Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10787684November 2, 2015
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PROVIDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR THE VEHICLE AND ALSO INDICATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT AND RIGHT, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO BE UNSTABLE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO RESPOND TO THE REQUEST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10787461October 31, 2015
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL IS 'COG-WHEELING' TO FAR LEFT OR RIGHT. CAN'T KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL NEUTRAL/CENTER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. EITHER THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED JUST OFF THE CENTER, COGGED TOO FAR TO LEFT OR TOO FAR TO RIGHT. I NEED TO CONSTANTLY MAKE ADJUSTMENT AND ZIG-ZAG THROUGH THE STRAIGHT ROAD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2013 KIA OPTIMA, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10787041October 29, 2015
ENGINE
LEFT A STOP LIGHT AND CAR HESITATED SO I GAVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS. THEN THERE WAS LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE FROM ENGINE AND AN EXPLOSION WITH WHITE SMOKE. ABLE TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT AND OPENED THE HOOD TO A SMALL FIRE. FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN BACK OF ENGINE AND CRACKED THE FRONT. IN THE OIL PAN WAS THE ATTACHMENT ARM FROM THE CRANK IN MANY PIECES. THERE IS A RECALL WITH HYUNDAI BUT KIA SAYS IT IS NOT RELATED TO THIS ENGINE WHEN THERE IS AN ARTICLE STATING THE ENGINE DID GET PLACED IN THE KIA OPTIMA. I HAD JUST UNDER 100K MILES AND AN OIL CHANGE JUST 2 WEEKS PRIOR DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE. THIS WAS DONE AT A KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT CHANGED THE OIL AT $70 DOLLARS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? SEE PICTURE OF PARTS ATTACHED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786827October 28, 2015
STEERING
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK. WHEN IT RELEASES, THE VEHICLE WILL ALMOST OVER CORRECT SO THAT IT LOOKS LIKE "JERKY" STEERING/DRIVING. IT HAS DONE THIS FROM THE BEGINNING, I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A NEWER VEHICLE, BUT IT'S STILL DOING IT. AND ON LONGER ROAD TRIPS, I GET WORN OUT FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT TO MENTION IT CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786217October 27, 2015
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I LOST ALL BRAKES AND STEERING AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A NEARBY SAFE PLACE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I BROUGHT IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC AND AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION STARTING AT THE STARTER, THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED I HAVE DONE REGULAR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES THE LIFE OF THE OPTIMA. THE ENGINE ONLY HAD 130,000 MILES AND THE OIL EXPLANATION WAS POSSIBLE BAD BEARINGS FROM FACTORY IN THE ON THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND WHEN I CALLED KIA THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND WITH NO EXPLANATION. ITS OVER $4000 TO REPLACE WITH ANOTHER USED MOTOR WITH NO GAURANTEES THAT THE USED INSTALL WILL BE ANY BETTER. KIA REALLY NEEDS TO BACK THIS WITH A RECALL. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR FACTORY DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS OUT OF POCKET. NOR WILL I CONTINUE MAKING PAYMENTS ON A JUNK CAR. NOT ONLY IS THIS COSTING ME HARDSHIP BUT NOW POSSIBLY MY CREDIT SCORE!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786410October 27, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE GOT ABNORMALLY HOT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786582October 27, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN THE GREATER SAN DIEGO AREA BACK IN JUNE 31. 2015. HAVE APPROXIMATELY 8K MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE AROUND 3K MY CAR WOULD JERK WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES APPROXIMATELY 3-4 TIME (AVERAGE ONCE A MONTH).AND TODAY 10-27-2015, MY CAR ONCE AGAIN JERK BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE MADE A UNFAMILIAR SOUND. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.MY CAR HAS RECEIVED ALL SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE; PER OWNER MANUEL. IT HAS PASSED ALL KIA CERTIFED DEALER/MECHANIC INSPECTION WHEN TAKEN IN. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE WAS SIGNED IT DID NOT GET A FULL INSPECTION AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSING AND THE APPROPRIATE STAFF FOR INSPECTION HAD LEFT FOR THE DAY. NOTICE WHEN I GOT HOME THE FRONT PASSENGER SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT WORK. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY NEW CAR FIXED AND HAD TO WAIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 DAYS FOR THE REPAIR, AT THAT POINT IT ALSO PASSED THIER INSPECTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10785953October 26, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786044October 26, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES, VISIBILITY/WIPER
