Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11441654November 25, 2021
ENGINE
Knocking on the engine began and car stopped suddenly. Smoke started coming out of the engine bay and also from the vents inside. Severe engine knocking when accelerating. Smoke all over inside detected and very scary situation arose.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441467November 23, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while inside the vehicle with the engine idling smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene who extinguished the flames. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. No further information was available. The contact indicated that the failed engine was a replacement engine previously installed under a recall campaign. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. Consumer had the car inspected and was told there was oil leakage but inspection states engine presented with oil inside. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441468November 23, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 10mph when the contact was struck by another vehicle which resulted in none of the airbags deploying. The contact sustained bruise sternum, bruised heart, and neck injury and sought medical treatment. There was a police report taken and the vehicle was towed to an insurance lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. Consumer stated air bags did not deploy and seat belt was torn.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11441181November 21, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I accelerate the car jerks as if is going to cut off. I have taken it to the dealer, and they can not find any thing wrong. After searching the internet, I find I am not the only one with this issue. I just want my car fixed so that I feel safe driving it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441188November 21, 2021
STEERING
Turned on my car and steering wheel was stuck , it didn’t turn, turn the engine off and back on and it went back to normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441080November 19, 2021
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident previously reported by telephone to NHTSA agent. On 11/19 while writing report online, [XXX] was accidentally disconnected from Internet at approximately 4:40PM CST. Lengthy comments with details. Can you retrieve? If not and again more briefly, an incident of dangerous unexpected engine shut down and engagement of limp mode occurred on 9/17/21 while [XXX], son, was traveling at 70-75mph in busy traffic on I-43 just north of Milwaukee. Engine eventually restarted but NO check engine light. Oil level okay. Fuel okay. Still precautionary check by [XXX] for possible engine error codes same day immediately after engine failure (limp mode) at Advance Auto in Manitowoc, WI and NO CODES FOUND. Subsequently NO CODES FOUND by dealer on 10/22/21 I have re-uploaded documents indicating Kia Tech Support states "Do not perform any repairs if the concern cannot be duplicated" and also "see if the customer can duplicate it for you." That is absurd and completely irresponsible nonsense! Customer or other driver should drive at high speeds hoping for engine shut-down? Personal injury? Property damage? Death? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Consumer stated 2015 Kia Optima engine replacement per Kia lifetime warranty on 2/16/22. Vehicle has been diagnoised.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441103November 19, 2021
ENGINE
Unknown … Right in the moment I started the car. My car turned on the check engine light and it started a fault as if it wanted to turn off, it shakes and the engine works without power. Since that moment it’s doing it constantly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440959November 18, 2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My daughter hit a deer at 65 mph causing total loss 5 miles prior to the accident the forward collision warning light came on stating it was inactive due to the sensor being blocked or damaged.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440967November 18, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled while driving. The contact manually pushed their vehicle to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle where more smoke was coming from the engine and fire coming from the passenger side of the engine. The contact ran to a nearby business to get a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The contact was in process of the vehicle being towed to a local dealer. The contact concerned that NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 ( service brakes, hydraulic) was related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440827November 17, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 45 mph, the "Safely Stop And Do Not Drive" warning message was displayed and the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, a burning odor was detected. This was the third recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with electrical system failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440841November 17, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was on the freeway and out of no where I couldn’t accelerate and immediately my car slowed down and I had to get over the car behind me had to slam on breaks and I was almost hit twice car then flashed to pull over and charge battery but it’s a brand new battery everything still turned on just couldn’t accelerate so it’s now towed to Kia dealership to get diagnostics done scariest driving moment ever
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440604November 16, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Was driving the car up a hill and alarm starting dinging and gave a notice something to the effect of Stop Safely. The car died and I was unable to move the car out of the traffic lane. People behind were blowing their horn and I did not feel safe to get out of the car. Eventually someone stopped to block traffic and we were able to roll the car back out of traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440433November 15, 2021
ENGINE
my engine started making a knocking noise so i get off the freeway and had my car towed to the dealership and they Confirm that the engine is making a knocking noise but they denied the engine replacement just because it didn’t have the software update done i have only had this car since july i had no idea of this or it would have been taken care of i make sure all my cars are up to date on every repair that it may need
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440443November 15, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was in limp mode. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle with the PUSH TO START button however, the vehicle failed to operate. The contact mentioned that there was a waiting period before being able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. Engine has been replaced. At time of the incident on 9/17/21, no DTC code was registered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440481November 15, 2021
AIR BAGS
Wow
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11440501November 15, 2021
AIR BAGS
Struck by heavy vehicle in an intersection; t-boned in the left front — by the right front of other vehicle which ran a red light. I have numerous injuries to my left side, and I have a damaged heart because none of my airbags deployed during the crash. The corner where I moved from when the traffic signal turned green has a severely blocked view where I sat at a red light. There’s a highway barrier fence that stretches alongside the road I was traveling, and this fence extends beyond the stop line for that traffic signal; it even stretches up to the sidewalk/crosswalk. That fence is completely covered with the heavy cover of vegetation/vines. Even at night, there is no visibility through that fence, can’t even see headlamps of another vehicle at night.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11440356November 13, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2013 Kia Optima EX, on the steering wheel, I hear a knocking sound while turning the wheel. I was informed that there was a recall for the rubber coupler replacement. I never received a recall letter from Kia Motors. I am very concerned about driving the vehicle because the sound is getting louder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440329November 13, 2021
ENGINE
I purchased this vehicle 10/21/2016. The vehicle was driving fine and I regularly took it in for maintenance. Regular oil changes, filters, tires rotated. I am very good at getting maintenance done on the vehicle. There was a recall on the engine, but I never received any notice. It was recalled on Mar 31, 2017. I have no records of any recalls, so I am not sure who they were sending them to. I moved shortly after the recall on February 16, 2018. I still received no notices at my new location. I did have all my mail forwarded. Long story short, my engine blew in September of 2019. I still had not received any notices of a recall. I have been trying to get this resolved with Kia for the last two years basically. I have had an independent shop verify that the engine is blown. Kia of Janesville and Madison refused to give me any help trying to get the car diagnosed or repaired. I have spent $700 getting the car towed, storage, and two years so far trying to get the car repaired or looked at. They keep on telling me that they are not going to cover anything and that I need to pay for repairs. I finally got the car towed to an independent service shop and they are telling me that the engine is indeed blown and that I need to replace it. Costs are expected to be in the $3700 range. I cant wait any longer to get this vehicle repaired as I have already dealt with it for two years with no good faith effort from Kia. I would appreciate some help dealing with the situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440224November 12, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the road after the failure. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact was then informed by the dealer that the engine had locked up and needed to be replaced. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and she was informed that since an engine software update was not performed on the vehicle, they would not assist with the repair of the vehicle. The contact spoke directly to the manufacturer and the manufacturer again declined to assist. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 90,423.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440061November 10, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2015 White Kia Optima and the paint started chipping a few months ago in just one area on the passenger side back door. I took it to a Kia dealer in Irvine, CA and they said it was not a covered item. I believe it should be a covered item and would like assistance getting it repaired please.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima