Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11550688October 18, 2023
ENGINE
My engine locked while driving on the highway, I have got the car inspected twice since I purchased it and only had it for a year and it passed, everything worked fine and no hazard lights were on dashboard until it stopped then the battery and engine light showed when stopping! I had no problems with the car prior to it, just stopping on me I had my kids with me and we were going to another state so that’s dangerous! I had to get it towed to a Kia dealership and was told they had 4 recalls on my car and the problem was the engine locked but I was told they would not do it free of charge or under warranty because the car has a salvage title overall the car was still drive able and in good condition up until that point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550335October 17, 2023
ENGINE
Engine turned off in middle of highway without warning
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550372October 17, 2023
AIR BAGS
Vehicle was in an accident on the highway. It rolled 3 times before landing on the roof and sliding from the highway to the grass. NONE of the airbags deployed.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11550399October 17, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
My car started smoking while parked at work for no reason and I had to call the fire department. It stop smoking by the time the fire department came. I had it towed to the Dealer. My brakes are a mess but especially on a wet road you have to pump them to try to stop. I have taken it to the Dealer and of course they find nothing wrong. I told them to test drive it on a wet raining day and try to stop hard. Supposedly they could not but I have almost been it several accidents and had to run through a red light because I could not stop. So, I try to drive this car on a rainy day or drive slowly. This car has been trouble since I got it and the dealer will not listen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550425October 17, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Since I have had the vehicle I have had to have multiple Spark Plugs and Engine Coils replaced, literally every 4-6 months. One diagnosis said there was a problem with the motor, when I told Kia, they did not come back with the same diagnosis, well they sort of did, but did not noter it as an issue. Also, my car burns oil way too fast. I'm having to put in 2-23 quarts every 2-3 weeks. I have been told that the GDI motors are the culprit for this. Have even heard Hyundai had a enough complaints and has recalled the motor, but Kia did not, so we are still running around here paying excessive amounts on oil and repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550487October 17, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes warning - Hybrid System warning caused brakes to fail twice while driving. Luckily no accident occurred. Have been told by mechanic that same part is recalled for non-hybrid models of the same car, however hybrid models do not have recall, even though it is the same exact part that is failing as recalled models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550144October 16, 2023
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V560000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and a secondary dealer, Boomer Kia (339 W I-240 Service Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73139), and third dealer, Kalidy Kia (14205 Broadway Extension Hwy, Edmond, OK 73013) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550152October 16, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on my pearl white kia optima is peeling badly, primarily on the hood but now its starting to peel near the doors.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550164October 16, 2023
ENGINE
I was driving my kiaon a very busy interstate. When I was going around 65miles per hour and all of a sudden I lost all power it went from 65 miles per hour to 30 all at once when I hit the gas peddle the car went in jerks finally I got it back up to 55 but it only goes in a jerking motion and r. Very small hill u come to u lose power and it goes jerking . I thought several times I would get rear ended by the vehicle behind me I'm scared to drive this and when the car is running and you step out of the car the smell of gas is very strong and it is using a lot more gas than it mostly does . This happened to me September 20th2023.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550168October 16, 2023
ENGINE, SUSPENSION, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I purchased my 2018 Kia Optima directly from the dealership, brand new. I've had the vehicle since then and have followed all of the warranty guidelines and only went to them for oil changes & other maintenance issues. Since February 2023 I've noticed where i've been having oil loss, but no sign of an oil leak. When I first noticed this, I would take a turn and my oil light would come on. I'd check the oil and it'd be low so I would refill my oil. However, this was happening 2 months after my last oil change which wasn't normal. I took the vehicle to Kia and they did an "Engine Consumption Test" where I had to drive for 1000 miles with a seal on the drain plug. After the 1000 miles, I came back and I was only 1/2 quart low. According to Kia it didn't meet the guidelines for engine replacement so they topped off my oil and I left. About 2 weeks after, my oil light came back on. I went back to Kia and spoke with the Shop Manager who stated I was 3 1/2 quarts low! He added oil to my engine and we did another round of the consumption test. When I came back in after that, I was 2 quarts low so that meant I qualified for a "Consumption Cleaning". They kept my vehicle overnight & I had to drive another 1000 miles. When I came in after my 1000 miles again I was only 1/2 quart low and therefore Kia said there wasn't an issue. I've reached out to multiple auto repair shops who state it is a Kia problem, that the engine is using it and processing it out of the exhaust. I don't know what else I have to do in order for Kia to honor the 20 year, 200k warranty. I have all documentation for all of my oil changes and from the consumption tests also.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549901October 14, 2023
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Motor failed and Kia replaced the motor. Now my dim lights and fog lights will not work. All fuse, relay, etc.. has been tested along with bulb replacement…
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549757October 13, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
My ABS warning lamp came on braking seems okay. My blind spot is not working warning light is on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549795October 13, 2023
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the oil warning light was frequently illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that oil had leaked into an engine cylinder. The mechanic informed the contact that a Technical Service Bulletin had been placed on her vehicle in relation to the failure and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The contact called Pride Kia of Lynn and Herb Chambers Kia of Burlington and was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549529October 12, 2023
POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My vehicle speed up and slow down all that itself. It will not maintain speed even with my foot steady on the gas. It will not accelerate, but the major problem is my seatbelt gets stuck all the time I’m afraid to get buckled. I am unable to remove my seatbelt multiple times so now I have buckled my seatbelt behind me so I can start getting tickets. I’ve gotten like four tickets because I’m scared to be buckled that it’s not gonna come on down when I need it to be I’ve got 40 bought tickets. I was going about 20 mph when I went to the brakes for my vehicle accelerated by itself crashing into a pillar at the mall. I did call the police.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549547October 12, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I was driving on the highway and my car started smoking. I got off at the next exit and black smoke started billowing out from under the hood. As soon as I opened the car door flames started coming out from under the hood. Entire engine was on fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549614October 12, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
At 95000 car had problem accelerating and then all of a sudden on the side of the road did that 2 had 2 engine rebuilds done no but the problem is still there and the fuses all look burnt and half my lights don't work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549634October 12, 2023
ENGINE
My Kia optima has been having engine issues regarding fluid spilling in different components of the vehicle, first started within spark plugs, then in the exhaust camshaft, once I fixed those two issues it's now spilling within my wiring hardness. I was told to fix my valve cover which I did but oil is still spilling out from the engine and into other components. The vehicle stalls while driving on the highway which is unsafe for myself and other drivers due to the speed slowing down without warning until after the decline in speed. I've went to an independent service center, but once new issues arouse I assumed he was just trying to get more money out of me but I even brought it to Kia and still seems to have issues occur. I received an engine light warning when the vehicle stalls, there is times where the car actually turns off but not completely ( I guess due to the car being in drive mode) and I have to actually push my engine start/stop button for the engine to start again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549514October 11, 2023
ENGINE
Excessive Oil consumption. Manufacturer specs 1 quart of oil to every 1000 miles to be added. I'm adding 1 quart for every 500 miles. Advised kia and had oil consumption test and was told nothing is wrong. I am having to add extra oil 0so engine does not seize causing a safety issue for people in car. The car randomly spits smoke out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549228October 10, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Kia fuel rail spurting gas out. Kia dealer said it’s not under warranty and no recalls. Gas leak is so bad car can’t be driven.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549274October 10, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In accordance with Kia recall SC212, client had HECU/ABS module & multi fuse kit replaced/installed on September 10, 2021. The ABS warning light began to show on 10/6/2023. Client was told by licensed Kia dealer that the HECU needed to be replaced again due to fire risk. Dealer stated since there aren’t any active recall campaigns on vehicle, repairs would need to be paid by client. Client is seeking reimbursement for having the HECU replaced the second time since the recall replacement failed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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