Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10667051December 18, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE AUTO DOOR LOCK WOULD SNAP SHUT FROM INSIDE OR OUT. MY DAUGHTER HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10666973December 17, 2014
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AT AROUND 84000 MILES. WHEN THE ERROR CODE WAS READ, IT WAS CONSISTENT WITH FAULTY OCS MAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE (B1448). IT SEEMS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM OF MANY KIA VEHICLES WITH POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, YET THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. THE ONLY SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MAT ($1700-2000), WITH ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT MALFUNCTION AFTER 10 MILES (THE ELECTRIC SENSOR OF THE MAT CAN INTERFERE WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES NEARBY). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10666990December 17, 2014
STRUCTURE
SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY WHAT SOUNDED LIKE LIGHT RAIN HITTING THE CAR AND THE ROAR OF THE FREEWAY. WE QUICKLY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND UPON LOOKING AT THE ROOF OF THE CAR THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE CAR'S SUN ROOF WITH SHARP SHARDS OF GLASS TILTED TOWARDS THE SKY AND LARGE CRACKS EXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE SUNROOF FRAME TO THE OTHER. CONDITIONS WERE RAINING, 7:30AM AND ABOUT 50 DEGREES F OUTSIDE. THE CANVAS SCREEN WAS CLOSED TO CATCH THE FALLING GLASS SO NO GLASS FELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND NO DEBRIS OR OTHER CARS IN THE AREA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10664488December 16, 2014
STEERING
AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH, THE STEERING SYSTEM HAS A DELAYED RESPONSE. AS YOU TORQUE THE STEERING TO HOLD A POSITION ON A CROWNED ROAD SURFACE, THE STEERING FINALLY RECOGNIZES A STEERING INPUT COMMAND AND IMMEDIATELY JUMPS TO THE NEW POSITION. NOT ONLY IS IT DISCONCERTING, BUT DEPENDING ON THE ROAD CONDITION (TRAFFIC, LANE WIDTH, OVERALL SPEED) THESE "DIGITAL" JUMPS IN POSITIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAVE FOUR CARS, THIS IS THE ONLY "FLY BY WIRE" CAR OF THE LOT. ALL OTHERS HAVE "ANALOG" STEERING WHICH ENABLES CONTINUOUS PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED TO THE STEERING SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN POSITION ON THE ROAD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION. I HAVE THE TURBO OPTIMA. THE DEALER "SOLUTION" WAS TO "TAKE THE STEERING OFF SPORT MODE" AND PUT IN STANDARD MODE. I DIDN'T BUY A TURBO VEHICLE TO BE FORCED TO OPERATE IT LIKE A STANDARD OPTIMA. THE STEERING PERFORMANCE IS FAR LESS IN STANDARD MODE AND MAKES THE VEHICLE RESPONSE SLUGGISH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10664181December 14, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK THUS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY ON EITHER DOOR NOR THE AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL DOOR LOCK. THIS HAS RESULTED IN HAVING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS SPORADIC AND NOT ON A REGULAR BASIS.UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS THE KIA BRAND EFFECTING NUMEROUS MODELS AND YEARS. MY MAIN CONCERN IS UNDER AN EMERGENCY, THERE IS NO QUICK/SAFE WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10658483December 10, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2012 KIA OPTIMA SX CAR WENT INTO AUXILIARY MODE FIRST, BUT UPON PUSHING THE BUTTON THE PUSH START BUTTON A SECOND TIME THE ENGINE TURNED OVER AND STARTED. *MW THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACED THE TIRES, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TURBO ACTUATOR AND THE RADIO WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO AUXILIARY; WHERE THE AC, RADIO AND LIGHTS WERE ON. SHE TURNED THEM ALL OFF AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON AGAIN. THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, WENT OUT OF AUXILIARY MODE AND SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, SHE REALIZED THE PEDAL WAS STILL ENGAGED, SHE TRIED PUMPING IT, TO RELEASE IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT. SHE VERIFIED THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. UPON PUSHING THE START BUTTON AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO AUXILIARY MODE AGAIN. AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663039December 9, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662330December 5, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE ROOF IS RUSTING JUST ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662165December 4, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), POWER TRAIN
THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS DESIGNED SO POORLY THAT WHEN I PULL INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP I HAVE TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM COMPLETELY OR RISK BEING A SITTING DUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM DETECTS ANY AMOUNT OF TIRE SLIPPAGE IT CUTS POWER TO BOTH WHEELS COMPLETELY. YOUR INSTINCT IS TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR HARDER TO MAKE THE CAR GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHICH CAUSES THE WHEELS TO SLIP WHEN THE CAR REAPPLIES POWER AND THE WHOLE PROBLEM STARTS AGAIN AND YOU ARE STILL IN THE INTERSECTION. THE POWER IS CUT SO DRAMATICALLY THAT IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AND VEHICLE OCCUPANTS LURCH FORWARD. AFTER A SECOND OR TWO THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY REAPPLIES POWER. THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID THIS IS TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM WHICH HAS TO BE DONE EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR. IF YOU FORGET TO DISABLE IT YOU ARE FUMBLING ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING TO DISABLE IT. WHEN I REPRODUCED THE EVENT AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS HOW THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO WORK. ALL IT TAKES IS A COUPLE ROCKS ON THE GROUND, A LITTLE RAIN, OR EVEN A HEAVY FOG AND THE SYSTEM WILL COMPLETELY KILL THE POWER FOR BETWEEN 1 - 2 SECONDS WHEN YOU START OFF FROM A STAND STILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662095December 3, 2014
STEERING
TRAVELING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK DAILY CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON THE HIGHWAY..CAR DRIFTS LEFT TO RIGHT .CONSTANTLY TRYING TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY BY TURNING VEHICLE LEFT RIGHT....LEFT RIGHT!!!!!STRESSFUL!!!!! I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE! *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661623December 2, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. ONCE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, HE LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. AS A RESULT, BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO WEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661821December 2, 2014
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DECELERATING, EITHER BRAKING OR COASTING, THE CAR WILL LURCH VIOLENTLY WHEN REACHING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH. THE SEVERITY OF THE LURCH VARIES BUT IN MOST INSTANCES IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO SNAP MY NECK FORWARD. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661822December 2, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 01/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661501December 2, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES
THE ESC ALARM CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN SHUDDERING. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT SEEMED TO MAKE THE SHUDDERING WORSE. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER SO I COASTED THE VEHICLE.TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I TURNED THE IGNITION AGAIN AND THE CAR CAME ON FIRST TRY BUT THE ESC ALARM WAS STILL ILLUMINATED AND USUALLY IS ALTHOUGH IT TURNS OFF FROM TIME TO TIME. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661155November 27, 2014
STEERING
THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN YOU GO OVER 45/55 MILES PER HOUR. IT BECOMES SO UNCONTROLLABLE THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE IT WITH BOTH HANDS AS I CONTINUE TO TRY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE FROM EITHER GOING INTO ANOTHER LANE OR HITTING THE ONE COMING TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS SOOOO TIGHT /STIFF THAT THE CAR CANNOT TRAVEL DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ME CONSTANTLY SHIFTING STEERING WHEEL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. ANY SLIGHT OVER PULL / CORRECTION OF THE WHEEL IS GOING TO CAUSE SOMEONE THERE LIFE OR A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT .I PRAY THAT KIA CORRECTS THIS BEFORE SOMEONE OR CAUSE SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE. HOPE THIS WILL BE RECALLED BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY FIGHTING TO STAY IN MY LANE AND CROSSED OVER INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC (WHICH COULD'VE CAUSED ME MY LIFE)AND IT WAS A SHERIFF DEPUTY. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND TO STOP ME. HE THOUGHT I WAS DUI. THIS WAS VERY EMBARRASSING .I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAD THE TXT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD GOT THE CAR FROM AND THEY TRIED TO PUT IT ON THE HIGHWAY/ TIRES BUT THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP CLOSER TO ME. THE OFFICER SUGGESTED I GET IT CHECKED ASAP AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME . NOT ONLY AM I AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BUT I'M EXHAUSTED AND BODY EXTREMELY TIRED FROM DRIVING IT. NO ONE SHOULD FEEL THIS WAY. KIA PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY CAN MAKE YOU OR BREAK YOU. PLEASE DON'T BE LIKE THAT OTHER CAR COMPANY AND SOMEONE HAD TO LOSE THEIR LIFE FIRST. PLEASE LISTEN!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661055November 26, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHERE THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN NO MATTER WHAT YOU DID,. IT WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. ALL THE OTHER DOORS WOULD OPEN, BUT THE DRIVER DOOR. IF YOU OPENED IT WITH THE KEY IT CLICKED, BUT WHEN YOU PULLED THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR IT WOULD LOCK.. IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR MY HUSBAND, WHO HAS A BAD BACK HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY AND THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE ARE HAVING IS WE ARE ALWAYS REPLACING BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS; ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. WE ARE FOREVER GETTING PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE TO TELL US OUR HEADLIGHT OR TAILLIGHT IS OUT. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND THEY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THE REPAIR COST FOR THE DOOR WAS $400.00 AND WE SHOULD BE REFUNDED AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS PAID TO REPAIR THIS DEFECTIVE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661104November 26, 2014
AIR BAGS
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF. CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY STATED MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS OBVIOUS ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. MY CASE NUMBER WITH KIA IS [XXX]. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM IF THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660560November 24, 2014
SUSPENSION
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY 2013, IT WAS LESS THEN TWO WEEKS AND I TOLD THEM AT CENTURY KIA SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. I LATER TOOK IT AND HAD THE ALIGNMENT LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD IT WAS OFF JUST A LITTLE BIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER IT IS SWAYING ALL OVER THE ROAD, I CALLED CENTURY KIA AND SPOKE WITH THEIR REPAIR DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM TO HIM AND HE SUGGESTED IT SOUND LIKE MAYBE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND I TOLD HIM IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE BUT HE TOLD ME THEY WOULD NEED TO CHECK IT OUT TO MAKE SURE, I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEE IF IT'S THE SAME THING BUT WILL ALLOW THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. HOPEFULLY I WILL GET SOME REAL HELP BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE MY CAR AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660220November 22, 2014
SEAT BELTS
REAR SEAT BELTS IN CLOTH SEAT CONFIGURATION DO NOT HOLD THE BUCKLE IN AN EXPOSED POSITION SO THAT A CHILD OR AN ADULT CAN REASONABLY OPERATE IT. MOST VEHICLES HAVE A PLASTIC SHEATH THAT HOLD THE BUCKLE EXPOSED SO THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT A CHILD SEAT ON THE SEAT AND THEN ATTEMPT TO BUCKLE A CHILD IN PLACE. THIS DESIGN IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS USERS WILL BE FRUSTRATED AND OMIT USING THE REAR SEAT BELTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659139November 18, 2014
STEERING
VEHICLE IS HARD TO HOLD STRAIGHT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE STEERING LOCKS INTO A POSITION AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima