Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11258735September 28, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE HOOD IS STUCK. THE CABLE SEEMS TO BE STRETCHED. WHEN I DID GET IT OPENED THE CABLE WAS ATTACHED AND COULD SEE IT WORKING BUT IT'S NOT UNLATCHING HOOD. HOOD IS STILL STUCK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258550September 27, 2019
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR BEING DRIVEN BY MY DAUGHTER SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH A PULL OVER AND SAFELY SHUT OFF VEHICLE WARNING. SHE HOWEVER COULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOWED AN ERROR TO THE VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM. WE TOWED THE IMMOBILE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THERE WERE NO CODES AND THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THEY REQUESTED THAT I ALLOW THEM TO REMOVE THE VALVE COVER TO CHECK ON BELTS. I APPROVED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY TO CHECK IN BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD. I WAS TOLD THE HYBRID PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. NO REASON OR EXPLANATION, NO WARNING. MY CHILD COULD HAVE DIED DUE TO HER VEHICLE STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258565September 27, 2019
ENGINE
BURNING OIL, ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP MODE IN TRAFFIC, CAR WON'T RUN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258653September 27, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE 2011 KIA OPTIMA SX WITH HID HEADLIGHTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN DIM FOR A LONG TIME. THEY BECAME NOTICEABLY DIM IN 2015 AND HAVE EVER SINCE BEEN DIM AND HAVE HAD A NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE LIGHT PATTERN. THIS IS NOT CAUSED BY FOGGY OR YELLOWING PLASTIC AS THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN PROTECTED BY A CLEAR PLASTIC PROTECTIVE "STICKER BRA" EVER SINCE THE CARE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2011. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHER OWNERS OF THE CAR, DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL REFLECTOR FOR THE HID HEADLIGHT. AS A RESULT THE LIGHT PATTERN BECOMES ALTERED OR DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THIS CAR. THE HEADLIGHT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIGHTING OUTPUT OR PATTERN. THIS IS SIMILAR CONSISTENT WITH MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MODELS. KIA HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION BUT THE DEALER NEEDS TO PROVIDE A VIDEO THAT SHOWS FLAKING OF THE REFLECTOR BETWEEN THE SPACE WHERE THE BULB IS AND THE CLEAR LENS CAP. THIS IS NOT THE REFLECTOR BEHIND THE BULB THAT WOULD AFFECT THE LIGHT PATTERN. DEALERS DO NOT LOOK AT THE LIGHT PATTERN AS IT IS NOT PART OF THE DIAGNOSTIC STEPS. THEY ONLY LOOK FOR FLAKING OF THE REFLECTOR BETWEEN THE SPACE WHERE THE BULB IS AND THE CLEAR LENS CAP WHICH WOULD SEEM TO BE MORE COSMETIC THEN FUNCTIONAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258657September 27, 2019
AIR BAGS
10-15 MPH T BONED A CAR THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
5
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
#11258296September 26, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING WITH LIGHTS IN AUTO MODE THEY WILL RANDOMLY COME ON IN DAYLIGHT AND GO OFF IN DARKNESS. IF YOU SWITCH TO MANUAL IT WORKS PROPERLY, BUT IN AUTO IT'S TOTALLY RANDOM AND HAPPENS WITH NO CHANGE IN OUTSIDE LIGHTING CONDITIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258319September 26, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER WHO FLAGGED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND INFORMED HIM TO PULL OVER BECAUSE FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AS IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,442.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
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
#11258377September 26, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND REMAINED LIT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BY AAA. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE CONTACT CALLED TEXAS MOTORCARS HOUSTON TEXAS AT 832-794-0499 (LOCATED AT 11031 BISSONNET ST, HOUSTON, TX 77099), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258417September 26, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INTERMITENT EBGINE LIGHT AND GOES ON AND OFF. HAD IN A LOCAL SHOP AND THEY STATE ITS A CALAYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE SLIGHT TICK ONLY WITH EXCILARATION ON AN UPHILL CLIMB BUT NOT HARDLY NOTICEABLE. NO LOSS OF POWER OR OTHER ISSUE. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 76,700 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258191September 25, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
MY BRAKES AND TRACTION LIGHTS COMES ON RANDOMLY. IT STARTED HAPPENING A YEAR AGO. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE LAST YEAR. IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING, IT JUST COMES ON AND SOMETIMES WHEN I GET IN AND START THE CAR THEY COME ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11258218September 25, 2019
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT IS VERY LOOSE TO THE LEFT VERY TIGHT. OCCASSIONALLY IT LOCKS COMPLETELY CAUSING VEHICLE TO EITHER BE UNABLE TO TURN OR MERGE LANES, OR EVEN MORE DANGEROUSLY CAUSES THE CAR TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WITH NO ABILITY TO MOVE IT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON THE HIGHWAY TYPICALLY AT SPEEDS OR 55 OR HIGHER. THE TIGHTNESS/LOOSENESS USUALLY HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED OR TYPE OF ROADWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11257689September 24, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EARNHARDT KIA (2121 E BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85022, 602-346-5400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11257819September 24, 2019
ENGINE
UNTIL NOW (ONLY 84K MILES), MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR. WHEN LEAVING A DRIVEWAY GOING ABOUT 15MPH, A LIGHT TAPPING BEGAN WHEN THE GAS ENGINE STARTED. A SOUND IT WAS NOT MAKING WHEN DRIVING UNDER ELECTRIC POWER (BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTED). THE SOUND QUICKLY GREW TO A LOUD KNOCKING, ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTICEABLE LOSS OF POWER AND THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER TURNED ON, EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE BLEW UP. ALL SIGNS ARE POINTING TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, SIMILAR, IF NOT THE SAME AS THE ONE REGARDING METAL FILINGS BEING LEFT ON THE BLOCK. THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE MODEL AND YEAR THAT TRIGGERED OVER .5M CARS BEING RECALLED. NOW THE SAME ISSUES ARE HAPPENING WITH THIS MODEL, WHICH FOR SOME REASON WASN'T INCLUDED. A MODERN AND WELL-SERVICED CAR SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 84K MILES. THIS WILL BE A SAFETY HAZARD UNTIL ALL MODELS CONTAINING THESE ENGINES ARE REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11257835September 24, 2019
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AT 74K MI. NUMEROUS OCCASIONS CAR LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. TAKEN CAR IN TO KIA DEALER EACH TIME AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MY CAR STALLED OUT 1 MONTH AGO ON THE FREEWAY AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. NOW AT 125K MI DEALER IS TELLING ME MY ENGINE IS SEIZED, HYBRID BATTERY AND REGULAR BATTERY ARE DEAD. AND ALSO REPLACED THE EMC FOR $2500 PRIOR TO FIGURING OUT THE ENGINE/BATTERY'S WERE DEAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11257857September 24, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING SAFETY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAN FRANCISCO HONDA NEW & USED SALES (1595 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, (415) 687-0174) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,979. *AS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11257837September 24, 2019
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD RELEASED WHILE IN MOTION, FOLDED BACK OVER WINDSHIELD AND ROOF TOP TOTALLY BLINDING DRIVER WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, TRAVELING SOUTH ON NC HWY 16 AT A RATE OF 50 MPH, TWO LANE ROAD. HOOD RELEASED AND FLEW UP, NO KNOWN CAUSE OR EFFECT. HOOD RELEASE AND/OR SAFETY LATCH OBVIOUSLY RELEASED WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING.
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
#11257347September 23, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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