Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11514294March 28, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Knock sensor replaced due to engine knocking did not fix the problem the cars engine does not work it julks and pulls really hard engine noise check engine flashing left me stalled on the main highway with my 2 children with no warning the car has engine oil to adequate levels maintenance was up to date
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513935March 27, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle began to lose power and stalled. The contact stated that upon lifting the hood, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 118,580.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513988March 27, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I purchased a 2016 Kia Optima LX in 2021, and have been having issues with excessive oil consumption and cylinder misfires. I get regular oil changes and have to top it off every week after, if I forget to check, it will be completely dry. This is hazardous and unsafe to drive not knowing when it will be completely dry to cause serious problems. I've taken it to a Kia dealership and all they did was reset the ECU/EUC (whatever). Now, I've been told at my place for oil changes they can't service the vehicle until the issue has been fixed because it is too dangerous to be driving with the car burning too much oil. My car is at the dealership now to get combustion cleaning done. I had a 2013 Kia Optima in 2018 (and not knowing this issue about the oil consumption even after regular oil changes) the engine seized on that car while on the highway. The car lost power and would not start back up. On both cars, the warning light for oil never comes/came on. After purchasing my current vehicle (2016 Kia Optima), the car gave me trouble every 3 months and the car only had 65,000 miles on it. These vehicles are not safe and are a safety hazard. These vehicles need to be recalled for their engines. IT IS NOT SAFE AND GETS COSTLY to keep having to keep the oil in. It barely reaches 1000 miles and it consumed almost half of the oil after an oil change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514003March 27, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after an oil change was performed on the vehicle, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who added oil to the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,760.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513840March 26, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint has started delaminating and is coming off in sheets. This problem started about 2 months ago. I am worried that a large sheet of paint can fly off and affect a vehicle or motorcycle behind me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513712March 25, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low beam headlights on my 2011 KIA Optima with 150,000 miles are bright to look at them, however the beam pattern on on the roadway is terrible. I have tried replacing the bulbs with brightest bulbs, checked voltages and grounds. After checking over 10 forums I have found that the reflective service on the headlight housing has degraded and lost its reflective value causing a very safe condition. 1 person disassembled the headlight unit and installed foil tape, stating this corrected the issue. I have attempted to contact KIA with out a return response. I feel this should be a KIA recall issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513744March 25, 2023
ENGINE
I own a 2015 Kia Optima Turbo SX. every time I park my vehicle in an enclosed garage. and only when the engine is cold does it makes a grinning noise for about 12 seconds or less. once I turn the engine off and turn it back on the noise it stops. also, there is a mild fuel odor coming from the engine compartment every time the motor is turned off. your response will be much appreciated thank you. Sincerely. Carl M. Velasquez
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513538March 24, 2023
ENGINE
My car is burning so much oil the engine keeps stalling out....I pay to get it fixed and 2 months later it happens again. Im worried about the safety of me and my son as it has stalled in the middle of a busy highway. I have talked to Carriage Kia in Woodstock, Ga and emailed Kia directly and noone wants to help. I googled and noticed there was a class action lawsuit for this exact problem on my car. Can you please help me?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513556March 24, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) on Facebook. The contact called the local dealer and made an appointment for March 25, 2023. The contact stated on March 23, 2023, while driving 50 mph, depressing the accelerator pedal but the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated the battery warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and when exiting the vehicle she saw smoke but no fire/flames exiting the hood. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513575March 24, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated upon starting and exiting the vehicle, he noticed that there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact opened the hood and saw flames. The contact closed the hood and immediately went into his residence to grab fire extinguishers. Upon returning to the vehicle, the contact was unable to reopen the hood. The contact called the fire department, who extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle remained at the contact’s residence. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which he related to the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513350March 23, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 mph approaching an intersection, an unknown pickup T -boned the vehicle on the driver-side quarter panel. While depressing the brake pedal, the attention level high / collision warning message was displayed. The air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and she had several bruises. The contact was seen at the hospital where medical treatment was received. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and than to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 93,228.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11513517March 23, 2023
ENGINE
My 2019 Kia Optim is starting to consume oil every 15 miles this is a problem that Kia have with thousands of 2019, 2020 and 2021 they have bad engines in them and Kia knows about the problem and refusing to do anything with the custom, you all need to make them have a recall and fix the problem with all those engines some vehicles only have 20,000 miles on them and have the same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512948March 21, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car went into limp mode (three times since July 2022) and slowed down on the freeway from 70mph to 20mph without prior warning, putting my life at risk. Dash reads “check hybrid system”. Kia’s had my car for a week without allowing me a loaner or answers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513033March 21, 2023
ENGINE
Engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512720March 20, 2023
ENGINE
I took my car in for a recall, Kia let me leave with an unsafe vehicle. Everything in the recall is happening to my car and it is extremely unsafe. These things were happening before I went in for the recall and after I left from having the recall checked. "Abnormal knocking noise from engine," "illumination of oil pressure warning light." The HEV warning light comes on and tells me to turn off my car immediately which has happened many times in unsafe conditions i.e. being in the middle of the highway in the rain. The check engine light came on but it comes on, then is off, then comes back on. There is a recall for the engine, oil is leaking into the engine on to the hot exhaust which can cause fire to the engine. This started happening not long after getting the car, this is why I brought it in for the recall. I made the appointment right away but the closest appointment was in about 2 months. It continued to happen after they "checked" the recall. The oil pressure light illuminates, the traction control light illuminates, and then 5-10 seconds later a warning comes across the dashboard saying "Check Hybrid system. Turn off engine. HEV!" Now I am being told I would have to bring my car in today, let the car sit at Kia for 4-6 weeks until they can diagnose it, and they will not give me a loaner car. I cannot be without a car for 4-6 weeks, this isn't my fault, and I cannot go pay for a rental car for 4-6 weeks. They are saying I cannot make an appointment for this, which makes no sense to me because I initially made an appointment to get the recall checked. My safety, the safety of my three children, and other passengers has been put at risk because I am driving and all the sudden these lights come on, the car starts dinging, and tells me to turn off the engine. This constantly happens when I am on roads where I can't just pull over quickly. I have been on the highway a few times and this has happened. Couldnt get over immediately and the car was barely moving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512725March 20, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, she observed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and then the vehicle stalled. On the third attempt, the vehicle restarted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The vehicle was then towed it an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,674.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512363March 17, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Three of the 4 window regulators have unexpectedly failed leaving the window partially open. The passenger rear failed on 11/2022. The driver's side rear failed on 8/2022. The passenger front failed on 3/2023. On each occasion, the window failed where it was partially open. And none of the windows were in the process of being raised or lowered. The gears on each of the regulators had basically disintegrated. The window regulators are around $200 each for just the parts and they are not covered under the warranty. The new regulators come with a blue gear instead of the original white gear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512378March 17, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and was running on three instead of four cylinders. The contact stated that the vehicle had been consuming oil and fowling the spark plugs causing the vehicle to lose power. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the coils and spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact had the spark plugs replaced. The failure persisted causing the contact to add oil every 1,500 miles. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511909March 15, 2023
ENGINE
My car is consuming oil crazily and way too often. I just bought this car from a dealership 4 months ago and it is getting worse and worse. Losing power. I’m scared to drive it on the highway due to stories from other people and their kias. I have no choice but to drive it because I have to work. I need help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511926March 15, 2023
STEERING
While driving my 2013 KIA Optima at 65+ mph steering wheel shakes & has a loud clicking noise. The problem has worsened. I have reported this prior. Now it has caused the need to have a frontend alignment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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