Kia Optima Complaints
7,843 consumer complaints on file.
- #11002521June 30, 2017ENGINE
ENGINE STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN OR CONTINUE. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM SENSE 2015
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11002543June 30, 2017ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVED SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KINGS KIA 9600 KINGS AUTO MALL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249 (513) 677-6700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SPORADIC TEMPERATURE GAUGE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE PERSISTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SPORADIC TEMPERATURE GAUGE CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,500.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11001902June 28, 2017ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BEGAN TO SKID OFF THE ROAD. ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD, HE FOUND THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11001968June 28, 2017ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NISSAN KIA DEALER (LOCATED ON 4961 RT 17 M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958) WHERE A NOISE TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,978.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11001679June 27, 2017UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CLOCKSPRING MALFUNCTIONING IN STEERING WHEEL WHICH IS IMPACTING THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONALITY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11001331June 26, 2017ENGINE
01/19/2017 KIA OPTIMA SX 2011, ENGINE KNOCKING, LOSS OF POWER. TOWED TO ORLANDO KIA WEST (OKW). 03/03/2017, OKW COMPLETED REBUILD OF 2.0T THETA II ENGINE WITH $4000.00 SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY PROVIDED BY KIA MOTORS AMERICA. DIAGNOSIS WAS, DEFECTIVE CONNECTING ROD #3 BEARING. 05/26/2017, ENGINE LOST POWER/FUNCTION. OKW DIAGNOSED AS CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE. 06/01/2017, REPLACED #3 FUEL INJECTOR, $600.00. OKW STATED ENGINE STILL NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED. DIAGNOSED TURBOCHARGER SEAL FAILURE. REPLACED TURBOCHARGER $2810.00. ENGINE STILL NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED. OKW DIAGNOSED CYLINDER #3 NOT HOLDING COMPRESSION. REASON UNKNOWN. 06/12/2017, OKW OFFERED RENTAL, BUT ONLY IF I PAID IN ADVANCE $2810.00 OPEN TICKET FOR TURBOCHARGER. I REFUSED. KIA MOTORS AMERICA PERSUADED OKW OTHERWISE. 06/26/2017, CURRENTLY IN RENTAL CAR WAITING FOR INFORMATION. NHTSA RECALL 17V224
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11001482June 26, 2017ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
WIFE AND BABY USE THIS VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SLOW AND ALMOST STALL. HAVE HAD TO PULL INTO BIKE LANES QUICKLY IN ORDER NOT TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE 2 OCCASIONS WHEN THIS OCCURS. 1) WHEN AT A STOP ON A CITY STREET, WAITING TO MAKE A RIGHT. FOOT OFF PEDAL, ACCELERATE, ENGINE BEGINS TO STALL. 2) WHEN ROLLING INTO A RIGHT TURN (ON CITY STREETS) ACCELERATION CAUSES START OF STALL PROCESS. WE HAVE NOT FULLY STALLED AS OF YET. BUT THIS COULD BE A BAD SCENARIO IF IT DOES. WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT GAS VAPOR ISSUES WITH THE PHOENIX, AZ HEAT BEING 119 DEGREES, BUT IF THAT WERE THE CASE, IT WOULD HAPPEN OTHER TIMES AND NOT JUST DURING TURNS. THANKS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11001242June 25, 2017ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WE WERE DRIVING ON A SLIGHTLY CURVY AND HILLY ROAD WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS AROUND 45 AND THE CAR LOST ALL RPM AND THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING, THERE WAS A NOTABLE ENGINE KNOCKING HEARD DURING THIS TIME. WE PULLED OVER AT THAT TIME.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000817June 23, 2017WHEELS
NEXEN CP671 TIRES, P215/55R17 - TIRES ARE OEM ON MY KIA OPTIMA, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. AT 14,972 MILES, MY CAR'S HANDLING CHANGED. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED BOTH FRONT TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BULGES, AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. (TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED.) I WAS ADVISED TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES IMMEDIATELY AS PRESENT ONES WERE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THESE TIRES, SO I CALLED NEXEN DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD OFFER A REPLACEMENT, BUT WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY ON OEM TIRES, NOR DO THEY EVEN OFFER A DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WON'T BE REPLACING THEM WITH NEW NEXENS WHICH, BY THE WAY, THEIR AGENT TOLD ME THEY DO WARRANT AT NO ADDITIONAL CHANGE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000883June 23, 2017ENGINE, STEERING
ENGINE RECALL BY KIA MOTOR CORPORATION AND STEERING DISC RECALL KIA MOTOR COMPANY DEALER SHIP IN RAINBOW CITY ALA DID NOT TAKE PROPER MEASURES WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO GET THE CAR CHECKED. HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK AND NOT SURE HOW SAFE THE CAR IS TO DRIVE BASED ON RECALL NOTICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE NOW IN CONTINUING TO THIS CAR DUE TO THE SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES PLUS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RELIABLE MECHANICS THE NEW CAR MOTOR IS NOT ANY BETTER AS WELL PLEASE HELP GETTING KIA MOTOR CORPORATION TO MAKE THEIR CAR PRODUCTS MORE RELIABLE AND SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY DRIVING THIS CAR REMAINS SAFE
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000592June 22, 2017ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS WAITING FOR RED LIGHT AND CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING IT STARTED BUT SOUNDED TERRIBLE. PARKED FOR AWHILE AND HAS BEEN FINE SINCE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000636June 22, 2017ENGINE
THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING TWO MONTHS AGO AND YESTERDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WITH NO WARNING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000658June 22, 2017ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE BARNES CROSSING KIA DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY DUE TO PARTS BEING ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000725June 22, 2017AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE LIGHT FOR MY AIR BAG HAS BEEN STAYING ON AND MY HORN QUIT WORKING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE SHOP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A CLOCK SWITCH (I BELIEVE I SAID THAT RIGHT) WHICH IS SOMETHING IN THE STEERING CONNECTED TO THE AIRBAG AND HORN. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT ACTIVATE WHILE I AM DRIVING WHICH WOULD NOT BE GOOD. MAYBE EVEN NOT WORK IF I GET IN A WRECK.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000458June 21, 2017ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (JTS KIA, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000443June 21, 2017STEERING
WHEN STREERING THE VEHICLE, IN MOTION OR STILL, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND. GOING OVER ANY BUMP IT RATTLES N SHAKES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000466June 21, 2017ENGINE
I HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I STOP TO CHECK THE OIL, IT WAS FINE. IT HAD ALSO BEEN CHANGE ABOUT 3500 MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPEN. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME IT WAS MUCH WORST! I CHECK THE OIL AGAIN, THERE WAS STILL OIL AT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL. THIS TIME THE DIP STICK HAD METAL SHAVINGS ON IT. I CALLED MY LOCAL GARAGE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THEM. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE! I HAD IT BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM KEMPER KIA OF BRIDGEWATER NJ. THEY ALSO AGREED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME A RECALL FOR THIS ENGINE JUST CAME OUT. THE RECALL IS FOR PREMATURE BEARING WEAR CAUSING THESE ENGINES TO THROW A ROD. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPEN TO MY ENGINE! THEY SAID BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 10YEAR 1000,000 MILE WARRANTY. MY CAR HAS 88,989. THIS CAR SHOULD BE COVERED! SOME HOW MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST! THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS NOW! KIA HAS ONLY PUT ME ON THEIR ESCALATION DEPARTMENT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11000519June 21, 2017STEERING
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING OR SETTING STILL THERE IS A CATCH. LIKE IT IS STIFF.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10995818June 19, 2017ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MORITZ KIA FORT WORTH, 8501 WEST FWY, FORT WORTH, TX 76116 (817) 560-6000) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ *CN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10995834June 19, 2017ENGINE
2011 KIA OPTIMA RECENTLY WENT DEAD. WHILE DRIVING ROUGHLY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP WITH NO WARNINGS; NO LOUD NOISES, NO POPS. 99K MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEN NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINES HAD BEEN RECALLED, APRIL 2017. FIRST, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CONDUCT AN INSPECTION, REQUIRED BEFORE SECURING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE RECALL. SO I AM PATIENTLY WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO WORK. MY INSURANCE COVERAGE DOES NOT AFFORD RENTAL VEHICLES IN THE EVENTS OF MECHANICAL FAILURES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0