Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10567302March 4, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAD BECOME COMPLETELY STUCK CLOSED AND WONT OPEN. THE LOCK MECHANISMS WORK FINE FOR ALL FOUR DOORS STILL AS WELL AS THE WINDOWS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567076March 4, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE'S STOP LAMP SWITCH. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MY REPAIRS ON JANUARY 22, 2014. I RECEIVED A CHECK FOR PARTIAL PAYMENT OF $101.34. THIS AMOUNT WAS JUST FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. HOWEVER, I SUBMITTED AN ADDITIONAL RECEIPT AND REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FOR THE ACTUAL BRAKE LIGHT REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPLACEMENT WAS $28.10. I CONTACTED KIA AT 1(800) 333-4542 WHICH WAS THE NUMBER INDICATED ON THE LETTER. I WAS TRANSFERRED TWICE WITH NO ASSISTANCE. I JUST WANTED CLARIFICATION AS TO WHY I WASN'T PAID THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF $129.42 (THE COST OF THE INSTALLATION AND BULB REPLACEMENT). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566798March 3, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
THE SUNROOF ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EXPLODED OUT WARDS RAINING BROKEN GLASS DOWN ON MY HEARD. THE CAR WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT AND NO CARS WERE AHEAD OF ME ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS A SLIGHT CREAKING NOISE AND THEN A VIOLENT EXPLOSION LEAVING AN UP TURNED CRATER IN THE GLASS ROOF. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS WITH ANY SUNROOFS DISPUTE THE RECALL ON SIMILAR ROOFS ON OTHER KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566422February 28, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN EARLY EVENING ON NORMAL DAILY COMMUTER ROUTER WHEN VERY LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE. INCIDENT SCARED WIFE ENOUGH THAT SHE CALLED HUSBAND FOR ADVICE ON SITUATION. SUNROOF SHATTERED. NO OVERPASSES WITHIN SEVERAL MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. NO FLYING ROAD DEBRIS. NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT CIRCUMSTANCES. REPORTED INCIDENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND TOOK CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. REPAIRS TOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS BECAUSE "NO SUNROOF IN STOCK". RECEIVED CALL FROM KIA CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING INCIDENT AFTER 2 OR 3 DAYS ASKING FOR DETAILS. JUST AFTER PICKING UP THE REPAIRED CAR, RECEIVED CALL AND SUSPICIOUS LETTER (EMAIL) ASKING FOR US TO SIGN AND RETURN ESSENTIALLY A LIABILITY RELEASE. WE DID NOT SIGN IT. SUSPECT THAT KIA CORPORATE INTENDED TO HAVE US SIGN LETTER BEFORE RETURNING THE CAR TO US. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566557February 28, 2014
STEERING
AT, HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK WHEN MAKING MINOR CORRECTIONS. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND TIRING ON THE ARMS. GOING AROUND CORNERS OR BENDS IN THE ROAD IT SEEMS FINE THOUGH. IT ONLY HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MAKING MINOR CORRECTIONS IN THE LANE. THIS IS SOMETHING KIA SHOULD TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE AROUND THIS ISSUE. I PUT 10,000 MILES BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 16,000. HAVE NOT HAD DEALER LOOK AT IT YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566354February 27, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565575February 24, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 7:30AM ON MY WAY TO WORK, BEAUTIFUL DAY PROBABLY ABOUT 60 DEGREES AT THE TIME. MY SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT BLAST. IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME, I AM LUCKY I DIDN'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. NOTHING HIT MY CAR THAT IS WHY I THOUGHT THIS WAS REALLY STRANGE. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT THE DEALER AND OF COURSE THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. I WENT ON LINE AND WHAT DO I FINE? THIS HAS HAPPENED QUIT A BIT. I AM NOW WAITING ON KIA'S ENGINEERS TO LET ME KNOW IF KIA IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE DAMAGES. MY CAR ISN'T EVEN A YEAR OLD. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE NOW, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN? I NEED SOME HELP IN GETTING THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565171February 20, 2014
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION
MY KIA GETS STUCK IN A FEW INCHES OF SNOW OR ANY ICE. SLIDES EASILY IN RAIN OR ICY OR COLD WEATHER. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST. I HAVE BEEN PUSHED BY STRANGERS, COUNTLESS TIMES, TRYING TO GET ME OUT OF SUBDIVISIONS BECAUSE THIS CAR WILL NOT MOVE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HE MENTIONED HE HAD TO TOW 3 OF THESE SAME FANCY VEHICLES THAT WERE STUCK IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW. I AM UNABLE TO PARK IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT DEPENDABLE IF ANY SNOW OR ICE IS ON THE DRIVEWAY. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN PATIENT'S DRIVEWAYS. THEY LAUGH AND SAY THE OTHER NURSES DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS. THIS IS HUMILIATING. THIS CAR COSTS ALMOST 40,000. IT SHOULD BE DEPENDABLE INSTEAD IT IS UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS: OTHER CARS MAY RUN INTO ME WHEN MY CAR STARTS SLIDING BACKWARDS ON THE STREETS. I HAVE LITERALLY BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD TO CALL IN SICK SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE MY CAR WILL NOT BACK OUT A FEW FEET FROM MY DRIVEWAY IF THERE IS 3 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. ALSO THE ENGINE WHINES ALOT. IT SEEMS TO LAG IN SHIFTING AND THE RPM GOES UP TO ALMOST 4 BEFORE IT WILL SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. I AM AFRAID THE ENGINE WILL EXPLODE OR BLOW UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565194February 20, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 IN VIRGINIA, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE A GUNSHOT. MOMENTS LATER, I HEARD THE SOUND OF AIR RUSHING PAST FROM ABOVE MY HEAD AND DEBRIS VIBRATING ON THE INTERIOR SUNROOF SCREEN. I LATER FOUND THAT IT WAS BROKEN GLASS CRACKLING AND FALLING AGAINST THE INTERIOR SUNROOF SCREEN. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK THE ROOF FOR DAMAGE. WHAT I FOUND WAS A GAPING HOLE (8-12 INCHES IN DIAMETER) IN THE GLASS OF THE FRONT SUNROOF. I WAS NOT NEAR ANY OVERPASS OR WORK TRUCKS, NOR DID I EVER OBSERVE ANYTHING STRIKING THE CAR AT ANY TIME- NOT DURING THIS INCIDENT OR EVER BEFORE. I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT THERE HAD BEEN AN EXPLOSION OR GUNSHOT SOMEWHERE NEARBY. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. THE EXPLODING SOUND ALONE MIGHT CAUSE A PERSON TO GO OFF THE ROAD OR OTHERWISE SWERVE INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564794February 18, 2014
STEERING
VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE HIGHWAY, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60+ MPH) AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TO MAINTAIN LANE POSITION. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED IT NEW LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO. THE STEERING IS VERY HYPER-SENSITIVE AT SPEED AND A CORRECTION TO THE RIGHT REQUIRES A CORRECTION TO LEFT WITH NO APPARENT "GRAY" OR MIDDLE CENTER AREA WHICH WOULD KEEP THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MOST OF THIS IS ON VERY STRAIGHT SURFACES WITH LITTLE TO NO CROWN & CAMBER ON THE ROAD. STEERING MODE WAS CHANGED BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. (AT OUR REQUEST) FROM EX SPORT TO EX STANDARD, WITH MINIMAL IMPROVEMENT. WE REPLACED THE OEM TIRES, WITH UPGRADED TIRES. WHILE TRACTION AND TURNING PERFORMANCE HAVE IMPROVED, STILL NO NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE WANDER. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAYS, AS SHE FEELS FEAR, STRESS AND EXHAUSTION FROM THE CONSTANT CORRECTION DURING LENGTHY DRIVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564803February 18, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IT IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH KIA OPTIMA CARS THAT THE DOOR LATCH IS FAULTY, AND AFTER VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME, IT WILL STOP UNLOCKING. BY NO LONGER UNLOCKING, I MEAN UNDER ANY CONDITION. USING A REMOTE, USING THE KEY, EVEN SITTING IN THE VEHICLE PRESSING THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR OR MANUALLY MOVING THE INDICATOR BY THE HANDLE. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK OR OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY KIA OPTIMA. NO MATTER WHAT YOU ATTEMPT, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN YOU UNLOCK IT USING ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED METHODS, THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK THE DOOR AS SOON AS YOU TOUCH THE HANDLE, EITHER INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. WHILE I CAN UNDERSTAND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR EATING AWAY AT THE COMPONENT, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO DEFAULT TO THE LOCK POSITION IN THE CASE OF SUCH WEAR AND TEAR. A SIMPLE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO HAVE THE LATCH DEFAULT TO THE OPEN POSITION, WHICH WILL ALLOW PERSONS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY COST INDIVIDUALS THEIR LIFE, I AM SURE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE IT COSTS ME MY FAMILY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564475February 15, 2014
STEERING
