Kia Optima Complaints (2011)

628 consumer complaints on file.

#10822457January 27, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
IF THERE IS LIGHT WHEEL SPIN UPON TAKEOFF (ESPECIALLY TURNING AND ACCELERATING, SUCH AS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A ROAD) IT CAUSES CAR TO LOSE POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ACCELERATOR CAN BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE POWER AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. CAR ALSO ACTIVATES ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WHEN LIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING OVER A SMALL BUMP AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 25 MPH. THESE SYMPTOMS OCCUR WITH STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGED (DEFAULT SETTING WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON) STABILITY CONTROL / TRACTION CONTROL IS OVERLY SENSITIVE, AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10821468January 21, 2016
AIR BAGS, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY FAMILY WAS ON HWY 75 RETURNING FROM THANKSGIVING VACAY WHEN WE DISCOVERED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER PLACING A CALL TO KIA, I DISCOVERED THAT APPARENTLY AIRBAGS AREN'T COVERED BY THE 130,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. NOW THE IGNITION HAS AN ISSUE. OFTEN TIMES, I HAVE TO HIT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. I AM WONDERING IF THE IGNITION ISSUE AND THE AIRBAG ISSUE ARE RELATEABLE AND NEED TO SEE IF COVERED BY WARRANTY. THERE ARE 90,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM DRIVETIME. THANKS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10820376January 15, 2016
STEERING
HARD TO STEER, ALONG WITH A NOISE INSIDE THE CAR THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE PIECE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAID PART IS A STEERING COLUMN COUPLER AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. COST WAS $332.00.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10819045January 8, 2016
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE AND THUMPS WHEN I MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH. I ALSO HEAR A THUMB UNDER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN I BACK UP AND WHEN I COME TO A STOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10817451January 3, 2016
ENGINE
MY MOTOR BLEW AT 102K MILES WITH NO WARNING. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF LOSING POWER, NO KNOCKING, THE OIL WAS FULL.... THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULDN'T RESTART. THIS OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 29, 2015. I HAD TO WALK HOME AT TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED HOME THE NEXT DAY. WE THEN HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. HE MANAGED TO START THE CAR WHICH IMMEDIATELY STARTED KNOCKING. I CALLED BACK LATER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR HAD THROWN A MAIN BEARING AND THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I THEN PURCHASED ANOTHER MOTOR WITH 48,000 MILES ON IT FOR $2,000 AND HAD IT SHIPPED FROM PENNSYLVANIA. THE MOTOR WAS INSTALLED AND RAN FINE. LESS THAN TWO MONTH'S LATER (ON DECEMBER 25TH TO BE EXACT, THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY (ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT). I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN KNOCKING. I CAN ASSUME THAT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH THE SECOND MOTOR. THE COMPANY WHO SOLD THE SECOND MOTOR IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER TO REPLACE THE ONE I PURCHASED BUT I HAVE TO EAT THE LABOR COSTS INCURRED WHICH AMOUNTED TO OVER $1,000 ALONE. HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT MOTOR BECAUSE OF THE MAIN BEARING BUT HYUNDAI (WHO OWNS KIA) WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS JUNK MOTOR EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE REPLACING HYUNDAI'S WITH THE SAME MOTOR. AND KIA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BAD MOTOR EITHER BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT IT'S "NOT A HYUNDAI" AND IT'S 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. I STRONGLY FEEL I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A REIMBURSEMENT. EVERY INDICATION IS THAT THE 2.4L GDI MOTOR IS A BAD MOTOR. I STILL OWE $7,000 TO KIA FINANCE FOR THIS CAR WHILE IT HAS DRAINED MY FINANCES AND CONTINUES TO DRAIN MY FINANCES. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10809924December 13, 2015
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR DIED AFTER PULLING OFF TO THE SHOULDER TRIED TO START THE CAR AND ALL IT WOULD DO WAS CLICK. TOWED THE CAR HOME THINKING IT WAS AN ALTERNATOR OR SOMETHING SIMPLE. NEXT MORNING LOOKED AT THEN CHANGED THE BATTERY AND TRIED TO GET IT STARTED IN SLIGHTLY TURNED OVER BUT NOT ENOUGH TO START CALLED THE DEALER TO DROP IT OFF AND THEY SAID CAR WAS SEIZED OUT OF WARRANTY AND NEEDS THE ENGINE REPLACED. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND LOOKING AT COMPLAINTS FOUND THAT MY ENGINE WAS BUILT AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE HYUNDAI SONATA SAME ENGINE, WHICH IS RECALLED FOR THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM . I AM WONDERING WHY KIA ACTED LIKE THE CANT BELIEVE THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED ALSO . WHAT CAN BE DONE HERE ? I WILL NOT LET THIS GO IT IS WRONG KIA'S SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808749December 7, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. INJURIES WHERE SUSTAINED, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THREE OTHER TIMES AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10807337November 29, 2015
SUSPENSION:FRONT, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, TIRES:VALVE, EQUIPMENT
WHINNING IN THE FRONT END, BRAKES ARE GRABBING AND AND THUMPING IN THE FRONT END WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP. BRAKES GRAB AND SOMETIMES GOES TO THE FLOOR. AND PULLS TO THE LEFT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10807144November 27, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10806344November 23, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAR JUST QUIT RUNNING. HAD TO PULL TO SHOULDER AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. CAR TOWED, FIRST REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THEN TOWED TO KIA DEALER WHO WOULDN'T REALLY COMMIT ON CAUSE. BLAMED SLUDGE ON MOTOR. HAVE SERVICE RECORDS. REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10795305November 22, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CAN BARLEY SEE 2 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DARK. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 62000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10790646November 16, 2015
STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAMS ARE NOT ILLUMINATING.. THE REFELECTIVE PAINT INSIDE HAS BURNED OFF AND I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH OUT MY HIGH BEAMS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 2 FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THE STEERING ON MY CAR STARTED THIS CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES WHEN I GO OVER THE SMALLEST BUMP ON THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO WEARING OUT MY TIRES AND CAUSING MY CAR TO PULL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10789435November 9, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION. LUCKILY, I SAFELY MADE IT TO THE FAR SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY ONLY TO FIND THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE STARTER IS ALSO FRIED. I HAVE SEEN FOUR COMPLAINTS SO FAR OF 2011 KIA OPTIMA'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND AM SURE I WILL FIND MORE. THAT SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT IT HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY WITH THESE MODELS AND THERE ISN'T ANY SORT OF RECALL. NO BREAKS AT 70 MPH IS PRETTY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY ATTORNEY AND HOPE THIS MANUFACTURER WILL DO THE RIGHT THING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10788533November 5, 2015
STEERING
SUDDENLY AT 89,000 MILES THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT CAUSED A SEVERE VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT A SPEED OF 50 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF PLAY AND A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STANDING OR MOVING. THE CAR IS A 2011 CAR PURCHASED IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER OF 2011 SO IT HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10787041October 29, 2015
ENGINE
LEFT A STOP LIGHT AND CAR HESITATED SO I GAVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS. THEN THERE WAS LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE FROM ENGINE AND AN EXPLOSION WITH WHITE SMOKE. ABLE TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT AND OPENED THE HOOD TO A SMALL FIRE. FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN BACK OF ENGINE AND CRACKED THE FRONT. IN THE OIL PAN WAS THE ATTACHMENT ARM FROM THE CRANK IN MANY PIECES. THERE IS A RECALL WITH HYUNDAI BUT KIA SAYS IT IS NOT RELATED TO THIS ENGINE WHEN THERE IS AN ARTICLE STATING THE ENGINE DID GET PLACED IN THE KIA OPTIMA. I HAD JUST UNDER 100K MILES AND AN OIL CHANGE JUST 2 WEEKS PRIOR DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE. THIS WAS DONE AT A KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT CHANGED THE OIL AT $70 DOLLARS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? SEE PICTURE OF PARTS ATTACHED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786217October 27, 2015
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I LOST ALL BRAKES AND STEERING AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A NEARBY SAFE PLACE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I BROUGHT IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC AND AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION STARTING AT THE STARTER, THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED I HAVE DONE REGULAR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES THE LIFE OF THE OPTIMA. THE ENGINE ONLY HAD 130,000 MILES AND THE OIL EXPLANATION WAS POSSIBLE BAD BEARINGS FROM FACTORY IN THE ON THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND WHEN I CALLED KIA THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND WITH NO EXPLANATION. ITS OVER $4000 TO REPLACE WITH ANOTHER USED MOTOR WITH NO GAURANTEES THAT THE USED INSTALL WILL BE ANY BETTER. KIA REALLY NEEDS TO BACK THIS WITH A RECALL. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR FACTORY DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS OUT OF POCKET. NOR WILL I CONTINUE MAKING PAYMENTS ON A JUNK CAR. NOT ONLY IS THIS COSTING ME HARDSHIP BUT NOW POSSIBLY MY CREDIT SCORE!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786410October 27, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE GOT ABNORMALLY HOT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781407October 12, 2015
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLUNKING NOISE THAT YOU FEEL IN STEERING WHEEL, LEFT TO RIGHT PLAY. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN ALSO RATTLES LOUDLY OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IT IS WORSE IN REVERSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781156October 9, 2015
STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. BOUGHT IT INTO A COLLISION CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT WAS A SERVICE RECALL ON OPTIMA. HE KNEW THAT SOUND BEFORE I DESCRIBED IT TO HIM. BRAKE LIGHT BULB BLOWS AS SOON AS YOU PUT THEM IN. THE TECH SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779297October 2, 2015
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS FROM 10 MPH AND UP, A CONSTANT RATTLE IS HEARD INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. A LOUD CLUNK/RATTLE IS HEARD IF DRIVING OVER A BUMP. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE PARKED, THERE IS A THUD AND A THUD IS ALSO FELT. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THE STEERING COUPLING RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MILEAGE ON CAR WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER WAS 63,000(61,000) WHEN APT WAS INITIALLY MADE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A 2 DOLLAR PART BUT WOULD COST 350 TO REPLACE IT. THE WARRANTY FOR STEERING WHEEL PARTS EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. PART WAS NOT REPLACED AT THAT TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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