Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11501183January 11, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My pearl white pair is chipping from all over, I had it inspected and they said it was a problem with the original paint and how it was put painted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501217January 11, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
have taken my kia to halleen kia sandusky dealership for safety recall driver air bags, and to assess my subframe. was turned away because they said the subframe of my car was too rusty and they "didn't feel safe letting their technicians do repairs as per safety recalls" and would not investigate the cars subframe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501251January 11, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT CHIPPING!!!! (photos attached) I have encountered many of Kia manufactured vehicles with the same issue. The paint bubbles and then peels off, leaving a visible grey (primed) area. I am located in North Carolina. The weather is not harsh and I cannot think of any other reason this would be occurring. When attempting to get the paint repaired / vehicle painted, I was informed of a recall and/or class action associated with this situation. I would like clarification and resolution of this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501294January 11, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
The door latches don't spring back into a position that allows the door to be closed again, once it has been opened. I have to stick my finger in the latch hole in the door while pulling out the latch handle to put the latch back into the position where the door will close. So far, this problem has effected three of the four doors in my sedan.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501336January 11, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine; oil was added. The contact stated that several weeks later, the oil warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The mechanic found no oil leaks nor the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501341January 11, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
I have 2 separate issues. 1. Anti-lock brakes don't always work properly. They have locked up in the rain many times. 2. My white pearl paint started chipping two years ago and now has large spots missing with bubbling in other areas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501369January 11, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
ABS module is faulty. Confirmed by professional auto shops and it’s a safety risk. Without this working properly, my car refuses to brake sometimes. Will not automatically stop when it needs to due to the spongy, unresponsive brake pedal. Kia / Hyundai have known about this for years and continues to sell these vehicles that WILL kill myself or someone else on the road.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501039January 10, 2023
ENGINE
My vehicle is in the class action lawsuit against KIA for faulty engine blocks that could cause fire and engine failure. My vehicle oil consumption is way below standard and the excess burning oil is coming inside my engine on top . I see smoke and I smell burning oil on my engine while I’m driving and when I stop. I have well kept my cars maintenance and this is now starting to happen after 120k miles. I reported the issue to Kia but they told me that the engine has to lock up before they can either consider replacing it. I’m really afraid to drive this car because of my life and the life of others if I get a fire or engine failure in busy traffic. It just doesn’t seem safe to drive although there’s no check engine lights on yet, but I can sense warnings before destruction. Please help !!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501051January 10, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the "Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine" message displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. On two occasions, the vehicle shifted to LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the engine was replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,997.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500751January 9, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
*The vehicle is burning oil at a very speedy rate....much quicker than normal. Perhaps more than a quart per 1000 miles. The car is available for inspection. *Today was the second time that I was surprised to find that there was not enough oil to even register on the dip stick. I don't yet know if there was any permanent damage to the engine. My experience seems to be very similar to many other people who have posted online....a possible flicker of the oil light before finding out about the oil deficiency. It concerns me that others said that this led to their car faltering and/or freezing up while driving. That is certainly a safety risk for the drivers/passengers and other motorists. Some people indicated that their engine was ruined and needed to be replaced. *It was the Valvoline mechanic that told me today that there was an issue with these engines causing high oil consumption. *I have not yet had the engine inspected. I just emailed the Kia dealership to inform them and ask about a possible repair. Last year was the first of two instances where I experienced the low oil level. The first time, I had noticed the oil warning light flicker when I rounded a corner a few times during a week or so. I then took it in for an oil change. Today, I noticed one flicker and went right to Valvoline and there was almost not oil remaining. My second issue of concern is that my headlights have randomly turned off when I am driving at night. The first time I thought that I might have accidently touched the switch. However, it has happened two more times that I am aware of and I am sure that I did not touch the switch. I'm not sure if the headlights would have gone back on on their own because I turned the switch from on to off and back again and the lights went back on. There might have been more instances which I have not bee aware of. I just sent an email to Kia about both of these issues. This is item has not been inspected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500866January 9, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN There are recalls for the vehicle and the Kia dealership hasn’t sent any letters notifying I had to find out online.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500928January 9, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 74 MPH, the vehicle made abnormal metallic banging sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle began to lose motive power. The contact veered to the side of the road and added engine oil to the vehicle. The contact drove to a nearby parking lot and parked the vehicle. The contact's friend, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil, which led to engine failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as he failed to complete the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500654January 8, 2023
ENGINE
Code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) appeared on scanner after knocking and jerking randomly occurred one night. When researched was performed on if there have been recalls in the past, saw there was a recall for Knock Sensor Detection System back in 2021. Recall issues don’t appear to be fixed with the KSDS despite prior recalls on this part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500679January 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
After driving the car over 15 miles, the Check Brake Light comes on, activating my emergency brake, slowing the car down and preventing me to accelerate. This happens on the freeway, where traffic is fast and my decelerating car puts me and those around me at risk of collision. Once it occurs the first time, it happens again a few minutes later. I have to frequently veer off the side of the freeway, turn off the car, and then turn it on again for the Check brake light to go away and for me to travel once more. This has been a problem for a couple of years with me trying to get the issue repaired, and documented in my visits. Kia and other service operatives have repeatedly not been able to replicate the error in their care, however they never drive it long enough for it to occur. I’ve spent a lot of money now trying to fix this problem and have videos and photos of it occurring. The last time it was inspected they only drove it 6 miles and said there were a lot of little codes going off but weren’t again able to replicate the problem I had been describing. It first appeared 2 years ago and I can feel it start to come on when I’m not able to accelerate my car any further like there is an added resistance. This then amounts to the check brakes display to appear with the emergency brake icon always accompanying it. It makes a scraping, gargled sounds and slows down the car. Overall it has affected the overall drive of the car and braking system as it is growing harder to stop the car when driving. The brakes have been repeatedly checked as well as the fluid and it’s normal, so it should be braking normally. This car has had other issues in the past that have been fixed but this has continued and has been a growing issue that is not being resolved. I’ve googled this issue with others expressing the same issue without ANY viable solution from Kia so I know I’m not alone in this. It’s not safe to drive. Also I tried uploading the videos but it only allowed the pictures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500684January 8, 2023
ENGINE
I was driving my car and it just slowed down on the freeway and wouldn’t go pass 60mph I went to my nearest autozone And received code p1326 I was told it was the knock sensor and got it changed. I checked my oil and noticed it was low even tho I got an oil change not even a month before. however the problem didn’t change. I decided to go to the internet and notice many other kia have had these problems and have received a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500620January 7, 2023
ENGINE
Blinking check engine light at 113000 miles on the car cuzs stalling while driving was worried about an engine fire I did read about on same model.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500432January 6, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (Structure) and 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced before servicing the recall repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500505January 6, 2023
ENGINE
I am a service provider. On 9/15/2022, a customer, who owns the vehicle with attached VIN, came for an oil change in his 2017 Kia Optima. On 11/11/2022, after nearly 2 months and 2,964 miles, the customer and vehicle owner called to tell us his car was broken down on the side of the road. Upon inspection, it was found that the oil drain plug had fallen out of the vehicle after nearly 3,000 miles. As a result, there is engine failure on the vehicle. Due to the mileage, we went to Kia West Broad in Richmond, VA to ask for their opinion. They were unwilling to assist the customer. I believe this falls in line with the current investigation from the NHTSA into Kia drain pan assemblies and drain plug issues. I have repeatedly been hung up on by Kia when asking them questions surrounding their willingness to assist this customer who is without transportation. Each time that I ask about the investigation, I am put on hold and then hung up on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500242January 5, 2023
STEERING
The steering wheel sticks at the 12 o'clock position. Typically in cooler weather. It is very noticeable at highway speeds. The same thing was documented in the 2012 - 2014 models under TSB CHA 060. I took it to the dealer in 2016, but they couldn't duplicate the issue. I have recently moved from SC to KY. The problem is more pronounced in cold weather. I have to use both hands to keep the car straight on the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500405January 5, 2023
ENGINE
We purchased the car used (private party) in July. Afterward, we noticed it was using oil rapidly. We checked & refilled the oil several times. We also noticed a slight ticking sound when the car was running, but we did not think it was a problem. The day of the incident, the oil had been checked & topped off. Our college-age daughter was driving the car 70mph on I-75 north when she noticed a sound of high revving rpms while on cruise control. It continued to get louder over the next 2 minutes & became very concerning. She exited the freeway. The oil & engine lights came on at the beginning of the ramp. She was able to continue coasting through the light & into a parking lot, though the engine had limited power. Smoke filled the cabin & a strong smell, so she immediately exited the car. Smoke also came from the hood. The car could have caught on fire at this point, but we are glad it did not & our daughter's life was not harmed. We are thankful she exited the freeway when she did or she could have gotten into a wreck. These safety issues have occurred to some owners of this vehicle upon engine seizure. We had the car towed to Kia of Grand Blanc, MI. Upon inspection, they determined the engine had seized. They never opened the engine to look inside, only hooked up it for error code diagnostics. There was no record of the KSDS product improvement update being performed prior to the incident, so Kia Corporate has refused to replace the engine. Not the original owner of the car, we never received notification regarding this update. We had no way of knowing about it since we did not take it to a Kia dealership for maintenance (not required per the Magnussen-Moss Act (1975)). Prior maintenance was regularly completed at a local repair shop, & the previous owner provided us with all the records they had. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by anyone other than Kia. We are requesting an NHTSA inspection asap to pursue a covered engine and/or recall. Please contact us.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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