Kia Optima Complaints (2019)

213 consumer complaints on file.

#11589707May 20, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I currently have 119500 miles on my 2019 Kia Optima. I am losing oil somewhere between oil changes, and the car is beginning to hesitate while driving. I don't see oil on the ground but I have had to put in 2-3 1/2 quarts of oil way too often. For this to happen on some many vehicles, it must be a manufacturer defect. The hesitation just started and I'm taking it do get a diagnostic test. 11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588878May 15, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue with my 2019 Kia Optima SX 2.0 GDI Turbo, which has accumulated approximately 103,000 miles. This vehicle has recently developed several serious problems that I believe pose significant risks to both my safety and the safety of other road users. Firstly, my Kia Optima has been burning an excessive amount of oil. Specifically, it consumes over 5 quarts of oil within just 2,000 miles of driving. Despite thorough inspections, even from Kia Dealers there are no visible oil leaks, making this issue even more perplexing and concerning. Moreover, the vehicle has begun to shake violently while driving on the highway, which has led to a substantial loss of power in the middle of traffic. This unpredictable loss of power is extremely dangerous, especially at high speeds, as it compromises my ability to maintain control of the vehicle and poses a significant hazard to other motorists. Additionally, the car now emits a loud knocking noise, which appears to be related to the engine's internal components. This issue further exacerbates the vehicle's performance problems and raises serious questions about its reliability and safety. I urge the NHTSA to investigate these issues promptly. The problems I am experiencing are not isolated and may affect other Kia Optima owners, potentially leading to widespread safety risks. I believe it is crucial to determine if there is a manufacturing defect or other underlying cause that needs to be addressed to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all Kia Optima drivers. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that the NHTSA will take immediate action to investigate these serious safety concerns and provide a resolution to protect both myself and others.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11584657April 23, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Burns through oil. I have to consistently have oil on hand. 107,000 miles and being told my year does not fall under getting a new engine falls on me to replace it. This is an issue that falls on the manufacturer. Please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11583677April 17, 2024
ENGINE
GDI MOTOR CONSUMES A LOT OF OIL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582456April 11, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was oil leaking from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the oil was changed; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,008.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581362April 5, 2024
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The engine is consuming oil very fast and needing oil way before the next oil change. The oil consumption test Kia did stated that it was 2 quarts low after the first 1000 miles. Car does not have extended warranty but this a manufacturing defect. Suggestion was new motor. Also it's recall for the forward collision safety feature but my car vin is not included even though it goes off when nothing is in front of me. They want me to pay for these issues the motor cost the same as the payoff of car. This is ridiculous, I purchased Kia due to having a older model that almost got 300,000 miles on it before transmission died. I got a great payment and a newer car but didn't expect to have this motor issue or safety problem with no help from manufacturer. I'm stuck keeping oil in car so it's burn out & cutting safety feature off so it stops breaking when nothing is in front me. Both of these issues or manufacturing defects and should be fixed by KIA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581205April 4, 2024
ENGINE
2019 Optima EX excessive oil consumption. Oil changed every 3000 miles, but is always empty within 1000miles. Car has 101,000 miles. Took to Kia dealership due to loss of power on acceleration and stalling and excessive oil consumption, they said I have multiple misfires on cylinder 1, excessive sludge buildup under cap and again no oil present. I was advised the engine needed replaced and that somehow this is a me problem and not a Kia problem. Spoke with Kia support and because it’s 1,000 miles over warranty they will not do anything even though they are aware of excessive oil consumption issue in these motors
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580864April 3, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2019 Kia Optima whose paint is peeling off rapidly. The paint began peeling in a tiny spot that I thought was a chip from a rock but has now grown to several spots peeling all over. I first noticed this in 2020 I visited my dealer on January 2024 to no avail. Not only was their technician rude, but he also said the paint was not covered under KIA’s bumper to bumper warranty. I have bought the extended bumper to bumper warranty at the dealer. I’ve owned several cars in my life and have never had this problem with any of them. I currently own a 2003 Toyota whose paint is in much better condition than my 2019 Kia. I believe this is a factory defect with this paint color and would like you to further investigate and help to restore my KIA so that the peeling stops. I’m attaching several photos for your review. The color is Snow White Pearl.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579817March 27, 2024
ENGINE
Engine is consuming extreme amounts of oil. I have never been late for an oil change, and often go before I’m even due. My car was stalling and the RPM was fluctuating. I had to pull over and turn the car off. I then noticed my oil light on for 2 seconds, then it turned off. I’m not due for an oil change for another 2,000 miles. I pulled in to a mechanic shop (thankfully I was right next door) and low and behold, hardly any oil in my car. Had maybe half a quart left. I should have been good for another 2,000 miles. This is not the first time this has happened either. I no longer feel comfortable driving myself or my kids in this vehicle. It has been nothing but constant worry about my engine dying, burning or stalling. This car only has 70,000 miles on it and only 4 1/2 years old!!!! This is the second incident of this car jerking and stalling on the highway. Thankfully I’ve been able to pull over to avoid being slammed. I had the oil topped off so the engine could function, but once again, I was not due for a change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578950March 22, 2024
ENGINE
Was driving my vehicle when it started shaking violently and the check engine light came on. Took it to my mechanic and then it was towed to the Kia dealership. Both say that cylinder 2 won’t hold compression due to leaking valves causing oil to flood the engine and the engine to not work properly. I was told I could drive it still but that the engine could seize at any time putting us at risk for an accident. Kia says this is not covered under the extended warranty, but I have had multiple mechanics say this is an issue with 2017 and newer Kia’s and Hyundai’s,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578034March 18, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Our 2019 Kia Optima has now stalled twice at a stop light in the past year. When it happens, we're able to restart the engine. In addition to stalling, the car struggles to start on some days and runs lumpy (minor surges in power) on other days. The symptoms match a problem Kia is aware of and for which it has provided an extended warranty (15 years/150,000 miles). Below is the wording from the extended warranty letter (2016-2020 MY Kia Optima Vehicles Low-Pressure Fuel Pump New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension dated Sept 9, 2022): "If, at any time within the extended warranty period, you experience intermittent reduction in engine power, stalling while at idle, and/or inability or difficulty starting your engine, your authorized Kia dealership will diagnose the cause at no cost to you." When I took the car in after both incidents, the Kia dealer is not able to replicate the issue because it's an intermittent issue. There is no fault code thrown by the vehicle computer. The dealer and I have separately called Kia to get authorization to replace the low-pressure fuel pump (the most likely culprit), but Kia has denied the request because the dealer isn't able to replicate the issue. This is non-sensical given the fact that Kia in its letter admits that this problem is intermittent. I'm afraid that the next time the low-pressure fuel pump fails, it will be in a far more dangerous situation (e.g. highway) than at a stop light. I believe Kia should replace the low-pressure fuel pump for those owners who report the symptoms of a failing low-pressure fuel pump even if the failure can't be replicated at the dealer. Kia is basically saying they're not going to replace the low-pressure fuel pump until it malfunctions and stays broken which could very likely leave us stranded somewhere or worse without engine power in the middle of driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578118March 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
My 2019 KIA optima with 116,021 odometer on mileage. Stop in the middle of High Volume Traffic , Because of Software Issues , I suspect . All Forward Collision Warning Detection , Also Rear Collision Warning Alerted on dashboard!!! Which Causes my Car to stop in the middle of Traffic Completely shut down. I was able to get my vehicle towed to KIA West Dealership Located in lithia Springs GA . I requested a diagnostic test and was informed by my service advisor and service manager that my vehicle has a burned out wire located in the left right rear sensors radar assembly, bumper area . Which will eventually have caused a fire or actually already did, I asked how did it happen? I was told it just simply burnt out. !!!! I was told the assembly box junction box needed to be replaced, which I agreed at that moment in order to diagnose the vehicle. Second the electrical problem was revealed, which is the big problem now currently for 1 , the vehicle is not safe for a midsize sedan on public roads and highways the if this make and model car causes random fires. secondly the parts very expensive and suspicious. I’m currently still doing my investigation. Unfortunately I had to agree for the sensors to be replaced and fixed because personal reasons I need my vehicle to get back-and-forth to work, etc.. I’ve been in contact consumer regional services, No one is able to find a recall with my Vin number the car never been in a accident ever. I have a picture of the hazardous burned out wire the technician showed me as well. As they claimed randomly caught fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575160March 3, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Clear coat paint is peeling rapidly on the driver side door. This is the only affected area and this car has never been in an accident, so it’s the original manufactured part. Car has 59K miles on it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575062March 2, 2024
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I like kids however I purchased a Kia used in 2021, I started to notice that all consumption was going out fast before oil changes was due. I still have this ongoing problem but they say there's no recall on these GDI motors however other people I see informs or experiencing the same issues. I now have to try to get an appointment with Kia for an oil change before it's time for the oil change and to do a oil consumption test and then hopefully the main factors or kia will replace this motor even though there's no warranty on the car. I might also have a issue with the front collision feature because I have been noticing in the past few weeks that this feature comes on even when there's no car in front of me it will start to break however it says that my car is not a part of a software upgrade so I got to ask them about that as well. There is definitely a issue with the GDI motors and Kia really needs to recall them all and replace the motors it should not burn all the way that it does I've never had any car of any brand or manufacturer burn oil the way that this car is burning oil. I cannot financially afford to go out here and trade this car in and get another car with the type of payment that I have for this car since I had my bank finances car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574707February 29, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, WHEELS
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding numerous premature defects in my 2019 Kia Optima, which have led to serious safety hazards and compromised driving conditions. Firstly, the premature valve cover gasket leaking has resulted in dangerous fumes infiltrating the cabin, posing a significant risk to my health and safety as well as that of any passengers. This issue has not only caused discomfort but also raised concerns about potential long-term health effects. Additionally, the premature turbo gasket leaking is a further cause for alarm. Not only does this compromise the vehicle's performance and efficiency, but it also presents a potential fire hazard, particularly if the leaking oil comes into contact with hot engine components. Furthermore, the premature defect of the axle shafts and axle boots is a critical safety issue. This compromises the vehicle's stability and handling, increasing the risk of accidents and potential loss of control while driving. Moreover, the premature engine knocking and abnormal shaking and lag are indicative of underlying mechanical issues that significantly impact the vehicle's drivability and safety. Engine knocking can be a precursor to more severe internal damage, while abnormal shaking and lag compromise the vehicle's responsiveness, especially in critical situations such as merging onto highways or overtaking. These issues collectively present a clear pattern of premature defects that pose significant safety risks to both myself and other road users. As such, I urge you to investigate these matters thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of Kia Optima owners. I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and a swift resolution to address these critical safety concerns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574793February 29, 2024
TIRES:TREAD/BELT, TIRES, TIRES:MARKINGS
Dear National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction and concern regarding the Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready tires, size 235/45R18, installed on my 2019 Kia Optima SX. These tires have proven to be defective, failing to meet the standards of safety and durability promised by Goodyear. I would like Goodyear to refund for the defective tires! Despite being well within the mileage limit of the 60,000-mile warranty, Goodyear has refused to stand by their product. Instead, they have absurdly attempted to shift the blame onto me, suggesting that frequent alignments are necessary at every oil change. This is not only an inconvenience but also an unjustifiable expense for a supposedly high-quality product.I have diligently maintained my vehicle and have documentation to support the fact that the tires are defective. However, Goodyear has shown a complete disregard for customer satisfaction and safety by failing to address this issue adequately. I urge the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to investigate this matter promptly and take appropriate action against Goodyear for their negligence and failure to uphold their warranty obligations. Plus to have the tires taken off the market as they put myself and my families lives at risk. Consumers deserve better than to be burdened with faulty products and dismissive customer service.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574794February 29, 2024
STEERING, WHEELS, SUSPENSION
Dear National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, I am writing to bring to your attention a grave safety concern regarding my 2019 Kia Optima SX. Despite diligent maintenance and care, my vehicle has experienced persistent alignment issues, particularly on the right side. Additionally, I have encountered premature axle shaft and axle boot failures, all of which have occurred well before reaching 60,000 miles. These issues have not only posed a significant financial burden but have also jeopardized the safety of myself and other road users. The repeated alignment problems have resulted in the rapid deterioration of tires, leading to baldness within a month of replacement, creating a hazardous driving condition and increasing the risk of accidents. The premature failure of axle shafts and boots is unacceptable for a vehicle of this age and mileage. Such failures not only compromise the vehicle’s performance but also raise serious concerns about the overall quality and safety standards of the Kia Optima SX. I urge the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to conduct a thorough investigation into these recurring issues affecting the 2019 Kia Optima SX model. Immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of consumers and to hold Kia accountable for any design or manufacturing defects contributing to these alarming problems. Your swift attention to this matter is crucial in preventing potential accidents and ensuring the well-being of motorists nationwide.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11573918February 26, 2024
ENGINE
No oil burning oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11573755February 24, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was doing 65 on the hwy when Forward collision started so sound off and slowing down car when there was no other car around me this happened on several occasions
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572903February 20, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
On March 2022 Forward Collision Warning System, Blind Spot Warning System, ABS braking System and other systems associated with a bad passenger rear wheel sensor not working. On March 17, 2022 rear passenger wheel sensor repaired under warranty by local Kia Dealer. In September 2023 same issue with the above warning systems occurs with only another 2,000 miles on car after previous repair. Local Kia dealer states both rear wheel sensors need to be replaced. Kia dealer states vehicle is no longer under warranty and will cost in excess of $800 to repair. After checking similar complaints online, I believe there is an inherit defect with this type of vehicle's wheel sensors and a recall is needed to enforce Kia to stand by their product and ensure the safety of the vehicle and their customers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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