KNAGE123575112607 I TOOK MY CAR IN TODAY BECAUSE OF A LETTER I RECEIVED FOR A SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THERE ARE ALL SEVERAL PROBLEMS REGARDING MY BRAKES LOSS OF FLUIDS SEVERE CORROSION FLAKING OR SCALING OF METAL BRAKE PIPES AND I WAS TOLD THE WEATHER HAS CAUSED THAT WHEN I CALLED THE CONSUMER KIA PHONE NUMBER. I HAVE OIL LEAK FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND ROGERS VERY VERY RUSTY. BOTH FRONT STRUTS LEAKING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO KIA SUMMIT PLACE IN WATERFORD MICHIGAN. THIS IS WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL OF THAT CORROSION WAS BECAUSE I LIVE IN MICHIGAN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10785744October 24, 2015
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN CRANKING UP CAR ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE, THEN IF DRIVING AT A NORMAL SPEED THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON IT OWN,ALSO THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GOES FROM BRIGHT TO DIM TO ALMOST NO DASH BOARD LIGHTS AT ALL, DRIVING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10785782October 24, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUB FRAME ROT LEADING TO POOR HANDLING , TIRE WEAR, BAD ENGINE PERFORMANCE. THE ROTTED SUPFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM BODY, CAUSING POOR PERFORMANCE. THE CAR IS PERFORMING POORLY AT ALL SPEEDS. NOT SAFE...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783805October 20, 2015
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE GEAR FROM OUT OF PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783642October 20, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783280October 19, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DOOR LOCK FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE FOBIK AND COULD LOCK THE DOORS, BUT THEY FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO UNLOCK AND LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783381October 19, 2015
STEERING
WANDERS OFF CENTER, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. WILL NOT STAY STRAIGHT. WEARS YOU OUT CONTINUALLY CORRECTING THE DRIFT OR WANDERING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10782958October 16, 2015
SEATS
I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEADREST. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ADJUSTMENT FOR THE ANGLE OF THE HEADREST. THE HEADREST MOVES UP AND DOWN, FORWARD AND BACKWARD BUT THE ANGLE CAN NOT BE ADJUSTMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10781407October 12, 2015
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLUNKING NOISE THAT YOU FEEL IN STEERING WHEEL, LEFT TO RIGHT PLAY. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN ALSO RATTLES LOUDLY OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IT IS WORSE IN REVERSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781443October 12, 2015
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAD MY OIL CHANGE AND TWO DAYS LATER THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT BACK TO PIT STOP 500 AND HE'S SAID IT WAS LOW SO HE CHECK THE CAR SAID HE DIDN'T SEE ANY OIL LEAKS IF THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN TAKE IT TO KIA. WHEN I LEFT THERE WHILE I WAS DRIVING I COULD SEE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT MY PIPES. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE OIL WAS LOW PUT OIL IN IT AGAIN AND SAID DRIVE IT 500 MILES AND IF THE OIL LIGHT COME ON BRING IT BACK. WHILE DRIVING IT HOME IT STALLED IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 30 MILES AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT THE PIPES SO I MADE A APPOINTMENT AND TOOK IT BACK NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS SLUDGE IN THE OIL. I HAD DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVER TEN KIA WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND SIX OF THEM ARE KIA OPTIMA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781027October 9, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEELS
JUST BOUGHT MY CAR THIS YEAR WITH 26350 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT GOT TO 30000 NEEDED NEW TIRES. THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I HAVE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TURN IT OFF. THEN WHEN I DRIVE IT AND IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAS BROKE DOWN ON THE ROAD FOUR TIMES. TWICE I CALLED ROAD SIDE HELP THE OTHER TWO TIMES SOMEONE HAS HELPED ME. IT RUNS HOT BECAUSE IT IS BUBBLING IF I DRIVE FOR MORE THEN A HOUR. BOUGHT THE CAR FROM POWER OF BOWSER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781090October 9, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES ON IT AND IS SERVICED METICULOUSLY. I LOST ALL POWER TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND WAS ALMOST RAN DOWN BY A DUMP TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP MY VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM WAS THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. I ASSUMED THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 100K WARRANTY ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WON'T RUN WITHOUT THE FUEL PUMP, IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THEY HAVE ELIMINATED THIS PROBLEM FROM WARRANTY BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY CASES OF HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP FAILURES ON KIA'S.. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA PRODUCT!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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