Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11440078November 10, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I experienced sudden acceleration while attempting to park our car. The car was double parked waiting for my husband to move a car so I could park in that space. I put my foot on the brake to put the car in drive. I start to pull forward and the car takes off and I eventually crashed into my apartment building. I remember having my foot on the break to stop the car and could not. The sudden acceleration caused damage to the building inside and out. I did do some research and saw there are others who have experienced the same thing across different models of Kia.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11439823November 9, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
•A small spot the size of a half-dollar formed on the exterior paint (pearl white) on the passenger side rear door and has since expanded to the size of two fists. •I brought the vehicle to a reputable body repair shop that was recommended by my auto insurance provider to get the area repainted. •The body shop reports that the paint is “delaminating” and is not adhering to the primer. •There are countless related complaints online from vehicle owners with the same year, make and model – yet no recall has been issued by Kia. •There are no warnings to alert the driver to this problem. However, over time, the exposed metal will rust and the door will eventually corrode, putting the passenger at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439832November 9, 2021
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Lost power train while driving on the freeway. I put the computer on the car and I got code PO605.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439898November 9, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving at night the engine sputtered and stalled in traffic. Lost power to steering and had to get off main road . Towed to a mechanic and was told there was no oil in the engine and the entire engine needs to be replaced . The oil has been changed as required but constantly low and needing to be topped up . He advised checking the VIN for a recall with this particular car model having a previous recall . I checked there were no open recalls . The engine is being replaced .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439604November 7, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
My 2013 Kia optima caught fire while I sitting idle in the vehicle in a parking lot outside of an establishment in May of 2021. I started my vehicle, and was finishing up a phone call when I noticed smoke coming from my hood. When I opened the hood to investigate flames shot up from my engine. I called 911 and fortunately the fire department was close and we're able to put out the fire quickly and no one was hurt. If it hadn't been for the phone conversation keeping my attention, I would have taken off normally and the outcome could of been seriously different. I'm not sure what happens when you are actively driving a car that engulfs in flames but I imagine it's not pretty. There was a open recall on my car for a low pressure fuel tube malfunction that was thought to cause fires. The Kia dealership denied I had an open recall asked me to remove car from facility or they would tow it . They were low on space. . They said that they wouldn't cover my car for any reason anyway because it doesn't have the original engine it came with. The engine was replaced by Kia because of engine defect and recall but the local dealership could not see this car history. Eventually I was able to get a case opened with the corporate office and an inspection was done. They still denied me and no one was on the same page as far as car history. Was given the run around. The inspection report and estimate I have contradict one another. They spent 6 to tell me my cars problem is not there fault. They are unable and willing to answer my questions about inconsistencies.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439650November 7, 2021
ENGINE
My engine began smoking while I was driving I pulled over to see where the smoke was coming from and it burst into flames
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439651November 7, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
while driving, all lights (headlights, instrument, etc) would randomly go dark. Lighting usually restored after toggling the instrument control arm from on-to-off-on. Obviously super dangerous as driver can't see roadway and other drivers can't see the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439579November 6, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oil light comes on after oil change. Check engine light comes on and the car feels like it going to quit or stall when going down high way.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439468November 5, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that as he attempted to merge onto a highway at 45 MPH, the brake pedal and steering wheel locked up upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. Due to the failure, the contact hit an electrical box encased in concrete as the vehicle continued to roll into bushes before it came to a halt. The airbags deployed upon impact. The contact exited the vehicle and removed his son from the back seat. The contact was not treated for injuries at the scene. The contact's son had a few lacerations on his neck that did not need medical attention. A police report was filed. A few days, his insurance towed the vehicle from the scene to an independent junkyard where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. A week later, the contact sought medical treatment for pain in his chest and right arm; the contact was diagnosed with a hairline fracture to his sternum. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that his vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact attempted to reach out to the manufacturer by email but did not receive a response. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11439499November 5, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the engine replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,122
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439375November 4, 2021
ENGINE
My car has been burning oil and progressively got worse. The oil lamp light would only blink for a few seconds and turn off to indicate the oil tank was low. I would be around 3 quarts of oil low every 2,000 miles. I have taken my vehicle to the KIA dealership and started the process of a oil consumption test to build a case. After some maintenance work and coming due to check back with the dealer for the 3rd engine oil test, the engine light illuminated. I checked my oil level to make sure there was oil in there and after restarting my car the light turned off. 4 days later my car stalled when coming to a stop. After a few minutes I was able to power my car back on and drive it safely home. The car was taken to the Dealership I have been going to in San Bernardino. I let them know I had checked the oil dipstick after the engine light was on before the stall and they told me I would have to start the engine consumption test over for taking out the dipstick, altering the test. My car has been at the dealership for 4 days with no word on why my engine stalled but I can pick up my car today after they do an oil change to begin the oil consumption test again. They asked that I drive 1,000 miles and bring it back for a final check on the oil per KIA's instruction. In the meantime I have to hope that my car will not stall again possibly causing a wreck harming myself and others or that my engine will not fail before the 1,000 miles are up. If I make it to 1,000 I am hoping KIA will honor the powertrain warranty and fix the engine, but my hope is fading. Although a settlement for similar issues has been made in favor of KIA owners, my problems are occurring after the settlement date.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439388November 4, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the front of the vehicle was in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439423November 4, 2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION, ENGINE
Vehicle has engine failure at 156600mi. Bearings and axle are worn out which caused the engine to go into limp mode (code P1326). Car is accelerating poorly and does not oprate over 60mph. Vehicle required a new engine. Dutch Miller of Charlotte Kia, 7725 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC ensured that engine would be brand new. However, the engine was used, and obtained at LKQ costing $3600. Total cost for the engine and labor totalled $5117.18. Kia also confirmed the problematic suspension which led to the engine failure was fixed. Once again this obligation was not met.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439426November 4, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2011 Kia Optima caught on fire while driving. Car started smoking which was the only indication something was wrong then all the dashboard lights came on and brakes no longer worked. About half a block later I put the car in park and it slowed down enough for my 3 kids to jump out although the car was still moving. I was able to exit a few seconds later when it came to a full stop. Within minutes it had flames coming from under the hood that continued until the fire department was able to put it out. They said something electrical had caused the fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439440November 4, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2015 Kia Optima has shown signs of paint chipping for the past year in the half. At first a minor inconvenience, now is becoming a major problem with parts of the body starting to rust and larger sections beginning to peel as well. While paint deterioration is expected on a car, it shouldn't happen as early as 5 years in or less than 80,000 miles. I am worried that paint will continue to peel off and the body work will continue to rust. The car has not been looked at by the manufacturer and various site across the internet have shown that the Pearl White Paint color is the sole color that has experienced this problem. The Hood, A Pillar, and rood railings are all experiencing this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439103November 2, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving the RPM decreased to 1,000 RPM. The check engine and brake warning lights were flashing. The contact was able to pull over to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P26. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438832November 1, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
It just started losing power. I looked it up online and there is a recall on the knock sensor harness/glow plug. Will not go over 60 mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438967November 1, 2021
ENGINE, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle check engine light came on at 164000mi. Diagnostics confirmed trouble codes P2562 (Power train system) and C2130, C1611, C1612 (Anti-lock brake sytem). The begins to shake at 40mph and the turbo fails to run properly causing the car to accelerate poorly and make steering an issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438984November 1, 2021
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Misfire– oil on the spark plug caused misfire. check engine light came on. OBDII scanner show a P0302 trouble code. Eventually the engine misfired enough and lead to a backfire. This also led to Decreased Fuel Mileage, Catalytic Converter Damage, and Blue Exhaust Smoke.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438796October 31, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The stock paint on the car is chipping and peeling away without any damage being done to the paint. Specific locations are the A pillars next to the windshield. The quality of the paint and clear coat comes into question, as this is also happening on my mother's white painted Kia, and this is a common issue amongst most Kias painted in any variation of white from the manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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