Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11071736February 8, 2018
ENGINE
THE CAR ENGINE DIED ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL IN HEAVY RAIN ON A VERY BUSY TWO WAY STREET WITH FOUR LANES ACROSS. WE'RE LUCKY WE WEREN'T INJURED BECAUSE OTHER CARS COMING UP BEHIND US COULDN'T SEE THAT WELL IN THE RAIN. THERE WAS NEVER ANY KNOCKING OR INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG. IT JUST DIED OUT OF THE BLUE. WE TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE. I HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REBUILT ON MY OWN DIME ($3000 PLUS TOWING ETC.) BECAUSE KIA REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD AT THAT POINT. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GIVE THEM ALL RECEIPTS SHOWING OIL CHANGES ETC. AND EVEN WHEN I BROUGHT THE RECEIPTS THEY SAID IT WASN'T ENOUGH AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. NOT TO MENTION KIA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THIS SAME ENGINE IN EARLIER MODELS AND IT'S THE SAME ENGINE (THETA II) THAT IS IN THE HUYUNDAI SONATA WHICH WAS ALSO RECALLED FOR SEIZING/SLUDGE. IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS THIS ENGINE IS FAULTY AND KIA NEEDS TO RECALL IT BUT THEY AREN'T INCLUDING THIS 2015 IN THE RECALL WITH THE 2014, 2013 AND 2012 MODELS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11071802February 8, 2018
POWER TRAIN
TAKATA RECALL - HARD DOWNSHIFT FROM 2ND TO 1ST, USUALLY AROUND THE 20MPH MARK! IT'S A SUDDEN JERK AS IF IT HAS BEEN SLAMMED INTO A A LOWER GEAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11071835February 8, 2018
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STEERED. THE DEALER (BECK & MASTEN KIA, 25503 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77377) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11067205February 6, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ANTENNA COVER CAME OFF. RUSTED AND BROKEN SCREWS. APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN MANUFACTORING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT VIA THE WEB.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066932February 5, 2018
ENGINE
THE MOTOR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING, IT LOCKED UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066998February 5, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAM HID HEADLAMP ILLUMINATION HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST YEAR, TO THE POINT AT WHICH DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON IS A HAZARD AND THE FOG LAMPS ARE NOT ONLY REQUIRED TO BE ON BUT ALSO PROVIDE NEARLY ALL OF THE FORWARD ILLUMINATION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, REPLACED THE AUTO LEVELING MODULE AND HID BULBS AND CLEANED THE REFLECTORS WITHIN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL WITHIN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY FAIL MAKING THE LOW BEAMS INEFFECTIVE AS THE LIGHT IS NOT PROJECTED DOWN THE ROAD. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE CASE, BUT SUSPECT THAT IT MAY BE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11067082February 5, 2018
STEERING
THE ISSUE WE ARE HAVING WITH OUR KIA IS THAT WHEN YOU TURN THE RIGHT 5-10 DEGREES AND THEN GO BACK TO THE LEFT TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR THERE IS A NOTCH THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO GET PAST IT. THIS IS THE SAME BULLETIN THAT IS POSTED ON CARS.COM HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/ARTICLES/2011-14-KIA-OPTIMA-STEERING-ISSUE-1420684027147/ THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS AND COVERED FOR ALL 2011-2014 KIA OPTIMAS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11067114February 5, 2018
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
WHEN THE CAR ENCOUNTERS A HILL AND NEEDS TO DOWNSHIFT, EITHER TO CLIMB OR TO HOLD BACK THE SPEED WHEN IT DESCENDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL REMEMBERS THE DOWNSHIFT AND WILL NOT RETURN TO HIGH GEAR UNTIL A) IT IS MANUALLY OVERRIDDEN, BUT WILL STILL DOWNSHIFT UP TO 2 GEARS, WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED BACK TO AUTOMATIC OR, B) WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO BELATEDLY REACTS TO LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND OVERCORRECTS WITH TOO MUCH POWER, RESULTING IN A CRUDE RIDE, AS WELL. THE WORKLOAD IS INCREASED DEALING WITH GETTING THE CAR TO ATTAIN TOP GEAR ON FLAT ROADS, AND IS CREATING UNSAFE CONDITIONS, IN MY OPINION. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET THIS ATTENDED TO AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CONTINUE TO NOT FIX THE ISSUE, AS WELL AS INFORM ME I SHOULDN'T BE USING CRUISE CONTROL ON HILLS. MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA DID NOT EXHIBIT THESE ISSUES, NOR ANY OTHER OF MY CARS WHICH HAD CRUISE CONTROL. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THESE PEOPLE WILL NOT FIX IT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAT DOES ENTER THE FOOT WELL AREA. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11067129February 5, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY KIA ALERTED ME TO A HYBRID CHARGING ISSUE BEFORE STALLING AT AN INTERSECTION AND REFUSING TO START AGAIN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER WHO DID EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC WORK. THEY DETERMINED THAT A 125 AMP FUSE HAD FAILED IN THE HYBRID SAFETY PLUG AND THE APPROPRIATE REPAIR RESPONSE WAS TO REPLACE THAT FUSE WITH A 150 AMP FUSE (PART # 375F2-4R150). I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR AND MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS IT SEEMED UNLIKELY THAT REPLACEMENT OF A FUSE WITH A LARGER FUSE WAS THE NEEDED REPAIR. I FINALLY REACHED SOMEONE AT CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO HAD DEALT WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE EXACT SAME FUSE. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ABOUT THIS. SHE STATED THAT THE FUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE TOO SMALL AND THAT KIA HAD DECIDED TO USE A LARGER FUSE TO PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM. I ASKED WHY I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND SHE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THUS MY CHARGE. IF THE WRONG FUSE WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED, IT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY RECALL OR WARRANTY. SHE WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE TSB # BUT DID STATE THAT IT IS LOCATED IN TSB-PS-515 AND I WAS WELCOME TO HAVE A KIA DEALER PRINT IT FOR ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066795February 3, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WILL NOT START OCCASIONALLY- THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERNET COMMENTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO MANY KIA OWNERS- SOME REMEDY IS TO START IT IN NEUTRAL- SHIFT GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE BACK TO PARK AND THEN TRY TO START IT- WIGGLE GIFT SHIFT ETC- DEALER CLAIMS THEY NEED TO REPRODUCE IN ORDER TO REPAIR BUT THEY ARE IGNORING THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE GETS STRANDED - I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY YET THEY REFUSE TO TRY TO REPAIR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066815February 3, 2018
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE JERKS WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT ABOUT 20 MPH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066462February 1, 2018
ENGINE
MY CAR HESITATE WHEN PULLING OUT IN THE STREET ..HAPPENS OFTEN AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT NORMAL TEMP, NOT WHEN COLD. IT STARTS OUT FOR ABOUT 3 FEET THEN THE ENGINE STALLS, DOES NOT QUIT RUNNING, JUST STALL FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS. GIVE IT GAS AND NOTHING, THEN ALL AT ONCE IT TAKES OFF. VERY DANEROUS. SOME DAYS IT PERFORMS GREAT THEN THE NEXT IT STARTS THE HESITATION AGAIN. MAKING AN APPT TO TAKE IT BACK IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED NEXT WEEK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066481February 1, 2018
AIR BAGS, SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 49 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DETACHED FROM THE HINGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE INJURIES SUSTAINED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO LET ANYONE VIEW THE VEHICLE BECAUSE AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE SENT TO PERFORM AN INSPECTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11066004January 31, 2018
STEERING
THE STEERING IS BAD. IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. WHEN IT'S WINDY MY CAR IS ALL OVER THE PLACE IT'S HARD TO STEER. I HAVE TO ALIGN IT EVERY YEAR. I TOOK IT FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 1220.50 TO CHANGE THE MDPS STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. MY STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT CENTER RIGHT. I'VE ALREADY ALMOST HAD A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE STEERING WHEN IT'S WINDY AND ALSO ON THE FREEWAY. IT'S UNSAFE AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PUT OUT FOR A NEW MDPS STEERING WHEEL COLUMN.. I LOVE MY CAR BUT IT'S UNSAFE. IT'S HAPPENS WHEN IT'S WINDY OR WHEN I DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. I SEEN ONLINE THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE RECALLED OR SOMEONE'S GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIFE IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066120January 31, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY, GOING NO FASTER THAN 70 MPH. SUDDENLY I HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE GUN SHOTS. IT WAS MY SUNROOF, IT HAD EXPLODED!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065788January 30, 2018
ENGINE
I WAS INVOLVED IN A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO BE TOTALED WHEN THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE IN MOTION ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH WITHOUT ANY SUDDEN WARNING AND MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WE HAD LESS THAN 1 MINUTE TO ESCAPE BEFORE ANOTHER DRIVER SMASHED INTO THE CAR AT 65 MPH. THE CAR STOPPED SO FAST THERE WAS NO TIME TO PULL OVER TO SAFTEY OR A SOULDER
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11065474January 28, 2018
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVING HOME AND MY ENTIRE BACK WINDOW SHATTERS OUT OF NO WHERE. LOOKS LIKE IT CRACKED AROUND THE EDGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065369January 27, 2018
STEERING
STEERING SEEMS TO GET TIGHT AS IF THE POWER IS GOING OUT. STEERING WHEEL WILL SHIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND IT MAKES FOR AN EXHAUSTING DRIVE. I DRIVE 160 MILES TO AND FROM WORK DAILY AND THIS HAS BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY DRIVE FOR ME. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS DISHEARTENING THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS AS OF YET. I FEEL AS IF SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE THE MANUFACTURER WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG HERE, WHEN YOU SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON A VEHICLE AND ARE UNABLE TO USE IT BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER FLAW. PLEASE, SOMEONE HEAR WHAT WE ARE SAYING BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065016January 26, 2018
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. LUPIENT KIA OF BROOKLYN PARK (7911 LAKELAND AVE N, BROOKLYN PARK, MN) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500. *TT *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065316January 26, 2018
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE STARTING MAKING KNOCKING NOISE AND I PULLED OVER PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD IT WAS RUNNING FINE BUT STILL MAKING THE NOISE. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN DRIVING IT TO THE SHOP THE VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL OUT AND I HAD TO PUT INTO PARK SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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