Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11507131February 13, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I believe the engine could possibly be failing. My engine light will come on & flash, when it does this it is slowing down at speed ranges of 60 mph. Another thing, the GDi engine that is in this vehicle burns oil EXTREMELY fast. It is quite aggravating having to constantly get oil changes every 2-4 weeks & have only driven 0-1500 miles. This is not normal. The engine has this crackling noise as if it’s chopping metal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506659February 10, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a ticking noise was heard coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to restart. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred and that the "Service Engine Soon" warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer for the recall repair and was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 106,744.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506413February 9, 2023
ENGINE
Engine Oil light come on / Low on Engine Oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506433February 9, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506468February 9, 2023
STEERING
2013 Kia Optima EX 2.4L, the problem started at 100,000 miles. The vehicle now has 150,000 miles and the steering has become increasingly more resistant (sticking/glitchy) on turns. Kia corporation is well aware of the problem, due to onboard computer issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506490February 9, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
On 1 30-30 2023 my vehicle spun a rod bearing no engine light came on no oil light alert. I have a lifetime warranty & I'm just learning of a recall NHTSA SAFETY ID# 21V331000, to which I did not receive any notifications or recall notices
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506496February 9, 2023
ENGINE
Car burns oil before oil changes, no warning light comes on. Technician at jiffy lube stated that this model vehicle has issues burning the oil with no warning light coming on. Have taken the car several times to get oil change services and they warn me of the same issue every time. no oil leaks coming from the engine itself. Car engine burns the oil which can cause issues with the engine if left unchecked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506186February 8, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact's husband owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. Her husband had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed and the fuel cap was replaced; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic for a second diagnostic test and the contact was informed that fuel was being consumed excessively; he was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The contract called a dealer and was provided an appointment. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506188February 8, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle t-boned her passenger's side. Only the passenger's side air bag deployed and exploded, causing the contact to sustain coughing spasms. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police department lot. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and emailed the contact notification for NHTSA Campaign Number 22V560000 (Structure) associated with the VIN. The manufacturer also opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11506237February 8, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his wife was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his wife steered the vehicle to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to a lack of engine oil. The contact stated that he had never noticed a leak and had followed the maintenance schedule for oil changes. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506086February 7, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights are dangerously dim. Won’t pass inspection and I’ve changed bulbs multiple times
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506088February 7, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When going over bumpy roads, turning right or leaning on the driver side door the car thinks it’s open and lights come on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505902February 6, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. Additionally, the check engine, ABS, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,771.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505790February 6, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
To begin, there was a recall on the forward avoidance collision system. The fix was to have the system reset at the dealership. Almost like a system update. I had that done after multiple lights appeared on my dash. 5 months later, the lights would illuminate again periodically, but turn off after a few minutes of driving. Two months ago, the lights came on when I was traveling on our highway at about 45 MPH. There was no cars in front of me, nor any objects. The automatic brake applied itself as I was turning off of this major highway. I hit the gas to try to turn off of the highway after the brake was applied, and my car wouldn’t accelerate. Since then, the light has stayed on every time I turn my car on, and for the remainder of the time I’m driving it. The brake has also self engaged itself twice since then. It’s a huge safety risk as someone could hit me from behind. The system update obviously didn’t fix the issues. The Kia dealership in my area, Tameron Kia, said that there was nothing they could do for me since they did the computer update. She was certain that it was a different issue, but it isn’t. My car has 60,000 miles on it and have been dealing with this specific issue since 3 months after I purchased the car. It’s not safe for my children and I, and something has got to be done about the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505313February 3, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is bubbling and peeling after i wash the car and it rust after a while
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505324February 3, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. After stopping at a red light, the engine suddenly failed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty 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 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505205February 2, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the radiator and the radiator hose were replaced; however, while driving two and a half weeks later, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to an unknown recall. The vehicle was towed the dealer, where the engine was replaced; however, the engine smoked while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the engine was replaced for a second time; however, the engine was incompatible with the turbocharger in the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that she had to pay out-of-pocket to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505225February 2, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the vehicle made knocking sounds while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the dealer declined the engine replacement due to the vehicle not having the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) product improvement campaign performed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact stated that she had not yet received notification of the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) product improvement campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the KSDS product improvement campaign had expired. The failure mileage was 174,811.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505266February 2, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
The lack of an ignition immobilizer facilitated an easy car theft and unauthorized use of the vehicle. A mechanic has confirmed that due to the lack of an immobilizer, anti-theft features were overridden, leading to a car theft. Insurance, police, and mechanics have all inspected the vehicle and state the cars theft was a result of the known fact that KIA ignitions can be started with a USB. The manufacturer, KIA, failed to keep up with industry standards to protect their customer's cars from theft, and now that the problem has intensified, they have not taken action to help consumers affected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11504643January 31, 2023
AIR BAGS
2007 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING COLLISION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TAKEN TO THE JUNKYARD DUE TO THE PROGRAMMING DEFECT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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