Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10992160May 30, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992202May 30, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON MAY 30, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 1200HRS EST, WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WITH VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. COMPLETE INSPECTION WAS NEGATIVE FOR THE ANY EXTERIOR DEBRIS AS CAUSE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992239May 30, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RENALDO KIA AT 4425 E DIXON BLVD, SHELBY, NC 28152, PHONE NUMBER: 704-406-8100, WHERE IT DIAGNOSED WITH A THROWN CONNECTING ROD IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED ON THREE OCCASION WITHIN A YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BACK AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,155.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992322May 30, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOUGHT 2011 KIA OPTIMA USED WITH 75K MILES ON IT. DID NOT REALIZE IMMEDIATELY THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BEING REALLY DIM. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND MENTIONED MY ISSUE AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A WIRING ISSUE OR A GROUND ISSUE AND THAT IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT VISIBILITY IS GOOD WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, WHEN SWITCHING TO LOW BEAMS FOR ONCOMING CAR, YOU ARE DRIVING BLIND, HOLDING THE WHEEL STEADY AND HOPING YOU STAY ON THE ROAD UNTIL THE ONCOMING CAR PASSES AND YOU ARE ABLE TO TURN YOUR HIGH BEAMS BACK ON AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE TESTED THE ELECTRICAL, GROUND AND BULB AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES. UPON PUTTING A SCOPE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHERE THE BULB GOES, HE FOUND A PILE OF CHROME SHAVINGS SO THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTIVE HOUSING DETERIORATED. ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IS TO REPLACE WHOLE HEADLIGHT UNIT ASSEMBLY. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, REALIZED THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ON THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR MULTIPLE YEARS NOW. OWNERS BEWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND DON'T LET PEOPLE RIP YOU OFF BY CHARGING YOU TO GO DOWN THE WRONG/ELECTRICAL PATH TO FIX. POTENTIAL BUYERS BEWARE: IF YOU HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT A DEALER IT CAN COST BETWEEN $500 AND $800 AND IT MAY ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT IS AN ISSUE AGAIN. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BY KIA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992076May 29, 2017
POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING MY KIA, AS I APPROACH A STOP AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD - ALMOST AS IF A CAR IS HITTING US FROM BEHIND. IT IS FORCEFUL AND HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. NOW, AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, THE CAR HAS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE STREETS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992097May 29, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS OR ALMOST USELESS AT NIGHT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THE REFLECTIVE PAINT USED BURNS OFF AFTER A COUPLE YEARS OF USE. I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT IT MEETS THE ILLUMINATION STANDARDS OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ASSOCIATION. I LIKE HAVING 2 WEAK FLASH LIGHTS TAPED TO THE HOOD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991989May 28, 2017
ENGINE
MY CAR STARTED SMOKING ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 25-30MPH IT WAS SO BAD PEOPLE STARTED YELLING!!! GET OUT .. GET OUT ..YOUR CAR ON FIRE..I PULLED OVER SO EMBARRASSED.... AND I GOT OUT...THE SMOKE HAD THE BACK OF THE .CAR BLACK...FROM THE SMOKE OUT OF THE TAILPIPE.SO I WAITED 30-45 HAD CAR TOWED BACK HOME ...I STAY 35 MINS FROM KIA DEALERSHIP SO I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT DAY TO TAKE OVER THERE. AND SURPRISELY THEY TOLD ME SLUDGE OIL.AT THIS POINT IT WAS ONLY 32,000 MILES. I ASKED HOW CAN I FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SAID..THEY DONT FIX SLUDGE OIL... AND MADE IT VERY CLEAR THEY WAS VOIDING MY WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS FROM PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES. AND THIS COME FROM LACK OF MAINTENANCE... OK. SO I GOT OIL CHANGES EVERY 2,000 PROBLEM SLOWED DOWN.. NO SENSORS WAS ON OR NOTHING.... ONE DAY WENT TO STORE CAME HOME AND PARKED NEVER CRANKED...55K MILES TOWED TO ST.AUGUSTINE KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THE ENGINE IS SHOCKED...IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY NOISE COMING FROM ANYWHERE.. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY OR STARTER..KIA SAID ENGINE I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992015May 28, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
WHEN DECELERATING/BRAKING, THE CAR JERKS HARSHLY FORWARD AT 52,42, 32 MPH. ON WET HIGHWAYS A WHEN IT JERKS THE REAR OF THE CAR FISHTAILS. KIA KNOWS THE FAULT IS BECAUSE OF THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT TIMING AND HAS NO SOLUTION. I BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES ON THIS. FISHTAILING ON WET HIGHWAYS HAS A SERIOUS RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. THEY JUST SAY LIVE WITH IT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FELT THE PROBLEM WITH ME ON A TEST DRIVE IN MY CAR AND OTHER CARS OF SAME MODEL IN THE NEW CAR LOT. IT IS TIME THEY FACE THIS SERIOUS HAZARD, AS BRAKING IS SUPPOSE TO THE THE #1 SAFETY ISSUE IN A CAR, NOT CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE STATED A DATE BELOW, BUT THAT DATE IS WHEN I FIRST WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROBLEM, IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY, AND EVERY TIME AT THOSE SPEEDS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991925May 27, 2017
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD CLICKING NOISE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING HOME ON BUSY HIGHWAY TOOK CAR TO NEAREST AUTO SHOP OWNER STATES SOUNDS LIKE INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM ADVISED TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP HAD CAR TOWED ON 04/22/2017 TO DEALERSHIP. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF A RECALL .CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH THEY CALLED AND STATED THAT CAR HAD INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEMS BUT STILL HAVE NOT STARTED ON REPAIRING THE CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991598May 25, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINE FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991653May 25, 2017
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TIRES, SIZE: P215/55R/17 93B (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER LANE TO REMOVE THE TIRE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH REPLACING THE TIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. DUE TO THE FAILURE OCCURRING IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN TO A SAFE ZONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FRED BEANS FORD OF MECHANICSBURG DEALER LOCATED ON 6320 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE EXPERIENCED A PREMATURE BLOW OUT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE RIM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRE COULD BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RIM WAS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO MAIL IN THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ALONG WITH PICTURES, RECEIPTS, AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991688May 25, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINE RATTLES BETWEEN 1000 TO 2000 RPMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991321May 24, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINE SEIZED ON INTERSTATE AT 70MPH. I HAVE ONLY 70,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE AND KIA DENIED MY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE 30,000 MILES REMAINING ON THE WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991102May 23, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KIA ENGINE RECALL - ON APRIL 2, 2017 MY CAR STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A SURFACE STREET (CHASTAIN RD) AND TO BE TOWED (USAA ROADSIDE) TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (PEPBOYS). THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ENGINE WAS GONE. I HAD JUST HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP (COBB COUNTY KIA, KENNESAW, GA) 2 DAYS PRIOR FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND A VEHICLE CHECK. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP (COBB COUNTY KIA) WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED (MARIETTA TOWING) TO THEM AT THEIR EXPENSE AND CITED THE DIAGNOSIS (ENGINE FAILURE). THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR, HEAD MECHANIC AND I VIEWED THE ENGINE TOGETHER THEY BOTH REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUE BE THERE IS NO GUIDANCE ON THE REPAIR AS OF YET. JOSEPH, THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR HAD A TROUBLE TICKET SUBMITTED ON MY VEHICLE BUT MY VIN IS STILL NOT REFERENCED ON THIS SITE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR OVER A MONTH AND HALF WITHOUT ANY REPAIR GUIDANCE FROM KIA MOTOR CORP. ALL WHILE KNOWING OF THE ENGINE ISSUES. PLEASE HELP ME. I NEED MY CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991120May 23, 2017
ENGINE
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS AN ENGINE SPUTTER THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND COMES AND GOES. WHEN I TALKED TO A SERVICE PERSON ABOUT IT AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HE SAID THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DEBRIS IN CAN GET LOOSE AND CAUSE FUEL INJECTORS TO CLOG. MY PARTICULAR KIA OPTIMA IS NOT SHOWING THAT IT IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10990815May 21, 2017
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TAKING MY EXIT WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF I MANAGED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TRIED TO START THE CAR BACK ON BUT FAIL TO DO SO. I GOT A MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME THE ENGINE SEIZED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10990741May 20, 2017
ENGINE
I HAD PULLED OUT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 BLOCK DOWN HIGHWAY, MY OPTIMA STARTED TO MAKE A "SPUTTERING" NOISE. THEN THE ENGINE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD. I ENDED UP STALLING GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHILE THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10990664May 19, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
MY KIA WAS MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE ON AND OFF FOR AWHILE THEN MY OIL LIGHT WOULD FLICKER SO I FIGURED I NEED AN OIL CHANGE. GOT MY OIL CHANGED AND THEN THE CAR STARTED MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND WOULD GET WORSE WITH ACCELERATION AND WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME ACCELERATING. IT WOULD JOLT AND VIBRATE AND MAKE KNOCKING AND FLAPPING NOISES. TURN ON MY ROAD TO GO HOME AND LOST POWER. MY CAR SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. MY ENGINE, BATTERY, OIL, AND EPS LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED STARTING IT UP AND WOULD COME ON FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS MAKE A LOT OF NOISE AND THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OFF BUT MY RADIO AND WINDOWS STILL WORKED. MY AC WAS ON BUT NOT COOLING. ALL THE CABIN LIGHTS WORK STILL BUT MY BRAKE ARE STIFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10990673May 19, 2017
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOGO WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS IT STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND SMOKED CAR CUT OFF WOULD NOT CRANK SHOP SAYS ENGINE FAILURE BEARINGS AND RODS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10986336May 18, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT A FAILURE CODE WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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