Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11638094January 23, 2025
ENGINE
The contact’s son owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started leaking oil. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638137January 23, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is chipping heavily and apparently this is an issue with older Kia vehicles due to a primer issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638161January 23, 2025
ENGINE
I have been experiencing my engine consuming oil with my dealerships knowledge Since back in 2023. In my records it is stated that my engine has been consuming oil. I was advised to continue to put oil in it myself until the engine goes out and then it will be covered. My engine light continues to go on and off. I went to the dealership today and was told that because my engine light is not on at the moment that I should come back so they can do a proper diagnosis. I was covered under the warranty to have the engine fixed but now that is over the 10 year warranty, I have no idea how to fix this issue after the diagnosis. I really need some help because I have been putting oil in it and I’m afraid that the engine will go out with it no longer being replaced. Especially when I had the warranty to use when it was initially discovered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637667January 22, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
It was snowing and an icy day Jan. 21 in Atlanta, Georgia. I was driving on Buford Spring Connector going southbound. I was on a bridge and it was completely white and icy. I saw there was a car stopped in front of me. I tried to put on my breaks and my car would not slow down. I was getting closer to the other vehicle still trying to break. I tried to use my electronic emergency brake and it did not engage. The car did not even try to break for me which it normally does if I moving faster than a stopped car in front of me. I rear ended the person in front of me. I just wanted to let someone know as the forward collision did not work in this case and the accident could have been avoided.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637823January 22, 2025
ENGINE
On the evening of December 5, 2024 my 2012 KIA OPTIMA's engine completely seized out of no where while traveling on a very busy road where the speed limit is 50mph putting my life and other drivers that share the roads life in danger. Thank god I was able to succesfully merge over into a safe place as the car came to a hault. Previous to this incident the car was running perfectly fine with no dash lights on what so ever. Once I was in a safe place I called KIA headquarters immediatly, I was told that I have to pay to have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership and that I would be reinbursed depending on the issue of the vehicle after being diagnosed. The very next morning I called KIA corporate to open a case for the vehicle, in which i was told that my specific year, make and models engine was under a lifetime warranty. I then recieved a call from the dealership Decmember 6, 2024 and i was told my optima would be diagnosed and if the issue is due to the KIA engine class settlement that the engine would be replaced free of charge and if it is not then I would have to pay $380 to have the engine repaired under the lifetime warrantly & that the car could not be looked at until December 16, 2024. Once December 16, 2024 came around I recieved a call from the KIA dealership and I was told that my vehicle could not be diagnosed due to the time frame in which i bought the vehicle and that I needed to have my car moved from their lot or I would get charged $80 a day storage fee so I had to have my vehicle towed back to my home where it is currently just sitting. To this day (January 22, 2024 I am still dealing with trying to communicate with KIA CORPORATE AMERICA to have this matter resolved for I am very aware of the engine recall issue for my specific year make and model. My vehicle has yet to be inspected and the only time the warning lamps came on was once the engine completely seized, all of the dash lights popped on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637334January 21, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's son owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his son was driving 50-60 MPH, the engine started overheating. The driver pulled to the side of the road and added coolant to the vehicle. The driver then drove to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start the following day. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and drove to a nearby independent mechanic, where the engine started to overheat. The mechanic provided an unknown diagnosis and referred the contact to the dealer for an Extended Warranty repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket and damaged water pump. The dealer informed the contact the vehicle could not be covered under the Extended Warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637108January 20, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My engine burns oil very bad. Black smoke comes out of my tailpipe and I burn through 5 quarts in less than a thousand miles. I just got my oil changed two weeks again and I just had to add more oil to my car bc it was empty. I’ve had to replace the spark plugs twice due to soot build up. I can’t afford a new car I’m 17 and can barely afford the maintenance let alone a whole new engine. Have spoken to many mechanics and they all say the same thing “it’s a Kia it’s gonna burn oil” ITS A KNOWN ISSUE. And yet Kia will not resolve it bc they don’t want to spend their own money to fix their mistake. I got an estimate for a new engine which is basically crucial and it’s over three grand. No matter where I take it everyone always says the same thing- to get rid of it before it’s too late. But I simply cannot afford to do that and I know my car is not the only one with this issue so many other people with the same car/engine have the same issue. 2.4 L GDI !!!!! I wish someone would have warned me before buying Kia. A recall to fix this issue is needed now. I lose control of the speed sometimes. I will keep my foot at a set position on the throttle and the engine will take off because it’s jumping to the usual power it should have. ( it has reduced power most of the time bc of the struggling engine) sometimes on the highway I’ll get a sudden burst of power and I have to let off the accelerator. Not safe at all
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636977January 19, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to file a complaint regarding a 2015 Kia Optima I purchased from Synergy Auto Deals LLC (formerly located at 1001 S State Road 7 Hollywood, FL 33023). The dealership failed to disclose a critical open safety recall on the vehicle at the time of sale, which I believe violates consumer safety standards and puts me at significant risk. Details of the Complaint 1. Undisclosed Safety Recall: • The vehicle has an open safety recall that was never disclosed during the purchase process. I only became aware of the recall after the sale, which has caused significant inconvenience and concern about my safety. 2. Dealer Misrepresentation: • In addition to failing to disclose the safety recall, the dealership misrepresented other aspects of the sale, including the price and fees, and employed deceptive practices during the loan approval process. 3. Expenses Incurred: • As a result of these issues, I have incurred additional costs, including: • Gas mileage to address the recall issue • New tires • Monthly payments for a vehicle that was sold under false pretenses • Insurance payments • Costs for repairs related to the recall Vehicle Information • Year: 2015 • Make: Kia • Model: Optima Desired Resolution I am requesting the NHTSA to: • Investigate this dealership’s practices, particularly regarding the failure to disclose safety recalls. • Assess whether this case is part of a broader pattern that may require additional enforcement actions. • Provide guidance on any potential remedies or reimbursements available for these safety-related violations. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636682January 18, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased a 2013 Kia Optima EX from an on-line auction [XXX] in Memphis, Tn. After the car was delivered I noticed the vehicle engine had a slight engine knock. When I attempted to test drive the vehicle the engine knock grew louder, and the vehicle shut down in the middle of the road. I was fortunate enough to get the vehicle back to my residence where I was able inspect the engine, and noticed "Metal Dust" on the oil dipstick. Service records showed the vehicle had been serviced at the correct intervals, and the oil had been professionally been changed at correct intervals, and the vehicle appear to be in excellent condition. After doing some research I notice Kia had a recall for the "Theta Engine 2" for a rod bearing recall that was causing engine failure prematurely. I contacted Kia customer services on 11-20-24. I was told the vehicle was in fact under the "rod bearing" recall and it had a lifetime warranty on it. I was instructed to contact a Kia dealership to have the vehicle serviced for possible engine replacement due to rod bearing failure. I contacted Serra Kia of Jackson, TN, and inform them of my conversation with Kia's customer services, and I was told they were pretty sure the engine would have to be replaced, and to have the vehicle towed to their dealership to perform the services. I had the vehicle towed to Serra Kia on 12-2-24. I sent an email to the service department on 1-16-25 for an update on my vehicle. On 1-16-25 I received an email from the dealership's service department stating a case was opened with Kia Tech, and they declined approval of an engine because I bought it from an auction. The dealership did offer to replace the engine for $6003.71 for parts and labor. I contacted Kia customer services on 1-18-25 and they said they wouldn't approve replacing the engine even though it's under recall because I bought the vehicle at an auction. I'm filing this complaint because Kia is refusing to do an active safety recall for my vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636731January 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
It burns oil constantly. I constantly have to get new filters put on because they become black very quickly same with the oil itself. The engine has a tic and I know other people with optima’s that have the same problem. I burn through 4 quarts in two weeks- less than 600 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636456January 17, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The issue concerns the rear center seatbelt used to secure infants and small children. The seat's "racketing" restraint did not disengage when the belt was unbuckled. My child became trapped and I had to cut the seat belt with scissors to get him out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636048January 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is serious peeling/delamination of the paint off of my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636136January 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Manufacturer paint defect. Kia refusing to pay full (or even 1/2) of repairs on pearl white 2014 Kia Optima.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636179January 15, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Was driving home and the brake light came on and dash said to pull over brakes started to grind as I pressed on them took it in and couldn’t find the problem looked online and a lot of people with my car are having the same problem read that there was a recall for the brake module 21V331000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635841January 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light eventually became illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved a fault code for the engine variable valve timing solenoid. The contact was informed that the engine variable valve timing solenoid needed to be replaced. The contact called a dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635862January 14, 2025
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the defroster, the defroster failed to active to defrost the windshield. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the heated steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side heated seats were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635964January 14, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Driving down the road trying to accelerate. My rpm's wouldn't go over 2000. The engine started fluttering and the accelerator stopped working. Went to take to local repair shop and they stated it was an issue with the engine. problem listed after a scan: OBD P1326 Recall NUMBER: PI1802W/X (Rev 2, 01/28/2019) With this stated. My vehicle under the same Year, Model, Engine, and Production Date are all calling for a recall but my VIN doesn't have a recall. So I am wanting to enquire why my vehicle doesn't have this recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635288January 10, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled a burning odor permeating throughout the interior of the vehicle, prompting him to discontinue driving the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle, the contact observed what appeared to be a hydraulic fluid leak underneath the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635367January 10, 2025
STEERING
I took my 2013 into the Kia dealer on 1/19/21 to checkout an issue with the steering wheel it felt as though when you went to turn the wheel the steering of the tires took a while to catch up. The service advisor wrote it up to replace the power steering coupler and it was repaired. The mileage at that time was 28,300. It is now April of 2022 I went back to the dealer for other work and told the service advisor that the same issue was happening again with steering. She informed me the the dealership only had to repair it once. The issue that I am having is this has been a problem 2011 to at least 2022 they sold the car with a faulty part and have been doing the repair with the same faulty. My mileage now on the car is 38,800. When this issue represented again in 2022 the mileage was approximately 34,500 That’s just over 6,000 miles. The repair is around $500.00. So if I repair now at that cost of $500.00 and the repair only last 6,000 miles I will be repairing it at 44,000 miles. I feel that they should repair the faulty part because it is no less a safety issue now as it was originally. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635121January 9, 2025
ENGINE
The engine is burning through oil. I have already had the car checked for an oil leak. It is the engine. It's a 2020 however it does not have high mileage for the year that it is.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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