Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11341225July 24, 2020
ENGINE, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR STARTED TO BOG DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT CONTINUED TO DO IT EVERY FEW SECONDS AND WAS GETTING WORSE THE WHOLE WAY TO THE SHOP, WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST ONE I COULD FIND AS SOON AS IT STARTED DOING IT. THE SHOP RAN THE ERROR CODE AND GOT A KNOCK SENSOR ERROR. I HAD KIA COME PICK IT UP AND TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. THE SHOP PERFORMED A BEARING CLEARANCE CHECK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS SO THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AND INTAKE MANIFOLD DUE TO "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE". WHILE REPLACING THE ENGINE THEY FOUND THE TURBO HAD PLAY AND SO THEY INSTALLED A NEW TURBO ASSEMBLY. AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEY FOUND THE STARTER SEIZED, THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEY PERFORMED THE ECU UPDATE AND RESET ADAPTIVE VALUES, THEN PERFORMED WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK WHICH STARTED OK. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SHOP I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER WHEEL AREA. SHOP ENDED UP REPLACING CALIPER AND WHEEL BEARINGS ALONG WITH NEEDING AN ALIGNMENT. ALL HAPPENED AROUND 58K MILES. LUCKILY STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SHOP SAID IT WAS JUST A BAD ENGINE. NOTHING I COULD OF DONE COULD OF CAUSED IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11341365July 24, 2020
ENGINE
I WAS GOING DOWN HIGHWAY 80 AND LINCOLN NEBRASKA WHEN MY ENGINE JUST DIED ON ME IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSED NO PILE UP MEL MY ENGINE BURLY STARTS UP MAKING KNOCK NOISE I HAD THE TALK BACK HOME TO WICHITA KANSAS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11340987July 22, 2020
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AT AN AVERAGE SPEED, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO JERK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, THEN NEXT THING I KNOW I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11340550July 21, 2020
ENGINE
2.4 L HAVE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11340711July 21, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR TOLD ME TO PULL OVER AND CHECK THE ENGINE. I PULL OVER, WAIT A LITTLE WHILE, AND TRY TO START IT AGAIN. IT DOESN'T START. THEY HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT TO JUMP IT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOOD. I START TO DRIVE AWAY AND MERGE BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I LOOSE POWER--- I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE GAS, THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL IS STIFFENING UP. I AM SOMEHOW ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, BARELY GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, AND THEN USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKES. THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND COULD HAVE EASILY KILLED ME. I JUST HAD IT SERVICED THE DAY BEFORE SO I TOOK IT BACK. IT TURNS OUT THE HYBRID FUSE WENT OUT. I LOOK IT UP ONLINE AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE! I INFORMED ANOTHER KIA DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNAWARE OF THIS. IT'S INCREDIBLY UNSAFE AND MY LIFE WAS ENDANGERED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11340330July 20, 2020
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,191. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11340067July 18, 2020
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
POWER TRAIN; SHIFT LOCK SPECIFICALLY: HAD TO USE THE RELEASE CONTROL MORE THAN ONCE. WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENS, I FEEL A SURGE/ DECLINE IN ACCELERATION(SOMETHING I REQUESTED BE CHECKED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, BUT KIA SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE MY DESCRIPTION).CONTINUES TO DRIVE BUT SLUGGISH TO ACCELERATE. ONCE I PUT INTO "PARK" I CANNOT GET IT OUT OF PARK EXCEPT TO USE RELEASE. IT DID RESET(?) WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. SUSPENSION; FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR I PERIODICALLY HEARD A CREAK IN REAR SUSPENSION HERE AND THERE WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY/GUTTER SLOPE. HAVE NOTICED AN INCREASED CREAKING AND MORE BOUNCE WHILE DRIVING OVER TIME BUT HAVE NOT EVEN OWNED CAR MORE THAN 2 YEARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339978July 17, 2020
POWER TRAIN
WHENEVER DECELERATING THE CAR JERKS TERRIBLY HARD ENOUGH THE THROW YOUR HEAD FORWARD. IT FEELS AS IF YOUR HITTING YOUR BREAKS REALLY HARD!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339987July 17, 2020
ENGINE
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT, IT BEEN OVER 6 WEEKS SINCE MY KIA BROKE DOWN BECAUSE OF A RECALL. KIA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS IN CONTACT WITH A LADY BY THE NAME OF [XXX] BUT SHE HAS STOPPED RESPONDING TO MY EMAILS. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO I CAN'T GET MY CAR FIXED BY ANYONE EXCEPT KIA AND THEY WON'T DO IT. THE CLOSEST KIA DEALER IS OVER 100 MILE AWAY FROM MY HOME AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY THE TOW EXPENSES.[XXX] DID SAY SHE COULD ATHORIZE A TOW BUT HAS SINCE STOPPED RESPONDING TO ME. I NEED TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND KIA IS NOT DOING SO IN A TIMELY MANNER. I NEED HELP TO GET KIA TO FIX MY CAR AND DONT KNOW WHO TO CONTACT. EVEN CONTACTING DEALERS THEY TELL ME I HAVE TO GO THROUGH KIA INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339890July 17, 2020
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V153000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,960.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339920July 17, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO GET AN OIL CHANGE SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD THEM HOW MY BRAKES MAKE A NOISE JUST WHEN I BACK UP AND THEY KEEP SAYING MY BRAKES ALRIGHT BUT SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT TO ME...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339940July 17, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE THE KIA OPTIMA SX WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE THAT COMES EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO-LEVELING AND AUTO-BENDING LED HEADLAMPS. I BELIEVE THAT THE AUTO-LEVELING FUNCTION IS WORKING INCORRECTLY. WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED TO THE CAR (MORE PASSENGERS) THE BEAM PATTERN AUTO ADJUSTS ITSELF TO POINT EVEN LOWER INSTEAD OF HIGHER. THIS CAUSES AN ADVERSE EFFECT. THINK OF IT THIS WAY, THE BEAM HAS A DEFAULT SETTING TO WHERE IT POINTS TO WHEN THERE IS NO WEIGHT ADDED TO THE CAR. WHEN TWO PASSENGERS SIT IN THE CAR, THE BEAM SHOULD NOT POINT LOWER, INSTEAD IT SHOULD AUTO-LEVEL ITSELF TO A HIGHER POSITION TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOW LOWER WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BY DEFAULT ARE POINTED A BIT LOW, I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP (CONCORD KIA IN CONCORD, CA) TO HAVE THEM RE-ADJUSTED. ALAS, NO BETTER RESULT WAS ACHIEVED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE AUTO-LEVELING. OFTEN WHEN DRIVING IN THE CAR WITH MY FIANCE (A COMBINED WEIGHT OF ABOUT 600 LBS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT SEATS), THE LED LOW-BEAMS APPEAR TO REACH A MAX DISTANCE OF 40 FT ON LEVEL LAND, AND AROUND 70 FT. GOING UP A HILL. WHEN ONE IS GOING DOWNHILL, THE PROJECTED LED LIGHT REACHES A DISTANCE OF AROUND 25 FT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE 2017-2020 KIA OPTIMA SX MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO-LEVELING AND AUTO-BENDING LIGHTS HAVE RECEIVED A FANTASTIC RATING. I AM SURE WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE WORKING AT OPTIMAL CONDITIONS (1 PERSON IN THE CAR WHO MAY WEIGH UNDER 200 LBS) THE LIGHTING CAN BE GREAT. HOWEVER, I ENCOURAGE THE NHSTA TO RE-CONDUCT A THOROUGH TEST UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: SEAT TWO PEOPLE IN THE FRONT WHO WEIGH AT LEAST 200 LBS. FIRST SEAT ONE PERSON, NOTICE THE BEAM PATTERN AGAINST A WALL ABOUT 50 FT. AWAY, THEN SEAT ANOTHER PERSON IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE HOW THE BEAM PATTERN IS LOWERED. I ALSO ENCOURAGE THE TESTERS TO DRIVE THE AROUND A BIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339639July 16, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF. THIS ENDED UP KILLING MY BATTERY. WHEN I GOT THE BATTERY RECHARGED IT ALLOWED THE CAR TO START WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING PUSHED IN. ALSO I NOTICED THAT THE STOPPER HAD BROKEN. THIS ALLOWED THE COMPUTER TO THINK THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED EVEN THOUGH THE PEDDLE WASN'T PUSHED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339728July 16, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I PURCHASED A NEW 2015 KIA OPTIMA. COMPLETED REGULAR MAINTANENCE ON IT, AND THE ENGINE FAILED (LOCKED UP) AT 138,000 MILES. LATER, I WAS ADVISED THE 2015 KIA OPTIMA AND OTHER KIA'S WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAULTY ENGINES. KIA DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE AT THE TIME, BUT ARE NOW OFFERING ASSISTANCE SINCE I HAVE TRADED THE KIA WITH A LOCKED MOTOR. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND FOR WEEKS AND TODAY A "REGIONAL MANGER" CALLED AND OFFERED ZERO ASSISTANCE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THE FAULTY MOTOR WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. WHEN THE MOTOR LOCKED UP, I WAS PASSING A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. THE OPTIMA STALLED WHILE I WAS IN ON-COMING TRAFFIC, AND THEN THE MOTOR DIED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFETLY, AND THE CAR SMELT LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, IT NEVER STARTED AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339725July 16, 2020
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING T 65 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO PARAMOUNT KIA OF ASHEVILLE (1000 RIDGEFIELD BLVD, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339246July 14, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OFF BY THEMSELF WHILE IN AUTO MODE. I'VE ALWAYS LET IT GO UNTIL I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ALSO WHILE IN AUTO MODE. IF YOU SWITCH TO MANUAL IT WORKS PROPERLY, BUT IN AUTO IT'S TOTALLY RANDOM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT ON BUSY ROADS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT TOO WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I'VE SEEN WHERE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11338993July 13, 2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOTICED A FAINT FUEL SMELL AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF. ALSO NOTICED AFTER STARTING ENGINE. WHILE ENGINE WAS RUNNING I TOOK ENGINE COVER OFF AND FUEL WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE TOP B-NUT FITTING ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE. FUEL LINE IS ON THE UPPER PART OF ENGINE. THIS IS THE SAME FUEL LINE IN RECALL SC172. ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN 11/2019 UNDER RECALL.*DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339016July 13, 2020
ENGINE
I REPORTED MY KIA WITH AN ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM A FEW WEEKS AGO. GOT A CALL FROM KIA TODAY AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL BY NHTSA IS FOR 2 AND 2.4 L OPTIMA , KIA IS CLAIMING IT IS FOR A SPECIFIC TYPE OF ENGINE. I SHOULD PAY 6200 AND SUBMIT FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. MINE IS AN MPI AND IT IS EXCLUDED. HOW CAN YOU EXCLUDE MY ENGINE? WHY WOULD MY ENGINE FAIL FOR NO VIABLE REASON AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN? MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I AM ASKING FOR A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION AND NOT A PHONE INVESTIGATION. . MY CAR IS A 2.4L I4 MPI HYBRID ELECTRIC DOHC. AN ENGINE FAILS FOR A REASON. KIA HAS HAD DEBRIS ISSUES WITH ENGINES AND IF MINE IS THE FIRST THEN SO BE IT. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT THE CAR TO ASCERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A LEMON ENGINE FROM THE GET GO. THIS BRUSH OFF BY KIA IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339137July 13, 2020
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE), HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339152July 13, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS HAS HAPPED NOW 5 TIMES!! WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES, THE PEDAL GETS FIRM WHICH LITTLE TO NO REDUCTION IN SPEED! THEN PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WHEELS LOCK UP, COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP! EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING! EACH TIME I WAS APPROACHING A STOPS SIGN OR COMING UP TO AN OFF RAMP! BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT FOR HOURS AND THEY DID NOT COME UP WITH ANYTHING BUT TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPORT IT! SO STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT! I DON'T FEEL I CAN SAFELY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ANYMORE ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!!! BUT OF COURSE KIA WON'T DO THE EXTRA WORK TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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