Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10934131December 9, 2016
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE CAR HESITATES UP TO 6 OR 7 SECONDS. I THINK IT HAS STALLED, THEN IT STARTS AGAIN BY ITS SELF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10933745December 7, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10930021December 5, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM WILL NOT UNLOCK, ALL OTHERS DO. THE DOOR LOCKS ITSELF IMMEDIATELY AS YOU TRY TO UNLOCK EITHER WITH THE KEY (OUTSIDE) OR PRESSING THE CENTRAL LOCK BUTTON (WHEN INSIDE). THIS WOULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FIRE WAS AN ISSUE. RIGHT NOW IT IS INCONVENIENT TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. I SEE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON THIS SUBJECT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS ENDEMIC TO THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY FROM SEPTEMBER 2016 AND NOW IS PERMANENT AS OF NOVEMBER 30.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928971December 1, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL DRIFTED IN EITHER DIRECTION AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WOULD CORRECT THE CONDITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928699November 30, 2016
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
COMING OFF AN OFF RAMP ON GREENBRIAR SOUTH IN CHESAPEAK VIRGINIA, I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD NOR WAS THERE ANY POT HOLES. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT I CONTINUED TO DRIFT RIGHT. I THEN LANDED INTO A GUARD RAIL AT APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS A WITNESS BEHIND ME THAT CAN ATTEST TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIE ROD END HAD BROKEN CLEAN IN HALF AS IF IT WAS CUT WITH A PAIR OF SICCORS WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITY THEN ULTIMATELY CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE GUARD RAIL. BASICALLY DESTROYING MY FRONT END AND THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. I WAS MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND CURVED TURN ON AN OFF RAMP. OFF HIGHWAY 64.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928794November 30, 2016
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928802November 30, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOOSE PIN FITTING AIR BAG CONNECTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928838November 30, 2016
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), STEERING
WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO "STICK" AND THE WHEEL HAS TO BE JERKED A LITTLE TO MAKE STEERING FLUID ONCE AGAIN. I HAD THE WHEELS CHECKED TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T NEED AN ALIGNMENT AND IT IS BEING CHECKED NOW FOR THE STEERING ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928279November 28, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
(DIMMED HEADLIGHT) I HAVE OWNED MY 2011 OPTIMA SINCE 2013 AND SUMMER OF 2016 NOTICE MY HEADLIGHTS WERE REALLY DIMMED TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CANT SEE PAST 10-20 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. REPLACED 2 HEADLIGHT BULBS W/ SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR BULBS AND HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL VERY DIMMED. LOOKS LIKE THEY REFLECTORS INSIDE THE BEAMS ARE BURNT/MELTED CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO LOOK DIM. I WOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I CANT REALLY SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROAD. IT WOULD BE NICE IF KIA LAUNCHED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR HEADLIGHT PROBLEM SINCE I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW SINCE IT WAS FACTORY BULBS WERE ORIGINALLY IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. UNSAFE HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927841November 25, 2016
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE AND A PREMATURE BUILD UP OF ENGINE SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN TWICE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927419November 22, 2016
POWER TRAIN, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I TOOK CAR IN FOR THE CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL. WHILE CAR WAS UP INAIR ON STANDS. THE REP STATED THEIR WAS A SMALL LEAK COMING FROM THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE. HOWEVER IT WAS NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE ITS NOT THE TURBO. I TOLD THE IT IS IF ITS FEEDING THE OIL. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL OF THEIR CARS AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE. I TOLD THE REP THAT IF THE OIL CAUSES A BURNING SMELL IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. I WAS TOLD THE MANAGER WOULD CALL ME BUT NOW THEY ARE NOT TAKING MY CALLS ABOUT REPLACING THE LINE TO THE TURBO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927457November 22, 2016
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927531November 22, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER RESET THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR ON APPROXIMATELY THREE OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR LESS THAN THIRTY MILES LATER. AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE, A DIFFERENT AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 01/05/17*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927588November 22, 2016
ENGINE
TOOK CAR TO DEALER A MONTH AGO FOR SIREN NOISES AS I EXCELERATED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TURBO CASING THAT CAME OPEN AND THAT THEY CLOSED IT FOR ME. I CALLED THEM AN HOUR LATER AFTER I HAD LEFT TO TELL THEM IT WAS STILL MAKING THE NOISE THEY SAID IT WILL AND SHOULD MAKE THE NOISE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TODAY FOR SAME ISSUE AND FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING IN NOW FOR A 6 DAYS. NOW THEY TELL ME I HAVE SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE AND WILL BLOW AT ANY TIME SO I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND WILL LET ME KNOW IF WARRANTY WILL COVER IT OR NOT. I'M NOT EVEN AT 60K MILES YET BUT THEY SAY I'M ALMOST EXPIRED FOR WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW END OF JANUARY 2013. THE NOISE WAS HAPPENING WHEN STATIONARY, AND WHEN EXCELERATING TO DRIVE AND SPEED UP WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927225November 21, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,827. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926798November 18, 2016
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE IS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA AND TODAY A VERY HORRIBLE AND SCARY SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME ON HIGHWAY I-25. I WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT AND GOING AROUND 68MPH I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT START FLICKERING, AT THIS POINT I TRYED TO SLOW AS MUCH AS I COULD BUT THWRE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALMOST TO THE NEAREST OFF RAMP I HEARD A LOUD POP AND I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS WHATEVER POPPED PUSHED ME TO THE RIGHT, I SOON REGAINED CONTROL AND I COULD HEAR SOMETHING DRAGGING AND IT FALLING OFF. I APPROACHED THE OFF RAMP ON THE SHOULDER WHERE MY VEHICLE STAYED DISABLED UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. A PASSER BY STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT AND SAID THAT MY CAR WAS EMMITING FLAMES FROM THE CONNECTING ROD I WAS DRAGGING. MY MACHANIC HAD A LOOK AND SAID "WOW, YOU DEFINITELY THREW A ROD. YOU'RE LUCKY IT DIDN'T COME IN YOUR DIRECTION OR AT ANOTHER VEHICLE." I SEARCHED FOR A RECALL AND FOUND OUT A BIT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THIS EXACT ENGINE WITH BOTH KIA AND ALSO HYUNDAI. KIA SENT OUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT HYUNDAI IS DOING A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE A LOT OF KIA CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN WHICH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS CREATED. THIS FAULTY ENGINE IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY AND ITS A MATTER OF TIME FOR ALL OF THE CARS WITH THESE ENGINES TO HAVE FAILURE. PLEASE! WE NEED THESE CARS RECALLED SO THEY CAN BE FIXED AND NOT ON THE ROAD WAITING TO FAIL LIKE KIA EXPECTS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926294November 15, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,696.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925707November 14, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK IN THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925902November 14, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE MOTOR SEIZED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR SEIZED UP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925997November 14, 2016
ENGINE
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE APPEARED OUT OF THE HOOD OF THE CAR. CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A SAFE SPOT IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM.FLASHLIGHT SHOWED A LARGE HOLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND INSPECTED. ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS WERE SUBMITTED AS PER DEALERSHIP REQUEST. DEALERSHIP SUBMITTED CLAIM TO KIA HEADQUARTERS TO SEE IF ENGINE WOULD BE COVERED, I. E.,REPLACED. NEXT DAY ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS APPROVED AT NO COST TO ME. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER A MONTH, THERE ARE OTHER KIA CARS AT THIS DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND STILL NO REPLACEMENT ENGINE. I SPOKE TO KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN SO. CALIFORNIA AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND THE MESSAGE THAT THE ENGINE IS ON BACK-ORDER. NO ETA CAN BE PROVIDED AND APPARENTLY THERE IS A BACKLOG OF CARS WITH THIS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO END IN SIGHT. ANY ASSISTANCE FROM YOUR OFFICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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