Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10562540February 2, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER GETTING THE BRAKE LIGHT RECALL SWITCH EXCHANGED THE NEXT DAY MY CAR STARTED MAKING DRAGGING NOISE AND SO ME CLICKING SOUNDS IN THE BACK REAR ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I TOOK IT JEFFREY KIA, ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN ON GRATIOT AVENUE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE RIGHT BRAKE PAD AND THE LEFT ROTOR AND IT WOULD BE $300. I TOLD HIM I HAD A WARRANTY, EXTENDED WARRANTY AND A TIRE WARRANTY AND THAT I DO NOT RIDE MY BRAKES AND HAS NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR I HAVE DROVE. MIKE CALLS ME BACK AND SAYS HE CAN ORDER SOME GENERIC PADS AND FIX THE ROTOR FOR $169. WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP HE PLACED ON PAD ON ONE SIDE AND ONE ROTOR ON THE OTHER SIDE AND THE BREAKING SEEMS UNSURE OF A COMPLETE STOP. THE DISTANCE SEEMS TOO LONG. MY CREDIT IS MESSED UP DUE TO FAMILY BUT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO SELL THIS CAR AND GET A NEW ONE BECAUSE THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE OCTOBER 2010 AND BARELY DRIVE IT. EITHER KIA IS A RIP OFF OR JEFFREY KIA IS BECAUSE THE TIME BEFORE THIS I WAS TOLD BY [XXX] I NEEDED A BATTERY WHEN I DID NOT. AT THIS SERVICE CALL IT WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE ROLLED BACK THE PROMOTERS ON THIS VEHICLE AND SOLD IT AS NEW AND IT IS DEFECTIVE BUT THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY FOR THE DEFECTS. THEY MAY BE CREATING THEM BECAUSE THIS IS CRAZY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562581February 2, 2014
ENGINE
I HAD MY CAR KID OPTIMA 2014 2 WEEKS (800 MILES ON MY NEW ).THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISES TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS THE PISTON NOT WORKING FULLY THEY SAID I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED .I DON'T WANT THE CAR ! I'M NOT HAPPY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562477February 1, 2014
VISIBILITY
THE MECHANISM INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND THE VISOR WILL NO LONGER STAY UP. THIS BLOCKS VISIBILITY TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I SEARCHED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FIND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA AND ALSO HYUNDAI THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SO KIA REPLACES THESE VISORS BEFORE THEY BREAK AND EVEN AFTER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. IF THE VISOR BREAKS WHILE SOMEONE IS DRIVING IT CAN CREATE A HAZARD AS THEY DRIVER CAN'T SEE OR NEEDS TO HOLD THE VISOR UP WITH ONE HAND WHILE TRYING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562503February 1, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY FORWARD AS IT DOWNSHIFTS AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE SHIFT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO THROW A PERSON THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD IF YOU WERE NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND KIA SHOULD FACE THIS ISSUE AND RECALL THESE CARS.. THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED. I COULD EASILY SEE THIS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562313January 31, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V153000 POWER TRAIN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562369January 31, 2014
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING. TOOK MY CAR IN TO KIA AND FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF THE RODS IN THE SHORT ENGINE BLOCK WAS FAILING. MY ENGINE ONLY HAS 86464 MILES ON IT AND ITS AN 2008. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 69000 MILES ON IT, ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO FAIL. I TOOK THIS PROBLEM UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND KIA HEADQUARTERS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT CERTIFIED. I WAS NOT OFFERED A WARRANTY/ DID NOT OBTAIN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THAT THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY DID NOT EXTEND TO THE NEXT OWNER, NOR WAS I TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT CERTIFY IT. WAS NOT OFFERED A CAR FAX, BUYERS GUIDE OR TOLD ABOUT ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY INFORMATION. KIA DEALERSHIPS DO NOT CERTIFY CARS AFTER 60,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS STILL 40,000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. THERE WAY OF GETTING AROUND HAVING TO HONOR THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND OFFER THIS TO THE NEXT OWNER(S). VERY ANGRY WITH KIA, THEY ARE DECEITFUL, LIARS, AND DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SELL ANY CARS WITH OUT THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY BEING OFFERED! WITH A HISTORY OF THERE ENGINES FAILING AND HAVING MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS I FIND IT VERY DISGRACEFUL HOW THEY OPERATE AND ENFORCE POLICY. IF MY ENGINE ACTUALLY FAILS WHILE I AM DRIVING, I COULD EASILY GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND BE CRITICALLY INJURED. I DRIVE A MAJOR FREEWAY EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND TO ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF MY ENGINE FAILED AND STALLED GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR, I COULD EASILY BE KILLED OR GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. PLEASE RECALL 2008 OPTIMAS OR COMPLAIN TO KIA REGARDING THERE POLICY. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO OFFER AND STAND BEHIND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY OR BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THERE POLICY TO CUSTOMERS UP FRONT. COMMERCIALS AND PARKING LOT ADVERTISE PER OWNED CERTIFIED CARS AND 100000 WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562433January 31, 2014
AIR BAGS, STEERING, SEAT BELTS
WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE REAR-ENDED MY 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER HIT MY KIA SO HARD, I HIT THE MUSTANG IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON EITHER IMPACT. KIA WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THERE WERE NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THE CAR DROVE (I.E. STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT, WHEEL SHAKING, ETC). THIS WAS THE EVENING OF 01/23/2014. ON 01/29/2014, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE (TOTALING THE KIA) @ 28-30 MPH. AGAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE IMPACT LIFTED ME UP AND MY HEAD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE TOP. SEAT BELT WAS IN USE, BUT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT, FAILING TO SECURE MY BODY. MAJOR CONCUSSION RECEIVED ALONG WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES, CUTS, AND SCRAPES. INVESTIGATION UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING MALFUNCTION DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10562236January 30, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED SIX FEET. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS EXPERIENCED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561751January 28, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561806January 28, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. FAILED DOOR LATCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY. FIRST HAPPENED IN JULY 2007. HAPPENING AGAIN IN JANUARY 2014 ON SAME CAR. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE--ONLY WAY OUT IS CRAWLING TO PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OR BACK DOORS, OR BY CRAWLING OUT OF DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW. HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES WE HAVE OWNED, INCLUDING OLDER CARS. LOCK SHOULD NOT FAIL THAT OFTEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561606January 27, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
I HAD PARKED AT THE GROCERY STORE ONE NIGHT AND MY CAR DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE LATCH WAS STUCK IN A POSITION THAT WOULDN'T CATCH. FINALLY, AFTER LIFTING THE DOOR HANDLE AND PUSHING THE DOOR SHUT, IT STAYED CLOSED. WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED USING THE KEY AND THE AUTOMATIC LOCK FEATURES, BUT NEITHER ALLOWED FOR THE DOOR TO OPEN. I NOW HAVE TO EXIT AND ENTER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE TRAPPED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561329January 24, 2014
POWER TRAIN, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED DUE TO THE A FAILED WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560769January 21, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR, YET MY CAR IS NOT COVER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN A DIFFERENT AREA. HOWEVER I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS CAUSED BY THE RECALL ON THE PART THAT IS CURRENTLY OUT. I WANTED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE COST TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED NOT AFFORDABLE FOR ME AT THIS MOMENT AND I FEEL IT IS UNJUST THAT I HAVE TO PAY THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES SEEING THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM REGARDING THIS PART AND THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560215January 16, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH AND ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HAD THE ACTUATOR REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,038.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560127January 15, 2014
ENGINE
MY KIA OPTIMA 2014 STARTED A NOISE NEAR THE ENGINE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CLAPPING NOISE. THE FIRST KIA DEALER I TOOK IT TO SAID THAT IT IS NOT TO WORRY AND IS PART OF THE KIA ENGINEERING DESIGN. THE SECOND KIA DEALER I TOOK IT TO SAID THAT THE NOISE IS BAD NEWS AND AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JUST 5,000 MILES INTO THE LIFE OF MY BRAND NEW KIA OPTIMA 2014. I WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE THAT IF YOU HEAR A CLAPPING NOISE NEAR THE TOP OF THE ENGINE THAN PLEASE TAKE IT INTO A KIA DEALER IMMEDIATELY WHILE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOT CURRENTLY A KIA RECALL BUT I FEEL IT SHOULD BE SINCE THIS CAN LEAD TO REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560158January 15, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR BEGAN FAILING IT WOULDN'T STAY UP ANY LONGER THEN THE INSIDES FINALLY SNAPPED BREAKING THE PLASTIC INSIDE. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING THE SAME. IT OBSTRUCTS FIELD OF VISION AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BLOCKAGE OF SUN WHEN NEEDED. KIA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE CREATED A FIXED VISOR WITH IMPROVED MECHANICAL PARTS INSIDE. THE NEW VISOR RANGES ANY WHERE FROM 140.00 TO 200.00 DOLLARS PLUS A FEE FOR INSTALLING IF NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THIS YOURSELF. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560045January 15, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN. WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK IT FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE UNLOCK MECHANISM WORKS, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I NOW HAVE TO CRAWL IN FROM ANOTHER DOOR AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIAS AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH KIA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559764January 14, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
DRIVING ALONG ON A MAIN ROAD, BUT NOT A HIGHWAY, AT ABOUT 45 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A MASSIVE EXPLOSION. MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. NOTHING HIT ME, IT WAS JUST RANDOM. THANK GOD IT WAS CLOSED OR THE GLASS WOULD HAVE SHATTERED ALL OVER ME. AND NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT IT'S NOT COVERED AND WAS MY FAULT! THE CAR IS 4 MONTHS OLD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559353January 10, 2014
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BATTERY DIED IN MY 2009 KIA OPTIMA AND UPON REPLACING BATTERY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS TAKEN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BECAUSE WE CHANGED THE BATTERY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS RESET. ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RESET AGAIN. IT CAME BACK ON THE NEXT DAY AND WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT WHAT TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS THE B1382 & B1481 AIRBAG PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER $1200.00 TO FIX. WHY WOULD CHANGING THE BATTERY CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS? I HAD ONLY PURCHASED THE CAR 18 MONTHS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559169January 9, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
I NOTICED ON MONDAY THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO BE STRUGGLING WITH ACCELERATION. IT SEEMED TO BE SLOW AND SLUGGISH. I DROVE THE CAR HOME NOT EXCEEDING 40 MPH. NEXT MORNING WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE DASHBOARD IS LIT UP WITH AN INDICATION OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION. I ONLY HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR A MILE SO I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I HAD NO POWER AT ALL. THE CAR WAS STRUGGLING TO MAKE IT UP A SMALL HILL AND I HAD NO SPEED ON LEVEL GROUND. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT BUT THE NEXT QUESTION IS HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST? WOW I HAVE ONLY OWNED CAMRY'S FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THOUGHT I WOULD TRY A KIA. THEY LOOK NICE. NOT SURE I WILL KEEP THIS VEHICLE MUCH LONGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima