Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11751391July 19, 2026
ENGINE
My engine failed while driving which put me and others at risk. It was confirmed by the Kia dealership as rod bearing failure. Which is a known recall on the Kia 2.4L Theta II engine. My specific VIN number is not listed on the Kia recall list. And Kia is stating that it does not qualify for a warranty replacement. Although it is the same engine with the known defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751411July 19, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, STEERING
the engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751435July 19, 2026
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I was run off the road by a drunk driver I hit a tree at 35MPH MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEAT BELT LOCK!!!! I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE INJURIES I HAVE BROKEN BONES ALL THROUGHOUT MY FACE!!!!! A SEVERE CONCUSSION!!!!! Any time I call the the customer care center and try and get information or call someone I either get hung up or gave the run around and then hung up on my mother in law has also tried calling and have received the same response this is so unacceptable and unprofessional.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11751255July 18, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Strong smell of gasoline from the rear of the vehicle started around 60,000 miles . Car dealership said it’s normal but I don’t smell other cars like this
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751073July 17, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact used a scanner and retrieved a code for failure with the knock sensor detection system and glow plug relay. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. There was a question about the ownership of the vehicle. The warranty was denied because the vehicle was not being purchased from the dealer. The contact provided the title to show ownership. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751228July 17, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Electriconic braking moduel with "Check Brake" indication light and"Hybrid System Warning! and vehicle will come to a stop and warning flights will flash until you turn off the vehicle sit for 10-20 minutes. Brakes will not work and vehicle loses power. Battery has been replaced and large 140 fuse in trunk of vehicle and no improvement. KIA states no recall on my vehicle, but my vehicle has had to have recall repairs done on it regardless of not being listed on this site. I need to know what to do. Vehicle is reliable otherwise. Right now, its risky to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750963July 16, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Blind spot forward collision detection lane departure warning rear cross traffic warning
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750563July 15, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown was just driving to go to my husband to work and it came on when I was coming back home and when I went to pick my husband up from work and was stopped at a stop sign the lights came back on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750567July 15, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING
The car lights have dimmed tremendously, I replaced lights by myself with no luck over the years. It has just come to my attention, they knew and addressed reported problems but never sent a recall or safety notice that the reflective material designates. My car is at the dealer and confirmed this is the problem, your help would be great. Also, a steering recall and the part was replaced with the same material, it now needs to be changed again and they want me to pay. I thought all safety recalls never expire. Thanks in advance, [XXX] [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
#11750184July 14, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I would say that the time this incident happened I was driving and me and me nephew were in car at time taking to shop to see why it was making a sound like air and all of sudden the car started swerving and slowing down and then it made a pop sound and smoke started coming from the car and I was thankful that I didn’t get hit but affraid and also hit my head in car due to the sudden jerk car mad and then it popped sound a d smoke came from good. The next day I have to pay to get back on the other side and also tow it home which it been parked since but I see a recall on my vin and want to find out how to get it to the nearest Kia to fix the recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750336July 14, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving to the residence, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that while at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After exiting the vehicle, the hood was opened, and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact called an independent mechanic and, within two minutes, became aware of the fire. The contact called 911 for the Emergency Services. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. There was no injury sustained. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was previously taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was leaking with a blown head gasket. The engine was replaced. The vehicle was towed from the scene and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749934July 13, 2026
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
About six months ago, I lost the heated steering wheel functionality in my steering wheel, then from there, I slowly lost functionality like cruise control, and the most recent now my airbag and horn do not work. If you press on the horn, it is silent, and the airbag light has been illuminated consistently for the last couple of months. I had this issue diagnosed and it came up with the codes of B1346. And B1481. After some research, these issues are the result of a bad clock, spring and cause the airbag and horn not to work. Additionally, this issue is known to this model the 2011 Kia Optima, and has been recalled in most production cases of this vehicle, but my vehicle is not included. I received a quote for $876 from a dealership to get this corrected, but it should be included in the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750007July 13, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NHTSA Bulletin TSB BOD300 My KIA 2016 Optima Turbo has all four windows impacted by the defective gear. I've opened a case with KIA and it's case number 25563361. None of my windows roll up or down. This presents several very serious safety issues. The dealer has had my vehicle for over 2 weeks. Why has KIA not been forced to issue a recall on these defective gears?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750123July 13, 2026
STEERING
Steering coupler issue. When turning the steering wheel. It is making a clunking noise even when in park and making it feel not smooth to turn the wheel either way. Very distracting and awkward when driving. When speeding up you can feel the issue with the steering coupler more. You can feel the noise and clunk feel when driving over bumps and turns. There has been a campaign/recall for other makes and models. But this car hasn’t been included.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750155July 13, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On 7/13/26 around 0715 my son was driving our 2014 Kia optima when it caught fire and burned from the engine to the back of the car. Fire dept and law enforcement had to respond and the vehicle along with thousands of dollars of property was destroyed by the fire. This vehicle is a total loss and I’m trusting an investigation as to I believe their fire started due to the engjbe and electrical faults of Kia motors.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11749282July 9, 2026
ENGINE
I’ve had my 2018 kia optima for round about two years.I only got this car because they refused to replace my previous engine on my 2015 Kia optima,even though I had a warranty but that’s another story(Kia on the Blvd).This car have given me problems from the start.Going through oil in less than a month,which they can never find a leak,not being able to go over a certain speed before I start to hear noises.Ive complained about noises,they act like they can’t hear,and said nothing is wrong with the engine when previously checked.My check engine light has came on twice and both times the car was malfunctioning on the highway resulting in me have to get a tow.First it was plugs replacement now I need a whole new engine.I really don’t know what to do at this point.I believe they sold me a faulty car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749153July 8, 2026
STEERING
The steering column From the car has diminished causing dangerous shaking on highway at high speeds
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748557July 6, 2026
ENGINE
Oil is needing added on a weekly basis to keep up with how much the engine is burning, Spark Plugs and Coils have been changed excessively, the dealership says we may end up being covered by a recall but the engine needs to completely fail first.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748405July 5, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2015 white Kia Optima is having terrible paint peeling problems. It is peeling and chipping on the hood, along the sides of the windshield, above the wind shield, on my back bumper, above my back tires, and just about every place in between. PLEASE HELP!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748217July 3, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Code was on and off for a cylinder 2 misfire was off at this point (intermittent misfire) ecl was off car stalled out at 3rpms while driving, tiny puff of smoke once came from between the air intake and the engine, and also no crank no start but car has power. I’ve kept up with the oil changes every 3000 miles car had fluids in it and nothing looked bad all 4 spark plugs were burnt and i replaced them and still no success.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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