down if I knew it, none of my windows would go up and down if my air conditioner goes out, I am, in trouble I live in Florida I cannot drive without air-conditioning or through the windows being able to go up and down. I made a complaint to Kia. They hung up on me neither Kia nor Honda where I purchased his car wants to do anything to assist me I have read the door multiple complaints regarding the windows and his cars. Why isn’t anything being done ?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521313May 10, 2023
ENGINE
The car was last inspected/service on 11/23/22. There were no warning lights, no noises, no odors, no indication that anything was going bad or anything. Drove car over 600 miles to visit family. Upon leaving to return home, the car stalled after about 100 miles. We pulled over and restarted the car. Now it began making a noise and the engine came on then started blinking. This was around 5am on the side of the highway in pitch black with two young women traveling alone in very isolated/low population area. Long story short-the engine failed and had to be replaced (had the car towed to the nearest dealer in Rolla, MO). The engine was replaced by Kia and covered completely by Kia. This was at 78,000 miles. This is the 3rd engine for this one car. First replacement occurred just under 10,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521327May 10, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact's sister owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, it spontaneously caught fire. The ABS warning indicator light had previously been turned on and off. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. A police report was filed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, crashes, or air bag deployments. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 ( Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521341May 10, 2023
STEERING
The component that failed is the steering coupler. I believe this is a huge issue as it can affect the steering of the car, causing frequent vibrations and jittering of the steering wheel. No, it doesn't need to be inspected, it is obvious as this has been recalled in their vehicles and for some reason this model is not included while many have the same issue. Yes, clicking noises and vibrations at the steering wheel, many videos can be found online with the same issue and a repair for it. It is exactly the same as many others, this should've been recalled in more models. Problem appeared at around 100k miles and 10 years of use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521361May 10, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumer 3 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521443May 10, 2023
STEERING
Flexible coupler in the MDPS (p/n 56315) is failing and it is causing clicking and clunking when the steering wheel is turned to the left and right. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. No warning lamps or messages are visible indicating this failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521129May 9, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1. The engine seized and went into Limp Mode. I was driving and randomly the power to my vehicle was low and had to drive slowly to my house (1 mile) going 20mph. It is available for inspection upon request. 2. I was driving off the highway going 40mph off the ramp at the time with cars in front and behind. I was truly scared and worried that I would end up in an accident due to the vehicles performance. 3. KIA Dealership confirmed the issue is the engine, but is trying to blame me for the issue due to oil issue with the car. This doesn't make sense as I have had the car serviced at 79k miles for an oil change, and the dealership is saying that there wasn't oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was at 82k miles at the time of this incident. How did the car go through all the oil in 3k miles? On top of that, the oil light never went off once, as a consumer I should be able to rely on the vehicle to tell me when issues are coming up so I can do this to fix said issue. 4. If KIA Dealership counts as manufacturer, then yes, if not, then no. 5. No, the first issue of warning lamp was when the Check Engine Light started flashing the same time my car seized and went into Limp Mode. With all this happening, KIA is saying that it is not their responsibility and not covered under the warranty of the engine of the vehicle and want me to pay $13k for a new engine. This is ridiculous. The car is worth the same as a new engine?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521153May 9, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the oil warning light illuminated. The contact checked the dip stick and there was no oil on the dip stick. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an oil change was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the engine was cleaned but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521243May 9, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
My car had been consuming 2 quarts every 1,000 miles for the past 3-4 months and the kia dealership told me that the best thing i could do is keep getting an oil change. So one day i tried starting my car and it starting shaking and turned off so i turned it back on and it shut off again. I jump started it and it shut off again and i jump started it again but it never turned on. All of the problems that i have has been confirmed by the dealership (Open Road Automotive) My engine is all the way messed up, my fuel pump was messed up .My engine light came on after this and i just keep having problems with my car. I seen that kia keeps having these problems but i chose to get my car anyways because I love kias cars but I will have to switch if these problems are not solved with my car and i get new parts on my car because these are failing parts not because of me. I’m having So many problems with my car right now and it’s been costing me a lot of money .It’s at the shop right now and it’s been at the shop for maybe 2 weeks now. I can’t get a rental because they are only covering $40 a day and they are charging me $200 a day. So please help me with these problems and get these problems fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521253May 9, 2023
ENGINE
Vehicle is using excessive amounts of oil and only has 80000 miles and KIA dealership says it is probably due to bad rings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520869May 8, 2023
ENGINE
I have been having problems with my vehicle since 2020 (when it was still under warranty). My engine is burning oil and there has always been carbon build up on the engine parts. I followed their recommendation and did the combustible engine clean and was never given a pass or fail result. Since 2021, I have replaced cylinder 4 spark plug 7 times. My warranty was up in December 2021 and now the problems are just getting worse. I have been told that I have a bad engine but until a knock sensor comes on or my engine fails, Kia will not do anything about it. I am driving an unsafe car as I have no way of knowing when the engine will fail. When my spark plug fouls, I am unable to drive the vehicle and have to have the car towed to the dealer (which has now been five times). I am now replacing the same spark plug (cylinder 4) every three days because of carbon buildup. The dealership has no solution or fix for this problem besides replacing the engine. My engine is still burning oil and they have no solution for that either, besides replacing the engine. Kia is doing nothing about this problem, when they know that these engines are bad.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520888May 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle had electrical fire. While driving smoke and electric fire smell started to fill the cabin. Pull off the road and exited the vehicle. All vehicle caution indicators were lit up on the dashboard, engine, battery, temp, etc indicators. Shut off car called roadside assistance. Car smelled or charred electric components. Had it towed to the manufacturer dealership. Waiting on response from KIA to determine cause of electrical fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520970May 8, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the contact attempted to accelerate to change lanes however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle started to decelerate and sputtered as if the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the roadway and towed to the dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the entire engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been consuming approximately one quart of engine oil every 500 miles. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520995May 8, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving on highway at 65 mph and engine just died with no warning. Almost got hit trying to get off the expressway to the side of road. Had car towed home and checked engine. Engine is seized up completely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521073May 8, 2023
ENGINE
To whom this may concern, I have had my car for several years now and the oil consumption is outrageous. I burn 5 quarts of oil every 2-3 weeks. Every time I had taken my car to get oil changes I am told that my specific engine has always been an oil guzzler. Well fast forward to last week. I was driving my car to work when the engine light came on and my car no longer wanted to accelerate. I pulled over and turned the car off. I changed out the battery considering maybe this was the issue. This did not fix the issue. I ended up towing my vehicle to the Kia Dealership in Hurst. I was told that I had 2 broken cylinders and my engine is not replaceable. My question to the service tech was how would my cylinders just break? I was given no answers but a number to call. This number ended up being Kia Consumers who don’t call me or answer the line. I have had the knock sensor replaced which should cover me for any extended warranty that is said to be in place but I am pulled in circles. I need help getting my car through the motions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520854May 7, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint on my white 2015 kia optima is coming off and when my windshield was replaced more paint came off on the roof above the windshield.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520727May 6, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When I drive at night the low beams are so dim I have to use high beams or fog lights to see.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520625May 5, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal metal to metal squealing sound. The contact pulled the vehicle off the roadway and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality during the failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed back to her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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