Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10489059December 17, 2012
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN OCT 2012. DEALER STATED THE BATTERY WAS BAD. BATTERY WAS REPLACED. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT RETURNED NOV. 2012 DEALER NOW STATES AIR BAG FAULTY BUT NOT COVERED BY KIA RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488562December 13, 2012
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2001 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUB-FRAME RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY AND CHARGED EXORBITANT REPAIR CHARGES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ON OCTOBER 25, 2012, AS THE CONSUMER'S GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SUB-FRAME COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO REPLACE THE SUB-FRAME, BUT THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR ANY OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED AS A RESULT OF THE SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOW CHARGES, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $1,100-$1,150 TO REPAIR OTHER RUSTY AREAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION AND SEPARATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE ROAD WORTHY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488682December 13, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AFTER INSPECTION, THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FRONT AXLE SHAFT DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE TECHNICIANS REMOVED AND REPLACED THE RIGHT AXLE SHAFT, AND ALSO REASSEMBLED AND RE-TESTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487991December 11, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST INSIDE PASSENGER AREA OF CAR. SMELL BY 4 OF 5 PASSENGERS. CAR WAS A RENTAL, SO I DO NOT KNOW THE VIN ORE EVEN THE MODEL YEAR. WITH < 10,000 TOTAL VEHICLE MILES, IT MAY HAVE BEEN A 2012. I DID FIND THIS NOTE ONLINE REGARDING A SIMILAR PROBLEM WTIH HYUNDAI SONATA, THAT MAY OR NOT BE RELATED. ( FYI-MY 2011 SONATA SMELLS LIKE EXHAUST INSIDE THE CAB OF THE CAR UNLESS I KEEP THE BUTTON PUSHED FOR "INSIDE AIR CIRCULATION". I CALLED THE DEALER AND AS IT TURNS OUT, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. A HOSE HAS TO BE REPLACED ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487840December 10, 2012
POWER TRAIN
AFTER WARMING UP ENGINE I DROVE ONTO THE ROAD AND ONTO A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAM A QUARTER MILE FROM MY HOME. WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY, THE CAR "LOST POWER", IE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 60 MPH. RPM WAS PEAKING OVER 3,000 RPM (HIGHER THAN NORMAL). I PUT THE AUTO/MANUAL FLOOR-SHIFT INTO MANUAL AND THE DASH SHOWED 4TH GEAR. I SHIFTED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN AUTO AND MANUAL WITH THE SAME RESULTS SEVERAL TIMES, 4TH GEAR, OVER 3,000 RPM, LOSS OF POWER (NO THROTTLE RESPONSE), MAX SPEED 60 MPH. I NEARLY GOT REAR ENDED, CARS WERE DODGING ME. I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. I READ A SIMILAR REPORT A FEW MONTHS AGO FROM ANOTHER "NEW" OWNER OF AN OPTIMA AND THE DEALERSHIP "COULDN'T FIND" ANYTHING WRONG. I NOW HAVE READ LOTS OF WARRANTY-DENIED HORROR STORIES WITH KIA. THIS SEEMS LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I IMAGINE IT COULD BE A "COMPUTER PROBLEM" AS THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPUTERS IN THESE NEW CARS. I CAN'T FIND ANY TSB'S LISTED FOR TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS, BUT AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS "ELUSIVE" CONDITION? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487566December 6, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CAN HEAR THE ASSEMBLY TRYING TO WORK, THE KEY WILL UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN AN EMERGENCY. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN NEWPORT RICHEY FL AND THEY TOLD ME THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO POSSIBLY LOSE THEIR LIFE IN AN ACCIDENT,BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT BEFORE THERE IS A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487571December 6, 2012
TIRES
THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE ONE OF MY TIRES. DURING AN OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE NOTIFIED ME OF A BUBBLE IN ONE OF THE TIRES. I PURCHASED THE CAR OCT (28), 2011. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE OF THE TIRE BUBBLE NOTIFICATION BY THE DEALER REP, BUT IT WAS DURING THE 2011 CALENDAR YEAR. THE REP STATED THAT UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES! IS THERE ANY RECOURSE TO HAVE THAT OR ALL THE TIRES REPLACED? THE TIRE (ALL FOUR) IS A HANKOOK OPTIMO H431 225/45 R18 . 95V, RADIAL TUBELESS, MADE IN KOREA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487611December 6, 2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER
KIA IS FULLY AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUN VISORS. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL TURN UP THOUSANDS OF CASES. THE VISOR COMPONENTS BREAK CAUSING THEM TO HANG LOOSE, OBSTRUCTING VISION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE DEFECT HAS EXISTED FOR A LONG TIME (MY WIFE?S 2003 SORRENTO EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE IN 2004) AND IT CONTINUES TODAY. MY 2007 OPTIMA HAS BOTH VISORS HANGING PRESENTLY. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE VISORS, AND THE COST TO REPAIR THEM IS 100-200 EACH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487468December 5, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER WHO SUGGESTED THAT THEY ADJUST THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS ADJUSTED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488221December 4, 2012
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2006 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE AND REPAIRS CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CHARGED A $113.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE RECALL LETTER, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, KIA WAS TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486711December 2, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION
