Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10536952August 23, 2013
SEAT BELTS
A 5 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND A LOUD POP OCCURRED. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM BROKE. IT WAS TAKEN APART AND FOUND THAT THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE SEAT BELT ARE PLASTIC AND A SMALL PLASTIC CLIP THAT HOLDS THE SPRING BROKE, THUS A NON WORKING SEAT BELT. SEARCH TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS PRESENT. NO RECALL BUT TONS OF THREADS POSTED OF THE SAME THING OCCURRING ON OTHER KIA OPTIMAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535335August 14, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN PLACED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY SEIZED. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE IGNITION KEY BEGAN TO TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534657August 10, 2013
WHEELS, STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
THE PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR AS MY SON WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A GROCERY STORE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. THAT PART OF THE CAR HAD NEVER BEEN WORKED ON. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR REPAIR. KIA USED GLUE ON LIFE A SUPPORT NUT ON A BALL JOINT, WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE USED A COTTER PIN. I HAVE BOUGHT FOUR (4) KIAS. THESE CARS ARE STILL IN THE FAMILY. THE KIA I DRIVE DAILY IS IDENTICAL (EXCEPT BEING AUTOMATIC) TO THE ONE THAT THE WHEEL CAME OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534685August 10, 2013
SUSPENSION
THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND THAT SEEMS TO BE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT END. I HAVE HAD THE CARE ALIGNED AND IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PART OF THE ALIGNMENT, ALSO INDICATIONS FROM OTHERS IS THAT IT IS RELATED TO SWAY BARN ENDS. OTHERS ON THE KIA FORUM INDICATE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.. HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/3G-2006-5-MAGENTIS-OPTIMA/43806-G3-ANNOYING-FRONT-SUSPENSION-NOISE-7.HTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534335August 8, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED AND WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY HAD NOT DETERMINED A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534342August 8, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I CANNOT ENTER AND EXIT MY CAR SAFELY ANYMORE. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB OR BY KEY MANUALLY. I WAS IN A HURRY AT ONE POINT TO EXIT TO RETRIEVE MY CHILD WHO HAD EXITED THE CAR AND WAS HEADING INTO TRAFFIC AT A PARKING LOT AND I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. I HAD TO EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DOOR WORKS IN RARE INSTANCES, BUT IS NOT RELIABLE OR DEPENDABLE. THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. HOWEVER, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE SHOULD I HAVE AN EMERGENCY, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE CAR AS NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534028August 7, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IDLING, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD PUFFING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT DIAGNOSED AS A RESIGNATOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534083August 7, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE ESC LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS. TOOK CAR IN TO COWBOY KIA AND WAS TOLD CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE WILL BE A $90.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533845August 6, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 09/25/13*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533885August 6, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN YOU TURN MY CAR ON IT DOES NOT WANT TO TURN OFF. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR IT SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF AND STOPS. I HAVE READ SIMILAR REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AND UNDER THE RECALLS IT LISTS THIS AS A COMPLICATION. I HAVE CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON IT AND WAS TOLD THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE TOP HALF OF MY MOTOR COSTING ME 3500 OUT OF POCKET FOR WELL KNOW PROBLEMS AND RECALLS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CARS VIN NUMBER I DO NOT THINK A CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES AND OR REPAIRS IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE I HAVE PUT 2 GRAND INTO THIS CAR I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS SITUATION EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ALREADY I HAVE HAD TO FIX IT OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE THIS MODEL OF CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS I DON'T FEEL LIKE THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE CAR I CAN NOT RISK MY CHILDREN'S LIVES AND HAVE THIS CAR SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I NEED SOMETHING DONE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS GOING ON IN THIS CAR DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFAULTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533713August 5, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETECTED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V114000 HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533446August 3, 2013
STEERING
