Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11743068June 9, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was driving down the highway when I kinda noticed speed changed. ABS lights, foreword collision light, and rear end lights, so I turned around went back home. I rarely drive my car and I never had any problems with it. I purshased it brand new.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743072June 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Large delamination of paint on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742694June 8, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car returned P1326 and had multiple misfires and audible knocking, the dealers will indeed fight the already existing class action warranties. Was sent home and told to “drive the fuck out of it”, to which the car did not make it home and blew gasoline into my cabin while driving on the highway. Almost passed out, and am still fighting Kia to actually address the defective rod bearings. I personally would fight tooth and nail over a 5 dollar problem, but this is something they do nationwide and can cause serious injury or death. If it weren’t a 200 LB man driving the gasoline shooting into the cabin would absolutely cause a knockout. To the time of this report they are still trying to disregard the rod bearing issue and send me home with fixes to problems caused consequentially.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742779June 8, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
P1326 code flashing engine light knock sensor went out 3 times in 6 months and just replaced it again and this time engine light didn't go off I was reading that there was a recall on this but apparently mine doesn't state it. Car cannot pass emissions if engine light is on and the 15th of June is approaching. The car doesn't make any sounds or nothing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742841June 8, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I am reporting a recurring safety hazard involving my 2019 Kia Optima following a repair for diagnostic code P064A (Fuel Pump Control Module). Despite the dealership attempting to repair the fuel system, the vehicle remains in a 'limp mode' state. While driving, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost significant power, refusing to accelerate above 50 mph. This creates an immediate safety risk, as the vehicle cannot maintain highway speeds or safely merge, increasing the danger of a rear-end collision. The P064A code and subsequent 'limp mode' symptoms persist even after professional service. I am concerned that the existing Kia warranty extensions (such as WTY028 for the low-pressure fuel pump) or current repair procedures are insufficient to resolve this underlying mechanical/electronic failure, leaving the vehicle unpredictable and hazardous to operate in traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742315June 5, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was take to O'Reilly's to be diagnosed. The DTC: P1326; was retrieved. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact researched online and found NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle because the vehicle was not currently registered and additional repairs were needed before a recall repair could be performed. The vehicle was being towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742371June 5, 2026
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STEERING
I had a engine replaced 1600 miles ago delarsship advised it was ok to drive gave me a vechicle back with abs light tracation control light on along with a exuast leak
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742411June 5, 2026
ENGINE
Engine failure, metal leaking into oil which caused engine to fail
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742000June 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,527. However, upon taking the vehicle to the dealer due to excessive oil consumption, the dealer informed the contact that the actual mileage was over 200,000 as per the Carfax report. The seller was contacted but did not provide assistance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742198June 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, he noticed the vehicle started smoking heavily from under the hood, and shortly thereafter, the vehicle fully ignited into flames. The vehicle was occupied during the fire. The contact stated that he noticed smoke emerging from the driver-side section of the hood. Furthermore, the contact noted that the power door locks failed to unlock automatically, requiring him to manually unlock the door to exit the vehicle safely. The color of the smoke started off light and quickly turned black. The contact stated he noticed a burning electrical odor during the fire. The fire started at underneath the hood, and stayed in the engine bay. No property damage. The location of the fire was the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by the local fire dept by water. A Fire Department report was not filed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled. No injuries occurred. The vehicle was towed to a independent auto shop. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage on the odometer was 219,000, but the vehicle had a previous engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741793June 3, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug.oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741833June 3, 2026
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owned a 2016 KIA OPTIMA. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH occupied with her husband the contact heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle as you looked in the drive side rear view mirror and while depressing the brake pedal attempting to come to a complete at the traffic light, the brakes failed to work a intended. No warning light illuminated. The contact mention she kept trying to depress the brake pedal, however the vehicle kept accelerating causing the vehicle to crash into a ditch, go around a telephone poll, crashing into a rock garden which allowing the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot call interstate towing then the vehicle was then towed by insurance company to a collision center. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,834.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741928June 3, 2026
STEERING, WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES
I bought this car February 2026 when I drove it on the freeway they car felt wiggly not the axle is broke and the wheel bearings stop the car from going
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741564June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I believe the Hybrid Propulsion System in my kia optima hybrid should have been part of the recall. The vehicle is currently showing signs of the vehicle's Voltage Protection Device activating inadvertently, causing a sudden loss of power. Vehicle is currently with an authorized dealership being tested.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741618June 2, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have replaced the headlights in my 2011 Kia Optima multiple times but no matter what without the brights on, the road is not at all illuminated making it impossible to see at night. When you look at the car head on the lights look as if they would be incredibly bright, but I believe due to faulty reflective lining on the interior of the headlight housing, even though the bulb may shine brightly, it does not get reflected properly onto the surface of the road causing serious safety concerns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740785May 29, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while accelerating at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal burning smell detected. While driving, she was alerted by another driver who informed her that the vehicle was on fire. The passengers were able to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic, who said the engine was bad. The engine was previously replaced at 147,000 miles. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740798May 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The Kia had a problem with the check engine light coming on and it gently went into limp mode. I had it repaired at Darlings Ford and it worked for about 600 miles. I had it repaired again and it worked for about 7,000 miles. The light recent came on and the car immediately hard banged andwent into limp mode. My wife was driving and shaking when she got home. The light went out and everything was fine. A couple of days later, on 5/27/26, we were on the interstate in traffic travelling 70 mph and it Violently hard bumped, the Cel came on and it went into limp mode. It was as if we hit deep pot holes with both front tires which we didn't as we were on a smooth highway. The light is still on and it's in limp mode.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740909May 29, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The clock spring keeps failing which is causing the air bag light to remain on; the horn to not work; various functions of the dashboard; and steering wheel heat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740644May 28, 2026
ENGINE
This vehicle is eligible for Theta II class action settlement, and I cannot seem to get the Kia dealerships, or the Kia Corporate to honor the engine failure issue that I was told by the AAA mechanic should have been replaced. I have also been told by others, including another mechanic at a nationally recognized mechanic that it needs to be taken care of, and that they had the same vehicle and had there's taken care of without any issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740357May 27, 2026
ENGINE
The engine of this vehicle is still exhibiting the issues that are under the class action lawsuit. Engine. Was not repaired properly by dealership. I must change my oil around 1700 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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