Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11118377August 7, 2018
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT SAFELY PULLED OVER AS THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SELMA KIA (2775 AUTO MALL DR., SELMA, CA 93662, (559) 891-2300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11118420August 7, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT NEEDED NEW BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR $160 TO REPLACE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11118431August 7, 2018
AIR BAGS
TAKARA RECALL, I HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY CLOCK AFTER AIR BAG SIGN WOULD NOT TURN OFF, CERTAIN CARS WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM , I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO ADDITIONAL YEARS AS WELL SINCE THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11115903August 6, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BLACK SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT USED A TOWEL AND A BOTTLE OF WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, BUT ARRIVED AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (COURTESY KIA OF BRANDON, 9205 E ADAMO, TAMPA, FL 33619) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR AN EVALUATION PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS OK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: 12673181 WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11118109August 6, 2018
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V161000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JIM BONE KIA, 1255 SANTA ROSA AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404, (707) 545-7050) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11115845August 5, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF I-25, GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AND RUSH HOUR. I WAS ABOUT 40 MIN FROM HOME STILL ON MY EVERYDAY COMMUNTE. I AM SEEING VERY MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS HAS ME AND MY FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION DAILY AND KIA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. THERE CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE SAME (OR VERY SIMILAR) ISSUE ON THE RECALL ON THE GAS VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE. WE SHOULDN'T WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED FIRST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11115518August 3, 2018
STEERING
I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING AND I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE I CAN HEAR A LIGHT POPPING NOISE. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND RADDLING WHEN I AM DRIVING BETWEEN 65-75 ON THE HIGHWAY, IT DECREASES AT 80 MPH. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IF I HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRES OR ALIGNMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11115359August 2, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT CALLED SEELYE FORD OF KALAMAZOO (3820 STADIUM DR, KALAMAZOO, MI 49008, (269) 375-3820). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11115017July 31, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY UPON ACCELERATION THE RPMS SPIKED AND THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE LIKE A BROKEN MUFFLER THEN THE CAR LOST POWER. PULLING TO THE SHOULDER THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND SHORTLY AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD WHICH SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH THEN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES BEFORE A FIRE CREW COULD EXTINGUISH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114517July 30, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX 7 7/26/2018 THE ENGINE DIED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH . WE COASTED TO A DRIVEWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD NOTICED A BURNING SMELL . I LOOKED CLOSER AT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE . I HAD MY WIFE AND THREE KIDS FROM MY BASKETBALL TEAM GET OUT OF THE CAR AND GO TO A SAFE PLACE . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND PUT THE FIRE OUT . THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR BURNED .
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114670July 30, 2018
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A & B AUTO SALES (100 MARSHALL ST N, BENWOOD, WV 26031, (304) 233-1480) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114392July 29, 2018
ENGINE
I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE RECALL NOTICE ON THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114419July 29, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY KIA OPTIMA WITH ONLY 14K MILES ON IT PRE-OWN FROM THE DEALER... THE EMERGENCY BRAKE (PARKING BRAKE) HAS BEEN LOOSE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN I PARK MY VEHICLE ON A DOWNHILL AND APPLY PARKING BRAKE WITH THE NEUTRAL MODE POSITION JUST TO SEE IT'S WORKING, THE VEHICLE SLOWLY MOVES DOWNHILL EVEN IF THE ROAD IS NOT THAT STEEP. IT WORRIES ME THAT IF I EVER LOSE THE BREAKS THE EMERGENCY BREAKS WON'T STOP THE CAR. FIXING THIS PROBLEM ON MY OWN WILL COST ME LOTS OF MONEY BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAME OUT OF THE FACTORY LIKE THAT. I'VE HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114085July 27, 2018
ENGINE
'TAMARA RECALL' I OWED THE VEHICLE FOR NOT EVEN 1 YEAR AFTER FINANCING IT FROM A USED CAR LOT. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FROM MY HOME TOWN COLORADO SPRINGS TO FORT RILEY KS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE. THIS IS WHERE I WAS STATIONED. I DROVE FROM FORT RILEY KS TO ALBUQUERQUE NM FOR EASTER IN APRIL 2017 TO VISIT FAMILY. WHEN I RETURNED HOME IT STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ERROR CODES WERE READ AND INDICATED IT WAS A CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE SAME TIME THIS ISSUE HAPPENED I GOT A RECALL FOR METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE CRANKSHAFT. I TOOK VEHICLE TO KIA AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX THE RECALL UNTIL THE CYLINDER MISFIRE IS FIXED. THEY RECOMMENDED A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE. IF I BUY A WHOLE NEW ENGINE THEN THEY GET OUT OF DOING THE RECALL. I WAS THEN DEPLOYED TO POLAND FOR 1 YEAR AND RECENTLY RETURNED AND THERE IS STILL NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT. SOUNDS KINDA FISHY TO ME. KIA IS HEATING AROUND THE BUSH. I CAN NOT EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114216July 27, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL NEAR LEFT REAR (DRIVER SIDE) OF VEHICLE WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE EXCEEDS 100 DEGREES. THE SMELL IS NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AFTER DRIVING. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENDERSON KIA FOR SERVICING. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114218July 27, 2018
