Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11282612November 27, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I25 AROUND 530PM AFTER WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SLIDING SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND ME AT ALL THANK GOD BECAUSE THE GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE AND I DIDN'T HAVE MY 10YR OLD SON IN THE CAR AS I USUALLY DO. KIA IN MOTOR CITY COLORADO SPRINGS IS WHERE WE BOUGHT IT. THIS WAS OUR FIRST LOW MILAGE EXPENSIVE CAR WE HAVE EVER BOUGHT. KIA TOLD US ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM AND WE MUST HAVE HIT A ROCK OR SOMETHING BUT THIS WAS FALSE. AS I HIT NOTHING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11282663November 27, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I TOOK MY CAR IN AFTER SMELLING FUEL AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A TEAR IN MY FUEL LINE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT KIA WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE WHEN THEY PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED FOR RECALL ISSUES THEY SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUES FOUND. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT KIA AND THEY DID NOT GET BACK TO ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#11282157November 25, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I NOTICED WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT AND I TAKE OFF TO GO, THE CAR MISFIRES AND STALLS FOR A MINUTE. I THEN NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT GIVING THE ACCELERATION AND KEPT STALLING, AND A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON WITH A CODE P0087 WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE FUEL PRESSURE. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A CONCERN AS MY CAR COULD STALL WHILE I'M DRIVING WHICH WOULD MAKE IT DANGEROUS AS IT COULD STALL WHILE IM ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHILE I'M GOING THROUGH A LIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11282155November 25, 2019
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 2019 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DEER THAT JUMPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK PAIN AND HIS DAUGHTER, WHO WAS SEATED BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT, SUSTAINED NECK PAIN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT BOTH OCCUPANTS WOULD BE TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR THEIR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY WAITING TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,168.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11282335November 25, 2019
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE HAD THE STEERING GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES - REPORTED IT TO KIA WHERE I LEASE FROM AND A LOCAL SHOP. JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY (11/25/19) - IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR - I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE PLACE I LEASED FROM AS WELL. ALSO, TWICE NOW - WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. VERY SCARY. AS I STATED, I HAVE TAKEN IN AND THE KIA DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT THEY CANNOT NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE, THEY TREAT ME AS I AM MAKING UP. NOW READING THAT IT DOES HAPPEN TO OTHERS, I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE. I WILL NOT LEASE OR BUY ANOTHER KIA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11282081November 24, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING( PARKING BREAK LIGHT,EPB LIGHT ,ABS LIGHT,ESC LIGHT ,BATTERY CHARGE LIGHT, AND THE MASTER MALFUNCTION LIGHT) . I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I PULL FORWARD ONTO A OPEN SPOT AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE MOMENT I DID THIS THE CAR CUT OFF. IT WILL NOT TURN OVER, IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BESIDES TICK. I HAVE BEEN GREAT WITH MAINTENANCE BECAUSE IT WAS EITHER FREE OR DIRT CHEAP SO I ALWAYS TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ MORE REVIEWS OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH SIMILAR THINGS. JUST IMAGINE IF I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR, ON THE INTERSTATE AND COULD NO LONGER CONTROL MY STEERING WHEEL OR THE CAR JUST DYING MID DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE HOW DANGEROUS THIS ISSUE IS. MY CAR IS BASICALLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAT 50 K. IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED , TOWED OR DAMAGED STILL PRACTICALLY NEW. I HAVE ALSO READ SIMILAR RECALLS ABOUT ELECTRONIC ISSUES THAT ARE ONLY RELEVANT TO THE HYBRIDS . THE RECALL SEEMS SIMILAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281964November 23, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 3 VEHICLES PASSED WAVING FRANTICALLY BEFORE SPEEDING BY. I NOTICED A REFLECTIVE ORANGE FLICKER ALONG THE BASE EACH VEHICLE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED UP BY A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND BEFORE I LOST ALL ACCELERATING POWER BUT RETAINED RPM REVS AS I PRESSED THE PEDAL. I ALLOWED THE MOMENTUM TO GET ME AS FAR UP THE EXIT RAMP AS POSSIBLE PRIOR TO PULLING OVER ONTO THE GRASS. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF TO BE MET WITH AN INSTANT ROLL OF SMOKE UP THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, OUT OF THE FRONT GRILL, AND FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AREA. I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO THE SOUND OF LIQUID HITTING A HOT SURFACE AND HISSING. I STEPPED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO BE MET WITH ROLLS OF FIRE DRIPPING TO THE GROUND FROM BENEATH THE ENGINE AND ALONG THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY CLEARED THE AREA AND MY VEHICLE WAS COMPLETE ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN LESS THAN 4 MINUTES. NO SENSORS OR ALARMS NOTIFIED ME OF ANY TYPE OF MALFUNCTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11281758November 22, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEMONTROND KIA (14101 NORTH FREEWAY, HOUSTON, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13418572, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE), ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281497November 21, 2019
ENGINE
WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN. NOW THE ENGINE IS SEIZED UP AND WON'T TURN ON OR ANYTHING. NO LIGHTS OR WARNING SIGNS OF ANYTHING HAPPENING. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT ON A CITY STREET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281652November 21, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTING IS VERY VERY POOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281260November 20, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS IN TWO LOW SPEED REAR ENDED CRASHES BECAUSE THE CIB DIDN'T ENGAGE AND I HAD NO BREAKING POWER. ONE WHO ON THE HIGH WAY AND ONCE IN AN EXIT RAMP
Crash:
Yes
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
#11281392November 20, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11281111November 19, 2019
ENGINE
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
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
#11280574November 17, 2019
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOUSE GOING TO MY MOMS HOUSE SHE LIVES APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES FROM ME 15 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE I STOP THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TRUNT RED THE CAR BEGAN TO START ACTING LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO CUT OFF SO I PULLED OVER TO THE NEAREST STORE TO CALL FOR HELP BECAUSE I JUST KNEW I WASNT GO MAKE IT TO MY MOMS LOW AND BEHOLD WHEN I WENT TO CRANK IT BACK UP TO ATTEMPT TY O GO TO MY MOMS BEFORE HELP CAME IT WON'T STAY CRANK SO I WAITED IN MY CAR UNTIL MY MOM AND THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED NOW THE CAR IS JUST SITTING IN MY YARD UNTIL I FIND OUT WHAT'S REALLY WRONG WITH IT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11280619November 17, 2019
STEERING
LANE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM MAKES UNUSUAL TURNS WHILE I'M DRIVING RESULTING ME HAVING TO CORRECT. IN SOME SITUATIONS VEHICLE ALMOST TURNED INTO CARS IN NEARBY LANE. INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED BOTH ON SURFACE STREETS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 55 MILES PER HOUR AND ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 55 MILES PER HOUR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11280648November 17, 2019
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2013 KIA OPTIMA SPORT WITH APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES LOSS OF TURBO. PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND MY CAR SEEMED SLUGGISH. I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AS I ACCELERATED MY TURBO DID NOT SEEM TO KICK IN AND MY CAR WOULD REV UP AND NOT ACCELERATE VERY WELL. CALLED KIA THEY SAID I HAVE 5 YEAR OR 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM I ALSO HAVE 10 YEAR 100 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. JUST RAN A RECALL CHECK AND NHTSA STATES RECALL ON LONG BLOCK ENGINE AND TURBO RECALL ON MY SPORT MODEL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11280549November 16, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN FIRST TAKING OFF THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE BACK HAS TO CATCH UP WITH THE FRONT OF THE CAR ,,, TO ME IT SEEMS AS THE UNIVERSE JOINTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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