Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11540701August 25, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "Check High beam Assist System" and "Check Lane Departure System" messages were displayed. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front view camera needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 39,715. The contact is requesting to withdraw the complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540760August 25, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Leaking gas at the firewall when running.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540791August 25, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving into a parking lot at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted and parked the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence the following day. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540503August 24, 2023
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Crack in dash along outline of airbag. Burns oil so it has to be refilled monthly Now mechanic says compression and combustion are problems Can’t get into Kia until February when warranty will probably be expired
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540523August 24, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The vehicles 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT), is horribly jerky at very low speeds and on take off. It has become dangerous to drive as my wife almost caused an accident from the vehicle not reacting to acceleration pedal, or from it reacting completely unexpectedly. The transmission is very jerky as you take the foot off the brake without pressing accelerator pedal, it shakes the entire vehicle. It also jerks heavily if you barely touch the gas pedal on take off. Dealership has done a software update on the transmission which only helped initially for about 2-3 weeks, after which the transmission started behaving in that way much worse. It is a constant and persistent issue, however, as there are no fault codes or check engine light is not displayed, the dealer states there is nothing they can do to fix the problem. The vehicle is under full manufacturer power train warranty, yet they refuse to fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540237August 23, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My high beams and low beams are starting to shut off randomly. When it happens, my dash shows that i am trying to turn my headlights from auto to another setting, which is not the case. It has happened at night and that poses a danger because i cant see the road and people cant see my car. I have not had it looked at yet. I do see multiple complaints online for multiple different kia models and years. There is no recall and i do not see a TSB.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540241August 23, 2023
POWER TRAIN
I have already had to have motor and transmission replaced once under warranty. The replaced transmission was worse than the original problem. The original problem was hard shifting. Now I have intermittent hard shifting, occasional lunging forward, occasional shuddering while pressing accelerator, and feeling like there is hesitation to change gears. I have not taken it back to the dealer yet. I always get the excuse that they cant replicate the problem. It took me 2-3 years to get it acknowledged the first time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540312August 23, 2023
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and fastening his seat belt, the seat belt warning light remained illuminated. After unfastening the seat belt, the seat belt warning light turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt buckle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 187,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540401August 23, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering column was previously replaced due to power steering failure. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality inadvertently, and veered to the right lane unintendedly. The anti-skid and the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the earliest availability for diagnostic testing was September 8, 2023. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539971August 22, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car paint as been chipping off. I see a lot of cars like mine in the street with the same isssue , specially Perales white kias . They look like junk cars . Paint was not good
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539981August 22, 2023
ENGINE
The 2016 Optima SX Ltd is consuming oil, but no leak can be found by the mechanics. It is available for inspection upon request. Had the motor seized, I would have been stranded on the side of the road. I have all the CarFax Service records. It is serviced IAW Mfg recommendations. The oil light flickers and turns off at starting. A service engine in 30 days light came on. Took it to change the oil and there was NO oil in the vehicle. The oil and filter were changed, the engine cleaned and no leak could be detected. One week later the engine oil light flickered on and the oil was checked. It had consumed 1.5 quarts of oil in one week. There are zero oil stains in my driveway where the vehicle is parked every single day. This problem has been reported on multiple complaints NHTSA ID#s 11539081, 11538898, 11538679, 11538029...since August 1. Kia should issue a recall or investigate why the vehicles are consuming so much oil that leads to engine damage/failure with occupants stranded on the side of the road. Why is the oil light just flickering on and then off and not staying on if the oil is low? Please help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540039August 22, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Excessive oil consumption 1-1.5 months approx. 1,000 miles into new oils change. It is available for inspection. Safety was put at risk due to not knowing there was no oil in my vehicle while constantly driving it as it did not display the oil warning sign on the dash board. The oil change dealership has confirmed an oil consumption issue two separate times. I am familiar with multiple people having this same issue with Kia and hyuandia vehicles. The dealership is requiring multiple steps to be paid out of pocket prior to using the full warranty i purchased to cover the issue even though they know what the issue is and how to fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540199August 22, 2023
ENGINE
My 2013 KIA Optima caught fire about three weeks ago I don't know what caused it, but it started under the hood of the car where the motor is. Initially the car stopped when I had an oil change and I thought it was the starter. I had a new one put on and it started. I drove it and it caught fire. Now it is sitting at my home and the fuse compartment have been stolen out of the car. If someone will let me know what to do about the situation and what caused the fire, I would really appreciate it. Also, if someone could let me know if the fire was caused by one of the recalls for that car. Thank you, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539912August 21, 2023
ENGINE
The contact's son owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his son was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that his son was able to pull into the driveway. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure could be related to the engine rod bearing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539924August 21, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
It’s a 2019 KIA optima the color is snow pearl white and it is peeling off. the car only has 31262 miles on it it’s peeling on top at the windshield
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539796August 21, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was turning into some parking spots so i could put my car in reverse and park closer to building i needed. I did not get a chance to putin reverse, the vehicle surged forward and was accelerating. My foot was not on the gas pedal. I was trying to brake. I turned steering wheel so I didn't hit brick building. I swiped the building and 2 vehiles on my right AND still did not stop right away. I kept on the brake and the plants, rocks, landscaping I think helped it to stop. I can get police report in few days.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539828August 21, 2023
ENGINE
I recently got a 2015 Kia Optima LX, I loved the vehicle and decided to buy it. I had no issues until I decided to drive it, and after 30 minutes of driving, I faintly hear a sound coming from the engine, as if it's hitting some metal. Shortly after, a warning light on the dashboard turns on. I reach home and decide to scan it with a small OBD scanner I have, and to my surprise, it's showing error code P1326. The vehicle is running very poorly, making a sound like metal rubbing against metal, and it has no power at all. I'm stuck on the road with the vehicle like this. It has 104,600 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539689August 20, 2023
ENGINE
I been having problems with the oil I do the regular maintenance on vehicle I have all the repair paperwork from Dealer and Montebello Lube I put synthetic oil so that 5000 miles at 2500 oil is empty I already replaced the head gasket oil is being consumed fast constantly filling with oil every time I Drive engine light came on 2 times for no oil in engine I need something done
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539542August 19, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
purchased my car in june of 2019. Ive scheduled regular oil changes and maintenance until june of 2020 where the engine light began to flicker and the car would shake. I took to Koons Kia owings mills md and it was repaired. Next year same thing. Oil compression issues all year round where i have to keep putting oil in. Now my car starts and shakes violently. the kia service modurator on the car indicated there were an engine issue. I cannot keep dishing money into this car with so many recalls (current fuel pump recall and anti theft issue) is also included. Please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539554August 19, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My daughter was driving on the interstate and her car lost power while driving. This is a major safety issue. A car losing power in the middle of 80 or higher mph traffic could result in fatalities.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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