Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11195506April 10, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
ECU MALFUNCTION CAUSING MISFIRE IN CYLINDER ONE RESULTING IN IGNITION COIL MELTING AND AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL FIRE IN ENGINE BAY WHILE IN MOTION ON LOCAL STREET. VEHICLE IS NOW INOPERABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194965April 9, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTING. I HAVE READ THROUGH SOME OF THE FORUMS AND SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IF I HAVE THE POWER "ON" AND PUT IT IN DRIVE THEM BACK IN PARK IT STARTS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. I HAVE HAD THE STARTED AND BATTERY TESTED AND THEY ARE NOT MALFUNCTIONING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194980April 9, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I WAS ASLEEP AND BURNED TO THE GROUND
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194819April 8, 2019
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE BELTWAY 495 IN MARYLAND AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON THE DASH. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I CHECK THE MOTOR, CHECKING THE OIL STICK SHOWING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO OIL IN IT. I NEVER RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT ABOUT LOW OIL OR ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I HAD MY COUSIN BRING ME SOME OIL. I PUT FOUR CANS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND IT STILL WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE TAKEN OFF THE HIGHWAY TO MY COUSINS HOUSE NEAR BY. I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY THINKING THAT WAS NOW THE PROBLEM. THE STARTED TO TURN OVER BUT WOULDN'T START. THE NEXT DAY I CONNECTED A CHECK ENGINE MACHINE TO THE CAR, A ACTRON AUTO SCANNER #CP 9575BUT NO CODES APPEARED. A FRIEND WHO IN THE PAST RACED CARS CHECK THE MOTOR FROM THE ATTEMPTING TO START AND STATED IT WAS THE BEARING IN THE ENGINE. IT WOULD START AND AGAIN I HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS ABOUT THE OIL OR ENGINE BEFORE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE COMPUTER AN FOUNDED OUT THAT OTHER KIA'S HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS NOT COMING ON TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE OIL WAS LOW. KIA HAD A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES 2012-2017 NOT SHOWING A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194119April 5, 2019
ENGINE
AS I WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND BEGINNING A LEFT TURN MY CAR WITH NO WARNING BEGAN TO BUCK AND SURGE WITH NO MOTOR POWER AND AN ONCOMING CAR AT MY PASSAGER SIDE DOOR. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE ONCOMING DRIVER WAS VERY ALERT TO MY CAR NO BEING ABLE TO MOVE AND MISSED MY CAR. WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR UNDER VERY REDUCED POWER AND STILL, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AS WE PULLED INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND STOP I PUT THE CAR IN TO PARK AND IT COMPLETELY DIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TWICE DUE TO KIA GIVING BAD INFORMATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193745April 4, 2019
ENGINE, VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
OIL IS COMPLETELY EMPTY BEFORE 1000 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. HAVE SWITCHED TO SYNTHETIC OIL AND USED ADDITIVES. NOTHING HAS HELPED AND I AM ADDING AT LEAST 6-8 QUARTS FOR 3000 MILES. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS ARE HORRIBLE. I CAN NOT SEE 10 FEET PASS MY FRONT END AT NIGHT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEW BULBS DO NOT HELP. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT KIA COULD CARE LESS. NOT ONLY CAN I NOT SEE BUT I'M DRIVING A DEATH TRAP THAT WILL MOST LIKELY CATCH FIRE LIKE THOUSANDS OF THE 2013 HAVE ALREADY. HOW DO THESE CAR COMPANIES GET AWAY WITH THIS?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193782April 4, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I HAVE 2017 KIA PLUG IN I HAD TO REPLACE BATTERIES SYSTEM TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I ALSO HAVE A ENGINE KNOCKING AT 26000 MILES THAT THE DEALER CLAIMS IS A THAT WAS CAUSE BY SERVICE DONE TO OIL FILTER THAT DON'T MAKE NO SENSE. NO OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. FURTHER MORE AFTER THAT HAPPENED THE ELECTRICAL WENT OUT. THE KIA COMPANY'S REFUSE TO FIX IT. THE VEHICLE HAS 5 YEAR WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193878April 4, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT NOTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FROM MARCH 29, 2013. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING THE VEHICLE OVER, AN OFF DUTY FIRE FIGHTER FLAGGED THE CONTACT TO QUICKLY PULL OVER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE FIGHTER REMAINED AT THE SCENE AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A FACILITY, INSPECTED THE COLLISION DAMAGES, AND CLAIMED THE VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT INVESTIGATED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193535April 3, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AS SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193614April 3, 2019
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I WAS DRIVING FROM WOBURN MA ON NEW BOSTON ROAD HEADED TO WILMINGTON MA AND MY CAR SEEMED TO SHUT DOWN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE STREET NEXT TO A CURB LOCATION 147 NEW BOSTON RD. I TRIED TO START MY CAR PRESSING THE PUSH BUTTON START ONLY LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE OIL HAS ENGINE BATTERY... WHILE STILL SITTING IN THE CAR I WAS TRYING TO MAKE SOME CALLS I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE SMOKE INCREASED RAPIDLY I EXITED THE CAR CALLED 911. WHILE WAITING FOR HELP TO ARRIVE I GRABBED SOME ITEMS FROM THE GLOVE BOX AND BACK SEAT THE FRONT OF THE CAR AT THAT POINT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THE FLAMES ESCALATED TO POP THE HOOD A LARGE FIRE HAD IGNIGHTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE. A TOW TRUCK TOWED THE CAR AWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193360April 2, 2019
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON NOVENBER 13, 2015 THE SAME DATE FOR THE RECALL NUMBER SC139 FOR THE POWERTRAIN AXLE BUT WASN'T INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. MY AXLE IS STARTING TO MAKE NOISE LIKE IF IT IS FAIL JUST AS THE RECALL STATES I'M TOWING IT TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED BUT WAS MY CAR SUPPOSE TO BE APART OF THAT RECALL?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193362April 2, 2019
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE STARTED TO FAIL AND MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. PERRIS VALLEY KIA (707 E 4TH ST, PERRIS, CA 92570) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V705000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193254April 1, 2019
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MINS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND IT WOULDN'T STOP. TURNED CAR AROUND DROVE BACK HOME AND COME TO FIND OUT I HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO SIGNS NOTHING TO INDICATE SOMETHING WAS WRONG. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO MY TURBO WENT OUT TOO. MY HUSBAND DOES OUR OIL CHANGES SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP THEY WANTED TO SEE RECEIPTS WHICH WE DO T HAVE SO MY TURBO REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED. SPENT ABOUT $4000 TO REPLACE. I'M SO DONE WITH THIS CAR! I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR IT LAST YEAR 2018 AND NOW THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193021April 1, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WHITE SMOKE BELLOWED FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUMMIT PLACE KIA (LOCATED AT 4200 INTERPARK DR, AUBURN HILLS, MI 48326, (248) 682-6002) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,565.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193165April 1, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHOTTENKIRK KIA OF WEST BURLINGTON (309 SOUTH GEAR AVENUE, WEST BURLINGTON, IA 52655, (319) 249-6627) AND THE OIL FILTER WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE ENGINE IF IT FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193211April 1, 2019
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LEAKING OIL , STRUTS MAKING NOISE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193213April 1, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. IF THE TIRES SLIP FOR ANY REASON, POWER TO THE ENGINE IS CUT. THIS CAN BE A SLIGHT SLIP FROM WATER ON THE ROAD, STEPPING ON THE GAS TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC, OR DRIVING IN ICY OR SNOW CONDITIONS. YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE CAR AT LEAST 10-20 SECONDS TO MOVE AGAIN. WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THIS COULD BE DEADLY. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS ALMOST HIT WHILE WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO RE-ENGAGE. SOMETIMES I AM THEN STEPPING ON THE GAS, CASUSING ANOTHER SLIP AND STALL IN THE SAME INSTANCE, THERE IS A SWITCH THAT CAN BE ENGAGED TO TURN THIS OFF, BUT YOU HAVE TO TURN IT OFF EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS ABOUT THIS RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE SEE IF IT COULD BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF, BUT WAS ALWAYS TOLD NO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11192587March 30, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
KIA WON'T SERVICE THE ELECTRICAL LOSS RECALL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11192661March 30, 2019
ENGINE, STEERING
WAS DRIVING DROWN THE ROAD OUT OF MY SUBDIVISION. ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND JUST SHUT OFF. I AM BLESSED THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11192676March 30, 2019
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE STATE OF UTAH. I WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, FOLLOWED BY A STALL ON THE ENGINE THAT FORCED ME TO SLOW DOWN AND PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED BUT I HEARD CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW THE CAR WON'T TURN ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima