Kia Optima Complaints (2014)

622 consumer complaints on file.

#11736377May 7, 2026
ENGINE
The dealer stated my engine repair is not covered under the recall/warranty because an ECU software update was not performed. I was quoted $8500 for engine replacement (Long block). I have owned this vehicle for 2 months, going on 3. I am requesting a review of whether this vehicle qualifies for any engine recall or safety-related warranty coverage, as the explanation provided by the dealership appears inconsistent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735521May 4, 2026
STEERING
Steering violently shakes at 65 mph. Steering wheel makes a clunking noise when moving side to side.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734586April 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The car is available upon inspection, the car caught on fire after being driven for about 45 mins. Smoke started to come from under the car hood, fire starting dropping from underneath the vehicle and then fire started coming from under the hood of the car. The car started smoking while being inside vehicle and the fire could've spread. The fire was put out by the fire department, the vehicle has not been inspected as of yet. No warning signs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732382April 20, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle was having engine problems in 2024. It was towed to the dealership because it was a recall on it. The new engine is malfunctioning as well causing me to lose power while driving. I have only put 2,000 miles on the car since the engine was replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729408April 6, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle was leaking oil an oil change. My vehicle started having a knocking sound. I am a single parent of a [XXX] child. The car would suddenly stop while I was driving which put me and my daughter's safety at risk. I took if to Southern Kia Greenbriar dealership to have a diagnostic test on Jan 17, 2026. [XXX] from the dealership confirmed my vehicle needs a new engine. It could be covered under the recall, however I would need to show receipts of every oil change from 2017 to 2026. The dealership has had my vehicle for over 2 1/2 months. My vehicle or component has been inspected by the Kia dealership, but not inspected by the police, insurance representatives or others. I noticed my oil on my drive way Jan 10th and put additional oil in my vehicle. Shortly after I began to noticed the car suddenly stopping for no reason, then heard a knocking sound when driving. 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
#11724785March 16, 2026
STEERING
Rattle in the steering column when turning and over bumps.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722633March 7, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Issue: My 2014 Kia Optima has repeatedly experienced overheating, flashing check‑engine light, and loss of coolant. The dealership has misdiagnosed the issue multiple times and returned the vehicle to me in unsafe condition. Safety Concern: The vehicle overheats while driving, the check‑engine light flashes, and the engine loses power. This creates a serious risk of engine failure while on the road. I am concerned about potential engine damage, stalling, or fire risk due to overheating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720206February 24, 2026
ENGINE
While driving down the highway, my engine completely turned off. I was able to get to a safe location. When I tried turning the car back on, it would not turn back on. I took it to Kia, and they said I was covered under warranty due to their settlement. However, due to the salvage title of the car, they will not replace the engine, even though that is what their recall settlement covers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716654February 9, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power, and smoke was coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the contact was informed that the recall could not be repaired because other unknown repairs had not performed prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714078January 28, 2026
STEERING
The vehicle is currently experiencing failure consistent with a U.S safety call {Technical Service Bulletin) related to the steering column. A diagnostic scan has confirmed error code C1259 (angle sensor signal error) that match those referenced in the recall documentation. The vehicle was taken to a local authorized Kia dealership in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where we were informed that no recall appears in their system and that the recall “only applies to the mainland United States”. This response is concerning, as Puerto Rico is a US territory, and this defect directly impacts driver safety and vehicle control. Given that this involves steering system failure, I consider this a critical safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711783January 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car has a engine light on an I was told it has a recall on it It a FUEL SENDING UNIT-N and a FUEL PUMP LOCK RING -N.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711110January 15, 2026
STEERING
I am getting a clunking in the steering column.. I feel that my vehicle may be unsafe to drive.. Upon inspection it was brought to my attention that kia had known of a problem with a coupler in the steering that goes bad..they have extended the warranty.. But only for cars purchased in certain states. I feel that this problem should be covered...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710570January 13, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Motor blew going down the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710617January 13, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint defect, this is a well documented issue with the snow white pearl paint color. need to get the vehicle repainted so it looks as good as it drives. there is the bubbling, flaking and in some spots down to the bare metal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710148January 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708343January 2, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V10000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the engine and entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. The check engine warning light and ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact became aware that the vehicle was out of fuel. The contact added five gallons of fuel, and the vehicle stalled several miles down the road. The vehicle had again run out of fuel. The contact noticed that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or inspected. The contact was informed that the fuel leak had nothing to do with the recall. However, the contact was informed that the battery portal was damaged and needed to be repaired before the recall repair was completed. The dealer asked the contact to pick up the vehicle. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708082December 31, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS, ENGINE
Check engine light was flashing and the car wouldn’t accelerate up to speed, wouldn’t turn over when tried to start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707345December 28, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The engine failed after a prior engine replacement performed by the manufacturer. The failure caused the vehicle to become non-operational and created a risk of sudden loss of power and engine stalling while driving. The vehicle required towing and could not be safely driven. This is a repeat engine failure involving the same vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706493December 22, 2025
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact works as an investigator for the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division. The contact was investigating a 2014 Kia Optima with a salvaged title and reported that the air bags failed to deploy in a front-end collision. The contact stated that the air bags may have been removed or the air bag sensors were disconnected. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 30-35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No warning light was illuminated. The driver's face struck the steering wheel upon impact. The driver received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where the insurance company investigated the crash, but had not yet deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11700094November 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint defect causing paint chipping on vehicle due to lack of proper layering of paint on vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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