ENGINE
S A SINGLE, FULL-TIME WORKING MOTHER TO TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, I WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IN TIME TO BRING MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA SXL TURBO IN FOR THE ENGINE RECALL TEST; MY CAR'S ENGINE DECIDED TO CROAK ON ME FORTUNATELY A BLOCK FROM MY HOME. MY CAR WAS TOWED IN TO THE LOCAL KIA ON MAY 19, 2018. AS OF PRESENT DAY, I AM STILL WITHOUT AN ENGINE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN A DIFFERENT ETA ON THE ENGINE EVERY TIME I CONTACT KIA. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN IN TOUCH WITH A MEMBER OF THE ESCALATION TEAM (AS HIGH UP AS I CAN GO). AS OF TODAY, SHE HAS CHANGED MY ETA TO THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE THE LAST WEEK OF JULY. I AM MEDICALLY DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC MIGRAINES AND EXTREME PHOTOPHOBIA AND HAVE A VALID AND LEGAL TINT PRESCRIPTION FOR MY VEHICLE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. MY PRESCRIPTION ALLOWS ME TO WARRANT WINDOW TINT THAT IS OTHERWISE ILLEGAL WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION DUE TO MY CONDITION. I HAVE STRESSED THIS MEDICAL ISSUE TO KIA EVERY TIME I CALL BUT THAT DOES NOT HELP SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ENGINE HERE. MY MEDICATION (IMITREX AKA SUMATRIPTAN) CANNOT BE SAFELY TAKEN MORE THAN JUST A FEW TIMES PER WEEK BUT I HAVE KEPT A MIGRAINE AT LEAST 4 DAYS OF EACH WEEK SINCE I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR DUE TO DRIVING IN A VEHICLE OTHER THAN MY OWN. MOST WOULD SPECULATE THAT WEARING SUNGLASSES WOULD BE A FIX ALL TO THIS PROBLEM; IT IS NOT. I AM NOW AFRAID THAT AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING THIS LOANER VEHICLE, I WILL GET A SUDDEN MIGRAINE AND END UP HAVING AN ACCIDENT AND HARMING MYSELF, MY TODDLER, MY FOURTH GADER, OR OTHERS. WHAT UPSETS ME MOST IS KNOWING THAT KIA/HYUNDAI PUMPS OUT BRAND NEW VEHICLES DAILY WITHOUT KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEMS BUT THEY CANNOT PRODUCE ENGINES FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS WHO ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE RETURN OF OUR PERSONAL VEHICLES. PLEASE HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11113936July 26, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE MORNING OF JULY 19TH, 2018, I WAS DRIVING MY KIA OPTIMA TO WORK. I HAD JUST GOTTEN ON INTERSTATE 20 AND WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT MOST LANE DURING RUSH HOUR. MY SUNROOF SHADE WAS OPEN BUT MY ACTUAL SUNROOF WAS CLOSED. SUDDENLY I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN GOING OFF IN MY CAR WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED AND SOMEHOW, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FAIRLY STRAIGHT WITHOUT JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSING A MULTI CAR PILEUP. GLASS WAS FLYING AROUND INSIDE MY CAR, ALL OVER ME, THE SEATS, FLOORBOARDS, AND CONSOLE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE SO THAT I COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. AFTER I EXITED THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE TOP, I NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD A HOLE THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL PROTRUDING OUTWARD. I LOOKED AROUND INSIDE THE CAR AND NOTHING BUT SHARDS OF GLASS COVERED MOST OF THE INTERIOR. I THEN GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND SHUT THE SUNROOF SHADE SO NO MORE GLASS WOULD FALL INSIDE THE CAR AND PULLED OFF THE NEAREST EXIT, WHICH WAS VERY CLOSE TO MY OFFICE LOCATION. ONCE AT WORK I SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH OTHER KIA OPTIMA OWNERS AND AS IT TURNS OUT IT APPEARED TO BE A WELL-KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY SAFETY RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPLODING SUNROOFS AND WAS TOLD 'NO'. HE SAID THAT HE WAS AWARE THAT THEY SOMETIMES OCCUR BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT INCURRED INJURY'S OR EXPENSES (JUST AGGRAVATION AND INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE I HAD A SECOND VEHICLE TO DRIVE) I FEEL THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO REPORT THIS OCCURRING DUE TO IT BEING VERY UNSAFE. THE AVERAGE DRIVER PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PULLED THE WHEEL AND POSSIBLY BEEN KILLED OR INJURED THEMSELVES OR AND OTHERS. APPARENTLY, KIA DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, THEREFORE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FORCE THEM TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11114021July 26, 2018
STEERING
THE STEERING COLUMN INSIDE STARTED MAKING NOISES LIKE SOMETHING CRACKED INSIDE NOWTHE STERLING WHEEL MAKE NOISES ON EVERY TURN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11113611July 25, 2018
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. PROCEEDED TO GO ON GREEN AND ON A MAIN BUSY ROAD MY CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND ALL MY LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE. AS I PULLED OVER ONTO A SIDE STREET MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND SMELL LIKE IT WAS BURNING. MY CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP.. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON A NEW ENGINE AND WE HAVE BEEN FOR OVER 2 MONTHS NOW. GETTING VERY AGGRAVATED AS NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHEN MY CAR WILL BE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS TELLING ME THEY CANT FIND AN ENGINE FOR IT. WHICH I FIND A LITTLE RIDICULOUS. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL ME SOMETHING OR PAY ME BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR MY CAR AND KEEP IT. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT AS THIS A RECALL ON MY CAR THAT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE ALL OVER WITH THEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11113658July 25, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 6 TIMES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima