Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11510005March 3, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to Battleground Kia of Greensboro (2927 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27408) but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509954March 3, 2023
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2013kia optima sx 2.0 turbo my engine need to b replace I never had it replace I have engine problems white smoke n black smoke come out of my hood smoke like it's going to burn up I always have to turn off my car every 15 minutes of driving it overhead n smoke start coming out I been dealing with this for 2 years now can I get a new engine replace
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509875March 2, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a traffic light, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and move to the side of the road where the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) had not been completed and the warranty coverage for the engine replacement would not be honored. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509911March 2, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her husband was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact's husband was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred the following day. The contact's husband was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine and the battery needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,570.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509934March 2, 2023
ENGINE
lights in dashboard always on , something wrong with engine
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509680March 1, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
No vehicle warning as it became engulfed in flames. Fire started from under the hood.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509681March 1, 2023
ENGINE, SUSPENSION, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car is consuming major oil. I am having to put at minimum 3 to 4 quarts of oil every 3 days. I am having major loss of power. My car has oil fouled far too many spark plugs. In the last 3 months, I have had to replace the spark plugs three separate times. Within the last 3 weeks I have replaced the following: 1. Ignition Coils 2. Valve Cover Gasket 3. PCV Valve 4. 2 separate sets of spark plugs and 1 singular spark plug for Cylinder #4. My car is having a major oil consumption problem and the performance has been severely affected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509743March 1, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is bubbling and peeling from the hood, pillars, and the roof. So. Enough that will start to settle in. Kia refuses to acknowledge it is a manufacturer defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509602February 28, 2023
ENGINE
There is an open recall on the engine of my vehicle 2015 Kia Optima. The engine is giving problems and has been at the local dealership since December 1st, 2022. They stated they will not fix it because the vehicle has a salvage title. According to the information we have obtained this doesn't null the recall repairs on the vehicle. Please advise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509246February 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down the highway going 75 mph and all of a sudden my car tells me pull over safely do not drive and it shut down while I'm driving. It never turned back on. It started smoking and you could see orange light coming through the vents. I was stuck on a [XXX] bridge for 4 hours and I missed court that day. I called Kia and they came to pick up my car. They said it was free because my car has been recalled but ever since they've had it, they stop answering my phone calls and emails and now they are trying to charge me 5000 to get my car back and fixed. Before any of this happened, I noticed an oil leak at the gas station but was unsure whether it came from my car or not. 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
#11509374February 27, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the knock sensor detection system (KSDS) was defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509393February 27, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and various other speeds, the contact stated that the "engine oil" light flickered on and off. The contact stated that when he checked the dip stick the oil level was not showing. The contact stated that he checked for oil leaks but saw no evidence of an oil leak. The contact stated that the exhaust pipe was coated in a heavy black crust. The contact stated that he had been adding oil several times and that the failure persisted. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509397February 27, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
HEV Warning light comes on and says HEV malfunction, stop car. Within seconds the car shuts off and has no brakes and then stops in road construction, blocking up an entire lane of traffic, as there was no shoulder because of barricades. I panic as I can’t get out without getting ran over. After sitting for 5 minutes, car restarts and drives away ok. Car has done this off and on for 2 years. After the first incident, I took it to Kia of New Bern who charged me $400 to “update software” according to a TSB, even though it was under warranty. After getting the car back, the next day the warning came back on. I called Kia of New Bern and they said they will charge another diagnostics fee I couldn’t afford, so I didn’t go back. There are many others who have had the same issue with their KIA Hybrids. These cars are a danger to their drivers and the unknowing public who share the roads with them. KIA Should be ashamed of the amount of cars experiencing this issue and their lack of solutions to fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509424February 27, 2023
ENGINE
Car went into limp mode on a busy highway losing acceleration while next to & in front of semi trucks. Towed into closest Kia dealer and confirmed spun rod bearing with 58,848 miles on the car. Upon them checking for the issue, the engine was also knocking. Car has been at dealer since Jan 11th and still waiting to hear about engine replacement under warranty. There was no warning signs of a major engine problem before the engine light started flashing and loss of acceleration. Oil change recently done & wasn't low when changed, gas mileage still normal, no weird idling or higher rpms. It was driving normal until the engine light & limp mode happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508833February 24, 2023
ENGINE
At or around 66k miles my vehicle stalled then shut off in traffic. No warning or signals. My vehicle went into limp mode. KSDS Knock sensor campaign installed prior. Oil had been consuming at a abnormal rate causing me to do oil changes more frequently and in between changes adding oil. Towed it to dealership because I was told as long as I had the KSDS update and maintenance records of which I did myself because it became expensive and records show on Carfax. After dealer mechanic looked at vehicle said I needed a new engine and Kia Corporate denied my claim claiming it was neglect which is absolutely untrue! They didn't even accept my records although on Carfax. With only 66k miles and being denied my vehicle sits worthless because Kia won't honor its warranty or recall. I even purchased gap insurance originally totally lost of money. I'm afraid my vehicle will catch on fire as it's been sitting for several months in my driveway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508923February 24, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a ticking noise coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she was advised by the mechanic to check a site called Bumpers and it produced codes: SC228, SC212, SC197, SC187, SC172, SC142. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508652February 23, 2023
ENGINE, STEERING
Knocking noise coming from engine. Pulley is wobbly. Oil leak coming from timing cover. Knocking noise come from Connecting rod knocking. Engine will have to be replaced or rebuilt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508744February 23, 2023
ENGINE
The contact's son owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as needing a new engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508797February 23, 2023
ENGINE
after completing a routine oil change earlier in the day, the engine seized and the car had to be towed. When contacting Kia I was told their was a recall and if the knock sensor wasn't installed we are responsible. I communicated that we were unaware of a recall and were never notified of one as we are the 2nd owners of the vehicle. I later received in the mail a re-issue of what they claim to have sent out originally and was instructed to take the car to the nearest Kia dealer where they have since denied the repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508832February 23, 2023
ENGINE
Purchased 2017 Kia Optima from DriveTime in 2021. Car burns a lot of oil, as I am constantly getting the oil changed or adding oil. A few months after purchase, all of a sudden it loses power & decelerates while I’m driving on the interstate. Had to pull over & let car sit for a few minutes. Every 10 mins I had to do this. Had it checked out the next day at Kia dealership & was told nothing was wrong. I let the car sit for about a month b/c I was afraid to drive it. Finally decided to drive it & the issue seem to resolve itself. Now almost 6 months later it happens again. Car wouldn’t accelerate over 40 mph. Car warranty agent advised to take to Firestone( in-network repair shop). Mechanics say the engine is gone & they called warranty company , & then they say take to Kia dealership. Dealership states if it’s the engine there are 75 cars with same issue ahead of me. They ran diagnostics 2 weeks later & said it’s not the engine but gave me a long laundry list of other issues. Said new wiper blades needed (not true , the new blades were just put on 1-2 months prior, said oil change needed, but that was fine 3 days before I took it to them , & more issues with a invoice total of over $6500!! They kept my car over 2 months with no call to update me after I advised everything they said was wrong actually wasn’t. I called daily & left messages with no return call. Finally got someone on the phone in the Service dept & was told it still isn’t the engine but just needed a software update. I still don’t trust it & afraid to drive it. But yet & still the VIN # is still not on the recall list. Regret the day I walked on the DriveTime parking lot. Nothing but issues from day 1. Too bad I couldn’t list them all here.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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