Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11535622July 31, 2023
ENGINE
I have replaced my cars spark plugs and all things related to the spark plugs for the last 4 months. After taking NY car for maitnence over and over again at the Santa Fe Kia in Santa Fe, NM. The car has cintun3d to have issues. My car is currently having a issue with the knock sensor and wire harness from the Diagnostic I received from my Local Auto Zone in Las Vegas, NM. The car does not drive correctly and sputters. I have took it to be be maintenence over and over again and spent over 500.00 for the maintenence this last four months. And it seams it has been one issue after the other my car is under 70,000 miles. I give it proper maintenence and oil changes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535631July 31, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Window regulator replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535276July 29, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights failed and yes it can be inspected . The headlights while my 16 year old daughter was driving at night. She could not see the road there were no streetlights. She had to hit her brakes turn the car off and restart and the lights came back on . This put her life in danger I cannot believe there are no recalls . We have called numerous mechanics to fix and they have not heard of the problem. I do not trust Kia to fix this . She could have died . Before this happened the dash showed the lights changing themselves from auto to on to off . This also happened to me while driving at night . We now do not drive this car at night out of fear .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534919July 27, 2023
ENGINE
Have lost 4 qts of oil in the last month. Brought it to the mechanic and they couldn’t find any leaks. They said the only way I’m losing oil, is that the car is burning through it. They’ve seen the same issue with these cars. Only 65,000 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534422July 25, 2023
ENGINE
The contact’s husband owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at undisclosed speeds, he heard a knocking sound coming from the hood of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's husband was able to coast the vehicle to a stop. The contact then stated that after her husband allowed the engine to cool, he was able to restart the vehicle. The contact then stated that the following day, her husband attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact’s husband then notified AAA to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the starter might have caused the failure. The contact stated that her husband replaced the starter however, the failure recurred. The contact then notified a friend who is an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the failure was engine related; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534449July 25, 2023
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message “Shift to Park” was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle, shifted the vehicle into drive and then shifted back to park and the contact was able to shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, the contact stated while pulling out the driveway the brakes applied unintendedly with the brake light remaining illuminated. The traction control warning light, the ABS warning light, the auto lock warning light illuminated and the code “EPB auto hold” was displayed. The contact shut off the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 155,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534042July 24, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Hello, I had my vehicle's engine replaced by a dealership (Reason - recall on engine and failure on freeway that has me traumatized!!!) and due to the labor done at Kia Tullahoma, TN my transmission has failed causing a near mishap crash on the freeway due to transmission slip. Noticed transmission fluid leaking. After taking it to another dealership (Kia Anderson, SC) they inspected and said that the labor performed by previous dealership had caused the malfunction. Today (7-24-23) Kia Tullahoma, TN refuses to cover the new transmission that now I have to replace due to their negligence. Due to separation of the transmission to engine the output seals started leaking and causing the incident. May I add that the engine might be at risk due to this also. Please post or let Kia corporate. I will also make claim. Thank you!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534154July 24, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I was driving and the car’s electrical completely cut out and locked my steering wheel up and ran us off the road and we hit a big rock on the driver side and then the power kicked back on and the steering yanked super hard to the right about 4 times and caught a fallen tree on the right side then completely died with me and my young kids . Took it to Kia to be serviced and got it back and it started to do it again
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#11534208July 24, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On 6 June 2022 I was driving Eastbound Interstate 80 passing Fairfield, CA. Traffic was moderate, average traffic speed 65. The Kia’s Adaptive Cruise was enabled and set to the maximum amount of safe distance. I recall the car directly in front of me changed lanes to pass a truck towing a trailer. I remember the Kia began to accelerate and I couldn’t turn the wheel. Next memory was opening my eyes to the dust smoke of deployed air bags. I lost consciousness likely due to the sudden impact and air bags deployed. I was taken to a Fairfield hospital by ambulance where I spent 4 days. A slurry of tests ruled out loss of consciousness as the cause. No stroke, heart attack or seizure occurred. I was treated for bruised ribs due to the airbag. No doubt to me that this collision could have been catastrophic to this driver and others driving nearby. Witness reported that I sped up and clipped the truck/trailer while attempting to pass. What I believe happened: 1) the Adaptive Cruise accelerated when it determined there was room but failed to see the trailer and 2) the steering was unresponsive when I attempted to avoid a collision. The reaction time between car accelerating and getting knocked out had to be a mere three or four seconds. The vehicle was totaled, The insurance company, Mercury Insurance, released the vehicle
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11533907July 23, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KIA states they are unable to provide the vehicle with the anti theft software update due to the vehicle having a remote start. I asked if they can remove the remote start. KIAs are not safe with only using the Club steering wheel lock. Theives are drilling a hole through the keyhole or cutting them off. My car is now worth less & auto insurance is becoming more difficult. Please make them do something! These cars are still getting stolen nonstop every single day!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533643July 21, 2023
ENGINE
Oil consumption issues, did an oil consumption test in august of 22 at Web Chevy, which is the dealership the car was bought from.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533382July 20, 2023
ENGINE
Driving down Interstate and car stopped with no warning. It was confirmed engine seized at 113,576 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533397July 20, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car would not engage into “Park” while attempting to park car in driveway. Shifter would not engage in any gear. Tried to reset button in center console. Contacted mechanic, he towed to garage. Plastic clip connected to cable broke. Earlier Kia’s had a recall due to this issue, why not all Kias due to it is still happening. I was very fortunate that this happened to me in my driveway and not on the highway. I understand there is the same part at the other end of the cable, connects to transmission and shifter, if it also breaks it is going to be very expensive to repair due to placement of the part. I had to rent a vehicle for work while part had to be ordered and replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533417July 20, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I driving my vehicle is just started powering down and didn’t want to turn on again. We jumped started it thinking it was the battery but it checked out fine. The vehicle doesn’t want to start anymore and the mobile mechanic said the engine had ti be replaced since it was off the timing loop. No engine or vehicle lights were in and no prior issues were appearing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533497July 20, 2023
ENGINE
2016 Kia Optima engine failed on freeway, ECU triggered limp mode had to get towed into dealer. Now dealer verifies engine failure issues but insists on having us drive it 1000 miles then come in to have engine oil consumption measured and do the same again for a total of 3000 miles before they honor engine replacement. Or engine completely fails within the 3000 miles. Car already shows heavy oil consumption, very dirty oil before mileage due to be changed, loss of MPG at least 5 miles per gallon after ECU upgraded. Car is sluggish and hesitates on acceleration, engine knocking noise. Bearing clearance test passes at this time. I feel I am driving a ticking time bomb getting ready to leave me somewhere stranded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533276July 19, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 of the 4 windows have had failures in the window regulators and the windows do not work.
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
#11532903July 18, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, it spontaneously caught fire. There were no warning lights illuminated before the failure. There were no reported injuries. No police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533018July 18, 2023
STRUCTURE
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V560000 (Structure) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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