Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11523756May 24, 2023
ENGINE
I have the oil problem that everyone else has. I drive everyday for work and every week I have to put oil in my car. I am coming up on 100,000 miles. My car hesitates and this is the second battery I have had to put in it in three years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523084May 21, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
Was driving try pressing on the brakes. Car would not stop brakes will sink all the way down
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522981May 20, 2023
ENGINE
My engine locked up for no reason
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522781May 19, 2023
ENGINE
This car we still owe 20000.00 on and the rings are no good we took the car to kia who said the engine is no good but our extended warranty place denied the claim. The oil consumption is a problem in all kia's. I know we are not the only owners complaining about this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522836May 19, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode and decelerated with the check engine warning light activated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the knock sensor code was present. The code was cleared and later while driving the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 99,340.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522910May 19, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 22V560000 (Structure) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. 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
#11522587May 18, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a snow white pearl painted Kia optima that has peeling paint on the pillars by the windshield. It started out really small but now it’s almost down the entire pillar.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522619May 18, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicle paint is chipping / peeling off in large parts . Mainly roof and area surrounding windshield
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522764May 18, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I was driving on the highway and all of sudden my car started decelerating. I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed the brake lights were illuminated although I was NOT pressing the brake pedal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522765May 18, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint peeling on my 2019 Kia Optima Snow White Pearl paint code. Started from the back of trunk and continues to travel through out the body, peeling started at 84,000 miles with small bubbles and continued to its now 86,000 miles. The paint issues have been known and talked about in Kia forums as well as Hyundai. Hyundai has been proactive on addressing the issues but when I called to submit a complaint with Kia, I was asked to get 3 quotes for repaint on effected areas and submit photos, after all of this I was given 2 month run around only to be told I was out of warranty. I believe this is a serious defect and should be investigated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522447May 17, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL:SPARK PLUGS, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while being started. The contact stated that the vehicle also sputtered while driving at various speeds, and while reversing. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that oil was getting onto the spark plugs and ignition coils. The spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522461May 17, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact had taken the vehicle to two dealers for the recall repairs. The contact stated that one charged her a fee for the recall repair however, there was no evidence that the recall repair was completed. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to another dealer who did not perform the recall repair. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522511May 17, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and then lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the brake lights remained illuminated while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle also experienced phantom braking while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522556May 17, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
My engine went out on my 2012 Kia optima hybrid in 2022. I was not aware of a recall on the engines. We paid for repair. Can we get reimbursed? Also we are now having issues with the braking system and the abs light is coming on. I see that there is a recall on this. Can this get repaired? I uploaded receipt well bank statement showing purchase from Martin imports in the amount of $1391. And we were charged $700 to put motor in.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522265May 16, 2023
SEAT BELTS, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2012 Kia Optima EX with 67000 miles driver-side seatbelt dash warning goes off even it is buckled securely while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521995May 15, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522011May 15, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
We received a recall notice for our KIA Optima to get the software upgrade to restrict operation of the vehicle without a key. We took the car to the dealership on 5/5/2023 for the recall and picked it up on 5/5/2023 from the dealership at 3:30pm. On 5/8/2023 our car was stolen out of our driveway. It was recovered on 5/12/2023 by our local police dept. and it was stolen by using a USB cord and starting it without the key. Obviously the recall does not work. There is now damage inside and out of my car. I did notify KIA corporation last week that it had been stolen and have not heard from them. I also sent an email this morning letting them know that the car was returned and confirmed that they stole it they way the recall was suppose to fix so that it could only be started with the key in the ignition. Obviously that did not work.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522142May 15, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic found no failure. The contact stated that the shuddering had been an issue for the past three years. The contact stated that most recently the vehicle had been shuddering with an abnormal ticking sound upon starting the vehicle, and while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was an internal engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the manufacturer advised them to call the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522180May 15, 2023
ENGINE
Several times, while driving, the vehicle light panel starts flashing, the car looses power & starts shutting down. The car was taken to the dealer and they said it has to do with oil being low, it a way to protect the engine. This has happened several times, they have done an oil consumption test & they SAY it is within specs. However, the last time the DEALER completed the oil & it was "full" it was at 77121. Now, the mileage is 78360 and the oil it 2 quarts low. This oil issue has been going on for 2 years & they refuse to accept any responsibility and will not repair or replace anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521876May 14, 2023
ENGINE
The engine on my vehicle failed while driving it. I was in the middle of the freeway when it seized up. It was also around a bend so it put my life and others at risk. It is sitting out front of my house and can be inspected at anytime. It has been confirmed by an independent service center that my vehicle is not drivable until the engine is replaced. There was no warning lamps until the vehicle was seizing up while driving. It first appeared that day only.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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