Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11539562August 19, 2023
ENGINE
Car was driven to work and died on side of road a few weeks ago. Would not take a jump. Had funny smell when hood was up. Had to tow it home. 2015 (bought in 2016 from Kia Dealershop with 130 miles. We were the only owner. I think it was used for test drives? Dealership said engine seized ( only 35,000 miles). Haven't heard from them yet. No rental car! What can we do. Under Powertrain warranty. Thanks [XXX] and [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
#11539048August 17, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired, and there was no recall for the failure on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 110,928.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539068August 17, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539081August 17, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine consumed 5 quarts of oil for every 5,000 to 7,000 miles driven. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle accelerated quickly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change, and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and that there were no leaks found. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538898August 16, 2023
ENGINE
There's an oil consumption problem... I'm burning through a quart of oil about every 300 miles. there are no leaks. Just burning the oil way too fast... There's been numerous people with this problem and no one has issued a recall... The car started doing this at around 60,000 miles. there's still plenty of life on this engine. It should in no way be burning this much oil... We need help. I was told it's part of an investigation already... We need this to be labeled a recall... This is not normal and thousands of people are having this problem with this model 2016 Kia Optima LX
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538679August 15, 2023
ENGINE
2016 KIA Optima is burning excessive oil. Current mileage ~85K, under power train warranty. The KSDS S/W upgrade has been done. Took car to KIA dealership. Tested twice and confirmed 1/2 quart and 3/4 qt burned in 1000 miles. Limit for service was >1 qt in 1000 miles, so no action taken. Question #1. How/where was this limit established? Clearly hear a knocking sound and blue smoke out the tailpipe upon starting. A copy of video showing the tailpipe smoking was submitted to KIA. The internet references a class-action suit for this problem and NUMEROUS complaints. Question #2: Why has NO recall been initiated for this problem across numerous models and several years, anyone with a 4-cyl GDI engine? Maintenance interval is 7500 miles for each synthetic oil change. This means I will put in more than 5.5 quarts of oil between oil changes??? And this is NOT a problem??? Question #3: Why is this NOT an EPA pollution issue? Finally, the KIA dealership told me to come back in, if the problem exceeds the >1 qt per 1000 mile limit. I asked and there is NO extension of the 100K power train warranty, (in 15K miles) so after 100K, any engine repair/replacement would be at my cost. At 85K, my resale value has plummented and 2-3 nonKIA dealerships that I have spoken to about a trade-in are NOT interested in this car as a trade-in. Question #4: HOW does this NOT qualify as a RECALL? -1) Class action lawsuit on record? -2) Known problem over several years/models with the 4-cyl engine? -3) Engine seizing and shutting down due to oil loss seems like a safety issue to me? Final QUESTION: How do I get involved (after the fact) with the Class action lawsuit? I seem like I'm in suspended animation, e.g. won't fix it, can't trade it, WHAT A MESS!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538710August 15, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the fuel pump assembly and fuel line needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538731August 15, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
My complaint is regarding the rear windshield, which came with the vehicle when I purchased it new in 2016 from a Kia dealership (Santa Fe Kia, Santa Fe, New Mexico). The Optima has never been in an accident. Over the last several years, the rear windshield has become increasingly blurry making it difficult to see traffic behind me. This situation is worse particularly at night. The blurriness is both from the outside looking in and inside looking out. I have called several Kia dealers and they claim that they are not aware of the problem, and have told me that the windshield is not warranted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538774August 15, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
5/9/23 appointment for 4 recalls -completed 2 and ask if we could bring back next day to finish and we said no because granddaughter in school so service manager said important to get it back in and finish and sent granddaughter home with car 5 days later while driving car caught on fire and lost brakes and transmission and swerved into vacant parking lot smoke and flames coming into car and girls had to jump while car was still moving both girls checked on sight for smoke inhalation. 15 year old had to go to emergency room for road rash and nerve issues. we have documents ,911 tapes, videos, text ,,,witnesses, pictures. very negligent on service dept. for sending car out without completing issues. we came ready to leave it but they sent it out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11538291August 14, 2023
ENGINE
