Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11549285October 10, 2023
ENGINE
Engine Rebuild/Replace: #4 CYLINDER WALL DAMAGE ALLOWING OIL INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER I have kept very good care of my car and have provided appropriate maintenance including oil changes 3k-5k with synthetic oil and also recently had full tube up April 2023.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549156October 10, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have snow white pearl color car. I noticed that the there is painting peeling off my car. I also had my windshield replaced by safelite and they took a chunk of paint off my car as well and are refusing to pay for damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549162October 10, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WILL NOT RESTART. IT JUST DIES IN THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A WIRING ISSUE AND NOONE CAN SEEM TO FIND IT BECAUSE IT STARTS AND THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHY AND MOST OF THE TIME IT WONT START
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548971October 9, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint is peeling off in chunks. Not normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548919October 8, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1st problem happened when I was at a complete stop, at a traffic light, in rush hour traffic. All the sudden steam started coming out from underneath my hood. I instantly looked at my temperature gauge and it did not show anything however I knew something was wrong when the light turned green I immediately pulled over, out of the street as far as I can get without being hit by other cars. I put on my hazard lights. Pop the hood. I had a gallon jug in my trunk. And I walked to a store to fill it up with water. Came back, poured the entire gallon into the radiator. Waited for at least 30 minutes. Started the car and made it home. After that incident, the problems with this 2015 Kia Optima has snowballed. It just amazes me that it has started happening 2000 miles after my extended warranty expired. I had to purchase and replace spark plugs, the coil packs, two other sensor things, which I do have the receipts for and now the car reeks a gasoline and it automatically kicks into overdrive and I lose my reading on my tachometer, this puts it into a disabled mode, I'm on the freeway in Russia traffic, trying to pull over without getting into an accident. Do I believe this is a safety concern? You're damn right I do am I mad yes. I am taking my k i a into the dealership. After doing my research on this make and model, is the dealership doesn't honor what the claims department and the media response to this problem. Will then I will leave the car with Kia because I cannot afford a new engine. I will have to call to finance company and let them know that I voluntary I'm letting them come repo this car, good luck selling it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548548October 6, 2023
STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Windows were broken and steering column was broken in to. Car was stolen and spray painted the seats and front end was smashed.Car was totaled
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548703October 6, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Trunk latch is broken. Car doesn’t alert that trunk is open.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548732October 6, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from the hood and went to open the hood but could not because the latch had melted. The contact went to get an extinguisher but the flames were too aggressive. The vehicle had exploded twice while waiting for the fire department. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. No police report was filed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548763October 6, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle is making a humming noise while the car is off. Both the brake light and ABS lights are on. Based on year, make and model, vehicle is one of the cars included in: nhtsa ID-23V-652000, however VIN does not show an active recall. Repairs will have to come out of pocket since there is not a recall by VIN, even though vehicle is having the same symptoms as recall aforementioned.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548474October 5, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had all four of my window regulators to go out within two days of each other and now my windows constantly drop automatically while driving especially if I go over speed bumps, hit pot holes or any type of bump. I try to keep them up by placing paper or holders in them but they only hold up for so long and at times when I’m driving they drop down and I’m afraid the glass will break completely because one of them dropped while driving and the window cracked. This is a very dangerous situation and Kia tried to charge me when I went to them and I know this has to be a defect for all windows to go out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548527October 5, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I got this recall done. I found out about it because my insurance raised a couple hundred dollars a month and when I called they told me about this recall. I got the recall done however, when the insurance pulls up my VIN # they state it is still flagged. I contacted NYS DMV about this and they stated the information is supposed to be sent to you (NHTSA). When I put in my VIN number in the window prior it came up with the safety issue and said 0 recalls. So, does that mean that it was sent in that the car has this? I was on the phone today with KIA for almost an hour and they could not advise me on anything pertaining to this. I would appreciate if you can let me know if the document was sent/processed because the insurance company is stating my VIN number is still flagged. Thank you for any help you provide me. I am using this form because when I clicked on email I do not have the email app installed and could not find a regular email address. my email is : [XXX] 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
#11548302October 4, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The white Pearl paint on my 2012 Kia optima ex is peeling all over the car. There are 4 spots that are peeling and getting worse. I’ve read numerous online forums about this issue and there is a latent defect with the paint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548320October 4, 2023
ENGINE
Burning oil. Took to a mechanic. Blow by engine
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548134October 4, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
driving in the dark, my auto headlight selector only works when it wants to. like it’ll just just my headlights off at random no matter how dark it is
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547903October 3, 2023
ENGINE
I was driving the car 30 mph and the engine just cuts off completely and dies in the middle of the road in traffic. It wouldnt start. There was no time given to pull off the roadway. I get to safely call a tow truck which took them 3 hours to get there. They took it to Kia and there Kia says it has 4 recalls and the engine is seized up. Even though Kia is responsible for motor replacement and has replaced motors in other Kia's they have denied me of a new engine die to their recall. I have paid dearly for that car for 6 years now that im a thousand away from paying it off and having my sanity Kia almost gets me killed on the street and took what sanity I have left. They say they are not going to fix any of the recalls on my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548045October 3, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Summer 2017 The engine failed while driving with my family. The engine seized and a fire was engulfed. I was in the interstate and we feared for our life. Out of town visiting family we were stranded in another state for a month waiting for repairs. Kia took the vehicle and replaced the engine with another faulty engine that has seized several times while commuting. I have been living in fear and anxiety since this incident. I never know if I start my engine if I will loose my life. Summer 2023 3 teenagers watched a viral tic tok challenge and learned how faulty the cylinder that Kia installed was. The teens then trespassed into my home, broke the windows and stole my vehicle. I have lived in fear since this has happened. I have lost jobs, income, and peace due to The purchase of this vehicle. Kia has never assisted or kept the promises they made to restore the vehicle. These past 10 years agave been a nightmare and as an African American woman I believe I was targeted as a purchaser for this make and model. My life had been hell since the purchase of this vehicle. I have not been able to satisfy payment due to repairs, thefts, fires, and more. Please anyone. Someone. Help. This is the most heartbreaking experience as an American. I have worked for my country 20 years and do not feel like an equal citizen. I have been homeless, jobless, unstable, and watched my life and family life flash before me in near death accidents involving this car. When I purchased this car I had a great job, credit score, and home. Now I have more anxiety, fear, bills, and no help with this Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11548065October 3, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact state that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548082October 3, 2023
ENGINE
Rattle noise on the freeway, all electric lights on dash board started flashing. Car died on the side of the road. Did not restart. Engine was making a bubble noise (like overheating) with steam. When I checked my oil, showed dark and metal flakes. Recent oil change. Towed my mechanic and they said I have MAJOR engine issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547644October 2, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have a 2016kia optima EX and I had a problem with it. I used to take it to the Kia dealership for oil change and services. So recently I have done the transmission fluid and oil change.! After that I have weird transmission problems like it finding hard to accelerate and even when I am changing the gear from park to drive or reverse it makes weird noise like clutching. I spoke with the dealership and they say we have changed the transmission fluid then it shouldn’t be the problem.! They don’t even find the exact problem.! I have been spending a lot on my car . Kia is messing up with the recalls.!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547730October 2, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 65 MPH, after driving over a bump in the roadway, the trunk door opened independently, obstructing the rear-view line of sight. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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