Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11721839March 3, 2026
ENGINE
Engine oil light doesn’t work. Oil light flashed a couple of times in separate instances. Checking oil dip stick which smells like burning oil and dip stick hardly showed any oil left.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721494March 2, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled but restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: PI2002 / PI2002A. The contact discovered there was an issue with the damage to the connecting rod bearing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the battery needed to be replaced. There was an abnormal sound when the vehicle was started. The contact stated that there were metal shavings in the oil and the control valve. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where a broken valve and lifter were found, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be disassembled. The dealer stated that there were metal shavings in the oil and the control valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no repair under recall for the failure. Additionally, the manufacturer requested the oil change records. The failure mileage was approximately 200,776.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721582March 2, 2026
ENGINE
On Friday, February 27, 2026. This vehicle is being driven and vehicle seized and disabled on the road. In the middle of rush hour, traffic in a dangerous spot, local police had to be called out to assist, as no location was identified for a tow truck to be able to pick it up... The police had to dispatch their own tow service. After being towed from location where a car was disabled, mechanic looked at vehicle identifying there was no oil in the car. However on, September 9, 2025 an oil change was performed on the vehicle at 139,969 the car seized at 143,369.. That is approximately 3,399 miles driven from the time of the oil change up until the time it seized... There was no indicator lights that ever identified that an oil change was needed or low on oil on the vehicle prior to the car disabling..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721209February 28, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
When the brake pedal is pressed on the brakes will grab. It snatches the car kinda hard. Also when you give the car gas it will hesitate and will not accelerate. Another with the gas is that you can be driving at a higher speed such as 45 to 55 or so and you press down the gas pedal like your going into passing gear and it will not accelerate it’s like it’s trying to stop. Feels like the car is gonna fall on down onto itself and it loses power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720904February 27, 2026
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
As in May 2025 , I purchased 2013 Kia Optima LX sedan with airbag already deployed before bought it. And in June 2025 I took my car to nearest Kia dealership , I found out that I had recalls over other things as well. I made Kia dealership to look at the airbag and do inspection on it. None of Kia employees did not informed me about the airbag, CARFAX information about previous incident to this car before I purchased.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720852February 27, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown but We were driving home from friant in motion when the car died and started smoking, no indication light were on before until after the incident all warning lights were on dash. Our lives were put at risk due to this. We were not able to control steering wheel or to get out of the way of traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11720784February 26, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a full stop, the red oil warning light illuminated; however, after driving off, the warning light disappeared. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with an oil pump failure caused by low oil pressure while the vehicle was stationary, and the RPM was low. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720091February 24, 2026
ENGINE
The vehicle started making a loud knocking/tapping noise while driving. The vehicle has randomly acted as if it was going to stall while driving prior to the knocking. Instantly the car was brought home and parked. A mechanic has assessed the vehicle and states the noise we are hearing is the rods. We also contacted another mechanic and they advised us to look up the VIN due to a recall for 2015 Kia optima’s and the failure of this exact issue but we learned it was only for hybrid models even though this model has had the same exact issues as that model. I then see there have already been complaints made for my same issue and model yet no recall campaign has been initiated. I am fearful to drive or try to sell this vehicle because what if someone else drives it and it does stall again during driving and injury or death occurs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720206February 24, 2026
ENGINE
While driving down the highway, my engine completely turned off. I was able to get to a safe location. When I tried turning the car back on, it would not turn back on. I took it to Kia, and they said I was covered under warranty due to their settlement. However, due to the salvage title of the car, they will not replace the engine, even though that is what their recall settlement covers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719883February 23, 2026
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the air bag deployed unexpectedly. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the proper department. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719898February 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Nothing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719695February 22, 2026
ENGINE
Engine failure while driving on freeway. Almost hit by semi truck. Towed to Dealership. Engine check light flashing complete loss of power. Kia refusing engine replacement under settlement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719754February 22, 2026
ENGINE
Engine seized and won’t turn at all
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719661February 21, 2026
ENGINE
engine light start blinking out of no where and speed started to reduce while on the highway. my fix finder gave me code P1326
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719465February 20, 2026
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the contact became aware of black smoke coming from the floorboard with a burning plastic odor, and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact called her husband and was informed to exit the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and seconds later the vehicle exploded. The front of the vehicle blew up onto the windshield and the steering wheel detached and struck the driver’s side seat. The fire was extinguished by the Fulton County Fire Department. A Fire Report and Police Report were filed; however, the reports were not yet provided to the vehicle owner. The contact experienced severe emotional distress. The contact stated due to the emotional distress of the fire, she suffered a miscarriage from the stress and had scratches from having to jump out of the window. There was no medical assistance sought. Several personal items inside the vehicle were also lost due to the fire and additionally, the contact lost employment due to the fire. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the vehicle had not been repaired prior to the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard then to a Kia dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,876.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#11718777February 18, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine was knocking at startup. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and the VIN was included in the recall; however, the manufacturer declined to honor the recall because the original owner of the vehicle had failed to respond to the recall notification. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had declined to honor the recall due to the previous owner not having the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 189,369.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718486February 17, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the highway and contacted the Highway Patrol for assistance. The contact associated NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE); with the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718562February 17, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint is peeling off all over my car. I see this is a known issue with the white paint and nothing is being done about it. I have touched up a few spots but it is only getting worse
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718631February 17, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the knock sensor needed to be installed prior to the failure for the engine replacement to be covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717968February 14, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES
•I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car coming from work and at the time. If I was in the car any longer than 5 more minutes it possibly could’ve been catastrophic. • All I know as of right now is that 5 days ago, it was escalated and I received a case number and a case manager 3 days ago. •The car has not been inspected •not that I’ve noticed, the engine light was on a week before the accident occurred, after getting off of work and the car system said to check my breaks. I had someone take me home since my car was undrivable. And the next morning I was going to have it towed but everything was working properly. The engine light was gone.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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