Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11603881July 22, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had seized, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603343July 19, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Engine locked in while driving on road No power an won’t start
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603344July 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on four occasions while the vehicle was parked and the window switches were depressed on all the windows, the windows failed to roll up or roll down as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's side window regulator had become dismantled, allowing the glass to move up and down. The contact was informed that the window regulator and panel assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired each time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603160July 18, 2024
STEERING
driving down the road went over a speed bump and all the sudden the steering wheel started making a clanking noise it seem to steer fine but the steering column makes some kind of noise. i was told they have a recall on this item a bushing or something like that
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603196July 18, 2024
ENGINE
Mi carro estaba bien ninguna luz de testigos prendidos de pronto iba por la carretera conduciendo se freno y se apago gracias a Dios no ocurrió ningún accidente. Lo volví a prender sonaba el motor como si tuviera un tic tac y se prendió las luces de testigo de motor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603025July 17, 2024
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:BEARINGS/BUSHINGS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a wheel bearing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602764July 16, 2024
ENGINE
Have completed 4 oil consumption tests and replaced knock sensor and now have knocking in the engine
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602822July 16, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought this from a dealer ship and it is having some issues when it is gearing down dont know if its the fuel injectors or what but its got some issue with it getting proper fuel
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602299July 15, 2024
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
Driving down highway car engine shut off. Brakes are vacuum assist so brake pedal was hard and not very responsive while trying to stop car. Engine would not restart having to be towed. No warning lights, no strange noises. Just shut off. Engine possibly siezed. Looking in a kia forum this seems to be a recurring problem. I know there were Engine recalls in previous model years may need to be included for this year as well. Engine oil good, coolant level good.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602350July 15, 2024
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption, loss of power. Went in for a tune as previous owner never did one and car would not crank back up. In fact it didn’t respond to the key turn at all. SENSOR read wouldn't read a problem. Later found out engine was basically gone. Burned excessive oil, started coming out the tail pipe. Dash was not illuminating when there was insufficient oil. Has not been fixed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602382July 15, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving on the freeway I noticed my car wasnt going as I was pushing the gas and noticed all my dash lights were on like I was in accessory mode. I coasted to the edge of the freeway and decided to pop my hood and see if it was my battery cable that came loose. While waiting for traffic to break I noticed my hood looked alittle hazy like it was hot. When I was able to get out of my car I noticed black smoke coming from under the hood so I backed off and called 911.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602443July 15, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I got on the Highway after work, particularly hot day so I had the a/c running. Following nobody, and not next to any cars I hear a loud "crack," followed by yet another loud crack, glass flying to the back of my car, sunroof cover starts rattling back and fourth. I pull over after being jump scared, and come to find my sun roof to be blown upwards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11601812July 13, 2024
ENGINE
Oil leaking at drain pan and won’t come out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11601332July 12, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
[XXX] 6:30AM: 2016 Kia Optima Ex I was driving on the freeway on my way to work when I lost all acceleration and immediately attempted to get over to the side of the road. Which was pretty [XXX] scary being that it's a busy freeway that early in the morning so everyone is laying on their horn while trying to get out of my way. It was either be stranded in the middle of the freeway or get over as quick as possible. My electronics were all still on however; my whole dashboard went from no "check engine" light to everything that could light up was lit up. I own a OBD2 scanner so I plugged that in and scanned it. I received a code that read "P0014: Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing - Over - Advanced (Bank 1)". I then had my car towed to a mechanic that diagnosed my engine and claimed there was "metal shavings" in my engine. And my engine was not turning; it seized up. I didn't believe him so I got a ride over to the shop and sure enough he simply had me pull my dipstick out to see the shavings on there. He also manually turned my engine with a socket wrench and told me it was harder than [XXX] to turn which was not supposed to happen. I tried it myself and sure enough it was tough as [XXX] to turn. He claimed I needed a new engine! He said I have the option to get it towed somewhere else or he can try and find an engine for me. I then called a Kia Service center in Visalia CA and explained to them what happened. They said they will not fix anything due to me not having a computer update recall fixed on my car. Yet I had never gotten a notice in the mail for it like they were supposed to do back in 2018. The only one I had gotten recently was a "safety recall" which was to fix my trunk latch. I knew that would not have any impact on my cars running condition so I did not get that fixed. However had I known I needed an update I would've gone in a heartbeat. I did not take it to the service center being that they told me they cannot fix my engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11601317July 11, 2024
ENGINE
UNKNOWN ISSUE: Car shut off while driving and would not crank back up. In fact it didn’t respond to the key turn at all. SENSOR reads the code p0014 which can mean costly repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600737July 10, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Window regular has been replaced 2 times in 2 years.Having problems again with the same drivers side window. Costing over $600.Window keep getting off track want go up and or down. COULDN'T drve rain pouring in .Regulator replaced year 2022, 2023 now awaiting a appointment for another replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600797July 10, 2024
STEERING
Kia 2014 Optima LX-There are noises in the steering column when turning the wheel or going over bumps. It sounds like metal rubbing together. Took it to a mechanic and it was determined there was a coupler problem and it was recalled. The mechanic said we should take it to Kia to be fixed. I am anticipating having trouble getting them to fix it because my car year and model does not fit the total criteria. I am in New Jersey and live on the coast near long beach island. It is humid here even though NJ is not listed. [XXX] Kia recalled some 2011–2014 Optima vehicles to replace the flexible coupling in the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS). The recall was for vehicles produced between August 12, 2010 and December 18, 2013 that were sold or registered in areas with high humidity and warm ocean waters. The flexible coupling can wear out over time, causing noise when turning the steering wheel, especially when the car is stopped. Kia dealers replaced the coupling at no cost to customers. Please let me know how I should proceed. I will be visiting my local Kia to see if they will accomodate us. 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
#11600818July 10, 2024
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was stolen using a usb cord and they tore my steering column, key ignition and brok my driver side passenger window.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600443July 9, 2024
ENGINE
While traveling on the highway at the stated rate of speed between 65-75 mph, my vehicle experienced what I described as a downward surge causing the vehicle to suddenly lose speed immediately followed by a consistent blinking engine light. Fortunately, I was in the slow lane and there wasn't a vehicle behind me, or I could have been rear ended. I tried to accelerate; however, the engine acted as if it was choking. I backed off acceleration and allowed the engine to pick up speed on its own. Fortunately, I was almost home and stopped by the Auto Zone in my neighborhood and they attached the device that will generate the code. The code generated P1326 which points toward the knock sensor. KIA need to address this issue and be made to correct these dangerous issues before someone is in a major accident where they may find themselves in a lot of traffic. In my research, I have found numerous complaints regarding this issue and consumers not receiving restitution or taking 3-4 months waiting for their vehicle to be repaired. We hope you will be able to assist in getting KIA to review these motor issues. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600563July 9, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before gaining motive power. The vehicle was also shuddering and vibrating. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. Additionally, the gear shift lever was difficult to shift into reverse(R). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and then the gear shifter was able to be shifted into reverse(R). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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