Kia Optima Complaints (2015)

1,022 consumer complaints on file.

#11464251May 11, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The motor in my vehicle failed. It put myself, passengers, and others traveling on the highway at risk because the car shut down immediately in the road. The problem was identified by an independent service center. The vehicle was inspected by police and state troopers. There weren’t any warning lights prior to the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463998May 10, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. After stopping at a nearby service station and turning off the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and noticed a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact indicated that there were no flames present during the incident. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine was damaged due to an electrical malfunction and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted and notified the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464068May 10, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
DEAN MCKRARY KIA HAD MY CAR FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER 12, 2021 WITH THE AGREEMENT TO REPAIR ALL EXISTING SERVICE RECALLS. THERE YET REMAIN SERVICE RECALL 21V331. THE AGREEMENT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT ALL RECALLS ISSUED WOULD BE REPAIRED. THEY DID NOT KEEP THEIR WORD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463170May 3, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Delamination of the Snow White Pearl Paint due to faulty factory primer appearing at multiple spots including front and rear pillars, hood and doors. Confirmed by 2 Auto Body Shops - Triangle Collision and Carolinas Collison. Rust has began appearing in said spots and the paint strips are getting worse overtime.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463034May 2, 2022
ENGINE
The vehicle was purchased from Carmax on or about 4/10/21. On or about 3/25/22, the vehicle broke down while being driven. It was towed to the Coral Springs Kia dealership for assessment. A representative from the dealership advised that the engine needs to be replaced due to "rod bearing failure". The representative further advised that the manufacturer is refusing to cover any of the costs associated with the repair, which the dealership estimates to be $6,289.50 (see uploaded repair estimate). I believe the manufacturer should be liable for the costs of repair, which fall within Product Improvement Campaign PI1802.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463092May 2, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle overheated and shut down. The contact drove safely off the highway. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, after being impounded on the side of the highway. The dealer diagnosed the failure with rod bearing failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462977May 1, 2022
ENGINE
Hi my wife was driving home from work when she heard a noise from under the hood her car then shut off for no reason on the highway, she started the car again started driving then the engine light came on and shut the car off again once again on a busy highway making it hard to pull over she made it home but engine was knocking checked the codes and it had codes for your rod bearing issues on the year before code p0014 and code p1326 not sure if anyone else had this problem but this is definitely not safe! For a vehicle to just shut off first no codes or anything making it dangerous for the driver and the people around the driver this matter really needs to be looked at, especially when someone almost gets into an accident bc the car just shuts off and is almost impossible to merge off the road and stop. Consumer's vehicle is the same model, up to the year, and had the same recall and defects that happened to his car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462803April 29, 2022
STEERING
2015 Kia Optima EX Steering column replaced under warranty at approx. 7,000 miles. Now at 99,500 I need a new Steering Column because of the same symptoms; STICKING STEERING. Steering wheel sticks when trying to maneuver towards the right. Then you over steer and need to pull back to the left. This goes on over and over at all speeds. The worst is at high speeds because the slight tug on the wheel makes you drift more because of your speed. Kia needs to recall all Optima's and re-engineer and replace their Steering Columns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462687April 28, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine/motor failed which disabled the car on highway. Traveling on 3/4 lane highway with heavy traffic. Safety was risked due to almost being hit from behind and cars swerving out the way. Problem was assessed and thought to be repaired but occurred again causing more possible damage to engine. Warning lamp illuminated seconds before the car shut off which was not enough time to pull over safely. Car had to be towed off highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461399April 19, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then lost motive power. The oil warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer performed a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461212April 18, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2015 Kia Optima and the paint (Pearl White) is starting to peel of. It started on the front left of the windshield last December (2021) There is now the back right of the vehicle, the top of the trunk and the hood. After research on line, it looks like it is common on this paint type on the Kia models. I am seeking out some help to resolve this problem for everyone. I talked to my car dealer about the problem and told me that the warranty for the paint stops at 36000 miles. My car has 96021 and is not covered anymore, even if it is a defect. My car is starting to rust, no recourse from the dealer, need some support from the NHTSA department to resolve this problem that is not isolated to my vehicle only but many more. Sincerely,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460795April 14, 2022
ENGINE