My 2017 Kia Optima is running out of oil between oil changes which I do on time. Before my next oil change it has no oil reading on the dip stick. I just had this occur again and I had to add two quarts. The oil light only blinked on for a second. When I checked it, no oil was reading on the dip stick. Taking it to auto store I was told by worker his mother has the same problem with her 2016 Kia and they replaced the motor in a recall. Mine is a GDl engine. Something needs to be done with these engines. I'm having the same problem a lot of other people are having.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538311August 14, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
Warning message appeared on the dashboard regarding HECU malfunction. Kia was contacted and stated the car is not covered under a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538403August 14, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The front subframe is dangerously rusted. The same way the other optima were recalled for.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538148August 12, 2023
AIR BAGS
airbag light wont go off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537916August 11, 2023
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. Several attempts to restart the vehicle failed. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538029August 11, 2023
ENGINE
Car has been consuming too much oil and burning spark plugs all the time since car was at 80k miles. Car was covered under a bumper to bumper 100k mile warranty. Now at 136k, dealership is now doing oil consumption test, but even if we fail this test, new engine will not be installed. Dealership is saying they “got in trouble” for replacing too many engines and now an inspector has to come out to inspect the engine, which is only once every 2 weeks. Kia will not pay for rental car and car has to stay on lot until inspected, and will only pay for rental car after inspector looks at car. We were also told that unless the car throws a knock sensor code, throws a rod, or locks up, engine will not be replaced and we will have to pay for all repairs. We are the sole owners of the car, and all updates/recalls have been done at dealership. Dealership even told us to “run the car with no oil, let the engine lock up, and then replace the oil before bringing it to dealership” and that doing this will ensure a replacement engine. We also have the lifetime warranty on the engine, but Kia will not honor it unless we throw a knock code, throw a piston/rod, or engine locks up. This is a HUGE safety hazard not only for us driving, but for others on the road as well. We add no less than 2 quarts of oil per week and change at least one spark plug a month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538040August 11, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
2013 Optima SXL with snow white pearl paint. Paint began coming off in areas around the windshield back in 2017. At the time I thought it may have had something to do with the people who replaced my windshield. Had a 50 cent piece size area come off the hood in the car wash shortly after. I have continued to experience paint bubbling and loss ever since. Now I'm considering an upgrade but am worried about my trade in value due to the condition of the paint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537647August 10, 2023
STEERING
The steering column shakes violently between 60 MPH and 75 MPH. I have taken it to two different mechanics and they both said the same issue is the cause. There is a joint down in the steering column that has a rubber piece in the middle of it for securing the joint to keep it from shaking. That piece wears out and then it's metal on metal; hence the shaking. It always makes a loud clanking noise when I hit any bump, pothole, etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537431August 9, 2023
STEERING
The steering wheel has a loud clicking sound when I drive on the highway as well as when I turn the wheel left or right. It is so loud that I have to turn my radio volume high to somewhat drown it out. The flex coupler is the issue. Apparently this was a recall in the past. Since mine just started acting up, I just found out there was even a recall on this part. Tried to get Kia to replace the part, but was denied. Currently escalating the issue as I do not agree with the decision, waiting on answer. I drive a total of 150 miles to and from work daily. When I hit normal bumps/dips in the road, the steering wheel shakes horribly. The sound is a major distraction to my abilities on the road. I don't think I should have to pay out of pocket for a part Kia knew was defective. It literally feels as though the steering column is going to fall off eventually.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537440August 9, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact depressed the accelerator and the vehicle started to vibrate but failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence at 5 MPH. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer replaced the spark plugs and the battery. The vehicle was repaired; however, the dealer informed the contact that any repairs related to the recall would only be performed if the engine failed. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537490August 9, 2023
ENGINE
2015 Kia Optima engine seized on the highway at 70mph without any warning. Engine light illuminated and lost all power. This was a replacement engine with approximately 75,000 miles. Original engine was replaced at 125k due to excessive oil consumption (burned 1 quart in 800 miles). Vehicle has been at the dealership since the end of June awaiting engine replacement (again).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima