Kia Optima Complaints (2018)

244 consumer complaints on file.

#11482644September 2, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Trying to cut off and jerks when stopping vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480349August 20, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was stolen
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478256August 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her fiancé was driving at a slow speed, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into LIMP mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and DTC: P1326 (KSDS) was retrieved. The contact was informed that there was vibration caused by excessive connecting rod bearing wear. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477875August 5, 2022
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ECM telling fuel pump to put too much gas, causing exhaust into cabin, unnoticed while in car, but hair and cloth reak of exhaust and getting headaches. Reduced mileage by 20+mpg from 30+ to 11mpg. BSD- no lights or codes thrown by 3rd party, but dealer said there was a code on the BSD. BSD was not working and no codes appeared. NO LIGHTS OR CODES FOR FUEL ISSUE OR BSD, but dealer said there is a recall that I cannot find for fuel and said there was a code for BSD, but it didn’t pop up on my husband’s code reader previously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477023August 1, 2022
ENGINE
FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE ENGINE MADE A NOISE AND LOSS POWER WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. I CONTACTED KIA, THEY EXPLAIN TO ME THAT A KNOCK SENSOR NEED TO BE INSTALLED AND SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THEY INSTALLED IT AND RETURN THE CAR TO ME. NOW AGAIN WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY I HEAR A LOUD KNOCK, LIGHTS FLASHING IN THE CAR AND THE CAR HAS LOSS POWER. I ROLLED OFF THE EXIT PULL OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WHILE WAITING I CHECK THE OIL IN THE CAR THINKING MAYBE THE ENGINE IS LOCKING UP. THERE IS NO OIL IN THE CAR, WHICH IS STRANGE BECAUSE TWO MONTHS PRIOR KIA JUST DID AN OIL CHANGE. I HAVE DOCUMENTS TO PROVE EVERYTHING. KIA HAS BEEN THE ONLY DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICE THE CAR. THEY NOW BEEN IN POSSESSION OF MY VEHICLE FOR FOUR MONTHS NOW AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I CONTACTED COOPERATE AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO GETTING BACK TO ME AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET ANSWERS. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME. I HAVE CONGESTIVE HEART FALIURE WHICH I EXPLAIN TO THEM AND I REALLY NEED MY CAR BUT MOST OF ALL I NEED IT TO BE SAFE FOR ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474556July 18, 2022
ENGINE
Flashing engine light out of nowhere. Fault code is for faulty knock sensor Lacks power. Wants to stall when hitting the gas. Can cause engine compartment fire. As well as engine fire. Safety put at risk if stopped In the middle of traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472960July 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hello, My Kia was stolen lastnight. The criminals apparently the “KIA BOYS” took my car, it wasn’t until after I spoke with my daughter she expressed to me that she saw a video on social media about Kia’s and another car, being stolen excessively. So after doing my research I was sent to this page to share my story. I am sure Kia is aware of the situation, so much so to where they are/have made a change in their 2022 model. But those of use who have a Kia model that is not a 2022, we are screwed. I make monthly payments on a vehicle engineered by adults, but what I’ve just found out is the criminals are mainly middle school age children who takes the cars for a joy ride. It is hard to process this oversight by Kia, I love my car, I’ve had 2 Kias. But this will be my last. Especially if they (Kia) doesn’t own this oversight. To have my car stolen hurts, I didn’t leave the key in, nor the door unlocked. I parked my car, activated my alarm, only to wake up and my car gone. I see there is a lawsuit in a state (I forgot the state) against Kia. I hope and pray the state of Georgia can start one as well. My car wasn’t the only Kia, taken lastnight. There were 3-4 others taken from this complex.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472646July 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Me and my family just returned home from the laundry mat and took 2 children inside our house and turned around for our belongings and clothing/bedding for the family as the wheels spun out being followed by a silver hyundaii. Just a matter of seconds to 2 minutes. The keys were not in the vehicle. 2 childrens carseats and almost ALL of my family's belongings were stolen inside of the vehicle. 2018 kia optima dark slate grey in color with dark tinted windows and sun strip at the top of windshield, black rims. CR 21077 IL LICENSE PLATE This seems to be an ongoing issue with kia and hyundaii vehicles being stolen and somehow im still not being offered a loaner vehicle with full coverage insurance
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471297June 28, 2022
ENGINE
When driving this vehicle in heavy rain Critical Error Code P1326 comes on limiting the speed to 62 MPH and slow acceleration. This has happened 6 times. Two of those times I took to a KIA Dealer. One said they replaced parts and fixed - but still have issue and one did nothing but download software to get ride of code. The other 4 Auto Store has reset code which they should not be doing and sometimes say no. This has happened 6 times since I have owned the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468187June 8, 2022
ENGINE
2018 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLIMINATED OIL LIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONSUMED OIL QUICKLY, BUT WITHOUT ANY LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED DRIVING 1000 MILES AND THEN RETURN TO THE DEALER TO BE FURTHER INSPECTED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE DEALER STATED IT COULD BE DUE TO SPILLED OILED THAT OCCURED DURING THE OIL CHANGE. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466164May 26, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
My car has been at the dealership since February 10th. The dealer has been giving me the run around. Didn’t have any transportation for over two months and car hasn’t moved since the day I dropped it off. I’m really getting impatient, as I am making monthly payments on a car that I can’t even use. Nearing four months and I’m totally lost on what to do. Thank you for any assistance
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463963May 9, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Engine overhead and stopped working in addition to it consuming massive amounts of oil without physically putting oil in. I've went to 2 dealerships who refuse to provide me with a new engine even though I'm covered under the engine extension warranty due to me having the knock sensor update done. I am now involving my attorney and will go to the news channels to inform how kia manufacturer has become a disgrace with not providing quality engines in their vehicles and don't want to be responsible for it. there's already a settlement going on for kia optimas and other cars they've made because of faulty engines. They can better believe I'm coming for them next with a lawsuit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463677May 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 KIA OPTIMA EX.ALL THE WINDOWS EXIBIT DISTORTION SO BAD ,AS TO INTERFERE WITH LINE OF SITE FROM THE DRIVER SEAT.THERE ARE RIPPLES IN THE GLASS FRONT REAR AND SIDES. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD BUFF THEM OUT,I MADE A BET WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER HE COULD NOT AS THE PROBLEM WAS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF GLASS.THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELDAND HE SAID HE WOULD REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW.BUT THAT WAS SERVERAL MONTHS AGO.I CAN NOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW AT NITE.IF IT RAINS ALL VISIBILITY IS SCARY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461811April 22, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH after leaving the dealer, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that the high engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over and turn the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle and the engine temperature was still elevated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was left on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed; however, the contact was not provided the diagnostic result. The contact was informed by the mechanic of an unspecified engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460136April 8, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The headlights on my 2018 Kia Optima have been turning off and on randomly by themselves while in motion. Each time it's happened has been in different areas at different times of the night. The headlight switch is kept in the auto position most of the time. When the headlights turn off, the screen in the dash for the headlight function switches from auto to off by itself. Sometimes if the turn signal switch is jiggled the lights will come back on. Other times the headlight switch, located on the end of the turn signal switch, has to be turned to the on position to get the lights to turn on. The car has been in for service but each time the technician is unable to reproduce the fault. It is occurring more frequently and becoming a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458485March 27, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical components connected to the headlights seem to be faulty. When lights are set to AUTO, the lights will turn off completely when switching on turn signal. At times the light will not come on at all when set to AUTO or On without cycle back to off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457598March 21, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil without warning. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change, the oil reservoir was empty within less than a week. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the oil change was performed and the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where she was informed that since she was the second owner of the vehicle, they could not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453718February 23, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When driving with headlights set to Auto the headlights turn off whenever the blinker is used. I've found many complaints however my vehicle has not been inspected. This poses a hazard of driving at night with no headlights, then having to fiddle with the switch to turn them back on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451302February 10, 2022
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased my Kia optima brand new I believe it had 7 miles on it when I purchased it, shortly after it was purchased it started having a problem with the transmission, I would go to takeoff and it was lunch and jerk pretty hard to where it was very noticeable. I took it into the shop they thought that it was something a computer program could reset they performed that I did not fix it, I don’t drive my Kia very much I barely have 25,000 miles on it right now I am a real live in care provider so I don’t drive very much my job is at home. I have taken the car into several dealerships repeatedly to have it fixed, IA really was at a loss and did not know what to do because I had taken it to two different dealerships and the problem was never resolved. I contacted an attorney they got nowhere because apparently I needed to take my car in one more time within a timeframe for them to be able to do anything about it? And any right, still to this day the car does the same thing it’s been in the shop four or five times for this problem. One time I took it to Kia and Elk Grove they kept it looked at it said they couldn’t find the problem. Every time I’m renting a car paying for the insurance going through the inconvenience of renting a car paying extra insurance etc. just to have nothing done with my car. When I went to pick up my car from the Elk Grove dealership I threw a fit because I was tired of it and I said look somethings wrong with the car I’m not a mechanic I can’t tell you what it is but I need this car fixed, the service manager came out and said I’ll take a a ride with you and we’ll see if maybe I can see what the problem is we didn’t even get out of the parking lot and it jerked so hard at the service manager noted it in the file had me drop it back off and leave it it’s still wasn’t fixed. I took it in again after that the new service manager took it on an hour drive on the freeway hooked up to a computer with Kia and of course it didn’t do anything while h
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443512December 12, 2021
ENGINE, STEERING
We would like to know what Kia is planning to do to address the fact that Kia built a car without the basic immobilizer circuit making it very easy to steal. Over the last few months, local and national news reports, as well as many social media sites, have reported on this security flaw which likely emboldens others to attempt a theft of a Kia and/or Hyundai. As I do not live in Milwaulkee, I would like to know how the company will fix this problem for the rest of us. It will not be restricted to just one city. There are numerous articles by victims that have detailed how their car theft cost them thousands of dollars in insurance deductibles, rental cars, and repairs. Many of the articles explain how thieves as young as 12 years old are able to still these cars in under a minute in broad daylight and driving recklessly creating a serious safety hazzard. Please advise what Kia will do to negate this serious security flaw.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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