Kia Optima Complaints (2016)

764 consumer complaints on file.

#11494955November 26, 2022
ENGINE
I have been having issues with my vehicle randomly not wanting to start at first. There wasn’t any warning lights showing up. I have noticed that my vehicle is going through a LOT of oil. This is at least the 3rd time were I have had a few thousand miles left on my oil change but when I drive and press the break, the oil light comes on. When checked the oil is empty. These engines need to be throughly checked out by the manufacturers. I also had an issue with my Kia completely turn it off when I was driving with my child in the car. It would not start back up. We had the people trying to help direct traffic around until the police showed so that we wouldn’t get hit. This could’ve been a VERY dangerous situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494927November 25, 2022
ENGINE
EXCESSIVE oil consumption. Just got oil changed last week oil is already gone and check oil light is on again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494811November 24, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Complete power window failure (driver and 2 rear windows). Estimated repair cost is $2,084.90. This model has a history of power window defects that Kia Motors is well aware of. Over time, this defect becomes increasingly severe until you have a complete without warning failure like in my case. Kia Motors refuses to acknowledge problems and stated there is no recall by NHTSA. I want a full reimbursement for my out of pocket payment for untimely repair cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494733November 23, 2022
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Every 2000 miles I need to put in a quart of oil. When car down shifts to 35mph the oil light flickers. At downshift of 10mph there is a slight shutter and the oil light flickers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494630November 22, 2022
ENGINE
I have a 2016 Kia Optima FE and I keep up with regular oil changes and maintenance. My oil light has been flashing when I accelerate and when I turn, but turns off when idling. I’ve had this car 9 months and 2 weeks after getting it, that’s the first time I’ve brought it to get serviced. I’ve always complained about the flashing red oil light when I’d get an oil change, but no one ever told me that my car was consuming oil until NOW. After they did the oil change, the car would be fine for about 900-1,000 and then it would come back on. I would always have about 3,000-4,000 miles left before I was due to get it serviced again. So, I would just get oil changes in between oil changes because that seemed to fix the problem. I went to the Kia dealership near me and they told me that my engine is consuming oil. He showed me the dipstick and it was bone-dry. I should not have to drive around with my daughter in this car that can blow up at any second. I’ve looked on forums where other people have had the same issues and all of them say that it’s because of “faulty pistons.”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494464November 21, 2022
ENGINE
Failed connecting rod bearing. Happened on the freeway my car shut off and steering wheel locked up. It almost caused multiple crashes as other people got out of their cars to try and help me move my car out of the freeway. I take very good care of my car and maintenance was up to date. I still owe over 9k on the car and it only had 130k miles. Kia has a class action lawsuit I was unaware of and promised a lifetime warrant for my engine but now refuse that warranty. I had to get out of my car on the freeway or risk getting hit from the back. Other cars on the freeway were constantly passing at 80mph. Multiple people had to help me push my car that would not turn and kept shutting off. This was very sudden and random I had no check engine lights or any lights on my dash board at the time. This all happened within the matter of 2 minutes and I’m very happy the person who was behind me had distance enough to go around me or else the would have been an accident.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493880November 16, 2022
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
We bought this car brand new and for the past two or so year it has started to consuming oil like crazy at least 3 to 4 quarts every thousand miles and they wont do anything to see what is causing the issue its not leaking anything at all. Secondly with the head light turned to auto we will be driving down the road and all of a sudden the lights shut off and you have to flip the light to on to get them to turn back on huge safety issues there but they will not do Anything for this issue either. I should have to do what im doing to a very well taken care of vehicle and its only 6 years old i get it if it was 10 years old but to burn this much oil this not right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493689November 15, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated upon activating the heater while driving, she smelled an abnormally strong gasoline odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to Kia Independent Recall Campaign Number SC172 (High Pressure Fuel Pump Outlet Inspection). Additionally, the contact stated while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond and then lunged forward abruptly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay for a diagnostic test and the repair cost because the VIN was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493402November 14, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Driver window back window (driver side) passenger window won’t let down and need window regulators. I’ve had one replaced before
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493267November 12, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Kia Optima Hybrids from 2014-2016 and most likely the two previous model years all have defective taillights. I know this because I've had two Optimas and I've had to replace 9 taillights in 4 years. The Kia dealer service department told me that that was quite typical of these cars. The light assemblies are not water tight and they fill with moisture on rainy days. This eventually causes the LED ribbons to fail and then the light has to be replaced. Kia will replace them under warranty for the first 60,000 miles but after that the car owner is on the hook for a part that costs approximately $500. A taillight that will not light up is obviously a safety problem. Kia should be forced to replace these pieces for free for as long as these cars exist. I tried to attach two photos but the system wouldn't allow me to continue until I removed them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493056November 10, 2022
