Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11244338August 16, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE (BRAKE) ON ITS OWN. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO DECELERATE WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. IT HAPPENED ONCE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND WITHIN SECONDS DECELERATED TO ABOUT 40 MPH WITHOUT EVER PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. DUE TO THIS IT APPEARS MY "TRACTION CONTROL" WARNING INDICATOR BECOMES ILLUMINATED. I AM AWARE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS EXACT SAME THING BUT ONLY FOR THE 2012-2014 KIA FORTE (RECALL NUMBER 17V773000). THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE/HAZARD FOR WHICH THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO THE 2012 KIA OPTIMA AS WELL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11244232August 15, 2019
AIR BAGS, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CLASSIC KIA CARROLLTON (2920 N INTERSTATE 35E, CARROLLTON, TX 75007, (866) 559-8140) TO BE REPAIRED PER UNKNOWN RECALLS REGARDING THE ENGINE AND AIR BAGS. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 85 DAYS, BUT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SRS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $854. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE DEALER WAS DISHONEST AND DID NOT TELL HER ABOUT THE SRS MODULE AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE SRS MODULE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE DEALER AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE BRINGING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND EXPERIENCED OTHER ISSUES AFTERWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,372.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11244313August 15, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
BEFORE I PAID OFF MY CAR IN 12-1-18, MY 2013'KIA OPTIMA'S PAINT STARTED CHIPPING OFF. IT HAS CHIPPED OFF FIRST ON THE HOOD AND THEN ON THE DOOR JAMS ON BOTH FRONT DOORS. I FIND THIS SUSPICIOUS IN THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, THEY WERE PUSHING AN EXTRA PAINT PROTECTION PROGRAM- - FOR A MEAR $2000 PLUS EXTRA! IT'S AS IF THEY KNEW THE PAINT WOULD FAIL IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11243579August 13, 2019
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLINKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA OF ROCKWALL (1790 INTERSTATE HWY 30, ROCKWALL, TX 75087, (469) 402-2900) WHERE AN ENGINE KNOCKING TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT IT FAILED TWICE. IN ADDITION, OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,,856. *TT *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11243686August 13, 2019
STEERING
BACK IN 2016 THE STEERING RECALL ISSUE WAS REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE. IN FED 2017 DURING THE 50K MILE WARRANTY INSPECTION KIA REPLACED THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY STEERING BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, LOTS OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGH THE PEDALS INTO THE STEERING. KIA IS NOW SAYING IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR TO A VEHICLE STEERING SHAFT OR ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING IS VIBRATING AND DOES NOT FEEL TOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE WHEELS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11243704August 13, 2019
ENGINE
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STARTED ACTING FUNNY. IT SAID TO PULL OVER AND STOP DRIVING. IT WAS A VERY HOT AND HUMID DAY AND WE THOUGHT THE MOTOR WAS JUST HOT. WE STARTED GOING AGAIN AND IT SEEMED OKAY. WE MADE IT TO OUR DESTINATION OKAY WE DROVE GOING HOME THE ENGINE STARTED ACTING UP WE DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME WE HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK , THE MOTOR HAD DIED..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11243794August 13, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX STARTING GETTING DIM. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BULBS WHICH MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT WAS BECOMING DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD MY CAR OVERNIGHT SO THE SERVICE TECH DROVE IT THAT EVENING TO SEE HOW BAD IT WAS. HE TOLD ME THAT HE TURNED UP A DARK ROAD, TURNED THE CAR AROUND, FLIPPED THE HIGH BEAMS ON SO HE COULD FIND HIS WAY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. HE TOLD ME THAT IT SCARED THE YOU-KNOW-WHAT OUT OF HIM AND HE WAS SORRY BUT ALL HE COULD DO IS REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND IT WOULD COST ME $2500.00! I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT AND HAVE TO RELY ON MY HUSBAND FOR TRANSPORTATION AFTER DARK. I MIGHT TRY TO TRADE THE CAR IN FOR SOMETHING WITH REAL HEADLIGHTS BUT I'M AFRAID THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO TRADE IT IN THIS CONDITION. I DID FIND A TBS #ELE181 THAT SAYS IT'S PART OF A WARRANTY EXTENTION WTY014 THAT REPLACES THE HEADLIGHTS FOR THIS VERY CONDITION ON MY CAR MODEL AND YEAR BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT ONLY APPLIES TO KOREAN MADE VEHICLES. MINE IS AN AMERICAN MADE KIA THAT, OBVIOUSLY, HAS THE SAME ISSUE. WHY WOULDN'T ALL KIA OPTIMAS WITH THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION? HELP! I'M AT MY WITS END!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11243411August 12, 2019
ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS BAD AT 71862 MILES. TOLD BY KIA IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR CLUNKS VERY BADLY AND SHAKES. WAS TOLD IT CAN STILL BE DRIVEN. 2/3 MOTOR MOUNTS I WAS TOLD WERE BAD. DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT THEY COULD ALREADY BE BAD AT THAT MILEAGE. DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING CAR THE WAY IT IS. SHAKES WHILE DRIVING, CLUNKS WHILE TAKING OFF ON ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11243336August 12, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA OPTIMA LX. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD MADE A TURN AND THEIR VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE CONTACT AND THEIR WIFE JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AS IT EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE MADE AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT AND THEIR WIFE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THERE WAS NO MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. THERE WAS NO OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242880August 9, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242904August 9, 2019
