Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11473326July 11, 2022
ENGINE
On November 16, 2020, Lucy Robinson was driving her 2017 Kia Optima when she started seeing smoke. She pulled into a gas station and the engine was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A cause and origin was conducted and it was found that the fire originated within the engine compartment. The fire was caused by the release of heated oil coming from the leaking PCV located at the top portion of the valve cover.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473197July 10, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown, car was fine then stopped out of no where yesterday, I was scheduled with Kia dealership to have recalled fixed next month but they called and canceled my recall this is now the 2nd attempt and they still have yet to fix recall and now car isn’t working properly!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473247July 10, 2022
ENGINE
5/17/22-Brought car in for a basic "what needs to be done for maintenance if I was to buy/sell this car". Thought it could be idling low so he suggested an oil change, spark plugs and a fuel injection service due to mileage. But no issues happening with the car. He did not have parts. Scheduled for June 20th. 6/20/22 Car serviced at Sun Mountain. Received call that on the test drive after service was completed that the car died mid drive. He got it back to the shop after jumping the battery. He ran a diagnostic and said everything besides the battery looked good. Battery was very low. He revved the engine and there was a rattling. I told him I had not heard that prior to bringing the car in. He brought up a recall that Kia had for Rod Bearing Failure. Paid and returned car home safely. 6/21/22 Car breaks down Called Kia to confirm the recall. Phoenix told me that there is a test that will take a few days to run and Kia will either replace engine or buy your car back. He said that the engine itself is on back order for months. He stated there was no loaner cars available and the next available time slot was Monday 6/27/22 for the test. I worked on securing a vehicle on my own and then called Kia back to schedule the test. While on the phone with Phoenix to schedule the test, the car started clanking and losing acceleration. I pulled over and turned it off. It would not turn back on. I got the car towed to Kia Tuesday afternoon. Large leak under car when towe 6/25/22 Phoenix called to say they finally got the car in for diagnostics and they are pulling in corporate to see if it is recall associated or if the fuel injection service could have damaged the engine. That corporate is closed on weekends and would have a better idea on lead time of the engine beginning of the week. 6/28/22 Denial of Claim I called Kia because I had not heard from them. Phoenix was out so Matthias checked on the status. He stated that Kia denied the claim. I asked him to send documentation
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473097July 9, 2022
ENGINE
When we start the car Yellow colour Engine symbol pos up on the dashboard. It’s a engine related issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472960July 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hello, My Kia was stolen lastnight. The criminals apparently the “KIA BOYS” took my car, it wasn’t until after I spoke with my daughter she expressed to me that she saw a video on social media about Kia’s and another car, being stolen excessively. So after doing my research I was sent to this page to share my story. I am sure Kia is aware of the situation, so much so to where they are/have made a change in their 2022 model. But those of use who have a Kia model that is not a 2022, we are screwed. I make monthly payments on a vehicle engineered by adults, but what I’ve just found out is the criminals are mainly middle school age children who takes the cars for a joy ride. It is hard to process this oversight by Kia, I love my car, I’ve had 2 Kias. But this will be my last. Especially if they (Kia) doesn’t own this oversight. To have my car stolen hurts, I didn’t leave the key in, nor the door unlocked. I parked my car, activated my alarm, only to wake up and my car gone. I see there is a lawsuit in a state (I forgot the state) against Kia. I hope and pray the state of Georgia can start one as well. My car wasn’t the only Kia, taken lastnight. There were 3-4 others taken from this complex.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472989July 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal almost to the floorboard; however, the vehicle was decelerating with an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact managed to pull off the highway safely and stopped. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472990July 8, 2022
ENGINE
Using a qt or more of oil every 1000 miles or less. Kia told me that was normal. There are no puddles or spots where I park but it's obvious there's about problem. Has had plugs replaced 3 times in last year and today I had a flashing check engine light come on and lost power with a suspected misfire. Car will need to go to dealership again. I have lost all trust in Kia and their engines. With all these these problems there should be some kind of resolution to get these cars fixed at no charge. I currently have 112099 miles. I have been to the dealership many times prior to car going out of warranty with them telling my oil consumption was normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472762July 7, 2022
ENGINE
Purchased my 2016 Kia Optima EX om 10/20/20 with 82,000 miles and right away had issues with the car going into limp mode and check engine light on. Not knowing that there was already an oil issue, we took the car in to a repair shop where they told us the car was out of oil so they did an oil change. A few months later the check engine light was back on, so we took it back to the shop and diagnostics indicated an engine issue, so we took it to a Kia dealership. They had the car for 6 days then called and told us to pick up the car because it was running fine and the check engine light was no longer on. Check engine light came back on a few months later, took it back to Kia they said it needed spark plugs/wires and an engine cleaning which was $600. About 8 months later, the check engine light was back on, brought it back into Kia, they said we needed spark plugs/wires, transmission cleaning and break line cleaning, which was $450. 4 months later, got a regularly scheduled oil change, 10 days later, oil light came on and car was out of oil. Brought it to Kia, they did a combustion cleaning for $350. Did the 1000 mile test, which the car failed. Now Kia is saying I need a new engine which will be around $8500, and of course I'm no longer under warranty. My car has been using 6 qts of oil every 600 miles. Even if I could afford a new engine, I no longer trust the safety of my family in this vehicle. Plus there is no guarantee that a new engine wouldn't have this same issue. We are a one-car family, so this has also cost us in rental car fees and inconvenience. How has this engine not been recalled??? Kia should do the right thing and take responsibility for this engine problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472764July 7, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
The contact’s son owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was being driven approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The driver was able to steer the vehicle safely to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with knock sensor detection system (KSDS) failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472808July 7, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she had been adding oil in the vehicle every 1,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed an oil consumption test and diagnosed that the vehicle was burning an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated while driving 55 -65 MPH, the vehicle went into safe mode and decelerated to 25-35 MPH. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond and failed to exceed 35 MPH. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was black smoke coming from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not cover the repair of the vehicle due to the mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472809July 7, 2022
ENGINE
Engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472666July 7, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint failing and peeling off causing body to rust prematurely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472518July 6, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was consistently topping off the engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was no smoke or abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472604July 6, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car caught on fire while driving from somewhere near the engine. The fire was so severe that fire department nor my insurance company were able to determine cause of fire and I’d only had vehicle for 45 days, it was a single owner with no accidents and maintained its entire life up to that point. I am requesting someone to examine vehicle and tell me how this possibly happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472636July 6, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The trunk latch stopped working won’t lock
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472645July 6, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
not really sure my car just started making a clicking noise out of no where & powered off & now it wont detect key or wont start up
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472646July 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Me and my family just returned home from the laundry mat and took 2 children inside our house and turned around for our belongings and clothing/bedding for the family as the wheels spun out being followed by a silver hyundaii. Just a matter of seconds to 2 minutes. The keys were not in the vehicle. 2 childrens carseats and almost ALL of my family's belongings were stolen inside of the vehicle. 2018 kia optima dark slate grey in color with dark tinted windows and sun strip at the top of windshield, black rims. CR 21077 IL LICENSE PLATE This seems to be an ongoing issue with kia and hyundaii vehicles being stolen and somehow im still not being offered a loaner vehicle with full coverage insurance
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472354July 5, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while performing a daily oil check, the contact noticed that the oil level was low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there was no oil in the engine after an oil change a month prior. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the VIN regarding the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472366July 5, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken for diagnostic testing and the contact was informed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted but was unable to schedule an appointment to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472399July 5, 2022
STEERING
MDPS Flex Coupling for steering needs replacement. Not covered by the 10 year warranty because it was 6 months late
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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