Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10995502June 16, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP HAS DIED. TO MAKE THIS REPAIR YOU NEED TO REMOVE THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK, A SMALL SCREW HOLDING THE REAR OF THE LIGHT COVER IN PLACE AND THEN THE ENTIRE LAMP ASSEMBLY BY RELEASING TWO SCREWS ON TOP AND CLIPS BETWEEN HE BODY AND THE LAMP ASSEMBLY FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. YOU NEED CAR RAMPS TO DO THIS APPARENTLY. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN NOT BE DONE IN AN EMERGENCY. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THE LABOR IS ABOUT 45 MINUTES - TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB! THIS IS FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF KIA TO DESIGN THE CAR SO POORLY. IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU WERE DRIVING OVERNIGHT AND COULD NOT REPLACE THE BULB. HAVING TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB IS A COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND RIDICULOUS SITUATION. IF THE WEATHER WERE INCLEMENT AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE BULB YOU ARE IN A REAL PREDICAMENT. THE NTSB SHOULD HAVE A POLICY THAT HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT ACCESS SHOULD BE IN A LOCATION THAT A 7TH GRADER COULD REASONABLE BE EXPECTED TO CHANGE THE BULB WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE SIGNIFICANT CAR COMPONENTS. SOMEONE COULD INCUR A BURN MOVING THE EXPANSION TANK IF THE CAR WERE NOT COOLED DOWN ENOUGH. THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10995419June 15, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TURBO FEED AND RETURN LINES LEAKING CAUSING IT TO LOSE OIL WHICH COULD CAUSE TO ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE JUST HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE LINES LEAKING IN WHICH KIA WILL WARRANT THESE EVEN THOUGH THEY PLAY A VITIAL PART IN ENGINE OPERATION. CURRENTLY I HAVE SEEN MANY ISSUES ON FORUMS AND WEBSITES SO NOT JUST A FEW CARS. SHOULD HAVE A RECALL JUST LIKE THE ENGINE RECALL ISSUES. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL THEREFORE DEATHS COULD OCCUR. THIS NEEDS TO BE SERIOUSLY RECALLED MAY CAUSE ENGINE FIRES FROM HEAT ON THE EXHAUST AND OIL LINE DIRECTLY ABOVE IT LEAKING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10995050June 14, 2017
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, MY CAR JERKED AND LOSS POWER, GOING FROM 60 MPH TO 20 MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A THREW AN ENGINE ROD! THE CAR HAD 108,189 MILES ON IT. THERE IS A NATIONWIDE RECALL ON THE KIA OPTIMA ALREADY, BUT MINE IS NOT. IT SHOULD! THE BEARING RODS GO OUT PREMATURELY AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MINE DID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994361June 12, 2017
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL, AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STOP, WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR SLIGHTLY SPEEDS UP BUT THEN STARTS TO STALL AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL REPEAT EPISODES OF STALLING, MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SINCE THERE WAS NO STORES IN MY IMMEDIATE AREA AND NO CELLULAR SERVICE IN THE AREA, I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND MOVED INTO THE OUTER LANE. THE CYCLE OF STALLING AND INCREASING CONTINUED REPEATEDLY. ONCE I REACHED A SERVICE AREA, I WAS ABLE TO CALL A TOW SERVICE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP THAT HAPPENED TO BE A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND FOUND NOTHING BUT DID CHANGE MY OIL AND THE FILTER. FOR THE REST OF THE DAY MY CAR DROVE FINE, BUT MONDAY MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK BACK TO THE SAME STALLING CYCLE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I DROVE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF I RECEIVE A CALL THAT THE TEST SHOWED THE CRANKSHAFT SENORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $200.00. AFTER THREE WEEKS, I RECEIVE A CALL THAT MY CAR IS FIXED. I PAY THE CHARGES AND DRIVE AWAY; AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES, MY CAR BEGINS TO STALL, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE CAR HAS A BURNING SMELL. I DRIVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST IS DONE. THEN A KIA SALESMEN STATES "YOUR ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CAR IS STILL DRIVEABLE; HOWEVER, AT SOME POINT, YOUR ENGINE WILL LOCK UP AND THE THE CAR WILL STALL AND STOP." "WE WILL TAKE YOUR CAR AS A TRADE IN TOWARDS A NEW KIA." I ASK IF MY CAR WILL BE REPAIRED UNDER THE KIA RECALL FOR THE OPTIMA. I WAS TOLD NO, THE HYBRID OPTIMA WAS NOT RECALLED.THE SALESMEN LOOKS AT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND STATES "IT DOES HAVE A BURN SMELL." HE GIVES ME HIS NUMBER AND I DRIVE AWAY. AS OF TODAY KIA REFUSES TO FIX MY CAR UNDER THE RECALL AND I AM LEFT RENTING A VEHICLE DAILY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994504June 12, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WESTON KIA LOCATED AT 22309 SE STARK ST, GRESHAM, OR 97030; (503) 676-2100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROCEDURE OR ETA OF WHEN THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994523June 12, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, LOST POWER COMPLETELY, AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ENGINE EXPLODED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS. KIA IN ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA REPLACED THE ENGINE TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994290June 10, 2017
ENGINE
TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A ENGINE RECALL. IT ONLY TOOK 10 MINUTES. NO EXPLANATION ON WHAT WAS THE PROCESS TO CHECK A RECALLED ENGINE. NO DETAILS ON HOW AND WHAT WAS DONE TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THIS AN INDICATION THAT KIA IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY. ALSO NHTSA SHOULD INDICATE ON IT'S WEBSITE BEFORE THE REMEDY, INDICATE THE PROCESS BEING USED TO CHECK THE ENGINE. ALL THEY STATED WAS PASS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994309June 10, 2017
ENGINE
BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW AT 30K MILES WHIITE SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT THE EXHAUST. TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO FURNISH ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS BC THERE WAS SLUDGE IN MY OIL. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR, A BRAND NEW CAR?! I WOULD ACCELERATE AND THE SMOKE WOULD COME OUT AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE SMOKE WOULD COME OUT. JUST TODAY MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED SPUTTERING. I RECENTLY WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIPS AND NOT ONE SALES REP MENTIONED THE RECALL, NOR THE OTHER 2 THAT WERE RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994124June 9, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED MY HYBRID IN DECEMBER. WITH IT BEING WINTER, I OF COURSE DID NOT USE THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. NOW AS IT IS SUMMER, I HAVE USED THE AC. EACH TIME I USE THE AC THE MOTOR STARTS MAKING AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE, AND THE AC AT TIMES STOPS WORKING. WITH THAT, THE TEMP GAUGE GOES OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MAY BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, AND AT ANY SPEED THE MOTOR WILL INCREASE IN NOISE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994142June 9, 2017
AIR BAGS
MY CAR HAS 60,603 MILES ON IT THE SRS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED IT HAS REMAINED ON FOR THE PAST WEEK. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF KIA'S RECALLED ALL THE WAY UP TO 2008 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM AS IT STANDS NOW ALTHOUGH IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10993739June 7, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING NOISE AND A LOUD BOOM SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED BROWN SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. EVENTUALLY, THE SMOKE TURNED BLACK AND APPEARED FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, MARK KIA, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SLUDGE WAS IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12369116. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10993523June 6, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM A DISABLED WOMAN WHO BECAME TRAPPED IN HER OWN CAR BECAUSE THE LOCK MECHANISM ON THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN NOR COULD I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I TRIED TO CLIMB OVER THE GEARSHIFT TO TRY THE PASSENGER DOOR AND HURT MY BACK IN THE PROCESS. I CALLED 911 FOR HELP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10992783June 2, 2017
ENGINE
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS I WAS PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE LIGHT WAS ABOUT TO TURN RED, SO AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION MY CAR'S ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY STALLED ON ME AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE MY CAR WAS SLOWLY ROLLING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. THIS HAPPENED TO ME A SECOND TIME AGAIN WHILE I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC THERE WAS NO LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS POSTED ON THIS PARTICULAR ROAD AND MY CAR JUST LOST POWER WHILE I WAS STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN MOTION, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND THE OTHER DRIVERS WHERE THEY EITHER HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES OR QUICKLY CHANGE LANES TO AVOID HITTING MY STALLED CAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992811June 2, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER (FRED ANDERSON KIA OF RALEIGH; 9209 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617; (919) 785-4500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY, THE FUEL KIT, AND THE FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER KIA DEALER (CHRIS LEITH PRE-OWNED SUPERSTORE; 11000 CAPITAL BLVD, WAKE FOREST, NC 27587; (888) 482-1325) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE KIA DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK WITHIN 2 OR 3 BUSINESS DAYS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT CALL BACK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE. CASE NUMBER: 12360215 WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992871June 2, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CLOVIS CALIFORNIA, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT FURTHER TESTING WAS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992951June 2, 2017
ENGINE
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING MY TURN, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO PUT IT ON THE GAS. AS I PRESSED THE GAS MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, NO ACCELERATION, AND MY DASH LIT UP STATING "HYBRID SYSTEM NOT CHARGED PULL OVER AND TURN OFF ENGINE" I TURNED OFF MY CAR, TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT STATED THAT MY HEV SYSTEM (HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM) HAS FAILED. I LUCKILY WAS BESIDE A GAS STATION AND I THREW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT JUST INTO THE PARKING SECTION. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. DURING THE DRIVE MY BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED SO BY THE TIME I GOT THERE IT HAD NO POWER. CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY AND SAFETY SWITCH WHICH HAD SEEMED TO FAIL. (OF COURSE NOT UNDER WARRANTY). AFTER SPENDING $1,000 ON REPAIRS/LABOR THE CAR STILL WILL NOT TURN ON AND THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SEIZE. AFTER A LITTLE DIGGING MY VIN ISNT ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL, THOUGH THE 2014 KIA OPTIMA IS FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. HOPEFULLY KIA WILL BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHATS WRONG BECAUSE I REALLY DO LIKE THIS CAR BUT A FAILING ENGINE WONT GET ME ANYWHERE!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992691June 1, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTING RODS FOR THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS VERIFIED BY THE KOONS KIA OF WOODBRIDGE VIRGINIA DEALER. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER WHO HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: K3368562. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992720June 1, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINE RECALLS. THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE. KIA SAYS THIS IS NORMAL BUT OTHERS DO NOT SOUND LIKE THIS. WONDERING IF THERE IS MORE TO THIS RECALL THAN WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO ADMIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992442May 31, 2017
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H724 TIRES, SIZE: 225/45R/18 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIVE STAR TIRES ON MERIDIAN ROAD IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ABNORMAL WITH THE TIRES AND THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ROAD DAMAGE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,310.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992489May 31, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 197,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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