Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11643407February 18, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was connected to a diagnostic machine. The DTC indicated a glow relay failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643100February 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver front side window, Passenger front side window, Rear Driver side window. All windows not going up and down. I had to put door wedges down in the panel to keep windows from falling. I was informed that the regulator and motor in panels that control the switches for movement of windows are burned out. I was also informed from the mechanic this could of been a fire hazard. I was informed from the mechanic. No one around our area had these parts. If I were to purchase them from KIA dealership it would cost $1300 to fix all three windows. I don't have that kind of money for repair. Especially when I am not the only person that is dealing with these issues. The list goes on unsatisfied Kia optima owners that is having the same issue with windows.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643110February 17, 2025
ENGINE
My wife driving the 2015 Kia Forte on [XXX] on [XXX] Mile Marker [XXX] North bound at 60mph and vehicle lost all power and caught on fire. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road. Police and fire were called and extinguished the flames. There were no accidents or no injuries. I attempted to get KIA to resolve the case as the Theta Engine is known for this issue. Kia refused all claims under Kia Customer Care Case number [XXX]. Kia of Dayton Car dealership reported an engine connecting rod broke and ejected out the side of the engine allowing engine oil to hit the exhaust manifold starting the fire. This is know Safety Issues with this Engine Series that Kia refuses to honor past Law Suit Settlement. I have the Police report, Fire Dept. Report, and Estimate for repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643173February 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I brought my Kia optima sx in at Kia Atlanta South dealership for a Hydraulic electronic control Unit recall to be service since the problem can result in a engine fire while driving or parked but the dealership did not do the recalled service and told me that it was done. I checked my engine fuse to see if the new fuse were installed and new label was put on in place of old fuse label and none of it was done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643234February 17, 2025
ENGINE
Vehicle starts to shake above 2000 rpm and shuts down. Went to a mechanic and they said the engine was bad and that there were recalls by Kia for this particular engine. When we asked a Kia Dealer they said they would not warranty due to this being our first visit for a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643250February 17, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low beam head lights visibility maybe reaches 3-4 feet infront of car at max. Have upgraded bulbs twice to higher lumens but still must run hibeams at night. I drive mountain passes daily and must use hi beams, not safe for oncoming traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642661February 14, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving to a new job , it was about 5:45am when I noticed my car wouldn’t go faster or stop. I seen fire , tried to stop car, I was going about 15-20 mph when i decided to just get out of the car and run , care went into complete flames
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642742February 14, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled. The oil change warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an oil change was needed almost every two weeks. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the oil change warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the result of the diagnostic test was unknown. The vehicle was repaired; however, the oil change warning light remained illuminated. The contact research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642636February 13, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that DTC: P1326 was displayed on the instrument panel, with the message, “For Your Safety – Please Pull Over” displayed. The contact pulled over and opened the hood and there was a green liquid sizzling on the heat on top of the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the upper radiator hose had melted, and that the battery was an OEM part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642022February 11, 2025
SUSPENSION
Had some noise coming from the front of the car, had my mechanic look at it, he said we needed a control arm. When he took off the cover to replace the control arm, he found the sub frame had rotten and was cracking. As I looked online, I saw that KIA had a recall for this issue. When I contacted KIA, their response was "as my car is not under warranty, they are not required to repair the car" The car in question has 70, 558 miles on it. We are the 2nd owner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641730February 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke that exited from under the front hood of the vehicle. The contact stated the smoke was intense. In addition, the contact was informed by a nearby driver that fire was coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle into a nearby parking lot and exited the vehicle. In addition, the contact's disabled son was also an occupant in the vehicle making the situation very frightening. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard and mentioned the fire was electrical. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact was informed that due to the vehicle fire, the local establishment sprinkler system was activated and caused damage. The VIN was not included in a recall however the contact believed the failure was an electrical short which resulted in an engine compartment fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641797February 10, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine and the engine oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle warranty had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641536February 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Sometimes when I drive it will say my forward collision is blocked so it will disable but it normally shuts off. Tonight I'm driving on the freeway a steering wheel pops up then blind spot abs traction and a few more lights come on then it say check headlights those are dimming the radio is cutting off. The wipers aren't working but the car is still accelerating then all of a sudden the car goes from 55 to 0 the wheel locks and I have to coat to the side of the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641346February 7, 2025
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption for a car with 45,000 miles with no observed leaks under the car or on the outside of the engine
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641026February 6, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Brake lights only work when car has lights off when Libyans are on brake lights stay on entire time
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641058February 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Code P1326 and oil pressure light keeps flashing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640770February 5, 2025
ENGINE
Oil pan developed stress crack below and along both sides of the oil pan drain plug All components are in place and there are no signs of road damage or damage do to obstacles being hit Leak started slowly and progressively became worse Returned car to have plug checked but no report back of any problem and it was documented on service order
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640837February 5, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Was driving going 50mph and all of a sudden with traffic accelerator stopped working. The oil engine and battery light all came on. When I tried jump starting it it began to smoke.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640943February 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is peeling horribly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640981February 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My driver's side door lock actuator is stuck in the closed position, and will not allow me to close the door. I searched for a video on what to do, as I need the door to close to drive safely, and found hundreds of videos of people with the same car having this same issue. The fix that a video provided explained to hold the door handle open (the inside or outside handle work just the same) and to take a key or screwdriver and flip the actuator into the correct position, allowing the door to latch properly. I searched the internet to see how difficult it is to replace, and found more people with my car's make/model having issues with their door being stuck in the lock position, while the door is closed. This would be a nightmare in the case of an emergency retrieval. A faulty lock could literally be life or death.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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