Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11556521November 22, 2023
ENGINE
A piece of carbon build up was caught on the exhaust valve not allowing it to close and causing no compression. The carbon build up is known in every kia engine as everyone knows they came out the factory with defects. With the exhaust valve burnt it scored the cylinder and none of it is covered under the extended warranty and I have seen many people with the same problem and all the dealership does is grind off the burnt oil on the exhaust valve and return it to the costumer while it is a ticking bomb. It is known to the dealership that this is a defect in the engine and which they told me on the phone while all calls are recorded. There was no sign that this was going to happened to the car. I was driving and the next second the car is shaking violently with the engine light on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556326November 21, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, she observed a gasoline odor coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,100. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556332November 21, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, he noticed that there was smoke inside the cabin. The contact stated that while making a turn, a significant amount of smoke and heat was coming through the A/C vents, causing him to recline the seat. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled to the side of the road and shifted from drive (D) to reverse (R) until the vehicle stopped. The contact then parked and turned off the vehicle, grabbed his belongings, and immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle caught on fire, exploded, and collapsed as he was running away from the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire, and a fire department report was filed. There was no police report filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer sent a field inspector, who inspected the vehicle and determined that the failure occurred due to a damaged serpentine belt. However, the contact stated that an independent mechanic had replaced the serpentine belt 11 days prior to the incident. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where it remained. The independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the serpentine belt was not damaged. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) that he related to the failure. The contact followed up with the manufacturer, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 215,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555999November 20, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
My Kia Optima is peeling paint around the top of the windshield. My car is beginning to rust. This is not normal. Reading online about this issue, and many people are seeing the exact same issue. My car is snow white in color.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556072November 20, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, WHEELS
We have had two motor replacements in less than 6 months that we have owned this vehicle for the first one started started a knocking noise right after a flashing check engine light both Kia is by us totus will we can't get it in today wouldn't give us a rental and was going to charge us for a diagnostics fee right up front and told us it would still be a few days before they could get it in so we had no choice but to continue driving it not even 2 days later left my fiance on the side of the road wouldn't start wouldn't do nothing engine seized Kia dealer number one put the motor put it back together wrong and then when it seized again in less than 5,000 mi try telling us that they weren't responsible well if we did the engine again give it back to us notice that the ignition coils were not put on properly and orbital down properly You're still an electrical issue and the engines are starting to do the engine is starting to do the same as engine one and two. What I don't understand is why don't Kia just completely recall the entire car and take it off to fucking market and replace the people replace the cars that have that still have people owning them
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556100November 20, 2023
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side seat heater was overheating. The contact stated that he attempted to set the heater to the lowest setting; however, the seat continued to overheat to the point that the contact pulled off the roadway and exited the vehicle. The contact turned off the seat heater. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was no electrical issue found with the seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556143November 20, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, ENGINE
The second month after I purchased this vehicle the master warning light and forward collision light popped up and car vehicle started de-accelerating in the middle of the freeway and I had to pull over and then the car died. Repeatedly took my vehicle to the Kia dealership and no one still has been able to help me. They claim no one at their corp. Office in California what that means so it has been going off ever since and I don't want my vehicle to died again. PLEASE HELP!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556155November 20, 2023
ENGINE
I always smell like something burning and melting at the engine And the engine light sign appears and the maintenance light also
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555939November 19, 2023
ENGINE
Lurches at highway speeds and nearly stalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555759November 18, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
SAME STORY OVER AND OVER 2013 WHITE PEARL PAINT GARAGE KEPT, NO ACCIDENTS AND PAINT IS LITERALLY CHIPPING AWAY SIDE OF THE CAR DOOR ROOF ABSOLUTELY APPALLING. KIA THE FACT THAT KIA HAS THOUSANDS OF THIS COLOR ON THE ROAD IS EMBARRASSING FOR ALL THE LOYAL CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE TO DRIVE THEM. KIA KNOWS THAT ALL OF THEM WERE PAINTED WITH NO PRIMER. CHEAP PAINT SPRAYED ON BARE METAL AND HAS LEFT ALL OF US STRANDED. THIS CLEARLY IS A COMPANY WITH NO INTEGRITY OR CARE FOR CUSTOMERS LET ALONE OUR LIVES .THIS NEEDS CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555761November 18, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NINE RECALLS FROM KIA AND VERY DANGEROUS. RIGHT WHEN I THINK KIA CANT GET ANY MORE DANGEROUS WITH 2013 KIA OPTIMA AND BEING UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN THE WHITE PEARL MODEL WITH PAINT THAT IS DOWN TO THE METAL, LAST RECALL AIRBAGS, SEATBELTS ECT. THIS LETTER TAKES THE CAKE. OUR RECORDS SHOW YOUR VECHICLE IS AFFECTED WITH PART WE DO NOT HAVE YET BUT “ PARK YOUR VECHICLE OUTDOORS AND AWAY FROM STRUCTURS AND OTHER VECHICLES CAR ENGINE CAN CATCH FIRE DRIVING OR PARKED. SHOOT FORGET ABOUT US IT GOES ON TO SAY IF YOU BURNING MELTING SMELL WHILE DRIVING PULL OVER AND REMOVE KEY EXIT CAR TO SAFE LOCATION..WELL KIA THANKS FOR THE HEADS-UP HOPE WE MAKE IT OUT OF CAR AND WOW YOU WILL SEND LETTER WHEN PART COMES IN..TERRIFYING LETTER BUT, LOVE THAT YOU CARE MORE ABOUT PARKING AWAY FROM STRUTURES, OTHER VECHICLES OUTDOORS UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE PART. BAD ENOUGH PAINT IS ALL OVER THE ROAD CHIPPING OFF. Guessing don't have to worry about that right now knowing I can catch on fire even when it is parked. NOTHING TELLING US NOT TO DRIVE JUST MAKE SURE IF WE CATCH FIRE TO GET OUT! YOU WERE CLEAR ABOUT PROTECTING STRUCTURES AND OTHER VEHICLES. WORST COMPANY AND DANGEROUS COMPANY. TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS COWORKERS FRIENDS DO NOT BUY A KIA. UNTIL NEW CEO AND ACCOUTABILITY THIS COMPANY CARES LITTLE ABOUT LIFE OR LOSS. MANY OF US ARE JOINING CLASS ACTION SUIT. NHTSA GOV DO YOUR JOB HOW ARE YOU LETTING THIS COMPANY BE SO CARELESS ARE YOU NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE 1000 of complaints and fear on this model and company? EVENTUALLY, THIS WILL ALL BLOW UP AND LIFE WILL BE LOST MORE THAN SHOULD BE ALREADY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555829November 18, 2023
ENGINE
it appears the engine is burning oil or leaking. I have been needing to fill up with oil every 1,000 miles. There is a very faint smell of burning every now and then. I was told by Kia that the oil pump needed to be replaced along side with the oil pan, i had that replaced at in independent shop however it still seems to be having the same issue. No risk to me while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555840November 18, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
I found my car on a list of recalls. The recall is NHTSA ID: 23V-652000. Why was I not notified of this recall. This is a serious recall that Kia has no fix for. I can't believe that Kia is putting people and families at risk. This plan that Kia has is ridiculous and unprofessional. You want people to park cars outside of there garages. That does not work. Kia needs a better plan and thats to come up with a fix and NOW!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555864November 18, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
paintKIA Kia optima lx SNOW WHITE PAINT PEELING CHIPPING AND DELAMINATION! it started about a few months ago in oct 2023 and now its starting to peel in different places please help this is not fair!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555648November 17, 2023
AIR BAGS
I got into a frontal car accident the other car hit the front of my vehicle and no airbags deployed. I’ve researched today and seen people are having many issues with airbags on this vehicle and that there were many recalls regarding airbags from years ago. I was never informed of any issues with any of that when I got this vehicle.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555654November 17, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and making an abnormal knocking sound. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was trailered to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555709November 17, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
2015 KIA OPTIMA WHITE PEAR PAINT JOB DELAMINATION ON HOOD, TRUNK SIDE PANELS BY WINDOWS AND FRONT AND BACK WINDSHIELDS. AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, HAS BEEN INSPECTED. NATIONAL PROBLEM, INSPECTED BY KIA DEALER REFERRED BODY SHOP. FIRST TIME APPEARED VERY VISIBLE 1 YEAR 1/2 AGO. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO KIA, FILED CLAIM, CASE #[XXX] ON 10/11/2023, TODAY, 11/17/2023 RECEIVED E-MAIL "VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN GEORGIA WITHIN THE SAME TIME(S) OF THE CLASS ACTION RECALL FOR 2013 AND 2014 MODELS. I REQUEST MY CASE BE RECONSIDERED FOR THE PAINT REQUEST. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555410November 16, 2023
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving in a heavy rainstorm, the vehicle experienced water intrusion causing the sub frame undercarriage to become damaged and unsecured. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555425November 16, 2023
ENGINE
While driving on Hwy 19 the vehicle shut down. The motor turned off and I was able to slowly roll to the side of the road. The car did not start again.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555457November 16, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR:CRITICAL FASTENERS
2 of my windows drop when i go over a speed bump....i have already gotten the motors replaced for the windows (front driver, and back driver sides)....i don't even use the POWER up/down FOR the back windows AT ALL because i am the only one that drives my car (wondering why this is happening for this)....when i took my vehicle for these windows to be replaced, even my mechanic says there should be a recall on these windows and that this should not be happening....NOW my back passenger window is doing the same thing and again i don't even let the BACK WINDOWS down...someone can break in my car by just literally SLIDING the window down (OMG!!!!!!!!)....there are no warning lamps for this..i noticed this happening when KIA fixed one of my recalls
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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