ABOUT A DAY AFTER I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW 2013 KIA, I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. I TOOK IT BACK THAT WEEKEND TO GET AN ALIGNMENT AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS OFF. SO, THEY ADJUSTED THAT. WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN, THE ISSUE WAS STILL THERE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM AGAIN, AND THIS TIME, THEY SAID THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TWISTED. I THEN MOVED FROM VA TO FL TWO DAYS LATER. AT THIS POINT I ONLY HAD ABOUT 1200 MILES ON MY CAR. DURING THE TRIP, I NOTICED THE STEERING DOING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO JUST TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH A BATCH OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAD THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN INVOLVED WITH IT. SHE SAID ITS PROTOCOL TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN MULTIPLE TIMES SO THAT THEY CAN RULE OUT CERTAIN ISSUES. SHE STATED THE NEXT STEP WAS TO REDO THE SUSPENSION. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, I HAD TO GO TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR THIS BECAUSE I WAS NOW IN FL. ALSO, UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, THE FIRST DEALER DIDN'T RECORD WHEN I WENT IN THE FIRST TWO TIMES. SO WHEN I GO TO THIS NEW DEALER AT 2500 MILES, THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, GIVE ME AN ALIGNMENT THAT DOESN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. THIS IS TRULY RIDICULOUS. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR TO AVOID THESE ISSUES. AND KIA NEEDS TO OWN UP AND FIX THESE STEERING WHEEL ISSUES PROPERLY. I'M GOING BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN TOMORROW. PLEASE RECALL THIS STEERING WHEEL ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486653December 1, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SEATS
MY VEHICLE DON'T START EVERY TIME I TRIED TO START IT THE ELECTRICAL SIT MOVES BACK AND FORWARD, I HAVE TO TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME, I AM GETTING SO FRUSTRATED THAT A NEW CAR HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SOMETHING ITS WRONG, NEXT MONTH I WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEN WHAT I GOING TO DO? PLEASE SOME ONE NEED TO CHECK THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS NEW VEHICLE ITS A NIGHTMARE FOR THE CITIZENS. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO PAY FOR 4 YEARS A CAR THE I CANT EVEN RELIABLE ON, I AM A BUSY MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN AND THIS PROBLEM IT'S CAUSING ME STRESS AND ANXIETY. I PAY MONTHLY $600.00 DOLLARS FOR A "NEW CAR" SO I DON'T HAVE TO STRUGGLE FOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS LIKE WITH AN (OLD CAR) BUT INSTEAD THREE TIMES I HAD THE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 OPTIMA KIA. PLEASE HELP ME AND HELP ME GOD. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486014November 26, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPMITA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRUNK LOCK FAILED PREVENTING HIM FROM UNLOCKING OR LOCKING THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT HAD TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE LOCK SYSTEM FAILED, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE IF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,404.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485439November 21, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS LOCKED BUT COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY IN ORDER TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/28/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE OR SWITCH. ALL THE OTHER DOORS WOULD UNLOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE OR SWITCH. UPDATED 01/09/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485204November 19, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS; FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485060November 18, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SUSPENSION
AS I WAS LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY CAR DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND FELL ON TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CAR, WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME WHERE THE SUSPENSION BROKE APART. INSURANCE INFORMED ME OF RECALL SC075 AND NOT KIA. INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE OF RECALL AND KIA WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE THEY DID NOT RECALL IT, THEY SAY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484776November 15, 2012
STEERING
NEW VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WANDERS (DRIFTS) LEFT OR RIGHT. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO NUDGE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT OR SLIGHTLY RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. I NO LONGER TAKE A MUG OF COFFEE WITH ME AS I DRIVE TO WORK. I HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES DIRECTLY ON THE ROAD AHEAD, ONLY GLANCING BRIEFLY IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OR SIDE MIRRORS TO CHECK TRAFFIC. IT ALSO DOES THIS AT LOW SPEEDS ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS. HELP! I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME ON 11/16. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FOR THE SAME VEHICLE, MODEL AND PROBLEM. IT WOULD SEEM THERE IS NO FIX! HAS THE NHTSA CONTACTED KIA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484782November 15, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE FINALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND ENTER THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING HER IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE KEY FOB WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483964November 11, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE FRONT PASSAGER DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED IN HALF. ONE WEEK LATER THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE BEING OPENED. THERE WAS NO EXTRA FORCE OR PRESSURE ON THE HANDLES THEY JUST BROKE IN YOUR HANDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483982November 11, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS KIA OPTIMA SX IN MAY 2012 BECAUSE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CAR, BASICALLY WITH NO HESITATION. MY FIRST DAY DRIVING IT, I THOUGHT THE STEERING FELT A LITTLE DIFFERENT, TIGHT, AND PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND VERY HARD TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, WELL IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR AND HAS TO BE BROKEN IN A LITTLE MAYBE. ABOUT 500 MILES IN, PROBLEM DIDN'T GO AWAY, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY INSPECTED THE ALIGNMENT, SAID ALIGNMENT WAS OK, BUT THE PSI IN TIRES WAS A LITTLE OFF AND THAT IT SHOULD FIX THE ISSUE. NOTHING HAS CHANGED. WEEK LATER I TOOK IT IN AGAIN. WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS UP TO SPEC, AND WAS TOLD I AM THE FIRST PERSON TO REPORT THIS KIND OF ISSUE WITH THE CAR. I GO HOME THAT NIGHT AND GOOGLE OPTIMA STEERING PROBLEM...THE SEARCH ENGINE GOES NUTS!!! THIS IS A ISSUE WITH THE OPTIMA SINCE 2011!!! I'M A TRUCK DRIVER AND I CAN BARELY STEER THIS CAR!!! HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE ON THE ROADS??? THERE IS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM!! WHEN MY WIFE DRIVES IT SHE TELLS ME SHE CAN'T EVEN TAKE A DRINK OF HER SODA BECAUSE SHE HAS TO PAY SO MUCH ATTENTION TO HOLDING THE WHEEL STRAIGHT!! I FEEL THE SAME WAY!! COME ON KIA!!! COME ON D.O.T. IT'S ONLY JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAR CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT!! OBVIOUSLY THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ISN'T SAFE!! SO RECALL IT!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima