Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11350039August 18, 2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
MY CAR QUITS WHILE DRIVING. WARNING LIGHTS FLASH OFTEN ON DASHBOARD EVEN AFTER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11349780August 17, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN HACKED DUE TO AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER BEING AGGRESSIVELY FOLLOWED BY A MYSTERIOUS BLACK NISSAN SUV WITH PITCH-BLACK TINTED WINDOWS AT MY WORK LOCATION. DURING THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION, I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH 911, WITH THE BLUETOOTH OF MY CAR AND PHONE ON AND CONNECTED, CALLING ABOUT A RED CAR THAT APPEARED TO BE FOLLOWING ME. I DROVE AROUND MY BLOCK AND LOST THE RED CAR BUT WHEN I RETURNED BACK TO THE STREET WHERE I LIVE, I SLOWED DOWN AS I NOTICED A SLOW-MOVING BLACK SUV WITH PITCH-BLACK DARK TINTED WINDOWS (REMINDING ME OF THE BLACK NISSAN SUV THAT I ENCOUNTERED A WEEK PRIOR AT WORK). I REMEMBER ITS HEADLIGHTS BEING OFF. THIS TIME, I WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE BLACK SUV- IT WAS ON MY LEFT SIDE DRIVING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND IT ALSO APPEARED TO SLOWED DOWN AND GOT PARALLEL TO MY VEHICLE). WHEN MY CAR AND THE BLACK SUV WHERE ALMOST NEXT TO EACH OTHER, ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS OF MY VEHICLE TURNED ON AND I HEARD A SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE ALL THE DOORS UNLOCKED. AS A PETITE FEMALE WHO WAS DRIVING ALONE AT 10PM OR LATER THAT NIGHT ON AN EMPTY BACK STREET, I GOT TERRIFIED AND QUICKLY PUSHED ON THE GAS TO GET AWAY FROM THE BLACK SUV. WITH ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAD NO VISIBILITY WHATSOEVER, SO I KEPT PUSHING THE LIGHT SWITCH BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I MOVED THE SWITCH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT TURN OFF. AFTER DRIVING, I ESTIMATE, 1000+ FEET, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF AND I REGAINED VISIBILITY. AT THAT POINT I COULD SEE MY APARTMENT WAS COMING UP SO I QUICKLY DROVE INTO THE GATED PARKING AREA OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX. AS I RECALL THE INCIDENT, THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS ON "DOOR" WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS INCIDENT REVEALS SECURITY/SAFETY VULNERABILITIES IN MY VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11349825August 17, 2020
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR STALLED ON ME OUT OF NO WHERE. I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTED. ALL MY LIGHTS ON MY DASH BOARD CAME ON AND MY CAR WAS MAKING A BAD RATTLING NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, STILL STALLING FROM TIME TO TIME. I GOT IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD ENGINE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BLOW. I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. IT NEVER MADE A NOISES BEFORE OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE MY ENGINE WAS GOING OUT. I GOT MY PILES CHANGED ON 8/11/2020 AROUND 2:30PM AT MURPHYSBORO, IL WALMART. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 8/13/2020.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11349892August 17, 2020
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAD BLOWN OUT AND WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF CERRITOS (18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703), AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BELT WAS MELTED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11349711August 16, 2020
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY CAR STARTED JERKING, SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES. IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE HOME, SO I PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11349275August 14, 2020
VISIBILITY/WIPER
FRONT OF SUNROOF GLASS PANEL SHATTERED VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348783August 12, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOSIE WHEN STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS IN HER HAND AND THE CAR WAS OFF BUT STILL WAS HEARING THE NOISE. WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND WALK AWAY WITH THE KEYS IN HER HAND, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE ABS BRAKE MODULE CAUGHT FIRE AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE SMOKE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SERRA KIA (12304 30 MILE RD, WASHINGTON, MI 48095) AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE AND HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET DUE TO PART NEEDED TO BE ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348910August 12, 2020
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GRAND-DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT'S GRAND-DAUGHTER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348621August 11, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE TAIL LIGHT'S ON MY VEHICLE CONTINUE TO COLLECT CONDENSATION CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE FOR A REPAIR. ISSUE CONTINUES TO OCCUR, AND I'M AFRAID THAT THE LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING CAUSING FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE HIT FROM THE REAR IF THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE WET AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348710August 11, 2020
ENGINE
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE AT IDLE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO MY DEALERSHIP, AFTER THEY GOT ME FOR ABOUT $800 FOR ODDS AND ENDS, THEY SAID MY TIMING NEEDS INSPECTED. I SAID DO IT. THEN LATER GOT A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAYING "NEVERMIND, MY CERTIFIED TECH DOESN'T THINK IT NEEDS CHECKED". CERTIFIED TECH? SO, A ASC CERTIFIED TECH HASN'T BEEN WORKING ON AND DIAGNOSING MY CAR UNTIL NOW? I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME TICK AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. I ALSO HAVE PROOF OF "DEFERRED SERVICE" BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR, FOR TIMING INSPECTION. I WAS ALSO TOLD ON THE PHONE THE WHOLE ENGINE SHOULD BE PULLED APART TO REALLY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. WHAT?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348408August 10, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ITS HYBRID BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SINCE PURCHASE. IT HAS BEEN TOWED 4 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL START TO JERK AND A WARNING SYSTEM TELLING ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) AND THE POWER TRAIN. IT WILL TELL ME TO PULL OVER OR TO CONTACT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS CAR HAS HAD ITS BATTERY REPLACED AND SOFTWARE UPGRADED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT I KEEP HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED THE BATTERY SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT, AS NOTHING PRECEEDS THE ISSUES - THEY HAPPEN OUT OF NOWHERE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348460August 10, 2020
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP LIGHT I WENT TO TAKE OFF AND LOST ALL POWER. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE FACILITY WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM AND I WAS JUST TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA LX WITH 64,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348471August 10, 2020
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CRUISE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND WHEN LIFTING THE HOOD SAW FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER RAN TO HIS EMPLOYER AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH 5 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FOUND SEVERAL UNKNOWN RECALLS ON LINE THAT WAS RELATED TO THE VEHICLE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11344142August 9, 2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD CAR JUST STOPPED AFTER STOPPED TRY TO CRANK AGAIN WOULDN'T CRANK WHEN IT DID CRANK IT HAD NO POWER SPUTTERED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11344180August 9, 2020
ENGINE
WHILE GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE MY ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING THANKFULLY I GOT IT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT STARTED BACK UP AND MADE IT THE SHORT DISTANCE TO MY HOUSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK IT HAS DONE THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11344220August 9, 2020
ENGINE
EVEN THOUGH KIA SUGGESTS OIL CHANGE INTERVALS OF 7500 I'VE BEEN GETTING MINE CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. I STILL HAD 100 MILES TO GO AND I NOTICED MY CAR WAS RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH AND THEIR WAS A CHANGE IN ITS PERFORMANCE. I CHECKED MY ENGINE OIL AS A PRECAUTION AND THE DIP STICK BARELY SHOWED ANY OIL ON THE TIP. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AFTER I TOOK MY KIA IN FOR A RECALL, THEY UPDATED SOME SORT OF SOFTWARE AND A SOME HOSE THAT WAS RECALLED FOR DETERIORATION. THERE ARE NO LEAKS, NEVER HAD ANY AND NOW MY CAR IS BURNING 4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGE INTERVALS OF JUS 3000. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS BY OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11344086August 8, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
II HAVE PAINT PEELING AND FALLING OFF AT A RAPID RATE AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 77000 MILES IT IS GARAGE KEPT AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR I FEEL IT NEED ATTENTION FROM KIA AS THIS IS NOT NORMAL THEY WILL NOT COVER IT AND IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR KIA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11343986August 7, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SEATS
I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER IN ORANGE COUNTY, AND THEY CHARGED ME EXTRA TO RESOLVE THE RECALL, AND THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NO LONGER WORKING, THE GAS INTAKE IS RIDICULOUS, AND THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME POWER AS IT USED TO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11343390August 5, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING CAR FOR NO LONGER THAN 45 MINUTES. WHEN APPROACHING A GREEN LIGHT MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE LIGHT TURNED RED SO I HAD TO COME TO A STOP. AS I DID, ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR SPUTTERED. THE CAR THEN TURNED OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART, BUT NOTHING. IT BEGAN TO SMOKE BADLY AND I RUSHED OUT OF MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS A COP, CONVENIENTLY CLOSE, WHO STOPPED AND POURED WATER WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. IT CONTINUED TO SMOKE BUT NOT AS BAD AS BEFORE. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER STILL AND I WAS FORCED TO PAY TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER SITTING, WITH ENGINE OFF, THERE IS STILL A STING BURNT SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND INSIDE MY CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11343574August 5, 2020
ENGINE
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60MPH . SUDDENLY ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. CAR IMMEDIATELY MAKES AWFUL SOUND AND LOOSES POWER AS I'M PULLING OVER TO GET OFF ROAD. HAD TOWED IN TO HOME. OUR NEIGHBOR MECHANIC THINKS THREW A ROD. NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED! LOUD KNOCKING SPUD UNDER HOOD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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