Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11480213August 19, 2022
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there were knocking sounds before the engine suffered a failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over safely and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit software not being updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480002August 18, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise was coming from the engine. The vehicle then lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480015August 18, 2022
ENGINE
Driving our car om a road trip on a busy canyon highway ,check engine started blinking and car died. Was able to get off on the shoulder and contact a tow. Towed to local mechanic, engine was blown. Towed it to local KIA Dealership. Dealership had our car almost 4 months. KIA approved engine, it was finally replaced. Got car back and the next day check engine light came on and car shut down again. Towed to KIA dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479941August 18, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, AIR BAGS
I BEEN REPORTED THE RECALL ABOUT MY CAR ENGINE AND OTHER PROBLEMS THATS GOING ON WITH IT BUT THE MANUFACTURER WON’T FIX IT SO WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HAVE ALL THESE RECALLS FIXED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479707August 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Brake Failure, Having to pump brakes in order to stop vehicle, driver rear tail light burning, causing short in wiring
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479547August 16, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle entered limp mode as several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was informed that his vehicle was under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine), which they linked to his failure. Despite the recall repair, the failure occurred on two additional occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an additional software update was performed; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479674August 16, 2022
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
For one my car is very sluggish when taking off and shifting gears Jerks badly. MY electrical is messing up on my radio and camera. Sometimes I smell rubber burning. When I have my cruise on it will speed up on its on and jerk when it does and when i press my brakesbto slow down it doesn'twant to slow down unless iash really hard. When taking off from a hill or a dead stop it doesn't want to shift and slags and rattles when it shifts. Bluetooth works sometimes and sometimes it doest it depends on when my backup camera works or not. I bought this car used in June of 2021 with a little over 92000 miles. I know when something doesn't sound right and when something is messed up, there is something wrong with my car. So far I haven't been in an accident but I don't want to be either.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479279August 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
As soon as I pulled onto the parkway, I heard a loud bang almost like a gunshot. Pulled over to inspect the vehicle and my sunroof had exploded. No rocks or foreign objects. The sunroof looked as if it blew up from the inside out forming almost a “volcano” shape. After trying for an hour to get ahold of Kia, they inform me this won’t be covered under warranty. Filed a claim with insurance. This is very dangerous and if my visor was opened, I could have been cut to pieces. This could easily cause a wreck and danger myself and others
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479359August 15, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On July 27, 2022 the oil light on my 2016 KIA Optima came on intermittently. I called the dealership and they told me to have it towed in. So I had it towed to the KIA dealer. The car had only 37,075 miles on it that day. It was not due for an oil change until 39,647! After they had it for a week they told me that it was burning oil. To fix the problem I would have to get a new engine installed! They told me that this was not covered by KIA or my Extended Warranty. They added oil -- that was it. Their recommendation was that I should put oil in it more frequently. So the oil light went off. I read that when cars burn oil inappropriately the residue can affect the engine and other parts. Putting more oil in doesn't solve the problem of excessive oil burning! I am afraid to drive it now. I've read that some vehicles with this problem stop right in the middle of the road. That is dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479201August 14, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The skid plate under the vehicle has two pieces. The main larger piece and a small piece that comes off to change the oil. The screws used to hold up the smaller part of the skid plate tend to puncture the oil pan because one of the screws holding the skid plate is directly underneath the oil pan. If people are unaware of the oil being gone it can seize the motor and stall the vehicle. After researching and looking at different forums, this is a common issue that takes place.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478971August 12, 2022
ENGINE
The contact's son owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his son was driving approximately at 50 MPH and accelerating to highway speed, the vehicle shuddered, jerked and finally stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's son veered to the side of the road. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and drove to his residence. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal loud knocking sound coming from the engine. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was experiencing bearing wear that could damage the engine and could cause the engine replacement. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479008August 12, 2022
ENGINE
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that her daughter inserted the key in the ignition and attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479046August 12, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact's boyfriend had retrieved an error code on the vehicle for engine failure. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 88,524.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478723August 11, 2022
ENGINE
After the rod bearing engine replacement was preformed. My engine light came on a few days after picking it up from dealer. I immediately reported it to the dealer that I need to bring it in mainly for smog check, and no response. 2 weeks later I told them about it again. No response. 3 weeks later began a fuel smell and I immediately reported that as the smell got stronger. No response. 3 days later the fuel smell was really bad and I was really worried about a fire. This time I called general manager and he never provided any advice or return call. 3 hours later the engine caught on fire. Car is totaled and I could of been seriously injured. I sent pictures and thanked them for their negligence. He finally gave me a phone number for consumer affairs. showed no remorse and claimed that the new engine they just put in has no warranty and they are not responsible. If they would of directed me to bring back in. Or bring it somewhere. Or tell me not to drive it. But completely ignored me. And had the nerve to let me know that was their 4th fire this week. Kia management needs to step it up. I was denied a loaner or rental. And they will try to get back to me by Friday. You must put a stop to this behavior asap!
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11478830August 11, 2022
ENGINE
While driving at 65 mph check engine light turned on and I lost all power. Very dangerous. This is the second time this has happened and the second time I have reported this emergency situation has occurred. The last time this happened in 2019, Kia replaced engine then wiring harness. Your assistance is needed to prevent this doesn’t happen to other drivers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478880August 11, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with an unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally overheated while the coolant level was full. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to a faulty low-pressure fuel pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478893August 11, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have paint issues my paint. It’s actually peeling off my car it has been for a few years already, Kia refuses to do anything about it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478589August 10, 2022
ENGINE
We're experience excessive oil burning. The oil is not leaking. Internet searches have led me to many others complaining of the same issue. The engine is at risk of seizing. This can cause accidents if it happens on the road and expensive damage to the engine. We get the low oil indicator lamp and we check the oil levels, it's a good quart or so low. I don't believe we're even getting 1000 miles before the lamp comes on again. We do have the dipstick to tell us it's low. We have not yet had it to a shop for futher investigation to see if a sensor is involved or not, but our mechanics have said burning oil is a common issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478392August 9, 2022
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving down the interstate for my work commute apx 70 mph when HEV warning light engaged and vehicle went into limp mode. Had vehicle towed to dealership after running several tests determined the engine was knocking and needed replaced. After 2 months reman engine placed in vehicle. Vehicle function apx 6 months when the exact same problem occured on the highway traveling apx 60 mph. Vehicle is still in dealership. Thankfully, both times I was able to coast to the shoulder and avoid a collision. There is something wrong with these vehicles that need to be fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478414August 9, 2022
ENGINE
As the car was running on the intersection, all the emergency lights came on from the vehicle. The car completely stopped but I was able to move it to a safe space. When I attempted to turn on the car again smoke came out of the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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