Kia Optima Complaints (2011)

628 consumer complaints on file.

#11508115February 19, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights fail to light up safely and can cause serious injuries or even death. You are unable to see 10 foot in front of the car on deem and bright lights you can only see 15 feet at the max.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500679January 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
After driving the car over 15 miles, the Check Brake Light comes on, activating my emergency brake, slowing the car down and preventing me to accelerate. This happens on the freeway, where traffic is fast and my decelerating car puts me and those around me at risk of collision. Once it occurs the first time, it happens again a few minutes later. I have to frequently veer off the side of the freeway, turn off the car, and then turn it on again for the Check brake light to go away and for me to travel once more. This has been a problem for a couple of years with me trying to get the issue repaired, and documented in my visits. Kia and other service operatives have repeatedly not been able to replicate the error in their care, however they never drive it long enough for it to occur. I’ve spent a lot of money now trying to fix this problem and have videos and photos of it occurring. The last time it was inspected they only drove it 6 miles and said there were a lot of little codes going off but weren’t again able to replicate the problem I had been describing. It first appeared 2 years ago and I can feel it start to come on when I’m not able to accelerate my car any further like there is an added resistance. This then amounts to the check brakes display to appear with the emergency brake icon always accompanying it. It makes a scraping, gargled sounds and slows down the car. Overall it has affected the overall drive of the car and braking system as it is growing harder to stop the car when driving. The brakes have been repeatedly checked as well as the fluid and it’s normal, so it should be braking normally. This car has had other issues in the past that have been fixed but this has continued and has been a growing issue that is not being resolved. I’ve googled this issue with others expressing the same issue without ANY viable solution from Kia so I know I’m not alone in this. It’s not safe to drive. Also I tried uploading the videos but it only allowed the pictures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500620January 7, 2023
ENGINE
Blinking check engine light at 113000 miles on the car cuzs stalling while driving was worried about an engine fire I did read about on same model.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498188December 20, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while reversing, the contact heard a popping sound, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an impendent mechanic, and he reinstalled the inner shaft. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497844December 17, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
As I would drive the vehicle a rattling noise would occur when every time I accelerate from stopping at a traffic light. Then the engine light appeared on the dash board. When I went to have the engine light checked the results came back about an oil gasket. I then got an oil change soon after. The rattling noise and the same acceleration problem still occurred. Soon after it gotten worst to the point couldn’t go faster then 10 mph and then the car kept shutting off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497175December 13, 2022
ENGINE
Engine shakes and engine light flashes
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496324December 6, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving our 2011 Kia Optima on I-185 at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly had unresponsive accelerator and had decrease in power. Gauges were all normal range, no warning or indicator lights illuminated. I pulled over to the highway shoulder to clear traffic and placed car in park. Immediately light gray, then black smoke poured out from the hood. My wife and I evacuated the Kia just before the front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The engine had been replaced in Sept 2021 due to a previous recall, and up to this incident the Kia performed within normal parameters.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493818November 16, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO DRIVE IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH ENDANGERS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA OPTIMA DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490184October 20, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I was driving out of town and when I went to accelerate and the engine had seized, the brakes had locked up and I lost power steering which almost resulted in an accident. On the dash was showing the engine, oil, and esc light, which were not on the dash before and there was nothing wrong or weird going on with the car prior to the first incident to even indicate that something was wrong. Had to get the car towed home then realized there had been a recall on the engine. Contacted the kia manufacturer and they had towed it to a kia dealership where they replaced the engine. Waited 2 Months to get my car back, the dealership let me leave with the ABS and Eps light on the dash, and couldn't give me a reason why the lights were still on. I had it for 3 days, it drove okay and now it no longer drives nor does it start. I was stranded because the car wouldnt start again giving the same issues as before the recall repair was done, with only accessories turning on. On the dash it only shows Engine, Oil, Eps and battery light. Found the Serpentine belt already coming apart and misplaced, found strips of the belt laying in the bottom of the hood. Also had found out the entire engine block ROCKS BACK AND FORTH while car is in motion. If I had driven the car any longer the belt would have completely snapped and would most likely result in an injury or worse. With the Engine movement that is also going to cause other damages to the car and more safety hazards. I have not even known about the engine recall on this car until after everything happened and when the car was purchased no one had notified me in anyway about the recall. Now they refuse to cover towing costs back to the dealership because the "5 year warranty had expired" When this in no way is my fault. Second incident was Oct. 17th 2022.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472518July 6, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was consistently topping off the engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was no smoke or abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472244July 3, 2022
ENGINE
My 2011 Kia Optimas engine light started flashing and the car lost all power and had no RPMS over 1000-2000. I took it to the dealership where I was told it had a code P1326 and they replaced a knock sensor. The same day that I picked my car up from them I was going down the interstate and it shut completely off and wouldn’t crank. I had it towed back to the dealership where they said I would most likely need a new engine. A few days later they call and say the engine won’t be covered under the recall because of some hose they claim was leaking for the cooling system. They said it now had a blown head gasket which I’m not sure how because it never ran hot. This is absolutely ridiculous for customers to deal with so many delays and problems just to get the repairs on their vehicle that Kia has agreed to make. If my vehicle needed a knock sensor then obviously the damage to the motor is because of faulty manufacturing of parts and I shouldn’t have to pay for a new motor!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465776May 23, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is delaminating and peeling in the section just above the windshield. This started in 2019 and has steadily getting worse. My car color is "Snow White Pearl". I have attached pictures. I had assumed that this was due to the age of the car until I started looking for solutions to fix it and keep it from getting worse. I have found that this is apparently an issue with the paint and is not due to age as there are hundreds of testimonials of other KIA owners with the exact same issue, especially owners with the "Snow White Pearl" paint color.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459914April 6, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the steering wheel seized. After the steering wheel was released, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had previously had the steering column and steering rack replaced at the dealer; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458875March 29, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The contact was then informed that the VIN was also included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that there was bearing wear and the vehicle would remain at their location for two months for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452140February 15, 2022
ENGINE
[XXX] While driving my vehicle it looses power and becomes inoperable at any time and any speed. The brake, engine and oil lights come on simultaneously and there is no longer power to the gas pedal. The vehicle then has to coast to safety off of the road. This is extremely hazardous and could potentially cause an accident. When applying the brakes during this time it makes a grinding sound as if the emergency brake has been engaged. My vehicle has been to the dealership and numerous of time but they say it’s not a problem. 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
#11451563February 11, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact’s daughter stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would produce a clicking noise and shaking coming from the steering column. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the flex coupler replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 252,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449293January 28, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with metal shavings in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444511December 20, 2021
ENGINE
I as driving on the highway and all of a sudden the car would not accelerate. The engine light, oil light, air bag lights etc. all turned on. The speed quickly dropped but I was able to to move into the safety lane. The card finally stalled and would would not start. I tried turning it back on, but the engine would not crank. The lights, radio, AC would still turn on, but the engine would not start. I have maintained it's scheduled maintenance and I was under miles until it's next oil change considering I had just changed it a month ago. I took it to get checked and was advised there was no oil and the engine was seized. I never received a warning the oil pressure was low. My car is over the 10 years and/or 100,000 k warranty as it was purchased 8/2011.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444118December 17, 2021
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When accelerating in traffic car will completely shut off for about two seconds. This kicks off the traction control and power steering is lost. This did not start happening untill the engine was replaced in June 2021.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441793November 27, 2021
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On NOV. 26TH 2021, I was driving my car and upon trying to accelorate, my car felt as if it was about to stall out. I pressed the gas and I barely moved. My engine light went on immediately and it's constantly flashing now. The cars RPM's do not go past 1-1/2 RPM's. I can not pick up speed like before, like I should. My car now hesitates and I'm scared to drive it. I feel that it's dangerous cause I can not keep up with traffic. I found a RECALL letter that I have from July 12, 2017 in which I took it to the dealer at that time I received it. I alo found 2 other recall letters ( see pics ataached). I guess at that time when they checked it nothing was wrong BUT now I am having an issue and I feel it could be related. The recall number is: 17V224 follow up letter of one of the recalls. The recalls prior to that does not have a # on it: it states: ENGINE CONNECTING ROD on of the recalls. I'm hearing some knocking but it just happened and I havent driven it since Nov. 26th. a.m.The code that comes up as P1362, knocking sensor and can be a number of other things. And everything I read says the KNOCK sensor detects vibrations indicating an onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear. and can severly damage the engine. I'm very concerned and I feel that this recall back in 2017 is now happening to my car. I have uploaded the recall I have in my possession. According to William Garcia( Billy ) the service guy I always usually worked with at Gunther Kia, all of my recalls were checked and soem weere fixed. These particualr ones he said were done and or checked but nothing was repaired as you'll see in my history of service on recalls with them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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