Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11420196June 8, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle pearl white paint started peeling on both sides of my front window and now is peeling on my hood. I have filed 2 complaints with my dealership that took pictures and the first one was expired they said cause of covid. It's been several months now and still haven't heard about my 2nd request. It's peeling really bad and it's ridiculous that Kia isn't trying to fix this problem. My hood is starting to get rust spots where the paint has peeled. I'm very upset and frustrated with this problem. I really need to get my car repainted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420203June 8, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The cars headlights turn off while driving under normal conditions. This has happened at least four times in a one month period. This is extremely dangerous as some areas are not well lit or an oncoming car may not see us. I have looked online and I see that this very same issue is occurring with this make and model dating back 6 or more months. It makes no sense that the bulbs would be defective since all lights go off and come back on randomly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419991June 7, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I’ve completed the recall on Saturday it took them less then a few minutes even though the invoice said 0.00hrs. I showed that I had brake fluid leaking and the car smokes but was told to come back if things got worse. Saturday night I was driving to the house with my fiancée and the car started slowly if down, the check engine light came on. Then the car shut off in the middle of the highway after a while it just cut back on and smoke all the way to the house. If there was someone behind me I would have cause a accident but it not within my control. My car has randomly shut off while driving and a while later coming idling again, today making the 5th time with in 3days
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419796June 6, 2021
ENGINE
My 2016 Kia is burning excessive oil. After, each oil change; 400-500 miles later; the oil dipstick show the oil is at, the low Mark on the dipstick. I took the vehicle into the Kia Dealership; where they performed an oil compression test. On, 05-028-2021. We were told to drive the vehicle for a thousand miles; and, return it back to the dealership to complete the oil compression test. The dealership claimed I need a new engine. Because, there's a problem with the barring in the engine. I was told a new engine would cost $8,000 to replace. Since; there's no extended warranty. We have mantain regular oil changes between 2-3 weeks. Or, every 300-400 miles. The vehicle was purchased at about,54000 miles. And, now has 71000 miles. To our knowledge; there are other Kia vehicles under recall; which, shared the same problem; and, is deem unsafe. Because of,a defect in the engine's design cause, metal shavings to build up and, circulate through the engine, causing; a blown engine. And, a potential safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419744June 5, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Problems: lights switch is in auto position and I have locked the vehicle. I noticed at least twice the exterior lights come on and stays on until I unlock start the vehicle and turn engine off. Additionally on June 3 2021 light switch in automatic position coming home at night the head lights turned themselves off the dashboard lights remained on. I was a half mile from home and able to get the vehicle home safely. Turned the headlights switch to manual to turn lights back on.No warning lights came on. Mechanic will look at vehicle later this week. I have no confidence the mechanic will be a to replicate the problem. That's their if can't be reproduced or the computer did notice, it didn't happen .The vehicle is available for inspection
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419701June 4, 2021
ENGINE
2015 Kia Optima approximately 120xxx miles, daily driver Regular maintenance on vehicle. Engine failed as I was driving to doctor appointment. No warnings, no fluids leaking, no irregular gauge readings, no lights. Vehicle had to be towed to nearest dealership. Confirmed engine failure, failed bearing test. Contacted Kia Motors Consumer related to failed engine. No update on engine repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419355June 2, 2021
POWER TRAIN
While driving, I tried to reverse my vehicle and it got stuck in drive , and wouldn't and my gear shift no longer responded to the gear and my vehicle was locked in place in drive mode.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419363June 2, 2021
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle locked up while turning around in a driveway so I could park at my daughter's house on the street. It was working fine before that. It got stuck in the drive mode and then I couldn't get it to start or move. I'm referring to NHTSA Campaign ID # 11V15300. I am currently stuck at my daughter's home in Norfolk, Virginia
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419403June 2, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Peeling paint and rapid delamination occurring on my vehicle around the windshield area and columns. What started as small chips in 2014 has continued and accelerated and is now peeling in larger sheets down to the metal. Kia dealership will not fix it. Three quotes obtained for repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419414June 2, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419272June 1, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2015 Kia Optima, Snow White Pearl paint is peeling off hood, and rails around windshield.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419079May 31, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Unknown. I just checkes the VIN # on this vehicle because I just bought it and saw that it has 4 recalls. But recently I have been smelling gasoline when I drive it long distances and sometimes when I am in town. It gets bad, even my kids complain about the smell. Im not sure if there is a problem but if so I would like for it to be corrected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419045May 30, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car started idling and running rough out of no where. When I put the computer diagnostic on it it tells me there's problems with the fuel rail pressure sensor. Also the car won't go into drive or reverse but nothing is wrong with the transmission?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419049May 30, 2021
ENGINE
ON 5/27/2021 I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN SAFE TO PROCEED, I TURNED RIGHT. WITHIN TEN YARDS, THE CAR SLOWED, A "HYBRID SYSTEM MALUFUNTION" WARNING WAS DISPLAYED, AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. CAR TOWED TO KIA OF IRVINE, WHERE SAFETY PLUG ASSEMBLY, HYBRID BATTERY, AND COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM SERVICE WERE PERFORMED, TOTAL COST TO ME $1,647.31. KIA TECHNICAL OPERATIONS DOCUMENT PS515 APPEARS TO STATE FUSE INSTALLED BY KIA ORIGINALLY IMPROPERLY RATED AT 125 AMP, AS IT IS REPLACED WITH 150 AMP FUSE. WHY IS THIS NOT A TSB, AND THUS A REPAIR COVERED BY WARRANTY?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418708May 27, 2021
ENGINE
I was driving my car normal speed stop and go and suddenly my vehicle started to smoke and not soon after it was on fire I had my engine replace by keep the 1/21/21-1/31/21 so I’m wondering my why my car is nothing but a metal ashes
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
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
#11418644May 26, 2021
POWER TRAIN
Car has very hard downshift at low speed going from 2nd gear to 1st. Seems to be alot of these complaints and would be nice to know of a fix for this problem!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418462May 25, 2021
ENGINE
I had 2 incidents with my cars engine not even a year apart! I got my car 8/1/2020 on 10/03/2020 I had a blinking engine light come on. I got it towed to the Kia dealership and they told me they were going to replace my engine because their is recall.. well they didn’t they ended up running a “test” and the engine light “came off” and they gave me my car back. Now we’re back again with another engine problem on 5/20/2021 my engine light, oil light and battery came on! Luckily I pulled over in time because shortly after my car seized and then didn’t start! My pap came to get me and checked my oil and there was none in there! I just got an oil change and every time I get an oil change I run out of oil and coolant and windshield fluid so fast and get it replaced in between oil changes it’s ridiculous! I definitely think it had something to do with the recall on my engine I’m still waiting for a diagnosis on my car and it’s been 5 days since I’ve had my car towed to Kia with no answers still!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418494May 25, 2021
AIR BAGS
My daughter was in a collision, going about 40 MPH, and the airbags did not deploy, she is very lucky that the windshield did not bust otherwise she would have been hurt.
Crash:
Yes
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

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