Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11016533August 21, 2017
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FROM LOOSE TO TIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, AUTO HOLD, EPS, CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA (LOCATED AT 39650 LYNDON B JOHNSON FWY DALLAS, TX 75237, 877-363-9542) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12456964 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,873.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016332August 19, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I WAS NOTIFIED BY KIA EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL BECAUSE THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. ON 6/12/17 I TOOK MY OPTIMA TO CAMELBACK KIA FOR RECALL WORK AND INSPECTION. ON 8/1/2017 AS I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON AZ SR51, MY ENGINE STALLED WHILE MOVING ABOUT 40 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I THEN PULLED OVER TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, A SHORT TIME LATER I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS TOLD BY KIA UPON THEIR INSPECTION THAT THE STARTER IS WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED DUE TO THE SEIZED ENGINE. THE VEHICLE BURNED AND IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. THIS CAUSED A 3 LANE CLOSURE ON THE FREEWAY AT 5PM AS WELL AS A CRASH DUE TO SPECTATORS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016210August 18, 2017
ENGINE
OIL FEED PIPE/TUBE TO TURBO LEAKS ON TO THE ENGINE CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE TUBE REPLACED. (CAR WAS SITTING AND NOTICED OIL LEAK AND BURNING OIL SMELL WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING STILL)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016224August 18, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HART KIA (LOCATED AT 1361 E MAIN ST SALEM, VA 24163 540-389-2364) WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12413664. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016266August 18, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN KIA DEALER IN IRVINE, CA. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE TORN DOWN TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A ROD BEARING AND THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PAN; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS FREE OF SLUDGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS THE THIRD OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO A PREVIOUS UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHICH WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016121August 18, 2017
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
SHUTTER/HESITATION UPON TAKE OFF. I SIGNED MY LEASE ON 9/29 AND WAS AT THE SERVICE DEPT FIRST OF 7 TIMES ON 10/4. AT FIRST I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD TO "LEARN THE WAY I DRIVE" THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH MY CAR. SINCE THEN THE DEALER HAS "RESET" THE TRANSMISSION, CHANGED FUEL INJECTORS, REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW HAS DONE 'SEVERAL UPDATES' (SERIOUSLY?) THIS CAR HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WHEN I ASKED THE TECH IF HE WOULD DRIVE HIS FAMILY IN THIS CAR I GOT NO RESPONSE. I HAVE ASKED ON THE LAST 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO SIMPLY REPLACE MY CAR. I AM CURRENTLY CONSULTING A LAWYER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016185August 18, 2017
POWER TRAIN, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIRST, THE TIRES WERE WORN/DRY ROT WITH ONLY 3000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SECOND, VEHICLE STALLS WHEN THERE IS ANY MOISTURE ON THE ROADWAY CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THIRD, BACK UP CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. FOURTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR UNDERBODY RUST. FIFTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGINE SEIZURE WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015902August 17, 2017
STEERING
WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND IF YOU HIT A BUMB ITS LOUDER. IF YOU BARELY TURN THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING YOU CAN HEAR IT MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMB IT INTENSIFIES THE SOUND AND AND MAKES YOU THINK SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015777August 16, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AIRPORT KIA NAPLES (3325 WESTVIEW DR, NAPLES, FL 34104) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND A RECALL REPAIR FOR THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERABLE AND DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT CALLED AIRPORT KIA NAPLES AT (239) 732-8910 AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. WHILE DRIVING BACK TO THE DEALER, THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICK UP AFTER FOUR DAYS. WHILE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED TO BLOW HEAT, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE EXHAUST, AND THE KNOCKING NOISE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED, WHICH CAUSED THE SMOKE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE AIR CONDITIONER AS A COURTESY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, OPENED AN INVESTIGATION, AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12451212. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,958.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015444August 15, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINE SEIZED UP AT 35K MILES. KIA DID NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND SAID IT WAS DUE TO MY PERSONAL MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT IF I HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO KIA EVERYTIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME JUST TO WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER RECALL COMES OUT AND I WOULD GET MY 6000 DOLLARS BACK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015432August 15, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN TURNING ON THE A/C SYSTEM I GET A REALLY STRONG MILDEW/HORRIBLE SMELL FROM THE VENTS. I BELIEVE IT RESULTS IN WATER ACCUMULATING IN IT, PROMOTING THE GROWTH OF THE MOLD, AND WHENEVER YOU TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS GET HIT WITH A BLAST OF MOLDY AIR ALSO, WHEN A/C IS OFF IT HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL AS WELL WHICH I NEED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS BECAUSE IT GETS ME DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS SAFE AND IT'S A HEALTH HAZARD. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEMS WITH KIA CARS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED TO KIA, BUT KIA HAS NOT TAKEN AN APPROACH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT CAN BE FIXED FOR $150.00, BUT I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED. I'VE MADE A COMPLAINT TO KIA MOTORS AMERICA COOPERATE, BUT HAS ADVISED THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NOT VERY HELPFUL. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015550August 15, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED AND THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DRIVER COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND PROOF OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT SENT THE PROOF, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015035August 14, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER REPAIRING THE MASS AIR FLOW HOSE,PURGE VALVE,AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET. IT DIDN'T PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT A LITTLE LONGER TO PUT MILES ON THE CAR. SO I DID.. AFTER SEVEN WEEK GOING BACK TO HAVE IT CHECK IT WAS STILL SHOWING NOT READY. THE MERCHANIC THERE COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM AND THEIR SUBJESTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AFTER PUTTING 1175 MILES ON MY CAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015068August 14, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, HEV, TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING, AND OIL CHANGE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (FRED ANDERSON KIA OF RALEIGH LOCATED AT 9209 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617; (919) 785-4500). THE DEALER RECALIBRATED THE HYBRID ELECTRIC STARTER GENERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER ALL EACH TIME WHERE THEY RECALIBRATED THE CHARGING SYSTEM. LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE ENTIRE HYBRID SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542 AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SEALED CRACK IN THE HYBRID BATTERY WHERE THE COOLANT WAS HELD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,885.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11014682August 11, 2017
ENGINE
CAR APPEARED TO STALL WHILE ON HIGHWAY. SAFELY PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. LOCAL SHOP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NEXT DAY A VERY LOUD KOCKING STARTED, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME OF THE ENGINE RECALL. WHILE MY YEAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL THEY WOULD BE REPLACING THE ENGINE ONCE I PROVIDE RECEIPTS SHOWING MY OIL CHANGES DONE OUTSIDE OF THEIR LOCATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11014773August 11, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM TO THE POINT WE HAVE QUESTIONED IF THEY WERE EVEN ON AT TIMES. HAVE REPLACE THE BULBS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS SOME LIGHT TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT BUT NOTHING STRAIGHT AHEAD INDICATING THE REFLECTORS ARE NO LONGER INTACT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11014286August 10, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
KEEP HEARING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. HE IS MORE SO WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND EARLY MORNING. HAS GONE TO THE SHOP TWICE FOR THIS ISSUES AND EACH TIME HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN PROVIDED A RECORDING OF THE SOUND. ALSO THE RADIO COMPLETE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF HAS DONE THIS 3 TIMES NOW. ONCE AGAIN HAVE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT DUPLICATE IT'S SELF. THE PASSENGER WINDOW GETS STUCK AND HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE KNOBS IN ORDER TO GET IT TO COME BACK UP. I GOT THIS CAR JULY 21. 2017. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOW TWICE. FIRST TIME FOR A WEEK. SECOND TIME 6 DAYS. STILL NO SOLUTION. WAS TOLD BY LEMON LAW TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE THEM SERVICE IT AGAIN. HAS TO BE SEEN BY DEARER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WILL HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11013874August 9, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,538. UPDATED 10/25/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED: WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, WITH BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, GETTING READY TO STOP AT STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY TO A SPEED OF 30 TO 35 MPH. I DID NOT ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I DID SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE UNCONTROLLABLY. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAD OCCURED. I DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON AUG.11,2017. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. UPDATED 10/3/18*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11013923August 9, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (UNIVERSITY KIA, 6519 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806, (256) 217-1700) TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,913.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11014031August 9, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. A BEEPING NOISE SOUNDED AND THE ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A SERIES OF UNKNOWN KIA DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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