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF GLASS FRACTURED AND FELL ONTO THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,119.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242926August 9, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY TRUNK LID OPENS MY IT'S SELF. I FIND IT OPEN IN THE MORNING & SOMETIMES DURING THE DAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242618August 8, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE BEFORE IT BEGAN TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PERSIST THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED VALLEY HI TOYOTA (14612 VALLEY CENTER DR, VICTORVILLE, CA 92395, (760) 241-6484), BUT THE DEALER HAD YET TO RESPOND DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE TOWED AND SERVICED AT THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242680August 8, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DRIVEN TO SUNSET KIA OF VENICE (179 U.S. 41 BYPASS, VENICE, FL 34285) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KNOCK SENSORS WAS NEEDED ALONG WITH A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242271August 7, 2019
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND STALLED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE BLINKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME DESPITE THE ENGINE STALLING PERSISTENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO ZONE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CRAIN KIA OF SHERWOOD (5830 WARDEN RD, SHERWOOD, AR 72120, 501-436-4852) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE PAST MONTH BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11241996August 6, 2019
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. GERVAIS KIA (6 INDUSTRIAL AVE, LOWELL, MA 01851, (978) 454-1202) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER UPDATED THE ENGINE MODULE SOFTWARE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13157669. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242157August 6, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DROVE TO GET ICE CREAM AND CAR WAS RUNNING WELL, WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. SHIFT THE CAR OFF TO ORDER ICE CREAM, AND WHEN GETTING BACK IN THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. ALL THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND MY MUSIC WOULD PLAY AS WELL AS THE AC TURNED ON, BUT NOTHING MORE THAN AN ALMOST SILENT TICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HAD MY HUSBAND TRY TO JUMP THE CAR TO SEE IF THAT HELPS, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING, MY HUSBAND AND I REPLACED THE IGNITION SENSOR FUSE AND THE CAR STARTED. THEN A COUPLE HOURS LATER I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN, AND IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. CAR HAS BEEN DISABLED EVER SINCE AND IS GOING ON 1 WEEK NOW. CAR BROKE DOWN ON WEDNESDAY 31 JULY, 2019. NOT TO MENTION THAT I JUST HAD MY RADIATOR COOLING FAN REPLACED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS BREAKDOWN. I ALSO HAD MY REPLACEMENT RECALL ENGINE PLACED IN JUST ABOUT A MONTH AGO. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING AFTER THE RECALL HAS BEEN PLACED, AND THE ONLY THING I GET IS KICK BACK WHEN I SAY THIS CANNOT BE COINCIDENTAL. I GET TOLD THAT MY CAR HAS MANY MILES ON IT SO THINGS ARE EXPECTED TO BREAK. UNACCEPTABLE AND UNAPPRECIATED AND JUST DOWN RIGHT WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242159August 6, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
MY CAR STALLED WHILE WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT. WHEN GOING TO ACCELERATE I WAS UNABLE TO. HOWEVER, I LOOKED AT THE CURRENT RECALLS FOR MY CAR. THE YEAR, MODEL, MANUFCATURE DATE MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THE AXEL RECALL. BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T SHOW ANY EXISTING RECALLS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11241806August 5, 2019
ENGINE
ON 03/29/2019 WAS TRAVELING TO WORK. ON INTERSTATE 53 SOUTHBOUND CAR WENT TO LIMP MODE. NO POWER. MANAGED TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. THEY TRIED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE FOR 1 MONTH AFTER THEY TOLD ME THAT ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED THEY MANAGED TO CHANGE WIRING HARNESS. AFTER 1 MONTH IT WAS DONE. I TOOK CAR BACK. 1 OR 2 WEEKS LATER CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AGAIN WITH SAME PROBLEM. FILED A CLAIM WITH KIA AND BBB TO RESOLVE IT. AS OF RIGHT NOW THEY HAD IN INSPECTIONS ON MY VEHICLE AS THEY STATED FROM KIA CALIFORNIA HQ AND FROM KOREA HQ WITH NO LUCK TO REPAIR IT. AS MANAGER TOLD ME THEY DONT HAVE ANY IDEAS HOW TO FIX IT. WANT KIA TO BUYBACK MY VEHICLE AND LET ME GET AWAY FROM THIS LEASE WITH REIMBURSEMENT ON PAYMENTS BECAUSE CAR NOT IN MY POSESSION FOR 128 DAYS AND COUNTING. THEY SWITCHED ME 3 LONERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11241824August 5, 2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL OF THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED HAVING WHIPLASH; THE RIGHT ARM, CHEST AREA, AND RIGHT SHOULDER WERE ALL BRUISED BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVEN TO THE HOSPITAL, TREATED AND RELEASED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT A SECURITY OFFICER FROM THE PROPERTY TOOK A REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INFORMED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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