Kia Optima Complaints (2018)

244 consumer complaints on file.

#11534174July 24, 2023
ENGINE
My vehicle is under a engine / oil consumption recall, I have contacted kia multiple time in regards to this issue as the vehicles are having engine fires due to this. I was advised by kia that my vehicle is under recall and has lifetime warranty but they will not fix or swap the motor until it goes out. This is a huge safety risk I am literally scared to drive my vehicle due to not knowing if the engine is going to go out at anytime or start on fire in the middle of the expressway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533288July 19, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle is burning excessive amounts of oil rapidly. Date of Purchase: 04/13/2023 - mileage : 94,000-96,000 Oil light and engine light began flashing about 1-2 weeks after purchase, then went off after first oil change. noticed burning smell on occasion. First oil change 05/23/2023 - mileage: 98,045 Mechanic reported no oil in vehicle. Traveled out of town, checked oil. no oil in vehicle upon arrival. Second oil change: 06/19/2023 - mileage ~99,641 Mechanic reported no oil leak. Checked oil: 07/18/2023 - no oil in vehicle, mileage: 100,790 Having to schedule an oil change before future date and mileage listed below. Next date of oil change: 09/17/2023 - future mileage: 102,641
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532079July 13, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The braking system "catches" at 13mph regularly. It feels like the brakes are being applied or the vehicle is downshifting when it is decelarating to around 13mph without any actual braking being manually applied. So far no safety risk, but if the brakes fail at any point for any reason, there will be potential for great risk. The local Kia dealer was able to reproduce this but had no explanation, no recommendation, and no further advice or assistance was offered. At this point, the Kia dealership is the only entity to inspect this issue. There are no warning lights or indicators of failure or problems, but this issue has been ongoing since the vehicle was purchased.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531860July 12, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When we drive the car it hesitates as if it’s going to cut off and it keep burning oil. We have to put in at least 2-3 quarts in per week.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531463July 10, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Was driving vehicle on freeway, around 65 mph, smooth road, no bumps, no indication of any road debris and suddenly heard a loud cracking/exploding noise which was extremely startling. After hearing some outside wind noise and the sound of glass pieces rattling, I realized that the glass panoramic sunroof must have broken somehow. Luckily I had the interior fabric shade closed, so no glass pieces entered the cabin to injure anyone. After getting out of the car, I could see around a 12 inch diameter hole in the sunroof glass. The remaining glass that was still attached was full of cracks. I have created a case with Kia Consumer Affairs and waiting to hear back from them. The vehicle has not received any outside inspection as of yet for this incident. There was no prior warning to this issue, no creaking noises or visible cracks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530105July 3, 2023
ENGINE
Engine failure just like all the other optima’s.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11528200June 21, 2023
ENGINE
MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE AND JUMPIMG. THE OIL WAS JUST CHANGED AND IS FINE. HAVING TO REPLACE ENGINE AND ONLY HAD CAR 2 MONTHS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527753June 19, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Knock sensor detection system. Driving and all the sudden felt like it hard down shifted… car behind me almost hit me. Engine light started flashing so I pulled into autozone and plugged it in and got the knock sensor code. It’s had oil consumptions issues for a while. It’s so dangerous to drive with limited power and speed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527580June 18, 2023
ENGINE
I purchased this vehicle used in April 2023 with 3,000 to go prior to another oil change. I returned home from a trip and the oil light would come on only while turning or braking. When checking the oil there was no oil in the motor. The reservoir was filled and two weeks in the engine is low on oil again. There are no leaks. The car jerks at lights as if it wants to stall out. I feel unsafe driving this car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525549June 6, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524862June 1, 2023
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Ever since I got my car I’ve had black oil since the start . Second my car breaks on its own at times 3rd my car system keep breaking down as the sparks leaking in some where has this issue since bought it 2 years ago low miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524617May 31, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
-Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - I Was driving with my infant son in the backseat. I was going 70 mph when my car started rapidly losing speed. This happened again with just myself after receiving the car from mechanic. There was heavy traffic and I had to swerve to avoid being hit by an 18-wheeler. - I can see on the website where I received the car from, there is a recall for my exact make and model with the same code but they say there is no recall for my specific car. - The check engine light started flashing and Kia Systems starts talking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524344May 29, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
Car smoking white , and driving slow after I hit a pothole when it was raining hard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522447May 17, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL:SPARK PLUGS, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while being started. The contact stated that the vehicle also sputtered while driving at various speeds, and while reversing. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that oil was getting onto the spark plugs and ignition coils. The spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521153May 9, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the oil warning light illuminated. The contact checked the dip stick and there was no oil on the dip stick. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an oil change was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the engine was cleaned but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521243May 9, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
My car had been consuming 2 quarts every 1,000 miles for the past 3-4 months and the kia dealership told me that the best thing i could do is keep getting an oil change. So one day i tried starting my car and it starting shaking and turned off so i turned it back on and it shut off again. I jump started it and it shut off again and i jump started it again but it never turned on. All of the problems that i have has been confirmed by the dealership (Open Road Automotive) My engine is all the way messed up, my fuel pump was messed up .My engine light came on after this and i just keep having problems with my car. I seen that kia keeps having these problems but i chose to get my car anyways because I love kias cars but I will have to switch if these problems are not solved with my car and i get new parts on my car because these are failing parts not because of me. I’m having So many problems with my car right now and it’s been costing me a lot of money .It’s at the shop right now and it’s been at the shop for maybe 2 weeks now. I can’t get a rental because they are only covering $40 a day and they are charging me $200 a day. So please help me with these problems and get these problems fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519668April 30, 2023
ENGINE
consistently getting oil changes. if the car doesn't rcvd an oil change before 3000 miles the check engine light comes on and then the light removes after oil change. in between the time period of getting oil changes it may run junky or you hear the catalytic converter trying to push air thru and it rattles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519334April 27, 2023
ENGINE
My car engine burns oil EXCESSIVELY. After an oil change, 2 weeks later i had to put more oil in. The dealership is no help even with a warranty. The car burning oil is also causing other mechanical problems that are a hefty price that are only a temp fix. I have to put oil in every single week. 2-3 quarts a week. Due to the oil being burnt off, it has affected my spark plugs and has caused a misfire in the same exact cylinder for when it misfired for this same problem, a year prior. I took it to a kia dealership last year and they performed a combustion chamber cleaning ($650+) and it only worked for 3 months before my car was back to performing poorly due to power loss from misfiring again. This car has put me in a VERY TOUGH financial situation and the dealership and corporate are absolutely no help. a year apart, this car has misfired on the same cylinder twice. the dealership just tells me to do a combustion cleaning but due to it being very pricy and with how much oil i have to buy, it’s not an option for me due to my financial situation. right now i’m just hoping something will be done for the millions of people that are effected by this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519357April 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The engine consumes all the oil within 1000 miles. The oil light comes on around 800 miles after oil change. The dealership did the 3 separate tests and they all failed. Dealership stated the engine is faulty however Kia corporate denied the claim. There is already a class action lawsuit in progress in California.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516617April 12, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights randomly turn off while driving. To get them back on you have to switch on and off before they turn back on. Very dangerous for my 17 yr old daughter driving down a highway at night. The lights will also turn on in the middle of the night and if we happen to notice, we have to go to the car and turn the lights on and off to get them fixed. There are numerous reports on this when Google. I am not the only one. Really dangerous!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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