I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON HER FRONT DRIVER SIDE. SHE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK AND COLD I GOT DRESSED WENT THERE AND CHANGED IT, SO GO THE NEXT MORNING AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT IN LIGHT WHAT I FOUND IS VERY UPSETTING, THE WHOLE FRAME WHERE LOWER CONTROL (ARM BOLTS ON COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. I FOUND OUT THAT AFTER RESEARCH A FACTORY RECALL WAS ON IT, I CALLED AUFFENBURG KIA IN CAPE GIRARDEAU MISSOURI I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN 12/28/0 9 AND I COULD BRING IT THERE BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TOO FIX IT BECAUSE OF ITS ALREADY BEEN DONE BEFORE, I SAID WHY DID IT HAPPEN AGAIN HE WOULDN'T GIVE ME A ANSWER EXCEPT THAT THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS OK AND I COULDN'T SPEAK WITH HIS BOSS UNTIL NEXT WEEK. I SAID WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER DIED IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF IT ALL HE SAID WAS KIA WOULD SAY THAT THEY ALREADY FIXED IT AND WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IF ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS OR AM I JUST OVER A BARREL WITH KIA AND THERE JUNK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564187February 13, 2014
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE HAD RANDOM ABNORMAL JERKING, BUCKING AND CLUNKING BY THE TRANSMISSION DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION, WHICH CAUSES ABNORMAL DECELERATION. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ISSUE WITH NORMAL DRIVING AND CAN CAUSE A REAR END ACCIDENT. THE CAUSE OF THIS AFTER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, IS THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE RELAY. APPARENTLY THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH THE SAME RELAY ISSUE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS ON THE PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563976February 12, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563701February 10, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT
MAKING A CALL WITH MY BLUETOOTH EQUIPPED IN THE VEHICLE, LOOKED DOWN TO VERIFY CONNECTION, BY THE TIME I LOOKED UP I WAS A FOOT AWAY FROM A PARKED VEHICLE, I SWERVED AS TO THE LEFT AS MUCH AS I COULD BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, I SLAMMED INTO THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE, MY HOOD AND ENGINE WERE PRACTICALLY CRUSHED IN AND ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE, MY CAR CAME TO A HAULT BEFORE JUMPING OVER THE MEDIAN. NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS GOING SPEED OF 50-60 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563216February 6, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DOOR (DRIVERS SIDE) WILL NOT UNLOCK. WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT LOCKS AND WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS DURING AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE IN 2003 - 2005 KIAS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A SAFETY RECALL YET MAKING KIA FIX THIS ISSUE ON ALL VEHICLES. MAYBE IT TAKES AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND LOSING THEIR LIFE BEFORE THIS IS REPAIRED. I DIDN'T FIND JUST A FEW ISSUES WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE FOR THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING, I FOUND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR KIA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562910February 4, 2014
STEERING, SUSPENSION
AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTOR AND PADS WHICH [XXX] SAYS HE DID REPLACE BOTH BACK PADS WITH GENERIC PADS EVEN THOUGH MY RECEIPT SHOWED SOMETHING DIFFERENT; I WENT TO GET THE CAR APPRAISE TO SEE HOW MUCH I COULD GET FOR IT ON A TRADE-IN VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEED FRONT BUSHINGS SO THAT KNOCKED $900 ON THE AMOUNT THEY WOULD GIVE ME FOR IT. BUSHINGS, ON A CAR BARELY DRIVEN AND I HAVE A 10 YEAR WARRANTY THAT COMES WITH IT, A 10 YEAR WARRANTY I PURCHASE AND A 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? I CAN'T. I GUESS IF I DROVE IT EVERY DAY THE WAY I SHOULD THE CAR WOULD BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED AT MY EXPENSE AND ALL THE WARRANTIES MEAN NOTHING; MY MONEY JUST WENT RIGHT UP IN SMOKE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PIECE OF JUNK OR I AM BEING SCAMMED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562707February 3, 2014
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL STAYS STRAIGHT BUT CAR WANDERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN LANE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562752February 3, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED AS THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 3/14/14*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562773February 3, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,100.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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