Kia Optima Complaints (2009)

116 consumer complaints on file.

#10643517October 9, 2014
POWER TRAIN
WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO 20 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS HARD BY ITSELF. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME THING. IN SPEAKING WITH MY PERSONAL MECHANIC, HE SAID THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE TRANSMISSION PORTION OF THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY - NEW TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE NEEDS TO BE RE-DOWNLOADED TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER AND THEN THE COMPUTER RESET - THIS SHOULD RETRAIN THE TRANSMISSION ON WHEN TO DOWNSHIFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10641684October 6, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER A BATTERY REPLACEMENT, THE BATTERY SPARKED WHEN THE CAR FIRST TURNED ON, BUT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON. FROM THAT POINT FORWARD WE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON AND TWO OTHER LIGHTS ON THE DASH ON CONSTANTLY. WE TOOK IT IN AND SPENT $4000+ ON OIL CHANGES, FRONT END REPLACEMENT AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS THAT TOOK ALMOST A MONTH AND A MASTER MECHANIC FROM KIA TO FIND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A WIRING HARNESS ISSUE. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THAT BECAUSE OF THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO GET REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE WIRING HARNESS STILL SHOWS FOUR LIGHTS ON THE DASH. IF A SIMPLE BATTERY REPLACEMENT CAN CAUSE THE WIRING HARNESS TO FRY THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE BATTERY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10640596October 1, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,858. ..UPDATED 11/17/14 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639695September 29, 2014
POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED A USED KIA OPTIMA IN MARCH 2012, BUT HAD, WHAT I THOUGHT WERE "GRABBING" BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN WHEN I FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-067. I HAD THE CAR ANALYZED, AND FOUND IT HAD THIS SHIFTING ISSUE. I HAD THE REPROGRAMMING DONE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, THEN NOT ONLY DID THE DOWNSHIFTING ISSUE START BACK UP AGAIN, BUT NOW HAVE ACCELERATION ISSUES AS WELL. NOW THE VEHICLE "LOPES" ON ACCELERATION - SOMETIMES A LOT . I CONTACTED KIA ABOUT IT, AND THEY SAID I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR DIAGNOSIS YET AGAIN, AND THEN THEY WOULD THINK ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SECOND SERVICE APPOINTMENT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON IT YET. IT IS DESTROYING MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE "BANGING" OF THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE EXTREME DOWNSHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638736September 24, 2014
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF FOR A FEW DAYS THEN CAME ON PERMANENTLY. I LATER HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000, AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THAT ONLY COVERED KIA 2006 THRU 2008. IT APPEARS THAT 2009 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638161September 22, 2014
STRUCTURE
WATER LEAK CAR ROOF TO BODY SIDE WELD NEVER SEALED AT FACTORY, CAUSE EXTENSIVE MOLD DAMAGE. CEILING REPLACED, CARPETS , KIA DEALER UNABLE TO FIND REPLACEMENT BACK SEAT CAN'T REPAIR, MOLDY SMELL. CERTIFIED MOLD EXPERT SAID ENTIRE INTERIOR OF CAR NEEDS REPLACED, AND AIR TESTED BYE A CERTIFIED EXPERT ($2000). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626889August 20, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KIA OPTIMA IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULDN'T TURN CAR ON AND WHEELS LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH SO SOMEONE CAN NOT STEAL THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID IF THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE FRONT WHEELS COULD HAVE LOCKED CAUSING A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE MANY THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I ALSO LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND I COULDN'T FIND ANY AT THE TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626326August 19, 2014
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ UPDATED 3/10/2015 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10621722August 12, 2014
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY 2009 KIA OPTIMA WAS PARKED. WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN, IT WOULD NOT TURN THE CAR ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE SLIGHTLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TUMBLERS WERE NOT READING THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I CONTACTED KIA BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS 2 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616669July 27, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10611346July 17, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
WHILE LEAVING FOR WORK IN THE AM, AS I DECELERATE AT THE STOP SIGN, WHEN SPEED NEARS 20-25 MPH THE VEHICLE JERKS HARD LIKE IT'S TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT. SEEMS TO DISAPPEAR AS THE VEHICLE WARMS TO RUNNING TEMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610081July 12, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN I BRAKE AND SLOW DOWN MY KIA OPTIMA AND IT GETS TO 20 MPH OR LOWER, IT WILL JERK SUDDENLY AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING ABRUPTLY AND DANGEROUSLY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND NOT JUST A RECENT OCCURRENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609060July 8, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KIA OPTIMA IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULDN'T TURN CAR ON AND WHEELS LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567076March 4, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE'S STOP LAMP SWITCH. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MY REPAIRS ON JANUARY 22, 2014. I RECEIVED A CHECK FOR PARTIAL PAYMENT OF $101.34. THIS AMOUNT WAS JUST FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. HOWEVER, I SUBMITTED AN ADDITIONAL RECEIPT AND REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FOR THE ACTUAL BRAKE LIGHT REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPLACEMENT WAS $28.10. I CONTACTED KIA AT 1(800) 333-4542 WHICH WAS THE NUMBER INDICATED ON THE LETTER. I WAS TRANSFERRED TWICE WITH NO ASSISTANCE. I JUST WANTED CLARIFICATION AS TO WHY I WASN'T PAID THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF $129.42 (THE COST OF THE INSTALLATION AND BULB REPLACEMENT). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562910February 4, 2014
STEERING, SUSPENSION
AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTOR AND PADS WHICH [XXX] SAYS HE DID REPLACE BOTH BACK PADS WITH GENERIC PADS EVEN THOUGH MY RECEIPT SHOWED SOMETHING DIFFERENT; I WENT TO GET THE CAR APPRAISE TO SEE HOW MUCH I COULD GET FOR IT ON A TRADE-IN VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEED FRONT BUSHINGS SO THAT KNOCKED $900 ON THE AMOUNT THEY WOULD GIVE ME FOR IT. BUSHINGS, ON A CAR BARELY DRIVEN AND I HAVE A 10 YEAR WARRANTY THAT COMES WITH IT, A 10 YEAR WARRANTY I PURCHASE AND A 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? I CAN'T. I GUESS IF I DROVE IT EVERY DAY THE WAY I SHOULD THE CAR WOULD BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED AT MY EXPENSE AND ALL THE WARRANTIES MEAN NOTHING; MY MONEY JUST WENT RIGHT UP IN SMOKE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PIECE OF JUNK OR I AM BEING SCAMMED. 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
#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
#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
#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
#10553555November 23, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PER NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 13V114 I TOOK MY 2009 KIA OPTIMA TO KOONS KIA IN WOODBRIDGE ON 11/21/2013 TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE'S STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED THAT AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES FOR THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER I HAVE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND THE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. BOTH OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS AROSE AFTER THE 11/21/2013 STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552822November 18, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT MADE A CONTINUAL NOISE UNTIL BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY MAKE THE NOISE EVEN WHEN STOPPED UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES. THE ESC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WERE ON AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HULLMAN'S FORD FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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