Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11495806December 2, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was shaking with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely and smoke started coming from the vehicle with a smell of burning oil coming from the vehicle. While the vehicle was being towed, the contact saw that oil was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the stated that the oil drain plug was missing. The vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle had open recalls and the recalls could not be repaired because the oil drain plug needed to be replaced first. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the dealer reported the issue. The failure mileage was 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495840December 2, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a Goodyear Service Center to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved an unknown code for engine failure. The contact then stated that the following day the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but not assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495423November 30, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have my car only for a year and my map sensor has gone out but is not showing a indication or a light inside the vehicle until the vehicle cut off as I’m driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495441November 30, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving back to the residence. The dealer was contacted and stated that the rod bearing in the engine might need to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that a Product Improvement Program was not performed which prevented the Extend Warranty on the vehicle to become effective. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 135,550.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495396November 29, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle was tampered before purchasing, transmission mounts broken, evap hose gas tank and engine.. car was claimed as a lemon vehicle, dealership sold me a vehicle that’s unsafe to operate. Dealership refuses to fix…
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495115November 28, 2022
STEERING
My Kia 2012 optima started having steering problems. The steering started sticking at higher speeds. When I tried to steer the steering wheel felt like it was stuck in the center position and I had to use extra force to steer it either left or right. It felt very unsafe while driving. I research this Kia problem and I found a kia TSB CHA 060 that addresses this same problem. So Kia is aware of this steering safety issue. I contacted my local Kia dealer and I was told that my vehicle was not covered under this. They told me that the safety TSB was only good for 10 years and my car is now 12 years old. I was told that there was another safety recall on my car about the headliner needing repairs and that was covered. So at this point Kia will repair my headliner for free, but not repair my steering safety problem under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495136November 28, 2022
SEATS
The front driver's seat bolts loosened and came completely off the track. This could have caused me to crash as the seat was no longer stable and shifted about the car until I could get to a safe location. If I had gotten into a crash I would most likely not survived as there was nothing that held me in the car despite having my seat belt on. The vehicle is at the dealership now. There were no warnings that this seat was malfunctioning and the bolts were loosening.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494955November 26, 2022
ENGINE
I have been having issues with my vehicle randomly not wanting to start at first. There wasn’t any warning lights showing up. I have noticed that my vehicle is going through a LOT of oil. This is at least the 3rd time were I have had a few thousand miles left on my oil change but when I drive and press the break, the oil light comes on. When checked the oil is empty. These engines need to be throughly checked out by the manufacturers. I also had an issue with my Kia completely turn it off when I was driving with my child in the car. It would not start back up. We had the people trying to help direct traffic around until the police showed so that we wouldn’t get hit. This could’ve been a VERY dangerous situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494910November 25, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
My first year of buying my KIA brand new, I started having small chips in the paint. It started near the sides of window frame and hood first. I was baffled that the paint was already chipping but related it to highway driving and assumes it was rock chips. Then about the third year of owning the car, a big chunk came off the roof. One big chuck right at the front and also near the back drivers door. Now those spots are becoming more and more visible as the paint is starting to come off in chunks. It is not completely off the car yet but you can see where it is bubbled and separating from the metal
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494927November 25, 2022
ENGINE
EXCESSIVE oil consumption. Just got oil changed last week oil is already gone and check oil light is on again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494811November 24, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Complete power window failure (driver and 2 rear windows). Estimated repair cost is $2,084.90. This model has a history of power window defects that Kia Motors is well aware of. Over time, this defect becomes increasingly severe until you have a complete without warning failure like in my case. Kia Motors refuses to acknowledge problems and stated there is no recall by NHTSA. I want a full reimbursement for my out of pocket payment for untimely repair cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494733November 23, 2022
