Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11670133June 30, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine knocking and stalling on interstate
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670014June 29, 2025
ENGINE
Heavy white/gray smoke on acceleration after driving for 30 min
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670036June 29, 2025
ENGINE
The vehicle went into limp power mode while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669992June 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car caught on fire just sitting under the carport. The investigator said that it was electrical. Our neighbor seen it and told us to get out the house and started popping. I tried to get in for the brake line but no one would call me back to see about it. When I go thru water and get on the brake it jerk like.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669619June 27, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Warning lights displayed for ABS and ESC systems. Had Autozone pull the OBD2 codes which indicated the left rear wheel speed sensor failed resulting in failed/disabled ABS and ESC systems. I replaced the bad rear wheel hub/sensor which corrected the problem. I no longer have that failed component. A few months later, warning lights came on again. I again had the codes pulled by Autozone and this time it was the right rear wheel speed sensor. I have the new part but have not yet replaced it so I could keep the defective part for the right wheel. The first one failed in April 2024 and the second in November 2024. This seems to be a bad design with two of the same parts failing in the same timeframe affecting two main safety features of the vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669700June 27, 2025
VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather on several occasions, all four windows of the vehicle became intermittently inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669702June 27, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
•Rapid oil loss — topped off every 1–2 weeks •Engine misfires, check engine light •Spark plug fouling and performance loss •Repeated advice to “just refill oil” and “wait for failure” •Unsafe to drive, especially as a working single mom
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669580June 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint flakes and chips while driving or during car washes. Paint is "Snow White Peral". Numerous complaints have been filed about this paint to Kia as well. Kia needs to make this right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669327June 25, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving 55 mph down the road the window trim flew off of the rear driver side window and a week later the other side flew off hitting the car behind us. Not a very safe thing to be happening while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669359June 25, 2025
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My vehicle is experiencing engine issues consistent with the known Theta II GDI engine defects — including rod bearing failure piston rings engine stalling, I understand that Kia has offered extended warranty coverage through the engine defect settlement, provided the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update was installed before failure. I am unsure whether this update has been applied and would like to confirm my eligibility. I respectfully request: 1.Confirmation of KSDS update installation on my VIN 2.A review of my eligibility for engine inspection and coverage under the extended warranty 3.Assistance with coordinating service and coverage at my local dealership (LeBlanc Kia, New Iberia, LA) I am the second owner of this vehicle and want to ensure I am treated fairly under the known warranty extension guidelines. Thank you for your support. I look forward to your prompt response.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669102June 25, 2025
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the low battery warning light was illuminated, and the message stating an electrical failure was occurring was displayed on the infotainment center. The battery was tested and found to be non-defective. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where a mechanic diagnosed and determined that the alternator had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V161000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and linked the recall to the failure. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669132June 25, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
My Kia has the part number that was recalled for the ABS module. But Kia said it’s not included in the recall because of my vin. Appeared 2 months ago. All lights on & potential risk of fire according to the brake fluid leaking. So I have to park outside. Kia inspected & said it was ABS module that needed replacement. For $2,600. Which I can’t afford. I Have already spent $500 for the other problems they said it was at first. But it didn’t fix the problem. Now I am having to borrow cars to get to work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668635June 23, 2025
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Engine seizures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668701June 23, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
My vehicles paint is chipping off. It’s chipping off on the hood the top of the car and on the trunk some spots have rusted over. As I was looking into a possible repaint, I’ve heard that there has been an issue with this type of color is associated with my vehicle on other Kia Optimus, as well as some Hyundai vehicles. There were no warning lamps associated with this issue. No component or system has failed that related to the vehicle. The safety confirm would be that the rush gets deeper into the vehicle and causes other parts of the vehicle to rush to and messes up with the vehicles operating systems that could cause greater issues in the future with the operation of my vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the Kia dealership, as well as inspected by other paint and body shops.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668762June 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
My ABS module is failing with no open recall, even though Kia has issued multiple safety recalls (SC197, SC212, SC284) for this exact issue. My car is showing brake system errors (ABS, EPB, traction control, auto hold) and has stored codes like [insert your codes]. I’m concerned this is a serious safety hazard. If brake fluid has leaked into the module, there’s a known risk of electrical fire, even while parked. Kia has not included my VIN, but I believe it should be. Please investigate expanding the recall to include additional VINs. I’m requesting NHTSA to take this report seriously and hold Kia accountable for known safety defects in affected vehicles that are being ignored due to VIN limitations.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668490June 22, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint has been chipping on this SNOW white pearl has gotten progressively worse. Cannot wash the vehicle without more paint chipping.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668296June 21, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car just keep doing weird stuff with the lights. It want go off all the time the key went work the cv joints are popping. Have to trigger the battery sometimes to start up
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668342June 21, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
Car simply started for me after work this past Thursday @4 pm I dove down the street and for about 5 mins and had to turn around due to me leaving something at work. When I arrived back at work I parked and cut my car off as I normally do and when I returned to start it back up it never did. I have previously been having to add 5 quarts of oil frequently at least once or twice a month for the past 7 months since last year. Was told my car had an oil consumption problem by a previous mechanical shop last year. Noticed that these cars have recalls on them and that my car and year do fit the requirements. I do owned my car with the Title in hand. It’s NOT a salvaged title. I have a service appointment on the 24th of June next Tuesday at Kia of Gastonia located in Gastonia, NC. I have to get my car towed to this establishment on Monday or the morning of my appointment. I’m asking that this situation can be properly investigated and properly and honestly handled under KIA policy. My name is [XXX] my # is [XXX] thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668063June 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 of windows do not roll up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667620June 18, 2025
ENGINE
My engine went out at 100,000 miles I bought the car with 118,000 mi on it I drove it for 3 years and the engine went out need help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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