Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11533044July 18, 2023
ENGINE
The car was diagnosed with a knock sensor problem in the engine. At that time I was told it was a recall regarding that matter. 2 months ago I took it to Kia Mall of Georgia in Buford, GA. At that time they said they fixed the sensor within 3 hours. The car wasn’t accelerating past 50 mph, the engine light was on and in struggled going up hills. After I got the car back, the next 3 days the engine light came back on and the car starting doing the exact same thing again! I called and told them and they told me to bring it back to them. So I took it back to them. After my car being there for 2 1/2 almost 3 weeks they told me they would have to replace the engine with a new one. At this time no one offered to get me some type of loaner car. On the third week they claim they were still working on it but the mechanic didn’t show up for 2 days. He left on Friday June 30th, 2023 and didn’t come back until Monday July 3rd! When he left on Friday I was told by Andrew Aycock that the car would be ready that Saturday, July 1st 2023. No one called so I ended up calling them Saturday and I was told the mechanic didn’t come to work so the car would be finished on Monday July 3rd. Of course that was a lie as well. I asked about a loaner they said they would get me one, that they had to call Hertz rental. They called me back and told me they couldn’t provide me with a loaner. So I still NEVER got a loaner and they had my car right at a month!! They called me Friday July 7th and told me the car was ready. I picked the car up on Friday. They said they put a new engine in it. Today is July 18th and it’s been a little over a week and the engine light came back on today!!. The same problem again. I have been so inconvenienced throughout this entire ordeal. It’s very hard to get in touch with anybody up there regarding my vehicle. Now I have to take it back up there, but something needs to be done asap! If it’s not the engine maybe it’s the car itself also I need a loaner Immediately!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532560July 16, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Because the brake stopper or brake switch are messed up and my brake tail light stays on all night causing it to drain the battery If the car is braking while I’m driving it and the traction control light comes on and the speed is decreasing as I’m driving because the car is braking on it’s own it has nothing to do with the lights Nor the battery the root of the issue is the brake line because the tail light will not cut off because the brakes are still engaged even when the car is off causing the tail lights to stay on so the lights is what is draining the battery the lights stay on all night in a car the battery dies but the battery nor the lights is the issue it’s the brakes
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532434July 15, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The car shut off on me while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532488July 15, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
In April, 2022, while driving on a major highway enroute to work, my 2016 Kia Optima started knocking and completely shutdown in the middle of high-speed traffic. I had the vehicle towed and was told that the recall for the engine knock sensor replacement hadn't ever been done which resulted in the engine to shutdown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532407July 14, 2023
ENGINE
I have had zero, I mean zero issues with my Optima before today. I’ve maintained the vehicle since I purchased new in 2016 from Auffenberg Kia in Illinois. I had made it about halfway home when the vehicle started making a shuttering noise and began hard to drive. The first part of my drive was highway, no issues. The second part of my drive was country roads so a little slower speed when this began. The hard drive feeling went away briefly but was then followed by a flashing check engine light, still feeling okay to drive & maintaining a consistent speed. After I had slowed to go around corners is when it began again. I accelerated and the car accelerated as well but the rpms weren’t going over a thousand. Kept driving fine with no shuttering. Once I stopped at the stop sign and accelerated I couldn’t get over 30mph without the front end rattling and a faint squealing sound. I putted home and there it sits. A friend of mine is a mechanic and came with his diagnostic reader. Long story short, engine failure. I’m frustrated all over again because this seems to be an ongoing issue with the Optima’s with no resolution. I just hit 111k miles, which is not high miles for this to happen considering the vehicle is in good condition. Next is to get towed to the junk yard because it’s not worth putting a new engine in it & hopefully for a resolution from Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532079July 13, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The braking system "catches" at 13mph regularly. It feels like the brakes are being applied or the vehicle is downshifting when it is decelarating to around 13mph without any actual braking being manually applied. So far no safety risk, but if the brakes fail at any point for any reason, there will be potential for great risk. The local Kia dealer was able to reproduce this but had no explanation, no recommendation, and no further advice or assistance was offered. At this point, the Kia dealership is the only entity to inspect this issue. There are no warning lights or indicators of failure or problems, but this issue has been ongoing since the vehicle was purchased.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532099July 13, 2023
ENGINE
My engine needs to be replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531775July 12, 2023
ENGINE
