Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11463015May 2, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Low pressure fuel line began to give off a fuel odor over the last 10k miles, did not realize it was a fuel leak until recently when the car was parked and was leaking fuel under the mid section. The car has not been examined by any person yet. No cabin warning lights/indicators were present. Date given for date of incident is the first incident where a gasoline odor was detected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463034May 2, 2022
ENGINE
The vehicle was purchased from Carmax on or about 4/10/21. On or about 3/25/22, the vehicle broke down while being driven. It was towed to the Coral Springs Kia dealership for assessment. A representative from the dealership advised that the engine needs to be replaced due to "rod bearing failure". The representative further advised that the manufacturer is refusing to cover any of the costs associated with the repair, which the dealership estimates to be $6,289.50 (see uploaded repair estimate). I believe the manufacturer should be liable for the costs of repair, which fall within Product Improvement Campaign PI1802.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463092May 2, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle overheated and shut down. The contact drove safely off the highway. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, after being impounded on the side of the highway. The dealer diagnosed the failure with rod bearing failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462956May 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Several areas on my vehicle the paint is chipping in large chunks. The paint is not fading but coming off. I enquired to the dealership about this years ago but they said it was not in warranty for that anymore. The only reason im enquiring about it now is because I see many vehicles (kia optima in pearl white) on the road with the similar issue as me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462965May 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is defective/chipping. Now, rusting has occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462973May 1, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I purchased my vechile Dec 28 2021, after driving it exactly one month, as I was driving on the high way my vechile shut off it was the scariest thing that has happened to me the car couldn't brake turn on nor accelerate I had to pull over on the break from being in the middle lane i had to be cautious due to vechile passing fast. Once the car stopped. Had to pay for towing due a state police showing up regardless if I had it on my insurance. I lost my good paying job due to this due to working 45 min away. I had my recall appointment for March 10th already scheduled before hand and my car was parked for a Lil over a month then towed to the dealer. It's been 2 months and yet no vechile nor a temp vechile provided from the dealer told me there's nothing they can do. I called 3 days ago and they keep telling me nothing has been done yet anther month my vechile has to be there. It's crazy that the repairs has nothing to do with me nor my fault and I had to loose a 30 dollar paying job backed me up on rent car payment and everything else and still no consideration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462977May 1, 2022
ENGINE
Hi my wife was driving home from work when she heard a noise from under the hood her car then shut off for no reason on the highway, she started the car again started driving then the engine light came on and shut the car off again once again on a busy highway making it hard to pull over she made it home but engine was knocking checked the codes and it had codes for your rod bearing issues on the year before code p0014 and code p1326 not sure if anyone else had this problem but this is definitely not safe! For a vehicle to just shut off first no codes or anything making it dangerous for the driver and the people around the driver this matter really needs to be looked at, especially when someone almost gets into an accident bc the car just shuts off and is almost impossible to merge off the road and stop. Consumer's vehicle is the same model, up to the year, and had the same recall and defects that happened to his car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462873April 30, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint has been rapidly chipping. Dealership has refused to do anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462891April 30, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Four times in less than one year, car stutters, or stalls completely, check engine light flashes, and I have to maneuver to highway shoulder or slow lane to get towed. Very unsafe. Kia keeps it for a week , forces a software update repeatedly, sends me on my way and a few months later the sane thing again. Error codes always indicate engine knock amongst other things/an issue they know is theirs but “have to exhaust all options before they will approve replacement” according to service mgr. I have a car that I don’t feel safe driving because I drive alone and can’t trust it to get home home so I end up in the highway at 4am every time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462706April 29, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
After changing the bulbs and fuses . The lights flicker and sometimes don’t come on at all .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462741April 29, 2022
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Large Oil consumption (1qt a week). No warning lights, experiencing loss of power, hesitation on acceleration, oil covering the motor with no signs of leaks underneath the car on the streets. Oil puddling up on the top of the valve cover near the plugs but unable to locate the source. Gaskets and hoses checked and all are in good condition. 125,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462773April 29, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462803April 29, 2022
STEERING
2015 Kia Optima EX Steering column replaced under warranty at approx. 7,000 miles. Now at 99,500 I need a new Steering Column because of the same symptoms; STICKING STEERING. Steering wheel sticks when trying to maneuver towards the right. Then you over steer and need to pull back to the left. This goes on over and over at all speeds. The worst is at high speeds because the slight tug on the wheel makes you drift more because of your speed. Kia needs to recall all Optima's and re-engineer and replace their Steering Columns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462612April 28, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a known issue with this motor burning oil in the engine at an excessive rate. This caused my car to shut down on the California freeway from 65 mph. Warranty wont cover, dealership says its a manufacturer issue that is known and the manufacturer isn't replacing the problem engines. This is a life safety matter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462684April 28, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine is consuming excessive oil. That could cause internal parts of the engine to wear faster because of less lubrication and could lead to an engine failure while driving, which could lead to engine stopping and loss of propulsion which could cause an accident. The car went through a oil consumption test with a Kia dealership and failed by consuming more than 1 qt of oil in a 1000 miles interval. The Kia dealership proceeded to do a combustion chamber cleaning procedure and re-did oil consumption test and it failed again. They also had requested service record which where provided. Even though Kia has a service bulletin on that matter, the service advisor at the Kia dealership said that the manufacturer declined the claim. Right now I’m constantly refilling oil in the engine which is also an additional expense. The first time I noticed the issue was in February, 2022 when the low oil pressure alert came on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462687April 28, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine/motor failed which disabled the car on highway. Traveling on 3/4 lane highway with heavy traffic. Safety was risked due to almost being hit from behind and cars swerving out the way. Problem was assessed and thought to be repaired but occurred again causing more possible damage to engine. Warning lamp illuminated seconds before the car shut off which was not enough time to pull over safely. Car had to be towed off highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462498April 27, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine, oil, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. While attempting to restart, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to her residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462244April 26, 2022
ENGINE
Kia started losing power on freeway was able to pull over then it died and wouldn’t start back up motor seized up battery is good electrical is good it’s a push start and engine won’t crank or turn over or nothing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462344April 26, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
The shifter cable came off during the car was on motion in my driveway..and unable to put it in PARK. My driveway has quite inclining uphill.. imagine if the car would roll back .. or simply the fact it worries me if that could happen somewhere away i would totally get stranded.. upon google i was able to confirm that KIA using the cheap parts and this happened to others also.. My boyfriend was able open gear console cover and snapped the cable ring back ...KIA should replace this part ASAP. BTW .. this was the second time it happened within a year
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461977April 24, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My son was driving the vehicle on the freeway. Suddenly and spontaneously, the glass in the sunroof shattered. Fortunately he had the interior shade closed so glass did not spill into the car. He does not believe anything hit the roof, he said he just all of a sudden heard the glass shatter and felt the wind rushing in.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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