Kia Optima Complaints (2011)

628 consumer complaints on file.

#11326474May 29, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
KIA OPTIMA 2011 TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORST ON JULY 2 2018, MY KIA OPTIMA CAUSED ME TO PLUMMET INTO TRAFFIC AFTER MY BRAKE DIDN'T PERFORM L. THAT'S CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO KIA FOR ALL SERVICE NEED AND CAR STILL PERFORM POORLY. HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR MULTIPLE TIME JUST FOR IT TO ACT RIGHT. CAR STOPS ONE ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ONE DAY. I HAVE A 3 OLD AND THAT DAY SHE COULD HAVE BEEN WITH ME. I LOST MY LICENSE AND MY MONEY I INVESTED FOR A SAFE CAR FOR ME AND MY CHILD. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11326366May 28, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL INJECTOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. IT SPUTTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY; IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE MOMENT THAT I MOVED ONTO THE EXIT RAMP. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A FULL DIAGNOSTIC AND REPORTED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. WHILE REPAIRING THE INJECTOR, THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE INJECTOR LEAKING AND CLOGGING THE CONVERTER. NO CODES ALERTED MYSELF, OR THE MECHANIC TO THESE ISSUES. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT NEITHER ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER THE ENGINE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11326265May 28, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS CAR ARE ALMOST NON EXISTENT. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IT'S SO BAD THAT WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND ME THERE IS THE SHADOW OF MY CAR FROM THE HEADLIGHTS BEHIND ME. I BROUGHT TO THE GARY ROME KIA IN JANUARY WHO TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME HEADLIGHT WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FOIL IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS INTACT. IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. CAR HAS 109K ON IT.*DT*LN *TR THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE DIM LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STATED MINIMIZES DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IF DRIVING SHE WOULD HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11324697May 15, 2020
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH STOKES KIA (202 S GOOSE CREEK BLVD, GOOSE CREEK, SC 29445) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS A FOUR STEP PROCESS. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER SHE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11323944May 9, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING AT NIGHT HAS BEEN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE GONE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS WITH NO RESULTS. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR DID NOT SHOW SIGNS FOR THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11323161May 4, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS ON A CURVY BACK ROAD DOING ABOUT 45MPH APPLYING THE BREAKS NOT TO STOP BUT ONLY TO BREAK MY SPEED DOWN SOME IN ORDER TO GO AROUND THE CURVE. WHILE DOING SO MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, IT FEEL AS IF MY TIRES ARE SLIDING & IT FEELS LIKE MY BREAKS COULD BE LOCKED UP AS WELL. THE NEXT DAY I WAS GETTING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE ON A RAMP AND AGAIN APPLIED MY BRAKES TO BREAK MY SPEED DOWN AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. MY WHEEL LOCKED UP, FELT AS IF MY BRAKES WERE LOCKED UP AS WELL & MY TIRES MAY HAVE SLID. I'M NOT NOTICING OF MY CAR IS SHUTTING OFF BECAUSE WHEN IT IS HAPPENING I'M TOO FOCUSED ON THE ROAD & NOT LOSING CONTROL. BUT I AM NOTICING THAT MY RADIO IS BOOTING UP. WHICH IT ONLY DOES THIS WHEN I START UP MY ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11321850April 21, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY CAR HAVE LOT OF PROBLEMS IN SIDE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11320403April 7, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DIM HEADLAMPS DUE TO DETERIORATING REFLECTIVE COATING ON LOW BEAM HOUSING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11317176March 10, 2020
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING TO WORK. DROVE THROUGH THE FRONT GATE ENTRANCE TO MY STATION WHEN AN AWFUL METALLIC KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED ALL THE WAY HOME THAT DAY. 80+ MILES. TURNS OUT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BEING A FAILURE TO A CRANK BEARING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11310181February 19, 2020
ENGINE
CAR DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. NO CRANK, NO START. MECHANIC SAYS THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11308986February 13, 2020
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE ENGINE SEIZED THE VEHICLE NEVER STARTED AGAIN, NOT DIAGNOSED YET CONSEQUENCE VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED AT OWNERS EXPENSE THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING LOT , TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED AND WAS ADVISED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11307190February 5, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
WILL PRODUCE PHOTO FROM BODY SHOP WHEN CALLED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11307056February 4, 2020
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION IS SOMETIME SHIFTING ABRUPTLY, & ALSO SLOW TO UP SHIFT GEARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11302650January 28, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PROBLEM WITH KIA DOOR SENSOR LIGHT STAYING ON WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT TIGHT. I'VE GOTTEN (3) THREE JUMPS AND PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE THIS SENSOR IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. WHEN THE SENSOR IS ON IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO SECURE THE CAR. IF I USE THE CLICKER IT WON'T LOCK BECAUSE THE SENSOR LIGHT IS ON. I NEVER KNOW WHEN I GO TO THE CAR IF IT WILL ACTUALLY START OR NOT. I'M TRYING TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO UNPLUG THE SENSOR. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK ON: JAN 1, JAN 17 AND JAN 19
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11302283January 27, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY BECOME DIMMER OVER TIME. AFTER REPLACING THE BULBS A SECOND TIME, I DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CLEARLY NOT A BULB ISSUE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR, ONLY TO THE SIDES. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE FINE. AFTER READING ON LINE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALER. BULLDOG KIA IN ATHENS, GA TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A SERVICE ISSUE (SHE WOULD NOT SAY RECALL), BUT BECAUSE NOTHING IN MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS "BROKEN OR CRACKED" THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT. AND SINCE I DIDN'T BUY THE BULB FROM KIA, THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE EXACT BULB RECOMMENDED FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. KIA WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $1,000 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE NEW ASSEMBLIES WOULD BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BAD. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED! IF YOU LOOK AT ANY KIA OPTIMA ON THE ROAD THAT IS MORE THAN 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD, YOU WILL SEE THE SAME DARK AREA IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WITH A LOT OF LIGHT SHOOTING OUT TO THE SIDES. SINCE THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR FOR COLLEGE, I PURCHASED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON LINE FOR $285 AND REPLACED THEM MYSELF AND USED LED BULBS TO PREVENT THE "BURNING" OF THE CHROME PLATING INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY THAT APPARENTLY CAUSE THE OTHERS TO GO BAD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ANYONE WHO REPLACES THE BULB THINKS THAT THEY ARE FIXING THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE ARE DRIVING IN INADEQUATE LIGHTING. PLEASE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO FORCE KIA TO RECALL AND REPLACE THESE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES BEFORE NEEDLESS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. MY DAUGHTER WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE ADDITIONAL VISION THAT SHE NOW HAS WITH HER NEW LED LIGHTS. SHE ONLY TOLD ME BECAUSE SHE HAD FRIENDS THAT DIDN'T FEEL SAFE RIDING IN HER CAR AT NIGHT. SO SHE BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. I AM APPALLED THAT KIA IS AVOIDING THIS MAJOR ISSUE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP. THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11301166January 22, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM. USING LOW BEAM LIGHTS AT NIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT ALL. HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES AND IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11300423January 20, 2020
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HI MY CAR HAS LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES.. I TOOK MANY TIMES TO KIA DEALER IN JERSEY CITY MY CAR DOOR GETS UNLOCKED WHILE IT'S IN DRIVING MODE WHICH MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE I TOLD SO MANY TIMES TO THE DEALERS TO FIX IT THEY DO SOME TEMPORARY THINGS IN MY CAR AND THEY LIVE ME BUT AGAIN AFTER SOME DAYS THAT PROBLEM IS ARISING AGAIN... I AM FED UP WITH THIS SITUATION AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11299729January 16, 2020
ENGINE
DRIVING IN HEAVIER THAN NORMAL TRAFFIC ABOUT 45 MPH. STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ENGINE CUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE LESS THAN HALF A MILE BEFORE THE ENGINE CUT OFF AGAIN. I COMPLETELY LOST POWER, BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. I WAITED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR (SUCCESSFULLY!) AND DROVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT BEFORE TRAVELING THE REMAINING 20 MINUTES HOME. CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED UPON ARRIVING HOME. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND NOTHING WAS CORRECTED. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION. CAR HAS OCCASIONALLY BEEN HESITATING WHILE STARTING OR WHILE IDLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS SINCE THAT EVENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11299555January 15, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER FATHER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S FATHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MADE ABNORMAL NOISES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR HOME DUE TO VEHICLE NOT RESTARTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT PAY FOR A TOW TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED; THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,362.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11299635January 15, 2020
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING DOWN AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CUTS OFF. FOUND OUT THE ENGINE LOCKED EVEN THOUGH I GET THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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