Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10559087January 8, 2014
POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
MY WIFE NOTICED THE CAR PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND CALLED HER BROTHER. HE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THAT EVENING 12/30/2013. HE DROVE THE CAR PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE -- NEITHER FORWARD NOR REVERSE. HE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND THE FRONT AXLE DROPPED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS TOWED AND THE GARAGE NOTIFIED US THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME HAD CORRODED. ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS NHTSA RECALLED KIA OPTIMA (2001-2004 MODEL YEARS) ON MAY 27, 2009. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/31/13 WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE. THE KMC WAS CONTACTED ON 1/2/14. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS BASED ON "SALT USAGE OF 20 STATES AND DC." THIS INTERPRETATION OF THE NHTSA RECALL ID # 84125 NEEDS DIRECT CLARIFICATION FROM THE NHTSA. THE ORIGINAL RECALL LETTER STATES: "KMC IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2001 - 2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY "SOLD IN OR" CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF (20 + THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA)." SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN INDIANA MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE INITIAL RECALL. REGARDLESS, THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD WARRANT A NOTIFICATION TO ALL OWNERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS MECHANICAL ISSUE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THIS COMPLAINT IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH ODI# 10558172. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559096January 8, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE SUB FRAM WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION) HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S PURCHASE. THE REMEDY INCLUDED AN INSPECTION OF THE SUB FRAME, DRILLING HOLES INTO THE SUB FRAME AND APPLYING A SEALANT COATING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT PREVENT THE DEFECT FROM OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,603.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558172January 2, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO COMPLETE A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLE HAD BECOME SEPARATED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF THIS COMPLAINT IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH ODI#10559087 UPDATED 03/18/2014 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558260January 2, 2014
STEERING, SUSPENSION
RECENTLY I LEASED A KIA OPTIMA SX, AFTER 1 WEEK NOTICED THE STEERING WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN LANE WHILE STEERING WHEEL KEPT STRAIGHT AT CENTER POSITION. WHEN CORRECTING "DRIFT" STEERING OVER COMPENSATES FOR CORRECTION AND SWAYS VEHICLE OTHER WAY. HAVE HAD CAR IN FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES IN 2600 MILES FOR THIS ISSUE. FIRST TIME THEY RESET ALIGNMENT, THE 2ND SERVICE DEPT. SAYS EVERYTHING IS WITHIN KIA SPECS AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. CAR STILL "DRIFTS"WHILE ON ROAD MOST NOTICEABLY ABOVE 50-60 MPH WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY, WHILE SOMEWHAT PRESENT CAR ACTS MORE NORMALLY ON STREET SPEEDS UNDER 45 MPH. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC STEERING AND THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING TO TRACK STRAIGHT. REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN AN OTHERWISE VERY NICE VEHICLE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE PERFORM AS IT SHOULD AND TRACK PROPERLY WHILE BEING OPERATED. I FEEL THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON SNOW AS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO WANT TO TRAVEL INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557506December 27, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY
MOONROOF ON OUR 2011 KIA OPTIMA EX MODEL EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH DECEMBER 25TH 2013 - EVENING. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 36 DEGREES F AT THE TIME. INCIDENT ALSO CAUSED BODY AND PAINT DAMAGE TO OUR TRUNK AS WELL AS PEPPERED VEHICLES BEHIND US WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS. UPON REVIEWING MULTIPLE FORUMS ON LINE IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT FOR KIA/HYUNDAI AS I LEARNED MULTIPLE MODELS MADE BY THIS DUO HAVE ALSO SUFFERED SIMILAR SCENARIO'S. I'M SURE NHTSA IS QUITE AWARE THAT THE HYUNDAI VELOSETER HAS RECALLED SEVERAL THOUSAND VEHICLES MFG. FOR THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE AND WE'RE COINCIDENTALLY MADE DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME OUR VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557278December 26, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. SHE WAS FORCED TO CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LOCKS; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK AND IGNITION WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE IGNITION AND TRUNK LOCK WAS REPLACED. ALSO, THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK SENSOR AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, WHEN SHE MADE TURNS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557299December 26, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556790December 20, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE VEHICLE SWAYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556193December 16, 2013
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
KEYLESS ENTRY ON DRIVERSIDE ONLY LOCKED ME IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. LOCK WILL ONLY OPEN 1/2 OF THE WAY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I CAN NOT GET AN INSPECTION. THEY SAY THE SYSTEM IS UNSTABLE. TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555972December 13, 2013
STEERING
WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH THE CARS STEERING WHEEL STICKS AT CENTER. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE CAR WONDERS DRASTICALLY ON THE ROAD - TO CORRECT YOU TRY TO STEER THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT WITH THE STICKING IN THE CENTER YOUR CORRECTIONS CAUSE DRASTIC "BACK AND FORTH". HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 3 TIMES. ALL I AM TOLD IS IT IS THE ALIGNMENT. NOTHING IS FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555839December 12, 2013
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
ON 11/3, MY WIFE WAS IN ACCIDENT IN OUR OPTIMA, WHEREIN SHE WAS T-BONED. SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER DROVE THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND, PRESUMABLY, ACCELERATED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER SIDE OF OUR CAR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND WE'RE CONVINCED THAT ONE SHOULD HAVE. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE BODY SHOP, THEY TELL ME THAT "THE SENSORS ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS HIT JUST THE RIGHT WAY." LIKEWISE, KIA RESPONDED THAT, "IT'S OUR OPINION (BASED ON A PHOTOGRAPH I PROVIDED) THAT THE LOCATION OF THE IMPACT AND ITS FORCE WOULDN'T HAVE TRIGGERED THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS." IN RESPONSE TO THAT, I ASKED, "CLEARLY, YOU KNOW WHAT DOESN'T CONSTITUTE THE DEPLOYMENT, BUT WHAT CRITERIA WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY." EVERY TIME I ASK, THEY SAY THERE IS NO HARD-AND-FAST ANSWER. I'VE ALSO ASKED IF IT MAKES SENSE FOR KIA TO SEE THE VEHICLE OR ASK THE BODY SHOP FOR THE RESULTS OF THEIR SENSOR-TESTING BEFORE MAKING AN OPINION. TO THAT, THE KIA REP SAID, "NO, WE WOULDN'T DO THAT. OUR AIRBAG-SPECIALIST'S OPINION IS CONCLUSIVE." *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10555557December 11, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555684December 11, 2013
SEATS
FRONT DRIVER SEAT FEELS LIKE IT ROTATES/SLIDES UPPER RT CORNER ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE SIDE. THEN LOWER LT SIDE ABOUT THE SAME 3 INCHES FROM SIDE. 3 MONTHS FIGHTING KIA FOR WHAT I THINK IS A SAFETY REPAIR. STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I TEST DROVE ANOTHER HYBRID 5K LESS MILES, THAT DID NOT HAVE THE ISSUE. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THERE IS A DEAD ZONE THAT IS RANDOM TO REPRODUCE FOR THE DEALER IS TOUGH. IT OCCURS WHEN STOPPED, HIGHWAY SPEED, ETC. WHERE YOU PRESS THE PETAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS. THEN YOU HAVE FULL POWER BY THEN IT IS TOO LATE. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THIS CAN OCCUR IT PLACE YOU IN A TOUGH DRIVING SPOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555247December 8, 2013
POWER TRAIN
HARD JERK WHEN DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR AT 20-22 MPH. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON WET, ICY OR SNOW COVERED ROADS. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, HE SAID HE HAD NOT HEARD OF IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554972December 5, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH OUR 2010 KIA OPTIMA, WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. THE TPMS, (!) AND THE AIRBAG "OFF/ON" LIGHTS ALL GO OFF AND ON CONTINUALLY. THEY WILL BE ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN GO OFF AND STAY OFF FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE BRAKES ALSO JERK OUR CAR VERY ROUGHLY FORWARD WHEN WE ARE BRAKING. EVEN IF WE ARE GOING 5 MPH, WE PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THEN THE CAR GIVES A BIG JERK BEFORE IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554287December 1, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553976November 27, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION
WE HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH A 2002 KIA OPTIMA, INCLUDING TIRE WEAR, BRAKE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, EXCESSIVE BATTERY WEAR. THIS WEEK WE WERE NOTIFIED BY OUR AUTO SHOP THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE SUBFRAME AND THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS CONDITION. WHEN I CONTACTED BOTH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND KIA CORPORATE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES THAT IT DOES MEET THE PARAMETERS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND BEEN GIVEN THE SAME INFORMATION. CURRENTLY, WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AND ENORMOUS PERSONAL EXPENSE TO RESOLVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553989November 27, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REMAINING DOORS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554028November 27, 2013
ENGINE
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE CAR HESITATED AND STOPPED UNTIL IT APPEARED TO SHIFT FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS POWER. I THOUGHT AT THE TIME THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A FREAK THING BUT THIS HESITATION HAS RECURRED A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553946November 26, 2013
STEERING
2013 KIA OPTIMA. HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE STEERING, HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND FIGHTING THIS PROBLEM IS REALLY GETTING STRESSFUL. I WOULD SUGGEST KIA LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE A MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO A FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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