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT WITH THE CAR NOT TRACKING PROPERLY BY EITHER VEERING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT CONSTANTLY. IN MY CASE, I NOTICE IT IN CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, BUT AFTER A LONG DEBATE, THEY ALIGNED THE VEHICLE FINDING IT TO BE OFF ALIGNMENT SLIGHTLY. I NOTICED NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE PROBLEM, SO I CHANGED THE TIRES SINCE THEY INSTALL VERY POOR QUALITY OEM TIRES. NOT MUCH BETTER AS FAR AS STEERING, BUT WAY BETTER WET/DRY ROAD TRACTION. I WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER ALIGNMENT FROM AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, BUT I FEEL THERE IS A GREATER ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COMPONENTS, AND BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS, KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND COME UP WITH A FIX A.S.A.P BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I'M STUCK WITH THIS CAR FOR 35 MORE MONTHS, HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL COME UP WITH SOMETHING SOON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532931July 31, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532929July 31, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVER SIDE VISOR CEASED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN FLIPPED UP OUT OF THE WAY. ONLY WAY TO KEEP FROM BLOCKING MY VIEW WAS TO FLIP IT OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR. KIA NEVER RECALLED THIS ITEM, BUT IT HAS FAILED ON THOUSANDS OF THEIR VEHICLES. DEALER WANTED OVER $500 TO REPAIR. INSTEAD, I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR $206.50. I ORDERED THEM AND REPLACED THE VISORS MYSELF--I SEARCHED AND FOUND DIAGRAMS FROM KIA'S PARTS INVENTORY AND FOUND POSTS ONLINE FROM OTHERS WHO'D HAD TO REPLACE THEIRS WHO EXPLAINED THAT YOU POP OFF THE OVAL-SHAPED PIECE HOLDING THE ARM OF THE VISOR WITH A BUTTER KNIFE (SLIP IT UNDERNEATH) OR FLAT-BLADE SCREWDRIVER TO ACCESS THE SCREW UNDERNEATH AND UNSCREW TO REMOVE THE OLD VISOR AND SCREW IN THE NEW ONE IN ITS PLACE. MY CAR WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND YET ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES ON IT (I ALTERNATE DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE); THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO SOON. GIVEN THAT SO MANY OF THESE FAILED SO EARLY ON, KIA SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THEM FREE AND THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO'VE ALREADY REPLACED THEM OR HAD THEM REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532663July 30, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD POP. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532488July 29, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AFTER THE DOORS ARE LOCKED . IF YOU UNLOCK THE DOORS THE DRIVER SIDE WILL UNLOCK AND THEN RE LOCK ITSELF. IF THERE WAS TO BE A VEHICLE FIRE OR OTHER PROBLEM, THE DRIVE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF A WINDOW OR CROSS OVER THE CENTER CONSUL TO EXIT THE VEHICLE . THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532132July 27, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THIS REPORT IS SIMILAR TO REPORTS 10523036 AND 10523357 IN THIS DATABASE. PASSENGER SIDE VISOR FAILED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS INTO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE: IT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE FULL FLUSH POSITION WITH THE CAR ROOF, OBSCURING DRIVER VISIBILITY TO THE RIGHT. DRIVER SIDE VISOR FAILED A SHORT FOUR MONTHS LATER (1.8 YEARS), AND HANGS LOW DIRECTLY IN THE FORWARD VIEW OF THE DRIVER, AT AN ANGLE IN EXCESS OF 45 DEGREES, SEVERELY IMPEDING FORWARD VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER IS TALL, AND THE DRIVER'S HEAD COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE VISOR WHILE ENTERING/EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532102July 27, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
AFTER REGULAR USE, BOTH SUN VISORS HAVE LOST THEIR TENSION. ALSO ON THE DRIVER SIDE THE CYLINDER THAT CLIPS INTO THE HOLDER AT THE TOP JUST CRACKED AND BROKE OFF. THEY WILL NOT STAY UP, AND JUST FLOP AROUND. I CAN NOT SEE WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT IF IT IS RED/YELLOW/ETC.IF I PUSH IT TO THE SIDE , IT HITS ME OVER THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WHEN I MAKE A TURN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND KIA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING HERE. TO REPLACE BOTH WOULD COST ME ABOUT $200 OR MORE, WHICH I SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531921July 26, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WHEN I STARTED TO LEAVE FOR WORK THIS MORNING; I COULD NOT GET INTO THE CAR FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE; THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK; I COULD NOT GET IT TO OPEN. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE SO I LOOKED CAREFULLY AND SAW NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR SO I TRIED AGAIN TO UNLOCK AND OPEN MY DOOR. I PUT THE KEY IN THE KEYHOLE AS USUAL BUT I NOTICE THAT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT FITTING CORRECTLY AND AS I TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS HARDER TO TURN BUT I COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF THE DOORS UNLOCKING SO I PULLED THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AGAIN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. THE OTHER THREE CAR DOORS WORKS FINE; LOCKING AND UNLOCKING LIKE THEY SHOULD. I WAS THEN FORCED TO GET INTO THE CAR FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THERE I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BUT MY EFFORTS THERE ALSO FAILED; WHICH WAS VERY ALARMING. I COULD FEEL MY ANXIETY BUILDING (FEELING TRAPPED & NOT ABLE TO OPEN MY CAR DOOR AT ANYTIME) I WAS RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND HAVE TO GO TO WORK . I TRIED TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOTHING WORKED. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND LET DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS. I COULD BREATHE SOME FRESH AIR. ALL DAY I HAD TO GET IN AND OUT OF MY CAR FORM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR SEVERAL TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY BUT NOTHING WOULD WORK. MY DOOR BEING STUCK SHUT IS A HORRIBLE FEELING TO HAVE WHEN DRIVING KNOWING THAT ONE OF MY WAYS TO ESCAPE FROM THE CAR GONE ALMOST HELPLESS AT FIRST SO I HOPE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SMALL MATTER TO YOU BECAUSE IT IS PUTTING OUR LIFE IN A SERIOUS SITUATION; SO PLEASE TREATED THIS AS SUCH. THINK OF THIS: IF THERE WERE FIRE MARSHALLS FOR CARS, WOULD THEY EVER TOLERATE A FRONT DOOR THAT CAN'T BE OPEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE INSIDE? NO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531990July 26, 2013
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON SOLID. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE PUT THE COMPUTER ON IT. HE SAID IT READ THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THIS LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT AS IT GOES OUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, EVERY FEW DAYS. I DO NOT HAVE THE $1000 PLUS TO REPAIR IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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