Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11493608November 15, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that he had failed to complete the knock sensor detection system (KSDS) repair and provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493674November 15, 2022
ENGINE
UNKNOWN but I got my car in February, it’s always been sounding rough from the start but was told it’s normal, lately the past few months I noticed a little vibration and a change of sound in the motor but had no lights come up on dashboard so assumed it wasn’t a problem. Well to this day my engine is shaking very rough that my car vibrates extremely and making a clicking sound best way to describe it and my engine light as well as oil topper light came on just a few days ago which I’ve gotta an oil change roughly about 2 months ago and added oil as well recently. So not sure if I have a leak of some sort or what. My breaks are also bad but when I purchased the car one tire was missing two bolts cause they broke off. Lately a lot of problems have all come at once. But I don’t feel safe driving my car cause I feel it doesn’t accelerate as it should and it’s not running normally. It’s a 2015 kia optima. Says no safety recall but all the problems I’ve been having seem very relatable to what’s showing on the recall list for kias of my year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493689November 15, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated upon activating the heater while driving, she smelled an abnormally strong gasoline odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to Kia Independent Recall Campaign Number SC172 (High Pressure Fuel Pump Outlet Inspection). Additionally, the contact stated while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond and then lunged forward abruptly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay for a diagnostic test and the repair cost because the VIN was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493402November 14, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Driver window back window (driver side) passenger window won’t let down and need window regulators. I’ve had one replaced before
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493414November 14, 2022
ENGINE
driving down the highway, there was no previous warning, all the warning lights on the dashboard came on simultaneously. The car began jerking and was difficult to steer. The car began to shut down in the middle of the road before I had a chance to get off the highway. I managed to get it off the road and into a parking lot. I was unable to bring it to a complete stop even after putting it in park. It rolled up to a fence, and that is what eventually stopped the vehicle from moving. It stalled out on itself, and shut down. At that time, underneath the hood began to smoke, and smelled like something was burning. It continued for about 5 minutes. it was towed to the Kia dealership and has been there for over 10 business days. They completed the diagnostic testing, and decided it was the engine, but they're waiting for corporate to make a decision about repairing at their cost, or placing the responsibility on me. They've been trying to make a decision, and in the meantime, I am out of a car. They did not provide me with a rental car as they make a decision, so i ended up having to pay for a rental car out of my own pocket. My insurance will not pay for a rental car until we hear back from corporate about their decision. This happened one other time in 2017.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493460November 14, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Normally, when the doors are open my car will tell me. The doors notify me that they're open but my trunk was not showing that it was open. It blinks when it is. Due to that I was driving and my trunk seemed closed and it just flew open. So the problems I'm having is that my trunk will not show its open but it also will not close AT ALL due to the latch. I literally had to bungee it closed. This is dangerous. I have seen many recalls in other kia's and hyundai's just like this. This is very dangerous and needs to be recalled and/or fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493468November 14, 2022
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he replaced all four tires, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alignment; however, the mechanic was unable to perform an alignment due to the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V183000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493513November 14, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact became aware of smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the knock sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493365November 13, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Forward collision avoidance system activated with no vehicle stopped in front. Brakes locked up multiple times and then unlocked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493366November 13, 2022
ENGINE
Oil leaking out top of engine causing it to smoke could cause a fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493267November 12, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Kia Optima Hybrids from 2014-2016 and most likely the two previous model years all have defective taillights. I know this because I've had two Optimas and I've had to replace 9 taillights in 4 years. The Kia dealer service department told me that that was quite typical of these cars. The light assemblies are not water tight and they fill with moisture on rainy days. This eventually causes the LED ribbons to fail and then the light has to be replaced. Kia will replace them under warranty for the first 60,000 miles but after that the car owner is on the hook for a part that costs approximately $500. A taillight that will not light up is obviously a safety problem. Kia should be forced to replace these pieces for free for as long as these cars exist. I tried to attach two photos but the system wouldn't allow me to continue until I removed them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493159November 11, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
This car was equipped with the theta ll engine and I believe that’s what caused it because it was an electrical smoldering. The car has been signed over to the insurance company, it was totaled. If this had happened 30 minutes sooner, I would have been burned. Me and my daughter had luckily just got out of the car. No the problem has not been confirmed by a dealer. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, but has been inspected by police and insurance. There was not any warning lamps or messages prior to the incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493056November 10, 2022
ENGINE
My vehicle's engine stopped working on October 15th as my son was driving us 80 mph on I90 headed east just outside of Rochester MN. The cruise control was on but then the car started to decelerate on its own and he pulled onto the shoulder. It smelled like burnt oil. I opened the hood and saw nothing substantial; waited 5 minutes and tried to start it again and although it was turning over, it did not start. Check engine lights came on when the problem started and it vibrated violently twice. AAA took 3 hours to get us which was beyond stressful and scary watching in the rearview mirror as semis and cars in the right lane past us at 80 mph. The Luther Kia dealership in Inver Grove Heights MN stated eventually that the 2 cylinders have no compression and there is a broken exhaust valve. There is only 115K miles on it and I had it into the Bloomington Luther Dealership a month prior. Initially for the front collision sensor that wasn't working but when I pulled in, it smelled of burnt oil and the service tech and I discussed that I had notice it sputtering every once in a while when I accelerated from a dead stop. They said they fixed it by changing the gasket covers. Now Kia wants me to pay $9,000 for the engine to be repaired because my warranty doesn't cover it. I've researched and spoke to people and have heard comments have been made that these engines are constantly failing and they know about it. I would have never put my 15 year old son behind the wheel if I thought it was going to possibly die while we were going 80 mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492835November 9, 2022
ENGINE
I have been having some issues with my Kia Optima. It is consuming so much oil. Constantly have to get oil changes. Recently, my engine light went on. Was told it was because of all the oil that is burning. Car does not perform properly. It does not want to accelerate. It feels like it will turn off. I get scared driving. What if my car stalls in the middle of the busy LA traffic? I have gone do dealership so many times. Whenever, I say the reason why I need an appointment, they tell me they have no available time slots. They just told me they will see me next year!! I say its because Kia doesn't want to fix it. Several mechanics have informed me that my engine needs to get replaced because of the excessive oil consumption. Kia needs to pay for it. They know it’s their fault.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492840November 9, 2022
ENGINE
Engine seized not even 10mins after driving it. Car now needs a new engine. I'm on disability and can't afford it and I need to go to my doctors appointments.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492870November 9, 2022
ENGINE
While driving on the highway, the check engine light came on and started flashing. The vehicle simultaneously seems to lose power. We pulled over immediately and looked flashing engine light up in the owner's manual and saw it meant emergency and not to drive the car any further. Today, we are paying to tow the vehicle. After searching google, this seems to be a common issue in similar years of Optima's, yet it seems Kia is not addressing this. See blog at: https://cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t57983_ds1051588
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492877November 9, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that while accelerating the steering wheel started to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492693November 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Right passenger window dropped down. It came off regulator track for no reason with a child in a car seat sitting at that window putting that child's safety at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492736November 8, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Driving along the interstate approximately 70 mph, the vehicle jerked with knock sound then lost acceleration speed. At the same time, the check engine light started blinking. I pulled over to the side of the interstate put the car in park. I put it back in drive and slowly attempted to accelerate again. I was able to make it home because I was only about a mile and a half away, but I the acceleration was very slow and there wasn't much power behind it. At a speed of about 45-50, the vehicle barely seemed to have much power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492794November 8, 2022
ENGINE
On June 5th 2022 as I was traveling out of state with my wife and daughter the car lost power on the highway. I pulled over to the side when safe and noticed whitish grey smoke puffing from under the hood by the hinges. Being a fire lieutenant, I recognized this as the car being on fire. We exited the vehicle, my daughter was asleep in the back seat, so it was a panic to wake her and make sure she got out away from traffic. Within the 3 minutes I was on the phone with 911 the car was engulfed. A few minutes after the first Chief arrived the fire had reached the fuel tank and the vehicle exploded, approximately 8 minutes in. I opened a claim with my insurance and with Kia America. Kia has taken the blame but refused to replace the vehicle, instead offering me $15000 for the car with only 57000 miles on it. After fighting with Kia for 3 weeks during my claim they finally provided me with a rental vehicle paid for by their insurance. To this date they have not paid for said rental and I am now on the hook for the $930 charge. This event has caused much undue stress on me, I already have cardiac issues, my wife and daughter still have nightmares from the event. Kia inspected the vehicle which is totally burned, they found it to be an engine failure causing oil to spill onto the hot exhaust. They accepted blame. There was no warning, no noises, no lights. I never received a recall notice, I found out about the recall from my insurance after the fact. Kia has been less than helpful.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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