Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11478428August 9, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Despite maintaining the vehicle and replacing the battery, the car will have weird acceleration jumps during highway and city travel. It will also not start properly on occasion where it will idle rough and stall when trying to shift into drive or reverse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478256August 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her fiancé was driving at a slow speed, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into LIMP mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and DTC: P1326 (KSDS) was retrieved. The contact was informed that there was vibration caused by excessive connecting rod bearing wear. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478055August 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Clear coat or paint is peeling on the back passenger panel over the tire and on the trunk lid under the kia medallion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478070August 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2016 is burning excessive oil. to the point I have to put oil in every 3 days.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477955August 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Passenger side window would go down, but not up. Was unable to get an appointment with Dutchess Kia to bring vehicle in. Went to Knuckle Busters Tire & Auto in Highland, NY. I explained to them what was going on and Knuckle Busters stated that my car was the 5th Kia optima to come in with that same problem, which was replacing the motor or regulator and from some both. Per the mechanic Steve when he unscrewed the motor from the door it fell apart.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477811August 5, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I received a recall notice for my vehicle on April 15, 2022 disclosing that the defect is a low pressure fuel tube that can cause a fire in my engine. Kia said they did not have a remedy for this problem but would send another letter when they one. I went to the dealership in June and they scheduled an appointment for my car to be serviced. When I arrived on 6/7/22 for my appointment they said "did I read the letter?" They still did not have a remedy for this dangerous problem. As of 8/5/22 there has been no communication from Kia. Is there any assistance available to replace this part? Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477868August 5, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine Failure due to rod bearing issues-faulty manufacturing parts appears to have gotten into engine preventing or binding the engine so that it will not start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477875August 5, 2022
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ECM telling fuel pump to put too much gas, causing exhaust into cabin, unnoticed while in car, but hair and cloth reak of exhaust and getting headaches. Reduced mileage by 20+mpg from 30+ to 11mpg. BSD- no lights or codes thrown by 3rd party, but dealer said there was a code on the BSD. BSD was not working and no codes appeared. NO LIGHTS OR CODES FOR FUEL ISSUE OR BSD, but dealer said there is a recall that I cannot find for fuel and said there was a code for BSD, but it didn’t pop up on my husband’s code reader previously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477663August 4, 2022
ENGINE
I was driving my 2013 Kia Optima on the highway when all of a sudden the car stalled. I was nearly hit by a semi truck and several cars. I was finally able to coast to the shoulder of the road. I tried starting it and it would not. I had it towed to my mechanic and he diagnosed it as a ‘seized engine’, for no reason. I take good care of my car I change the oil every 3000 miles. Currently, I am trying to get it fixed through KIA, but they are giving me a hard time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477311August 3, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Engine light keeps flashing and car stalls and will not go over 45 mph. One incident happened on a busy highway as merged on and was almost hit by a tractor trailer from behind.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477436August 3, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The issue is with the front turn signal harness. After, changing the right side turn signal bulb twice I brought my Kia to West Hills Kia in Bremerton, WA…The technician informed me that the front turn signal harness was not the correct harness for this type of vehicle. The service person at West Hills suggested that I contact Kia Corporation. I had emailed Vice President Mr. Shamit Choksey, Kia corporation for the above issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477437August 3, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while stopped at a light, she saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle when the vehicle started to spark and then caught fire. No warning lights illuminated. The origin of the fire was unknown. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it had not yet been diagnosed. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476899August 1, 2022
STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel would jerk and shake. In addition, the steering wheel would vibrate whenever the contact would drive over rough roads. The vibration would omit a loud vibrating noise as well. The vehicle's driver seat would move out of position independently. The contact also mentioned that whenever they attempted to move the seat it failed to adjust accordingly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated the steering column needed to be replaced along with other parts in connection to the steering. The contact stated that many bolts and screws had detached, as well, that needed to be replaced as well. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,170.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476957August 1, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Odometer is going fast.Odometer is rolling very fast. Say if I travel 5-miles Odometer registering 15 miles. Calibrate Odometer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477023August 1, 2022
ENGINE
FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE ENGINE MADE A NOISE AND LOSS POWER WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. I CONTACTED KIA, THEY EXPLAIN TO ME THAT A KNOCK SENSOR NEED TO BE INSTALLED AND SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THEY INSTALLED IT AND RETURN THE CAR TO ME. NOW AGAIN WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY I HEAR A LOUD KNOCK, LIGHTS FLASHING IN THE CAR AND THE CAR HAS LOSS POWER. I ROLLED OFF THE EXIT PULL OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WHILE WAITING I CHECK THE OIL IN THE CAR THINKING MAYBE THE ENGINE IS LOCKING UP. THERE IS NO OIL IN THE CAR, WHICH IS STRANGE BECAUSE TWO MONTHS PRIOR KIA JUST DID AN OIL CHANGE. I HAVE DOCUMENTS TO PROVE EVERYTHING. KIA HAS BEEN THE ONLY DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICE THE CAR. THEY NOW BEEN IN POSSESSION OF MY VEHICLE FOR FOUR MONTHS NOW AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I CONTACTED COOPERATE AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO GETTING BACK TO ME AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET ANSWERS. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME. I HAVE CONGESTIVE HEART FALIURE WHICH I EXPLAIN TO THEM AND I REALLY NEED MY CAR BUT MOST OF ALL I NEED IT TO BE SAFE FOR ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477029August 1, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is a leak around the fuel tank with a significant fuel smell coming inside the cabin. amount
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477032August 1, 2022
ENGINE
My vehicles check oil light never fully came on. It came on when I turned on a highway ramp for a second. When I got into my car and turned it on it made a horrible sound. It was sputtering. I took it to my mechanic and he said my engine was done. I needed to rebuild my engine. I had to pay $4000 to fix my engine. The infuriating part is that I went to the KIA dealership to see what my options were and they tried to sell me a new car. I've had the car repaired for less than six months now. I made sure to change the oil earlier than I was supposed to. It hasn't even been a month since changing the oil and I noticed the oil light came on again when turning. I just checked my oil level and there is absolutely NO OIL. I don't understand how this is possible. I am calling KIA tomorrow to complain. If I hadn't noticed the flicker then I would've damaged my engine again after just replacing it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476734July 31, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Recently has a new engine installed at pitre Kia , due to a recall malfunction, they installed a new engine but didn’t fix the recall problem, now that I have my car back. My engine moves when I hit the brakes, my brakes go all the way down sometimes, doesn’t stop the car at all, I am in danger everyday I drive my car, I never know if my brakes will fail on me. Or my car will burst out into flames, and I can smell fuel in the cabin of the car really strong, I have really bad gas mileage and my steering wheel is a lot stiffer than normal
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476770July 31, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint chipping all over
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476645July 30, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Kia cars lack an engine mobilizer or something and thieves are able to break in and bypass the cars alarm and break the steering column down and start the car with a simple usb and steal the car. Kia’s are being targeted because of this issue and are being stolen . This is a major safety problem and should be fixed . It has been all over the news and police departments are warning Kia owners about it .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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