Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11460293April 10, 2022
STEERING
Power steering column is bad and comes on while driving and turning!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460230April 9, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving down interstate 10 my vehicle suddenly lost all power from the engine. Upon stopping to attempt restarting it I plugged in my personal obd2 maintenance tool and came up with no trouble codes. Vehicle would not crank.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460094April 8, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My partner was driving my car and the engine seized. We never miss an oil change and use full synthetic since I got it. We did notice little changes in the engine over time that were concerning. Out of nowhere my check engine and oil light came on at the same time and the engine seized. That’s the first time I ever seen my oil light come on. He was on the express driving, lucky he is still here.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460132April 8, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2016 Kia Optima EX with the 2.4L GDI I4 engine has been ticking for roughly a year. The ticking coincides with acceleration (the harder you accelerate, the faster the tick). I took it my local Kia dealer where I've gotten my service done since purchasing the car. They simply stated, "these cars tick, don't worry about it." So I continued changing my oil regularly and monitoring it. Shortly after this, I noticed my oil levels would be lower than normal midway through an oil change cycle (I check my oil periodically because I do not trust the dealership). I took it back in with a concern and they did an oil consumption test, stating my car is burning excessive amounts of oil. After this service, the dealer said it "passed" and that it would no longer be an issue. Still, ticking persisted and I took it back in and forced them to do a full diagnostic on the vehicle (with a hefty charge on my part) to get to the root of the problem. They then recommended a valve deep cleaning service as the next step in the oil consumption service as my car was "still burning oil". There were never warning lights or any other cause of concern of a failure to indicate something was wrong. This is a HUGE issue with Kia and they will not accept the blame for manufacturing faulty engines. My car is no longer covered under warranty and the dealership states that if the engine blows from an oil consumption issue, Kia will not cover the cost. I expect Kia to issue a recall on these engines as hundreds of thousands of customers across the USA are experiencing the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460136April 8, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The headlights on my 2018 Kia Optima have been turning off and on randomly by themselves while in motion. Each time it's happened has been in different areas at different times of the night. The headlight switch is kept in the auto position most of the time. When the headlights turn off, the screen in the dash for the headlight function switches from auto to off by itself. Sometimes if the turn signal switch is jiggled the lights will come back on. Other times the headlight switch, located on the end of the turn signal switch, has to be turned to the on position to get the lights to turn on. The car has been in for service but each time the technician is unable to reproduce the fault. It is occurring more frequently and becoming a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460144April 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Since I purchased the car I have a had a issue with my vehicle misfiring. We purchased the car in 2018 and a few months in I had to bring the car in for a rattle and shaking while I was driving. It would give me a warning lamp stating that a “possible engine control issue had been found”. Since then I have taken the car in for the same issue three different time. Including the misfire and coil pack and spark plug replacement that I just had to pay nearly 600 for at the dealership. I have had this issue occur multiple time since we purchased the car and while driving on the freeway nearly putting my life at risk. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459946April 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My paint is chipping away on my hood and frame around windshield.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459953April 7, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Driving on highway 54 all of a sudden vehicle seized up on me at 75 mph in the dead of night, steering was difficult to control and hit an object while trying to stop off the highway IN A BLIND CURVE! Was stranded for 6 hours until local shop towed vehicle and replaced condenser-radiator-fan ( object was debris on side of highway) could not get car going and a smell of electrical short coming from under hood. Have not been able to fix problem and have spent 11 days in Carrizozo NM trying with bewildered mechanics to get me back on the road. They replaced starter -fan-radiator-condenser-changed fluids (motor & transmission) to find out motor unable to reset. I’ve spent over 6,000.00 dollars in motel-tows-parts -labor -due to this vehicle. I found out of recall when I was told to buy an engine. This car almost took my life due to sudden engine failure on the highway in the AM hours.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459954April 7, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Was driving on a busy street. Went to accelerate, car wasn’t getting gas. Brakes seized and steering wheel seized. Had to drift off the road since the whole car died.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459984April 7, 2022
ENGINE
I was driving on the highway going about 60 an then all of a sudden the car loss acceleration and stopped. Lucky I was about to pull on the side of the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460013April 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Egiene consum oil 1 quarter in 1000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460018April 7, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail, causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel and lose consciousness. The vehicle came to a complete stop in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact later received medical attention at the hospital for a concussion and was later diagnosed with early signs of onset dementia. A police report was filed and the contact was taken to jail under the assumption that she was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but the contact was not aware if it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags should not have been deployed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11460023April 7, 2022
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am terrified the car is going to catch fire. You can fully inspect if need be. Most of the electronics in my car malfunction, since the start of buying it, windows roll down but not up from front button, sometimes my sunroof will open randomly, or when going to close will just reopen, my seat buttons dont always work, etc. But the newest thing that is scaring me and doesnt seem to be just cosmetic like the other electronic things it my air bag light randomly coming on, my driver air bag light comes on and the moment it does my passenger air bag light turns OFF with nobody in the seat. So Driver airbag will NOT be deploying but my passenger one will, with nobody in the seat. On top of that it vibrates and rough idles so badly its actually randomly turned off in the morning when i first start it. I have had my engine replaced and upgraded, and my turbo replaced already. I'm scared its not safe. I have not taken it to the dealer, as when I call them they tell me they are booked out for MONTHS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459814April 6, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
2012 Kia Optima Engine oil lights flickers on slowing .. I have checked the oil and the Filter they look excellent and to the correct level.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459843April 6, 2022
ENGINE
Engine seized up right after oil change. Went into limp mode on highway. Doesn't run
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459914April 6, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the steering wheel seized. After the steering wheel was released, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had previously had the steering column and steering rack replaced at the dealer; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459641April 5, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint keeps chipping and the car bounces I have got it fixed twice and it’s still doing the same thing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459434April 3, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint was chipping from the top of the car. White pear white and I seen alot of people having the same problem.it is available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459214April 1, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459106March 31, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle dash warning light started flashing and told me to turn off vehicle. There were no shoulders on the road where I was. I smelled a burning smell (like a belt -not brakes). I stopped and turned the car off. Very dangerous!!! Not impressed that the dealership or manufacturer allowed this vehicle to be re-sold! I turned the vehicle into the service department. Do NOT want this vehicle back! Lemons should not be on the road!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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