Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11519532April 28, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving down a highway and my engine completely turned off. I was lucky enough to make it to the edge safely, but my car would not start. Had it towed to a Kia dealership where they told me since the reset never took place, they would not honor the recall. I’ve only had the car 3 months and was not alerted of any recalls at my last oil change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519333April 27, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is peeling off my white 2015 KIA Optima on the passenger side, trunk and driver and passenger front pillars. The paint is peeling from underneath the paint at the base of the vehicle. This is obviously a paint defect and unacceptable. I was told by multiple auto paint body shops that "the paint did not fuse with the primer which is causing the paint to bubble and peel". Kia is telling consumers to put in a claim and send pictures, sales contracts and paint estimates etc. and then deny the claim. However, I know for a fact that they are picking and choosing which claims to take care of. My claim was denied but I refuse to accept this and asked for a Case manager to call me directly to discuss further. I am suppose to get a call back within a 5 to 7 days. Kia is a billion dollar business with millions of Kia vehicles sold and for them not to take responsibility for there manufacturing defect is very bad business and I expect more from them. I spent hard earned money for my car that looks horrible and I am embarrassed to drive in and drive my clients in. I am not happy at how Kia is handling this matter and consumers of Kia deserve better treatment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519334April 27, 2023
ENGINE
My car engine burns oil EXCESSIVELY. After an oil change, 2 weeks later i had to put more oil in. The dealership is no help even with a warranty. The car burning oil is also causing other mechanical problems that are a hefty price that are only a temp fix. I have to put oil in every single week. 2-3 quarts a week. Due to the oil being burnt off, it has affected my spark plugs and has caused a misfire in the same exact cylinder for when it misfired for this same problem, a year prior. I took it to a kia dealership last year and they performed a combustion chamber cleaning ($650+) and it only worked for 3 months before my car was back to performing poorly due to power loss from misfiring again. This car has put me in a VERY TOUGH financial situation and the dealership and corporate are absolutely no help. a year apart, this car has misfired on the same cylinder twice. the dealership just tells me to do a combustion cleaning but due to it being very pricy and with how much oil i have to buy, it’s not an option for me due to my financial situation. right now i’m just hoping something will be done for the millions of people that are effected by this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519357April 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The engine consumes all the oil within 1000 miles. The oil light comes on around 800 miles after oil change. The dealership did the 3 separate tests and they all failed. Dealership stated the engine is faulty however Kia corporate denied the claim. There is already a class action lawsuit in progress in California.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519230April 27, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint defects. Kia admitted about 5-6 years ago that the Snow White Pearl paint on some of their models had issues. Since then they have painted parts of our vehicle 4 or more times. Current issues started in December 2022
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519095April 26, 2023
ENGINE
Bearings are worn it in the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519168April 26, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Since this car did not come equipped with the Anti Theft Immobiliing System, due to recent events like increased theft of Kias and Hyundais ill equipped, an software upgrade was developed by each of the companies. When the dealer performed the anti theft software upgrade to my car, I was not informed at the time of the repair that this software upgrade disables the use of my Kia Remote Starting System. I was told Kia is working on a fix. So, in essence, we need a fix to fix a fix, simply because Kia and Hyundai decided in a cost saving measure to manufacture select years and models that are not equipped with the engine immobilizer key recognition system. I have heard talk of a possible recall for these affected vehicles by the NHTSA. Additionally, my car just manifested an issue today with an illuminated Oil Pressure Indicator Light on the instrument cluster. I have plenty of oil on the dipstick. Could this be more of the same with respect to previous years engine failures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519170April 26, 2023
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I was driving at night when both of my lower beam headlights went out at the exact same time. My high beams work but not the low beams and it wasn't a blown fuse. Also, my engine has been consuming 2 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles since it hit roughly 58,000 miles. The excessive oil consumption started about 2,000 miles before my next oil change was due. The oil indicator light never came on to indicate my engine was low on oil. The oil indicator light flashed on and off one time as I was slowing down to turn which is what prompted me to check my oil because I knew something wasn't right that the oil indicator only flashed but didn't stay on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518806April 25, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
Soonroof/Moonroof closed rattle noise. When the Soonroff/Moonroof is closed at highway speeds or windy weather it make a rattle noise to inside of the car, i try to do their reset method and nothing worked, i being looking in kia forums and most of the people had complained about this issue, and that kia doesnt wants to fix. I will like an investigation of this issue and if you can start a repair campaign recall due this soonroof parts are really pricey. And i think is a manufacturer problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518826April 25, 2023
ENGINE
This is how I am feeling and the reason for being an unhappy customer. I shouldn't have to keep buying gallons of oil to put in my car every other day. Oil change was done on Sept 6th along with spark plugs put in due to oil consumption. Took my car again to Kia on Sept 21th because there was no oil in my vehicle, so they put oil in. Then on Sunday Oct 2nd I had to spend $44 on a gallon of oil because there was no oil in it once again. It’s a recall and should be fixed regardless if it doesn't shut off while I'm driving, hearing the knocking noise, and or the check engine light comes on. First I was told to bring it or call if the check engine light comes on and stays on now I am told it has to come on and stay blinking. I can be on the highway with my family or infant grandchild and my car shuts off what if I cause and accident, kill someone, or myself or family dies in my car. Would you rather have a lawsuit or fix the problem before that happens. I have talked to other mechanics that have went through it with their customers and they fixed the issue with the Kia's before it gets to this point. Still has of now every two weeks I am buying $44 worth of oil to put in my car. Even from the advisor that I have been dealing with at Kia named Beau stated that my spark plugs issue was from the oil, and he always stated oh its getting close to the motor going out. Now my car is hesitating and its doing the same thing as it was before the new spark plugs except the check engine light isn’t on. I can’t afford to keep putting oil in it and constantly getting oil changes. Just from the receipt the Kia Manufactured attached isn’t the only time that I have been to Kia or contacted the manufactured company regarding this. It took me to take it to a different shop when I can’t stating to Kia the issue than finally they said it’s a recall on the car. It’s also a recall on the fuel pump and I advised them and still didn’t order the part or fix that as well. Still having issues now
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518881April 25, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The reflectors on the low beam headlights have degraded to the point it has failed Virginia state inspection. The safety of myself and others is impacted by reduced nighttime visibility. Distance of vision at night is reduced to only as much distance as the parking lights provide. The dealer has inspected and rejected the vehicle from passing Virginia State inspection and is now not lawfully allowed to be driven. There were no warning lamps to indicate a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518984April 25, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
The vehicle caught fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518985April 25, 2023
ENGINE
Since August of 2021 Ive experienced engine oil burning that results in me having to add oil every 10 days after a Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 . Ive gone into Lokey Kia in Clearwater FL numerous of times for this issue, and numerous recalls. There is no visible leak, but that had me pay for the Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 - Lokey Kia told me again today 4/24/23 that I needed the same repair done again. Over the phone the Lokey Kia service rep. told me he could not find my previous repair in the system and that I should NOT have to fix this repair this soon, but when I came in with a receipt, they stated "oh, things wear our=t faster than we think". Ive taking my car across the street to Fitzgerald Hydauni, tried to explain to them. Paid for vehicle check, completed oil change, found no visible leak, but within a week I had to go back because my car was literally almost out of oil. I called Kia claims today claim# 14751760, on hold for 2 hours and they say I have to spend several hundred dollars 3 times for a oil consumption tests before I can qualify for engine replacement because the recall for this DEFECT is not attached to my VIN, but is a KNOWN issue for the 2016. Ive sat in the waiting area and other consumers have gotten engine replaced, but for me Im brushed to the side. AAA states they've so many Kia's like mine breakdown due to this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518500April 23, 2023
ENGINE
Apparent engine seizure. Vehicle has been towed to Peak KIA dealership located in Littleton CO. Have been informed by dealership it will take approximately one week before they can diagnose/confirm the engine seizure. Vehicle has LESS than 50,000 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518501April 23, 2023
ENGINE
I got the car oct 2022, car drove fine for months. Got oil changes regularly. On or about late Dec my car started getting this code "check active air flap" it didn't stay on it was quickly flashed on my dash and went away. So I thought it wasnt important, then it came on again really quick and disappeared again. So then I start to worry and start searching what exactly was a air flap. I found out it was something that allows air flow to the engine. So I parked my car and didn't use it so I could get them money to take it in to have it looked at. On Jan 4h me and my 2 sons were on our way to have it looked at and while on the way there my car was making a weird like ticking noise which I didn't know what it could be so I am still driving just being more cautious and Bam my car is on fire! Freaking out cause no one would let me over to safely pull off the road. No check engine light ever came on no oil light nothing but air flap check.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518245April 21, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was nearly stolen. My neighbor interrupted the thieves before they could steal my car. They broke my rear driver side window by smashing the window frame 4 times, climbed inside, opened the driver door from the inside and broke my steering wheel column cover.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518269April 21, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car was involved in the class action suite for the motor replacement and had the motor replaced at 156,763 miles on the car. Since the replacement the high pressure fuel pump has had to be replaced twice and is not needing replacement again with only 218,000 miles (62000 miles since replacement). There where no previous issues with the HPFP before motor replacement and KIA will not do anything about the HPFP continuous failure. This appears to be a very common issue with the KIA products and yet no recall has been issued. This is ultimately a safety issue as the vehicle can cut off while in motion causing a risk for collision but has not been addressed by anyone other than a Repair bulleting put out by KIA in 2013 to all their dealerships for this issue so KIA is aware of the issues with the failures. This needs to be addressed before someone is injured or killed due to this re-occurring malfunction part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517996April 20, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering column experienced excessive shaking and vibration making the vehicle difficult to steer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518017April 20, 2023
ENGINE
I have been continuously having the car checked because it burned oil and all mechanics even outside of dealership brushed it off. turns out it was a cylinder leak from the exhaust valve and now a new engine is needed. given Kia's history with Engine problems on the Optima i wanted to report this as this seems like it could have been a caused because of engine block, crankshaft, and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons issues that then ultimately led to the exhaust valve issue. But of course my issue falls right out of the lifetime warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517796April 19, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began to violently shake with a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine and the engine oil pressure warning lights flashed but disappeared. The contact veered to the side of the road and towed the vehicle to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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