ENGINE
My vehicle's engine stopped working on October 15th as my son was driving us 80 mph on I90 headed east just outside of Rochester MN. The cruise control was on but then the car started to decelerate on its own and he pulled onto the shoulder. It smelled like burnt oil. I opened the hood and saw nothing substantial; waited 5 minutes and tried to start it again and although it was turning over, it did not start. Check engine lights came on when the problem started and it vibrated violently twice. AAA took 3 hours to get us which was beyond stressful and scary watching in the rearview mirror as semis and cars in the right lane past us at 80 mph. The Luther Kia dealership in Inver Grove Heights MN stated eventually that the 2 cylinders have no compression and there is a broken exhaust valve. There is only 115K miles on it and I had it into the Bloomington Luther Dealership a month prior. Initially for the front collision sensor that wasn't working but when I pulled in, it smelled of burnt oil and the service tech and I discussed that I had notice it sputtering every once in a while when I accelerated from a dead stop. They said they fixed it by changing the gasket covers. Now Kia wants me to pay $9,000 for the engine to be repaired because my warranty doesn't cover it. I've researched and spoke to people and have heard comments have been made that these engines are constantly failing and they know about it. I would have never put my 15 year old son behind the wheel if I thought it was going to possibly die while we were going 80 mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492835November 9, 2022
ENGINE
I have been having some issues with my Kia Optima. It is consuming so much oil. Constantly have to get oil changes. Recently, my engine light went on. Was told it was because of all the oil that is burning. Car does not perform properly. It does not want to accelerate. It feels like it will turn off. I get scared driving. What if my car stalls in the middle of the busy LA traffic? I have gone do dealership so many times. Whenever, I say the reason why I need an appointment, they tell me they have no available time slots. They just told me they will see me next year!! I say its because Kia doesn't want to fix it. Several mechanics have informed me that my engine needs to get replaced because of the excessive oil consumption. Kia needs to pay for it. They know it’s their fault.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492693November 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Right passenger window dropped down. It came off regulator track for no reason with a child in a car seat sitting at that window putting that child's safety at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492736November 8, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Driving along the interstate approximately 70 mph, the vehicle jerked with knock sound then lost acceleration speed. At the same time, the check engine light started blinking. I pulled over to the side of the interstate put the car in park. I put it back in drive and slowly attempted to accelerate again. I was able to make it home because I was only about a mile and a half away, but I the acceleration was very slow and there wasn't much power behind it. At a speed of about 45-50, the vehicle barely seemed to have much power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492156November 3, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown Driver’s window does not operate either up or down.. Making a noise when I tried to put the window down in order to open it. Only 23,700 mileage on my 2016 Optima This is a safety issue and my VIN number needs to be placed on the recall list. There has been a gear breakage issue on 2016 optima I cannot afford to repair this, being a senior citizen on fixed income
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492002November 2, 2022
ENGINE
I took my car in for an oil change and it was extremely low on oil, I found out that Kia has a class action law suit for excessive oil consumption. I had the test performed at a Kia dealership and it does in fact have the oil consumption issue, it was down 2 quarts within 1000 miles. Kia is saying that they will not cover it or perform the necessary fix that is required (replace the engine or at least perform the combustion cleaning procedure). This in my mind is a safety hazard and Kia should back their product of a known issue. My wife drives this car and if the engine locks up she could be stranded or injured if it happens on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491508October 30, 2022
ENGINE
The oil is leaking into the engine, was taken to a kia dealer for repair $542.45 unsuccessful , I am putting oil in my car every 3 weeks. Purchased the car in April and over $2500 spent. The oil is still going into the engine, no leaks on the ground. Was told to deal with it and wait until my engine pops by Thomas kia of highland indiana
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490759October 25, 2022
ENGINE
Engine stalled while driving on main highway. It is available for inspection Safety: was on major highway when vehicle stalled other cars on highway had to swerve around me to avoid hitting me. no it has not been confirmed no it has not been inspected no there were no warning light
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489557October 17, 2022
ENGINE
10-17-2022 * failure is plugged coil or spark plugs due to heavy oil consumption. Vehicle is available for inspection * driving when vehicle completely stalled and would not restart while on a 4 line highway barely got off the road almost hit by other cars as the vehicle just stalled Has happened before, has heavy oil consumption have been told it is due to faulty piston rings * At this time it is at the garage for investigation of problem *No *No
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489464October 16, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Was driving my car and it just lost all power and cut off. It will not start now. It only has 1 click. The car has used a lot of oil since I've owed it. I do regular oil change and the oil lights still go off and on. I researched why it had power failure and replaced the starter but that didn't work. I started looking into the engines for 2016 kias n found out some have a recall. I hope my car falls in that recall bc I need it fixed . my car gave no warning signs that anything was wrong . just cut off all of the sudden and will not start . had to have it towed to my home
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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