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Every 2000 miles I need to put in a quart of oil. When car down shifts to 35mph the oil light flickers. At downshift of 10mph there is a slight shutter and the oil light flickers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494630November 22, 2022
ENGINE
I have a 2016 Kia Optima FE and I keep up with regular oil changes and maintenance. My oil light has been flashing when I accelerate and when I turn, but turns off when idling. I’ve had this car 9 months and 2 weeks after getting it, that’s the first time I’ve brought it to get serviced. I’ve always complained about the flashing red oil light when I’d get an oil change, but no one ever told me that my car was consuming oil until NOW. After they did the oil change, the car would be fine for about 900-1,000 and then it would come back on. I would always have about 3,000-4,000 miles left before I was due to get it serviced again. So, I would just get oil changes in between oil changes because that seemed to fix the problem. I went to the Kia dealership near me and they told me that my engine is consuming oil. He showed me the dipstick and it was bone-dry. I should not have to drive around with my daughter in this car that can blow up at any second. I’ve looked on forums where other people have had the same issues and all of them say that it’s because of “faulty pistons.”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494523November 22, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-093. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494407November 21, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
August 6, 2022 on Kansas Turnpike near El dorado. 2015 Kia Optima LX 74,000 miles. With absolutely NO warning whatsoever revved high then began a knocking sound, then a horrible banging and died. No lights, no alarms. Steering became a problem. We were able to drift to the side of the road as we were already in the right lane. Once completely stopped dash lights came on. We had no idea of any recalls or issues. Engine never recovered and we procured roadside assistance. Waited 4 hours on the side of the turnpike. We have since learned of a class action lawsuit against Kia with this very issue. We are still waiting for an engine replacement/rebuild 15 weeks later!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494464November 21, 2022
ENGINE
Failed connecting rod bearing. Happened on the freeway my car shut off and steering wheel locked up. It almost caused multiple crashes as other people got out of their cars to try and help me move my car out of the freeway. I take very good care of my car and maintenance was up to date. I still owe over 9k on the car and it only had 130k miles. Kia has a class action lawsuit I was unaware of and promised a lifetime warrant for my engine but now refuse that warranty. I had to get out of my car on the freeway or risk getting hit from the back. Other cars on the freeway were constantly passing at 80mph. Multiple people had to help me push my car that would not turn and kept shutting off. This was very sudden and random I had no check engine lights or any lights on my dash board at the time. This all happened within the matter of 2 minutes and I’m very happy the person who was behind me had distance enough to go around me or else the would have been an accident.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494259November 19, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The low beam (driving) lights are incredibly poor, almost non-existant. In order to actually see the road at night you need to use high beams, which is a problem for the drivers in front of you and on the other side of the road. It seems this is a widely know issue with this vehicle as I find multiple postings about it online. This has been going on for some time, and replacing the bulb does no good. I've gone to the dealership about it and they offer to "adjust" it at no charge, but there is no change and since they don't charge me for it there's no service ticket, which means there's no record. The consumer stated the form is outdated and has expired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494057November 18, 2022
ENGINE
The engine failed exactly like kia expected it to in the class action lawsuit, but they are refusing to repair the engine since they sent documentation that I needed to have a system upgrade done. However they sent it to an address that I no longer lived at and I've unforgettably them that I had proof that I didn't raise at the address anymore, but they don't care because whatever they sent want returned to them. So instead of replacing my engine because they knowingly sold vehicles worth bad engines they have sent me a bill for $8000 in order to get my car repaired. When you look this up there are so many people worth the exact same issue. Kids is finding any and all reasons to not honor their agreement and to continue to profit off of people.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493818November 16, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO DRIVE IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH ENDANGERS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA OPTIMA DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493880November 16, 2022
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
We bought this car brand new and for the past two or so year it has started to consuming oil like crazy at least 3 to 4 quarts every thousand miles and they wont do anything to see what is causing the issue its not leaking anything at all. Secondly with the head light turned to auto we will be driving down the road and all of a sudden the lights shut off and you have to flip the light to on to get them to turn back on huge safety issues there but they will not do Anything for this issue either. I should have to do what im doing to a very well taken care of vehicle and its only 6 years old i get it if it was 10 years old but to burn this much oil this not right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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