Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11482237August 31, 2022
ENGINE
I was driving my 2013 Kia Optima when all of a sudden, the car stalled while on a highway. Luckily I was able to pull to the side, narrowly missing a tractor-trailer. After it wouldn’t start, I had it towed to my mechanic. He then diagnosed it as a seized engine. I had it towed to my local Kia dealer, and it’s been sitting there for 4 months, and i was told it can take another 6 MORE MONTHS to get the engine replaced, AND they ‘may not cover the cost’. They are giving me the run-around. This is ridiculous. There’s even a recall on the engine. What should I do? Thank you D.H.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482252August 31, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. The paint on my car has been pealing off. I can make myself available for the car to be inspected. 2. No 3. I have the problem on multiple vehicles of the same make and model 4. Yes 5. No This is problem that the manufacturer should be responsible for. It causes monetary damages to the owners. Upon resale of the vehicle they will be out thousands of dollars towards the value of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482053August 30, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that the dealer stated that the vehicle would not receive the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) until parts for 20V100000 was available, and the repair was completed. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel and emitting a fuel odor within the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 103,748. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482007August 30, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the oil level warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that upon depression of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would independently enter Limp Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to Quirk Kia Manchester (1300 S Porter St, Manchester, NH 03103) where they initially updated the knock sensor. The contact stated that the failure persisted and the vehicle was towed back to the dealer where the knock sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to KIA at Nashua (107 Daniel Webster Hwy, Nashua, NH 03060) where he was informed that engine oil had entered into the cylinder head and damaged the spark plugs. The contact was provided an estimate for a new engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481705August 29, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a 2015 Kia Optima SXL Turbo in Snow White Pearl color on Dec 11,2020. In Mid 2021 I started to notice little chip marks in different places throughout the exterior of the car. On April 16,2022 i was washing my car to prepare for vacation and as i was washing a large patch of paint flew off. I attempted to rinse the car to prevent further chipping only to my surprise more paint flew off in another area. The more rinsed the worse it became. i havent washed my car since june in fear that paint would just keep peeling,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481832August 29, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The windows on my car drop on their own while I am driving. First it happened on the driver's window which surprised me because it was so abrupt, I almost had an accident. I had that one repaired and it happened to the two rear windows. I have a grandson who is a toddler and the first time it happened it was pouring down rain. The baby started screaming from being pelted with rain and I couldn't pull over fast enough. I contacted KIA they referred me to a dealer who wanted $264 to look at it and $600 per window to repair their defect. My mechanic confirmed the problem stating it is a common issue with certain KIA's this one included. The vehicle is available for inspection, but I can't afford to pay the diagnostic fee or fix this. KIA needs to repair their faulty windows.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481880August 29, 2022
ENGINE
I am original owner of car. I recently noticed the car start to burn oil at a dangerous rate. The car ultimately at one point stalled in an intersection with my daughter driving. The mechanic stated the solenoids were clogged. There are no oil leaks. There was a recall for certain types of engine issues for this car but I never received a recall. The dealer states there is nothing they can do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481641August 28, 2022
ENGINE
Engine has no leaks but is consuming oil at an alarming rate. Oil must be added every 3 weeks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481424August 26, 2022
ENGINE
On January 12, 2022 I was informed by Danbury KIA (Danbury, CT) that my 2015 KIA Optima required a recall engine replacement. I left the vehicle with the dealer and the repair was completed on Jan 31, 2022. I picked up the car on February 1, 2022 and on February 3, 2022 the car was destroyed by an engine fire. My insurance company deemed the car a total loss and compensated me for the market value of the car. At the time the car was completely paid off and I was still in excellent condition. I had no reason to trade for a newer model - especially with the new engine. After the insurance payoff I still needed to finance $25000 for the purchase of a comparable replacement vehicle. To date neither the dealer nor the KIA corporation have contacted me or made any attempt to address my loss.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481457August 26, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The White paint is chipping on the hood and roof of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481102August 25, 2022
POWER TRAIN
Double clutch failure replacement twice in 3 years Transmission being replaced My son has same model and year of car and has had double clutch replaced once. Beat friend also owns same year and model Kia with same double clutch issue Transmission fails to engage from stopped position to starting off from dead start. Car begins to shake and shutter and the transmission kicks in When parked downhill, car will not engage into reverse and lunges forward. Serious problems with this models double clutch transmission. Internet search revealed this is problematic with Kia double clutch transmission
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481164August 25, 2022
ENGINE
Hey, while driving my vehicle the engine light started blinking and there was a delay in my acceleration and when I got to 60-65 mph my car begins to stall and will NOT drive any faster. Also I sent my car to the dealership for repair 08/15/22 and they still haven’t diagnosed the car yet even after I received letter in mail for recall. Please help thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481278August 25, 2022
ENGINE
The motor seems to have a knocking noise accompanied by constantly burning oil and sparks plugs. Constant misfires and check engine light appearing during the year after replacing spark plugs and ignition coils.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481086August 24, 2022
ENGINE
Engine knocking bottom end.yes it’s available for inspection.Engine could have locked up on freeway and caused an accident.Machanic checked out an said rod bearing failure.Yes vehicle has been inspected.No warning lights or symptoms just got off the interstate and vehicle was doing fine then all of a sudden motor started knocking with no warning. Towed vehicle a hour and a half back home.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480891August 23, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint delaminating and chipping, started on the front driver and passenger pillar. Also spots on the front hood near the bumper.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480899August 23, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Door lock/unlock mechanism has failed. Unable to unlock and open door from outside or inside. This defect causes the door to stay locked and unable to open. This can trap people inside of the car if they are unable to crawl out a window or exit from another door. There are many reports of this on Kia forums and general Google search. There was no warning that this part was wearing out until it became impossible to open the door.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480524August 22, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his son was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact’s son was able to pull over safely. The contact attempted to jump start the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,484.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480545August 22, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was shaking and making a clicking sound. While attempting to turn, the steering column felt like it was slipping or felt loosened. The failure increase was more evident while driving 50 MPH or more. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480349August 20, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was stolen
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480143August 19, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact's daughter drove over a curve to stop the vehicle. The contact's daughter pulled into a parking lot and parked the vehicle. 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 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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