I noticed the car was stalling and then a engine knock, took it to the kia dealer they stated the engine needed to be replaced but kia was not going to cover it because I didnt do a recall?? I never recieved a recall and after researching this issue I saw thousand of articles about people having the same issue!!! also there was a class action suit against kia for this issue!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531860July 12, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When we drive the car it hesitates as if it’s going to cut off and it keep burning oil. We have to put in at least 2-3 quarts in per week.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531673July 11, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
The pain is delaminating (peeling) throughout the vehicle. The pain color is white pearl, it starts bubbling up then peeling off in large areas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531696July 11, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Today, 7/11/23, I was traveling on the interstate with no issue. Upon exiting the interstate up a slight hill, there was one car in front of me, I let off the gas and began to roll backwards I hit the brake and didn't think anything of it at first. The car in front of me pulled forward and I took my foot off of the brake and began to roll backwards again, I hit the gas and nothing happened, during this I also heard what sounded like a clunk noise. At this point I put my flashers on and looked at the dashboard, I saw three lights that have never appeared before. (Oil light, battery light, and check engine light) I placed the car in park and sat for a moment. The car was still on but not running, I pressed my start button and the car turned over the lights went off and I drove about 3 miles down the road to a lot. Once the car cooled I checked the oil and the level was fine no smoke nothing strange. I went to pull out and drive again and the same exact thi g happened again. However, a few hours later my fiance drove it home and had no issue. If my car had rolled back I could have hit someone or been hit. It's something unknown and is dangerous. This all just happened today and it has not been taken anywhere yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531499July 11, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The hid headlights. Specifically low beams go dim.They are so dim you can not drive safely at night. Change the bulbs and still the same issue.My understanding the reflector housing on the projector gets worn out and does reduce the light output of low beams. This is a driving hazard at night.this issue affecting the sx and sxl models with hid projector headlights.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531589July 11, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
On July 4th 2023, I was driving with my son in car, when unexpectedly the check engine light came on and car lost power. We were on a highway with a 65mph speed limit. I was able to pull over to side of road. Car did Start back up, however was missing and misfiring. Shaking especially under acceleration. My engine has been consuming oil for many thousands of miles, it is documented; however only an oil consumption test was performed. Hyuandai and Kia has serious engine issues and they know it. This could've been worse. Luckily I still had some brake pressure to get off the road. With this stalling on the highway, it is very dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531260July 10, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUNROOF TRIM SEAL LOOSE, The rubber seal/trim catching under the sunroof glass.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531366July 10, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown. My oil light started to turn on while I was still 1200 miles before my next oil change. I check the level of my oil and it was completely empty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531416July 10, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The window regulator in all four windows gave out back to back with little use of windows to begin with. Apparently Kia knows of issue but won’t recall part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531463July 10, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Was driving vehicle on freeway, around 65 mph, smooth road, no bumps, no indication of any road debris and suddenly heard a loud cracking/exploding noise which was extremely startling. After hearing some outside wind noise and the sound of glass pieces rattling, I realized that the glass panoramic sunroof must have broken somehow. Luckily I had the interior fabric shade closed, so no glass pieces entered the cabin to injure anyone. After getting out of the car, I could see around a 12 inch diameter hole in the sunroof glass. The remaining glass that was still attached was full of cracks. I have created a case with Kia Consumer Affairs and waiting to hear back from them. The vehicle has not received any outside inspection as of yet for this incident. There was no prior warning to this issue, no creaking noises or visible cracks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531481July 10, 2023
ENGINE
I was driving to work and started hearing a very loud knocking noise. I got to a stop light and my car just shut off. When I restarted the car it was making the noise and shut off again. Sounds louder as you push on gas paddle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531132July 9, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
recall is extremely dangerous and I was informed very late. Was not given a rental for the time being. Difficult to find service immediately. Do not feel safe driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531179July 9, 2023
ENGINE
The front of the car rattles the engine, rattles and makes noise, my engine already blew up and it had to be replaced, I don’t think the dealer put the engine back in the right way with all the mounts, I’ve also brought the car in for service several times, and I’ve mentioned the rattling and they’ve done nothing about it, I believe it’s gonna cause a car fire because it’s not properly secure from when they replace the engine under recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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