Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11491042October 26, 2022
POWER TRAIN
UNKNOWN When slowing to a stop, the vehicle spontaneously makes a sudden jolt, throwing passengers forward. It’s as if the the transmission malfunctions when down shifting and results in engine braking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490759October 25, 2022
ENGINE
Engine stalled while driving on main highway. It is available for inspection Safety: was on major highway when vehicle stalled other cars on highway had to swerve around me to avoid hitting me. no it has not been confirmed no it has not been inspected no there were no warning light
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490816October 25, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is chipping off and looks horrible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490545October 24, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized with knocking sounds coming from the vehicle. The contact’s wife pulled over, and the contact arrived on the scene to inspect the vehicle and check the engine oil. The contact restarted the vehicle and the failure recurred with knocking sounds coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the main bearing had fractured and the engine needed to be replaced; however, the manufacturer declined the engine replacement due to an unrepaired Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) recall. The contact had not yet received the recall notification. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer offered to buy back the vehicle from the contact. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and declined the engine replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490585October 24, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Snow white paint on optima is chipping bubbling and coming off. now certain areas are starting to rust. this has gotten worse in the last year i have noticed multiple cars in that color peeling in the same areas. hood and roof area. some are worse then mine. i called kia and there is no known issue. if you goggle snow white kia paint issue there are multiple forums. estimates to repaint are more than what the car is worth. if i were to trade my car in there would be issues with the paint cause a decrease in value. car is good condition no machinal issues or body issues other than the paint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490593October 24, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had seized and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490652October 24, 2022
SEATS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the seat cushions on both the front driver’s and passenger’s seats had separated from the frame of the vehicle. Both the dealer and the manufacturer were informed of the failure; and the contact was informed that the repair would not be covered under a warranty. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The contact stated that failure had made it difficult to fasten the seat belts in the vehicle. The contact was referred to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The contact stated that they are still awaiting a response from the manufacturer and the dealer about repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490469October 23, 2022
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
For the past 5-6 months I’m have ongoing issues with my engine and excessive oil consumption. I’ve completed the three oil consumption test per 1000 miles. On the last test(3rd check), I was told I passed and nothing further was needed. Approximately 1 month after that my engine light illuminated and my car violently shook upon acceleration and while sitting idle. Was informed it was my spark plugs and electric coil… oh and a routine oil change, which I paid to have repaired at approx. $650 this was in late August/Early September. Now here we are in late October and my oil lamp is on yet again! My car does not achieve speeds no higher than 50 mph. I’ve been to the dealership 7 times since April 2022. There’s an expense with owning cars but this is ridiculous. I’m currently a few hundred miles shy of 80,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490271October 21, 2022
Other/I am not sure
Many times the base unit does not properly accept the car seat. Setting the car seat on the base will not click in and lock. After more than a dozen or so events the base refuses to accept the car seat and I have had to user other methods to fasten the car seat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490362October 21, 2022
ENGINE
I had a recall on my engine back into 2018. They replaced my engine due the engine block being defective. Check engine light came before it stalled out. Now currently the vehicle is undrivable due to the head gasket blowing out on same engine that was replaced. They're telling me there's warranty on the engine they can't fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490184October 20, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I was driving out of town and when I went to accelerate and the engine had seized, the brakes had locked up and I lost power steering which almost resulted in an accident. On the dash was showing the engine, oil, and esc light, which were not on the dash before and there was nothing wrong or weird going on with the car prior to the first incident to even indicate that something was wrong. Had to get the car towed home then realized there had been a recall on the engine. Contacted the kia manufacturer and they had towed it to a kia dealership where they replaced the engine. Waited 2 Months to get my car back, the dealership let me leave with the ABS and Eps light on the dash, and couldn't give me a reason why the lights were still on. I had it for 3 days, it drove okay and now it no longer drives nor does it start. I was stranded because the car wouldnt start again giving the same issues as before the recall repair was done, with only accessories turning on. On the dash it only shows Engine, Oil, Eps and battery light. Found the Serpentine belt already coming apart and misplaced, found strips of the belt laying in the bottom of the hood. Also had found out the entire engine block ROCKS BACK AND FORTH while car is in motion. If I had driven the car any longer the belt would have completely snapped and would most likely result in an injury or worse. With the Engine movement that is also going to cause other damages to the car and more safety hazards. I have not even known about the engine recall on this car until after everything happened and when the car was purchased no one had notified me in anyway about the recall. Now they refuse to cover towing costs back to the dealership because the "5 year warranty had expired" When this in no way is my fault. Second incident was Oct. 17th 2022.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490198October 20, 2022
ENGINE
Engine speed slowed. Engine knock noticed. Engine wouldn't remain running.Took it to mechanic. Checked NHTSA website for reals and TSBs. None found. He retrieved DTC P0014 Camshaft Position B - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1). He recommended replacing the Timing Chain, Tensioners, Guides AND the Camshaft Phasers. During this process, he discovered that the crank turned only with great difficulty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490231October 20, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was stalling despite depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that there was a fuel smell and that she repeatedly needed to refill the engine oil. Additionally, the contact stated that on three different occasions while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart, and had to be towed to her residence. The check engine and the engine oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart and the contact stated that there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer where it remained awaiting diagnosis and repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489898October 19, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
As I was driving on the Interstate, my car lost power and I was unable to push on my gas or use my brakes to slow down to pull off the interstate. Lights begin flashing with a warning that read “ Check Hybrid system. Stop vehicle and turn off engine. This is the second time this has happened but before my car shut off and didn’t turn back on. I was going to be hit by a semi truck had he not swerved around. Also, this the 5th time this week it has happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489706October 18, 2022
ENGINE
May 28,2022 car stalled no warning, car towed to service center found out engine trouble, claim denied by warranty because it was related to a Kia recall,Knock Sensor Detection System, car was towed to Kia Dealership on June 7,2022, where it was confirmed that engine seized do to the recall, had engine replaced and car returned July 9,2022, on July 10,2922 returned car to dealership for engine knocking noise, car repaired tensioner pulley and alternator m, picked car up July15,2022. On August 7,2022 car stalled while driving and smoke coming out of hood, engine was on fire and engulfed entire vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489713October 18, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when the vehicle's oil will be as low as half a tank or lower the engine would suddenly stall. The vehicle would immediately regain power and function as expected. The failure occurred at various speeds with the highest speed being 60 mph. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that there was fuel pressure pump failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact received a letter stating that the manufacturer was well aware of the failure and have also created an extended warranty, however, they did not have the remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,652.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489787October 18, 2022
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while her daughter was reversing the vehicle, the Hybrid Propulsion System message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 159,636.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489498October 17, 2022
ENGINE
While driving at highway speeds approximately (70mph), engine began knocking. Knocking sound got louder when accelerating. Suspecting a rod bearing failure, I pulled over and had the car towed to Greenway Kia in Antioch,TN. I am right waiting for them to analyze the engine. The car did not have an illuminated engine light. This engine was not recalled for a knock sensor to be installed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489507October 17, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Rearview camera does not display when vehicle is in reverse. Is this system required to comply with FMVSS 111 even if it is out of the vehicle manufacturer's warranty period?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489557October 17, 2022
ENGINE
10-17-2022 * failure is plugged coil or spark plugs due to heavy oil consumption. Vehicle is available for inspection * driving when vehicle completely stalled and would not restart while on a 4 line highway barely got off the road almost hit by other cars as the vehicle just stalled Has happened before, has heavy oil consumption have been told it is due to faulty piston rings * At this time it is at the garage for investigation of problem *No *No
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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