The motor is locked for a second time. The first time occurred in May of 2018, I had approximately 80,000 miles on the car. I was leaving from the gas station and as soon as I made it into the middle of the street, the car just cut off. I had a mechanic come look at it, and they told me that the motor was locked up. So I had it towed home, bought another motor and got it repaired. Now here it is 04/14/2022, and the motor is locked up again. This is ridiculous!!! I have had to replace multiple parts (the lower control arm for example) several times over 200 hundred dollars each time. I refuse to replace this motor for a second time and have never got reimbursed for nothing!! I used to love KIA but honestly, this is a crappy car and company.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459953April 7, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Driving on highway 54 all of a sudden vehicle seized up on me at 75 mph in the dead of night, steering was difficult to control and hit an object while trying to stop off the highway IN A BLIND CURVE! Was stranded for 6 hours until local shop towed vehicle and replaced condenser-radiator-fan ( object was debris on side of highway) could not get car going and a smell of electrical short coming from under hood. Have not been able to fix problem and have spent 11 days in Carrizozo NM trying with bewildered mechanics to get me back on the road. They replaced starter -fan-radiator-condenser-changed fluids (motor & transmission) to find out motor unable to reset. I’ve spent over 6,000.00 dollars in motel-tows-parts -labor -due to this vehicle. I found out of recall when I was told to buy an engine. This car almost took my life due to sudden engine failure on the highway in the AM hours.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459984April 7, 2022
ENGINE
I was driving on the highway going about 60 an then all of a sudden the car loss acceleration and stopped. Lucky I was about to pull on the side of the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459214April 1, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair 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
#11459030March 30, 2022
ENGINE
While driving my car felt as though it was running differently and upon looking at my dash board I saw 4 different indicator lights. The charging system warning light, engine oil pressure light, immobilizer indicator light with smart key, and malfunction indicator light. I brought my car to a stop and because I did not know exactly what was wrong I turned my vehicle off. Upon trying to restart my car is when the brake would not press in and the car would not turn over. I had the car towed to my mechanic who contacted me the next day to let me know that the engine was locked up due to the HECU and that I needed to contact a Kia dealer close to my home because there was actually a recall on this from the manufacture. I then had the car towed to a Kia dealer near my home and was then informed that because I did not have the KSDS Product Improvement done back in 2018 this would mean that the HECU recall would not be covered and they directed me to contact Kia Corporate and see if they would give the approval to have this repaired. After numerous emails I was finally contacted by someone at Kia Corporate and they once again informed me that they refused to fix my vehicle. I am reaching out for assistance with this before I move forward with contacting legal council.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458568March 28, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
1. The O2 Sensor malfunctioned causing check engine light to come on. The Catalytic Converter failed or malfunctioned, an it is available for inspection upon request. 1wk after replacement of O2 Sensor installment, check engine light illuminated once again. [Official diagnosis was the catalytic converter was faulty but no mention of replacing 02 once catalytic converter was fixed]. 2. My safety as well as my children's safety was put at risk because there was and still is (even after repairs made from dealership where car was purchased) an issue with broken exhaust system and leak. A broken exhaust system poses extreme danger because it releases carbon monoxide (CO)- an odorless ,tasteless, highly toxic gas, which can travel in passenger area and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Overexposure to this odorless and colorless gas can cause death. Even in mild cases of exposure to CO can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. I need not mention that the extreme or excessive temperatures caused severe discoloration where the three- way catalyst is located. The pistons could have melted as well could have caught the car on fire .My safety as well as every occupant that ever traveled in the vehicle thus far, was at risk. The exhaust leak was big enough to affect the oxygen levels, to spring that code. Another safety risk was when owner of car was falling asleep at wheel of car while driving, not knowing there's a leak. This put the owner and the vehicles occupants at risk which is the greatest threat by far. 3. The problem has been confirmed by Rivard Buick GMC. 4. The vehicle has NOT been physically inspected by the manufacturer or police but has been insoected by insurance representatives. Yes there warning lampsthat appeared as the check engine light came on each time the exhaust system was malfunctioning. There was/ are other symptoms prior to the failure 1st appeared 11/01/21 o2 Sensor, 11/15/21 catalytic converter, 01/28/21 symptoms wo
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458026March 23, 2022
ENGINE
Engine locked up exactly like it is described in NHTSA ID Number 1147025. The manufacturer refuses to honor the civil suit judgement on this vehicle due to the previous owner and a Kia dealer not performing 1 recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457025March 16, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) and failed the bearing test. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the FTC. The failure mileage was 129,272.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457051March 16, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2015 Kia was one of many Kias stolen from the Milwaukee, WI area. It was stolen from a secure residential parking garage by thieves who know they simply have to break a window to gain entrance to the car, break open the ignition lock, start the car with a USB port, and drive away. The police helped me recover the car and it is currently sitting idle at the shop for the past month waiting for a new ignition lock which is on backorder nationwide because of the high demand.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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