Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11621178October 22, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud knocking sound and experienced reduced engine power. The contact stated that the engine failed to exceed 2,000 RPM. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621206October 22, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
vehicle paint is peeling severely
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621334October 22, 2024
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that two independent mechanics were sent to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621075October 21, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that several times the brake pedal was depressed approximately a half-inch to an inch. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the brake master cylinder. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621096October 21, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Under normal operating conditions all sensors malfunctioned causing all abs systems to stop working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621144October 21, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
White pearl paint is chipping all around the car. At times big chucks of paint just flake off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620840October 20, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Was driving down the highway with no indication of any problems with my car. It just shuts off completely had to coast to the side of the road get someone to tow me home. While on side of the road opened the hood and saw white smoke come from the engine. Just had an oil change and coolant is fine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620695October 18, 2024
STEERING
There is a recall on steering shaft.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620607October 18, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle suddenly went into LIMP mode. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact then drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that an unknown software update regarding the engine knocking was previously performed on the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be covered due to the rebuilt title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620337October 17, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle started smoking independently from the front of the vehicle and the accelerator pedal went to the floorboard. The vehicle was restarted and the vehicle went into limp mode. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619614October 14, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine is burning oil at a high rate have to add at least three quarts twice a week and headlights and brake lights got out twice a month
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619551October 13, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Was on highway going 65, check engine light started flashing loss power. Couldn't go over 2000 rpms car would struggle to accelerate, car had been using up oil like crazy the week before. Stopped at an autozone car read code P1326.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619423October 11, 2024
ENGINE
Took the car to the dealership to diagnose an issue that I know Kia has a settlement for which is the engine class settlement and the dealership is trying to say the cause of known issue is from another source so they do not have to cover the cost of a replacement engine. The dealership is saying my option is to pay 8-10k for a new engine when it should be covered under the lifetime engine warranty which they confirmed I have. Engine light popped up the day of taking it to dealer. The engine has the possibility of seizing putting the driver or others at risk of serious accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619080October 10, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618726October 8, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the check engine light was flashing. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was being depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC code: P1326; and notified the contact that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, one quart of engine oil was being added weekly. The contact called a dealer however, the Service Manager did not return the call. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618738October 8, 2024
SEAT BELTS
Drivers side seat belt will not click into latch
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618621October 8, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My headlights are preventing me from passing motor vehicle inspection low beam are on doesn't look like their on so I have to drive with high beams and with that no one flashes me. Because all four are on but u can't tell if the low ones on it looks like I just have my parking lights on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618426October 7, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he noticed an abnormal burning odor; however, the temperature gauge did not indicate that the vehicle was overheating. The contact stated that upon noticing that the burning odor was becoming stronger, the contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, he noticed flames coming out through the upper part of the hood, near the windshield. The contact opened the hood and noticed that there was fire under the hood. The contact stated that the fire expanded, and the vehicle significantly burned from the front end to the rear seats. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact was unsure whether a fire department report was filed. The fire department advised the contact that the fire was caused by an electrical or mechanical failure. There was no injury sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618310October 6, 2024
ENGINE
The component that failed in my 2016 Kia Optima is the engine, specifically due to excessive oil consumption. After each oil change, my oil levels drop significantly within 1,000 miles. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue poses a safety risk to me and others because if the oil levels fall too low, the engine could seize or fail while driving, potentially leading to a dangerous situation. A sudden engine failure, especially at highway speeds, could result in a loss of control and increase the risk of an accident. The problem has been confirmed by both a Kia dealership and an independent automotive repair shop. The dealership performed an oil consumption test, which revealed that my car is consuming 1.3 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. An independent shop also acknowledged that this make and model are known for high oil consumption. The vehicle has been inspected by the Kia dealership during my 120,000-mile service. However, despite confirming the issue, Kia has not offered a resolution because my vehicle is no longer under warranty. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. No warning lights, messages, or dashboard indicators alerted me to the issue. The only symptom was the rapid drop in oil levels, which I first noticed in October 2023 following a routine oil change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618263October 5, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
Engine fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima