Kia Optima Complaints (2014)

622 consumer complaints on file.

#11282434November 26, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA LX, AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM ON LOW BEAM IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BRIGHT LIGHTS WORK GREAT. LOW BEAM WHEN YOU MEET ANOTHER ONCOMING VEHICLE YOU CAN BARELY TELL IF YOU ARE IN YOUR LANE OR NOT. ALSO IF YOUR BY YOURSELF ON THE ROAD, YOU CANNOT HARDLY TELL IF ANYTHING IS UP AHEAD IN THE ROAD OR ON THE SIDES OF THE ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281273November 20, 2019
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON..CANNOT PASS INSPECTION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281010November 19, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED, A KNOCKING SOUND EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT AN ATTACHMENT TO THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V097000 (FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11280557November 16, 2019
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHEN WINTER (THE COLD)COMES MY BACK UP CAMERA STOPS WORKING. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH KIAS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11277353October 31, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT AND THEN TOWED TO KIA ATLANTA SOUTH (7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260, (770) 968-3400); HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11271027October 25, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11270083October 21, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CAR WHEN PARKED AND OFF TURNED ON WHEN LOCKING DOOR. LATER CAR SHUT OFF ON FREEWAY DRIVING 70 MPH AND AFTER A SHORT MOMENT TURNED BACK ON LOST ALL CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11268741October 15, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
2014 KIA OPTIMA SHARK FIN RADIO ANTENNA COVER BROKE OFF AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY. ALL FIVE SCREW HOLDERS CRACKED INSIDE THE HOUSING, OBVIOUSLY A FAULTY DESIGN. THE 2016 KIA OPTIMA SHARK FIN RADIO ANTENNA WAS RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS STORED IN A GARAGE EACH NIGHT AND HAS NEVER SUSTAINED ANY DAMAGED TO THE ROOF AREA. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM HAPPENING TO MANY KIA OPTIMAS, GOD FORBID MY ANTENNA FLEW OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE I EXITED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11267291October 9, 2019
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION, IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILL BRYAN KIA (9039 US-441, LEESBURG, FL 34788) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND KIA ISSUED COVERAGE THROUGH EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES BASED ON THEIR LOCATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO ITS PRODUCTION DATE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,751. *CW*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11267177October 8, 2019
STEERING
I'VE BEEN DRIVING LATELY AND THE STEERING WHEEL GETS PRETTY STIFF AND UNABLE TO TURN WITHOUT APPLYING FORCE. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, TURNING AND ALSO IN THE FREEWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11265877October 3, 2019
STEERING
ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2019 DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 4 WEST BOUND EXITING ALTAMONTE SPRINGS FL, MY STEERING BEGAN MAKING A THUMBING SOUND ALONG WITH A VIBRATION. AS SOON AS I PARKED, I BEGAN LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE OF SOUND. IT COMING FROM A 12 INCH STEERING COLUMN. I CALL KIA ON OCTOBER 3RD ASKING ON ANY TSB OR RECALLS ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. NONE FOUND. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258722September 28, 2019
ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING UP THE HILL ON A HIGHWAY MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, I WAS GOING 70 MPH. CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD TO GET A TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY SAID IT MIGHT NEED A NEW ENGINE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258666September 27, 2019
ENGINE
THE CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT, AS I WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE THE WARNING SIGN TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM CAME OB. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS GOING UP A HILL. I HAD TO TOW TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THAT'S WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258336September 26, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11257334September 23, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), STEERING
MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING CLICKING SOUND AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2014 KIA OPTIMA CAUSED BY PLASTIC STEERING COUPLER CONFIDENT THAT KIA WOULD COVER IT BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT FOR MY YEA RE AND BACK TO MY SURPRISE I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $340. GOD KNOW WHY A MANUFACTURE WOULD PUT PLASTIC IN MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I CONTACTED THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED AND DESPITE IT BEING ISSUED FOR MY YEAR AND MAKE NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED UNLESS A FUTURE RECALL WAS ISSUED. THIS IS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I CAUGHT PRIOR TO A FATALITY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11256312September 18, 2019
STEERING
MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA STARTED MAKING A CLICKING/RATTLING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING. THE NOISE IS WORSE WHEN YOU HIT A SMALL DIP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING FEELS CATCHY AND UNSAFE. OVER THE PAST THE PAST 2 YEARS MY ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN OFF CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR AND REPLACEMENT OF MY TIRES. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TODAY AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11256314September 18, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NOTICED THE SHARK FIN MISSING. AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION IT APPEARS THAT IT SNAPPED OFF TO REPLACE THE HEADLINER MUST BE REMOVED I ORDER A NEW ONE AND I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE IT. TAKING TO DEALERSHIP AND HOPEFULLY THE WILL IT WHEN CHECKING ON MY STEERING ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11256524September 18, 2019
ENGINE
DRIVING TO FROM AUSTIN TO HOUSTON ON 290 EAST ON 9/15/2019 AT AROUND 12:00 NOON. I WAS GOING AROUND 70 MILES PER HOUR AND I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE AND I SAW WHITE SMOKING COMING FROM THE HOOD AND UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND OPEN THE FRONT HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AT THE BOTTOM, I ACTUALLY SAW FLAMES. THE ENGINE WAS TURN OFF AND I GOT AWAY FROM THE CARE AND IT DID STOP SMOKING. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO AUSTIN AND IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER WERE CARE WAS PURCHASED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11255251September 13, 2019
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHITE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEAK KIA NORTH (1111 S. GATE DR, WINDSOR, CO) WHERE THE ENGINE WAS FLUSHED, BUT THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT NO SERVICE CODES WERE PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE REQUEST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11254125September 9, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, SAME ROUTE SAME TIME, WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AROUND A CURVE. "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE, PULL OVER AND TURN OFF ENGINE" WAS THE ERROR. I WAS ABLE TO COAST AROUND THE CURVE AND TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO TOW IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AT FIRST, AND TRIED TO JUMP IT. (I HAD A PROBLEM IN 2017 WITH THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH ON MY BATTERY, REPLACED SAFETY SWITCH/BATTERY AT THE COST OF 1K AND A MONTH DUE TO THE SAFETY SWITCH BEING AN ASPECT OF THE RECALL FOR THE NON-HYBRID OPTIMAS). BATTERY WAS PERFECT, CAR WAS ABLE TO TURN ON, RADIO, AC, EVERYTHING BUT THE ENGINE. TOWED IT TO FREDY KIA (GREAT SHOP BY THE WAY!), BY THE TIME IT GOT THERE, THEY STATED THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THEY REPLACED, THEN TRIED TO TURN THE ENGINE BOTH MECHANICALLY AND BY HAND. ENGINE SEIZED PER DEALERSHIP. (I KNOW IM AN IDIOT FOR SAYING THIS BUT..) THIS IS NOT THE FIRST KIA THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO WITH THE SAME RECALL. I HAD A 2014 KIA SPORTAGE IN JANUARY HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS (OIL CHANGES EVERY 3500 MILES, ANY BELTS/CHANGES,ETC.) WERE PRESENTED TO KIA OF WHICH THEY RECALLED THE 2014 SPORTAGE ENGINE. WITH MY OPTIMA HYBRID (SAME THETA II ENGINE AS THE RECALL FOR THE NON-HYBRID OPTIMAS PER KIAS OWN "INVESTIGATIONS" SINCE 2017) AFTER CONTACTING KIA HEADQUARTERS, THEY ARE STATING THAT THIS IS NOT THE SAME ISSUE BUT ARE WILLING TO "WORK WITH ME". SINCE THEN KIA HEADQUARTERS HAS TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS WITH 0 RESPONSE, OR UPDATE ON WHATS NEXT. I CURRENTLY BOTH HAVE AND DONT HAVE A CAR. MORAL OF THE STORY, PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THESE CARS! OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE FLAWED (MY "SEIZED" ENGINE IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED AT ALL DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE BARRINGS, ONLY FIX IS A SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR MY LONG BLOCK ENGINE THEN FABRICATE THE HEADERS, ETC.)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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