Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#11424715July 14, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint on my PEARL WHITE optima is chipping like crazy!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424810July 14, 2021
ENGINE
Burns oil, worn piston rings, bad gaskets! Engine replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424542July 13, 2021
ENGINE
Back in September of 2020, my car randomly went to limp mode while driving at highway speeds. Had the car towed to the dealer. Dealer advised of apparent “software issue” to correct the problem. Well this happened two more times after that twice the software was updated which didn’t work. The third time the replaced the knock sensor and so far I haven’t went to limp mode, however, the car has not drove the same and seems to get worse each passing day. Rough shifting, engine vibrates more than usual. Car struggles at times to go up hills, when giving gas a though way speed the car has a few second delay. Sometimes it feels as if the transmission is skipping. The car is up to date on all recommended services, I.e transmission flush and fill etc. There are also times when the vehicle is started but struggles. Almost as if it want to loose power but it doesn’t. Has happened numerous times however recently it actually didn’t start. Struggle to turn over a couple time but then finally did. A check engine light came on but then went away the next day after driving. I have an appointment with the dealer this week to look at this and other issues, again, hoping for some progress at that point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424413July 12, 2021
ENGINE
So we have a 2015 Kia Optima. On June 10 2021 our car was completely fine just did our normal oil change, tune up, etc. it was running and starting just fine. The next day June 11th, 2021 my husband was on the highway and getting off at his exit and the car suddenly went into “limp mode” it’s a safety mechanism on the car to stop it from completely blowing the engine and destroying other things. He was able to get the car home but was only able to go 25 miles a hour. The car is now currently sitting in our drive way throwing a whole bunch of different codes. First it was a rod in the engine and then now a misfire when the car hasn’t moved in over a month. From what I hearing from the dealership and other people this is common with the GDI engines. We are now out of a car and don’t even know what’s completely wrong with it. We’ve barely had a year of that.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424478July 12, 2021
ENGINE
My 2016 KIA was consuming 1 quart of oil every 500 miles in 2021. Called KIA dealer about oil consumption issue and they started 3-1000 mile oil consumption tests on 4/6/21 (miles 92,053). On the 1st 1000 mile test, 2 qts of oil were consumed. 2nd 1000 mile test 1.2 qts of oil were consumed. 3rd 1000 mile test 1.5 qts of oil were consumed. All results were reported to KIA. The 3rd oil consumption test was completed on 5/27/21 (miles 95,065) and I went home and checked the oil level on the dipstick, which was filled correctly to the full mark. On 5/28/21 the service mgr called to schedule an engine compression test on 6/8/21. On the morning of 6/8/21, I checked the engine oil and it was more than a qt low (miles 95,510) with only 445 miles since the oil was topped off. Delivered car to KIA for the engine compression test on 6/8/21, told service mgr of the 1 qt oil consumption in 445 miles, and he informed me that if the compression test is good, KIA will direct an engine cleaning procedure per KIA TSB 222. When TSB 222 was completed, they stated another 1000 mile oil consumption test had to be completed. On 6/9/21 I returned to the KIA dealer to pick up my car. Requested to check the engine oil level with the mechanic since this was the start of the 1000 mile test. The car was returned to the service floor, time was allowed for oil draindown, and the mechanic pulled the dipstick which indicated the oil was overfilled by approx 1/3 quart. Took a picture of the dipstick level. The service manager was told of the situation. No action was taken. They sealed the dipstick and I departed. Printed TSB 222 from NHTSA website. On 6/24/21 returned for 1000 mile check. I witnessed (took picture) mechanic check the oil and he said it was less than a qt. I showed service mgr the overfill picture. He change the consumption to 1 qt. Spoke with KIA mgr. He said another 1000 mile check was to be performed. Since TSB 222 states oil is to be filled to full mark, their test is invalid.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424258July 11, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
While driving at the speed limit on July 9th 2021 my kia optima started smoking within a minute of us pulling over the front of the car was on fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424323July 11, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pealing paint on hood and along windshield area
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424328July 11, 2021
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The motor failed while I was driving. I was at a stop sign and was turning the corner and my car shut off. I tried to start the car and smoke was coming from the engine. I had to have my car towed home. No warning lamps came up prior to the engine shutting down.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424207July 10, 2021
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My oil light has been coming on and blinking then disappearing. Current on oil change and oil level is full on dipstick. Noticed little oil stain on driveway but oil level remains good and full. A couple times now my car has lost acceleration. One time on the highway and once in my neighborhood. When I press the gas it does not accelerate. It will lose speed and after a few times of stepping on the gas will eventually get to speed.
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
#11424086July 9, 2021
ENGINE
Engine began making very loud noised while driving on an expressway. Pulled off of the road and engine would not start. Had to get towed to a local repair shop. I found out that my engine is blown. There have been recalls on the Theta II engine, but, mine was not involved in the recall. There are many reports of these engines that were not involved with the recall having MAJOR issues. Please investigate further into these engines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423946July 8, 2021
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally with a sound coming from the steering rack. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423982July 8, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while stationary with the engine on, the check engine warning light illuminated. After pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle stalled and was unable to be restarted. With the assistance of a nearby police officer, the contact placed the vehicle into neutral and backed into a parking spot. While waiting for her boyfriend to arrive at the scene, she noticed that dark grayish smoke was coming from the engine. The contact and her daughter immediately exited the vehicle as another police officer showed up at the scene. The officer attempted to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher but failed to do so. The fire department arrived at the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was uncertain if a fire or police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it remained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon speaking with her insurance adjuster, the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the contact never received the notification letter about the recall. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423645July 6, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423656July 6, 2021
STEERING
I purchased 2012 kia optima hybrid june 14, 2021. 1 week after I purchased vehicle i started to hear "clicking noise" & felt a "bump" each time I moved steering wheel slightly left or right. example moving steering wheel to change lanes, turning vehicle left or right, and moving steering wheel when straightening out car when parking. As of 7/6/2021 "clicking noise" in steering wheel/steering column is louder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423425July 5, 2021
ENGINE
Driving at 60 mph on the highway engine seized up with no warning what so ever no engine light or oil light. Once vehicle stopped checked oil and it was almost empty. No warning of oil pressure or oil low. Vehicle always inspected an oil change done on time. Can't find recall on my vin but other 2012 models had a recall for this exact reason. I was almost hit by a semi when the vehicle just died with no warning at all and everything locked up. Never had 1 issue with this vehicle until now. And I am worried kia will not fix it when clearly other optimas of the same year had the same issue. I can't understand why when vin search it doesn't show this recall. It's all over the internet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423319July 3, 2021
ENGINE
We believe the connecting rod bearing in the engine is bad and needs to be replaced. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. When the engine failure occurred, luckily we were in a neighborhood and not traffic because the engine speed was drastically reduced and the vehicle failed to accelerate in a reasonable manner. The vehicle has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer, but a home computer diagnostic was done on the vehicle giving a "Cylinder 3" misfire code. The vehicle has not been seen by anyone other than the owners of the vehicle, we are currently in the process of trying to get an appointment with a kia dealership. There were no warnings prior to the failure, but as soon as the failure occurred, the check engine light turned on and was blinking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423326July 3, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
MY VIN IS [XXX] ITS A 2012 KIA OPITMA HYBRID 2.4L AND I SEE IT HAS THESE RECALLS ON IT NEEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT MY NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423338July 3, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ther are two Problems with my car when my phone is connected via USB to the vehicle the screen turn black and completely shut off while driving the other issue is the forward collision when there’s a car in front of me and I go to put on my for my brakes the car beats and slides rather than breaking
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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