Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11558611December 5, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a burning odor on interior of the vehicle before the vehicle lost motive power. Upon coming to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway, the vehicle was able to restart. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The VIN was included, but the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558320December 4, 2023
ENGINE
I have a 2015 Kia optima GDI, I never had any issues with this vehicle and I kept with my oil changes, but one day in November I was driving on the highway doing about 65 my car shut off in the middle of the highway, I only had the car for 2.5 years. I took it to advance auto got the battery and alternator checked which said that I had a bad alternator, and a code of p1326. The alternator was changed but I am still not able to drive my car, I took it to my local Kia dealership and hopefully they’ll be able to replace the engine. I never had any issues with this car but paying on a car that I can’t drive is very stressful. I will never buy a Kia vehicle again
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558164December 3, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My car started losing its lights one by one. I lost the front right light first, then yhe right back side light, and now the brakes lights. I replaced all the bulbs and still does not work. Then my car just cut off while driving with no notification. I towed it in to Mavis. They checked and said the battery was not keeping charge. I paid to replace the battery ,belt and alternator. Four days later my check engine light, battery indicator, airbag indicator, door indicator came on and still is on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558173December 3, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Purchased this car in July of this year. I checked all fluids prior to purchase and after driving it for 30 days the oil light flicked then went off. I decided to check the oil and it was 2 quarts low. I immediately called my extended warranty and they said to take it to the shop. After it being there for 3 months they said it was the rings in the piston and it needed a new motor. They referred to it as excessive oil consumption. Of course the warranty company Old Republic refused to cover it because it’s a on going issue with this model car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558201December 3, 2023
ENGINE
On September 27, 2023 I was driving home at 50 mph on 41st & Lynn Lane in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, OK. The car just shut down right before I had to stop at a stop sign. Not being mechanical minded the only thing I could think of was to call a towing company (AAA). I was informed to also call 911 to have a police officer come and block traffic to keep me from getting hit. It was towed to the only garage there is close to my house as the Ferguson Dealership couldn't take it at the time. It was at a place called The Garage. They at the time told me they thought it was the fuel pump and replaced it. The work was done on October 2, 2023. On November 26, 2023 I was driving home on the Cimarron Turnpike when the car just lost power. I pulled over as best I could and did after a bit get it to start again. I called my brother to see if he would follow me home as the car jerked and would only do 60 mph. I put on my flashers and my brother did follow me home. I have researched the trouble and saw a recall #147 (Kia's # I believe. it is a recall for the engine and something to do with the KSDS. Kia Dealership ( Ferguson Kia) again couldn't take the car so I took it to The Garage again and received a call from the tech that I need another motor. I am calling Kia Corp to see if they will replace it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558055December 2, 2023
SEATS
My seat back has been automatically going back all by itself WHILE I'M DRIVING!! It happened 4 times yesterday while driving on the highway!! This has happened a number of times while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557827December 1, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "Pull Over and Shut Down Vehicle" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence, where the vehicle was parked. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and advised the contact to park the vehicle outside and away from structures. The failure mileage was approximately 128,795. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557836December 1, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
in the middle of october around the 15th 2023 (HECU) hYDRAULIC electrical control unit light, the ABS light, the ENGIN light, and a couple of other unknown lights up and than my car tell me to pull over and shut down. you will have to tow it for inspection upon request due to all the warning light. my car had 117,000 document miles on it when i bought it, it now has 128,000. I paid cash for this car and it was my only means for my daughter and i to get to school work and with her dad in the hospital slowly still not out of the woods recovering throat cancer surgery patient. (ALL DOCUMENTED) on legal true facts statements dated sealed and signed documents for every statement stating true facts of this information that i am representing to you on December 1st 2023 My Neighbors, animals, property and family are at safety risk with the cars capability's to just combust SITTING OR DRIVING. Kia Corp. and Kia of Tucson both via verbal telephonic told me there is not a part to fix the recall just yet.. I do have a open case with NHTS. There were no prior warnings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557633November 30, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557643November 30, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557395November 29, 2023
ENGINE
Car is leaking oil. It is not only visible but I can smell it as well. Visibly it looks like its leaking onto the heat shield. This is very dangerous as heat shield gets extremely hot since it is over the exhaust. Also visible are the stains on my driveway. Additionally, I have been measuring oil levels and it is dropping slowly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557397November 29, 2023
ENGINE
Oil plug fall out at highway speeds, engine failure. Engine stalled while driving, got vehicle to side of road, called tow truck after attempting to restart. When tow truck driver pulled vehicle onto the flatbed a massive amount of oil came out. After driver towed vehicle home he looked for a hole in the block found where plug had fallen out and advised us to look in the skid plate to see if oil plug was there, if we were lucky we could put it back in, fill with oil and restart. That is when it became obvious that the oil came from drain plug site and oil plug was found. Put plug back in, filled with oil and let the vehicle sit for a while before attempting to restart. Engine would not crank. Had vehicle towed to KIA service center by neighbor and dropped off where it was"lost" for two weeks. After they "found" my vehicle they scheduled a time to look at it. They called needing permission to put in a new starter and told us if they installed the started and the engine failed the test, engine repair would be covered under "this campaign". They put in the starter, ran an engine test and confirmed a new engine was needed. They called later that day, said it was not covered under warranty or campaign. I could not afford the engine replacement so had it towed back home by neighbor after paying for the starter. Car is at home parked and has not been touched since getting it back here. Plug fall out was 4,000 miles after last oil change. Vehicle went into limp mode one time, did need a boost a few times and the day off plug fall out my son was on his way home from work, headed to auto parts store to have them check battery, starter and alternator.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557439November 29, 2023
STRUCTURE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (Structure) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557467November 29, 2023
ENGINE
The engine is being to make a sound. When I checked it’s the rod knock. In the end of September my wife drove the car to work where it stopped working. That’s when I heard and seen what it was. It’s my understanding that many optimas have been having engine problems. I was told to take it to a dealership and Kia would fix it that there was a recall. Please let me know if this is true or any help you can provide.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557524November 29, 2023
ENGINE
Nov 5, 2023 my wife , son and my self traveled to Las Vegas for a family party. 2 days prior to our trip I got a tune up. On the day in question after traveling 1 hour and about 20 minutes to Las Vegas the car made a noise as if something fell off the engine next came on the oil light followed with smoke from the car. Thankfully I was able to get over where the car completely shut off and has not started since. After 5 hours of waiting in basically in the middle of nowhere we were towed to our destination which was 190 miles away from where the car shut down
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557564November 29, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
engine died while driving 45 on highway, tow to garage and was told to take to dealership because of a recall for my engine. towed the car to the dealership and they check and are telling me that my car engine wasn't covered and I would have to paid for the repair. I was told the problem was the engine manufactured with the rod bearing issue. My safety was at risk because car died on a state highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557325November 28, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557147November 28, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have my headlights on auto so they turn on but they turn on during the day and then off at night they turn on they have turn off when I'm diving at night on freeway and turn back on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557214November 28, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, she observed a burning odor inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557223November 28, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that his wife was driving the vehicle at approximately 35 MPH when she was she flagged by another driver that her vehicle was emitting flames under the vehicle on the front driver's side near the wheel well. The contact stated his wife was not aware of any warning lights and pulled the vehicle over and stopped. The contact stated the fire department was on scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, the contact had no information on the diagnosis by the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000. The contact related the fire to the current NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the vehicle was recently returned to the dealer due to engine failures. VIN tool confirms parts not yet available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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