Kia Optima Complaints (2014)

622 consumer complaints on file.

#11425710July 20, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was grayish smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to steer the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where they also diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425740July 20, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
UNKNOWN.. but the first time anything actually happen i was driving on the highway and all of a sudden I started to smell something weird and all the safety lights turned on the engine started smoking my acceleration wasn't working I can't put it in neutral nothing else is working I got lucky I was able to pull off to the side of the highway we where in a very dangerous spot the car wouldn't start back up at all and I have no communication we were stuck there for 3 hours until my dad found finally found us because he knew something was off why we weren't home for so long a close friend have to my house and that's words been parked ever since
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425704July 20, 2021
ENGINE
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his mother-in-law was driving 65 mph, she heard an abnormal loud clinking sound coming from the engine and the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. Several unknown warning lights along with the check engine warning light were illuminated. The contact stated as he opened the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, he noticed the engine pistons had fractured and there was a hole in the engine. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, then to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but advised the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as it was out of warranty. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425341July 18, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I noticed that the pain on the hood had a chip in it. About two months or so later there were a few spots where the paint has bubbled and peeled off. Later I noticed the the paint was doing the same along both sides of the windshield and above both doors. The spots are continuing to bubble and peel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424036July 9, 2021
STEERING
Attempted theft of vehicle on 04/09/21 by breaking in the rear window since it is not armed by the factory alarm. Then breaking the steering column and using a USB charging cable to start vehicle. Vehicle is still with the dealer Russ Darrow Kia, Wauwatosa, WI. awaiting parts (back logged) due to the epidemic of break-ins on Kia and Hyundai models. Police report # 21-099-0033 and Insurance claims adjuster have been notified and paid for repairs - $3,000; claim # A00003252795 Vehicle is available for view upon request. Kia or Hyundai has does nothing to mitigate the problem nor have they acknowledged the problem. I have made several attempts to reach out to Kia for assistance, but to no avail.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11422499June 27, 2021
STEERING, WHEELS
I was getting into traffic and felt like power steering went on left turn Took to Kia repair shop on 5/26 RECEIVED call on 6/7 that repairs had been made costing $938.03 SAME PROBLEM NEXT DAY TOOK CAR BACK 6/11 RECEIVED message that car is repaired on 6/25 at NO Cost Picked up drove about 5 miles any took right turn to come home same it happened again They now have the car in the shop
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11422079June 24, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Traction control light has recently started coming on all the time and stays on. When you turn car off and it cools off then the light is off again. Another issue is when I place foot on brake the passenger side parking light comes on and the passenger brake light has had to be replaced 7 times since i bought car in February 2021
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421973June 23, 2021
ENGINE
The contact's son owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 65 mph the vehicle stalled. The oil warning indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421906June 22, 2021
POWER TRAIN
The engine under recall they switch it then the trains mission goes bad
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421621June 21, 2021
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle shut off and rolled in a parking lot. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the dashboard and vents melted and the air conditioner became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was informed there were metal shavings in the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred the contact to a local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421570June 20, 2021
STEERING
The electric power steering stopped working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421587June 20, 2021
ENGINE
Engine burns a lot of oil. I’ve had my engine oil changed very regularly by professional shops since I bought it new in 2014. I started changing the oil myself after only 2000 miles and noticed only 3 quarts came out of quarts 5 I put in. I changed the pcv valve and it did not solve the problem. There are no leaks. None of the mechanics ever told me my car was low on oil so I don’t know how long it’s been burning oil. I’ve been adding oil regularly in between oil changes since I first noticed the problem. I’m glad I never missed an oil change or my engine could be dead from lack of lubrication.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421321June 17, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
05/03/2021 I drove my vehicle to the local grocery store and upon leaving the store, I came to stop and the vehicle stalled and wouldn't start. I knew that it was not the battery, because all lights and dash board system was on. I tried starting the vehicle again and it would not start. My safety was put at risk because I had to figure out how to get the vehicle towed. The problem (PI 1803) with the engine is the problem and KIA Consumer Affairs verified that the previous owner never brought the vehicle in to get repaired. I was never notified to bring vehicle in. KIA Consumer Affairs verified that I did not have a profile and I was not notified because I was not in their system. It is my problem to get a rebuilt engine for $6000 to update software and extend the "Lifetime Warranty." It was inspected by Olathe KIA in Olathe, KS. They were not given any authority to repair this issue with the original engine failure. My insurance agent verified that they could not cover mechanical problems, only accidents. There were no warnings, no knocking (read other peoples statements on the PI 1803 KIA Forum testaments), no leaking, no smoke, or other signs. I had an oil change a week prior before this happen and there was no signs of any problems. My engine just gave out and never started again. KIA has ruined My Family's Life. We have no car to get to work. Losing my Job because I live 15-20 miles from my job. We only have 1 car. We are getting Evicted from our apartment. Domino affect with My Life. I still have a car payment and car insurance I have to pay for. Why, won't they fix their engines? It's there problem when the vehicle was manufactured. I see why they are trying to sell all kinds of KIA's even though there is a car shortage. So sad how many people are in my shoe's and many of lives are affected by this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420174June 8, 2021
ENGINE
I bought the car from an individual in April. The end of May My engine started knocking while I was driving and it stalls out and will not drive. I contacted Kia because there was an open recall on the engine to see if they will look at it. They told me they will not even look at it or fix it because the person who owned the car before me did not fix other recalls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418743May 27, 2021
ENGINE
The contact's stepdaughter owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his stepdaughter was driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle began to stall and she started to hear an abnormal sound. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The driver parked on the side of the road until the contact drove to her location. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 20V519000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which was related to the failure. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that since she was not the first owner of the vehicle, the recall repairs would not be honored. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the recall repairs would not be honored. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418279May 24, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 5/23/2021, while driving my Optima on US94 in Indiana, I noticed a clicking sound. Uncertain if it was my car, or somerhing else, I turned off my media, and realized it was my car. I decided I would exit the next available exit, when I saw black smoke behind me. I realized I wouldn't make it the one mile to the exit, so I decided to pull off unto the shoulder of the highway. The instrumentation panel showed the coolant on normal, right in the middle of H and C. The Electrical Panel indicator was no longer in the middle as normal, which is right in the middle of H & L. Instead, it was berween the middle and Low. As I began to slow down, the panel showed a message of "Turn off Hybrid Now", then the red engine light appeared. I wasn't stopped yet, slowed to about 40 mph when I suddenly lost power. I coasted and brake to the shoulder, when I began to see smoke coming up from the hood. Mostly from the passenger side of the hood. I popped the hood of the car, then went out and opened the hood. I saw flames under the engine, more towards the passenger side of car. I grabbed my purse and ran to the field away from the car. The car burned up completely within about 5 to 8 minutes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416055May 11, 2021
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416013May 10, 2021
ENGINE
MY ENGINE SEIZED, I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID KIA WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF RECALLS NOT DONE BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THIS ENGINE, BUT I HAVE TO PAY OVER 8,000 FOR AN ENGINE TO BE PAID BACK, I STILL OWE 10,000 ON THIS CAR. I CALLED KIA AND ASKED HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT RECALLS MADE BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, THEY SAID I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR BUYING A USED CAR. I'VE HAD MY CAR IN AT A KIA DEALERSHIP A WEEK BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE WITH 20 POINT INSPECTION AND NOTHING SAID ABOUT RECALLS. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE QUIT, LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO DRIFT ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET MY CAR TO AN EXIT, AND COAST DOWN THE OFF RAMP. PIPED THE HOOD AND SMELLED SOMETHING MELTING, MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. THIS IS DANGEROUS, NOW I'M LEFT FINANCIALLY DEVASTATED AND WITHOUT A CAR BECAUSE KIA CAN'T FIX THEIR WRONGS. EVERY ENGINE THAT HAD THE RECALLS DONE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH OR WITHOUT THE UPDATE. THE ENGINES ARE BAD. IVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR A YEAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11415491May 7, 2021
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRANK SHAFT BEARING WENT BAD CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL IN VEHICLE AND ALMOST GET HIT BY TRAFFIC CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON EVERY MODEL OF MY CAR EXCEPT MINE BECAUSE IT WAS THE GAS HYBRID WHICH STILL HAS THE SAME ENGINE AND PROBLEM AS THE ONES IN RECALL J BOUGHT THE CAR FOR AROUND 13K AND ONLY HAD IT FOR BOUT 3 MONTHS BEFORE THIS HAPPEN DEALER WON'T REPAIR WORK UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT DOES FALL UNDER THE RECALL FOR MILLIONS OF OTHER BECAUSE IT IS HYBRID AS WELL AS GAS ? DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AND I GOT SCREWED OUTTA 13K AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED AS WELL AS MY 2 KIDS THAT WHERE IN THE CAR WITH ME
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11415214May 5, 2021
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END STARTED WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THIS WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A JOINT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN, BECAME WORSE AND THE STEERING FELT LOOSER. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL ALSO FELT LOOSE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND SOME OTHER RELATED PARTS. THIS TIME THE STEERING WAS LOOSER, THEY HAD TO REPLACE A BOLT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE LOT I HEARD THE SAME NOISE BUT VERY FAINT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WASN'T AN ISSUE BUT IT GOT WORSE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. THE RIGHT WHEEL HAD THE LOOSE FEELING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AGAIN. BY THIS TIME THE NOISE HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE SAME PARTS AS BEFORE AGAIN. THAT SAME DAY I COULD HEAR THE FAINT NOISE AGAIN, DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS FINE AGAIN. THE CLICKING NOISE BECAME WORSE JUST AS BEFORE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE THEIR LAST ATTEMPT AND IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE. WHEN GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP THE FRONT WHEELS HAVE A LOOSE FEELING WHICH IS ALSO GETTING WORSE. THIS LOOSE FEELING IN THE FRONT WHEELS HAPPENS WHEN TURNING AND GOING STRAIGHT. SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR IN ANY OF THE PROBLEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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