Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11102293June 18, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PARKED MY KIA OPTIMA AT 7 PM. AT MIDNIGHT I WAS WOKEN UP TO FIRE TRUCKS OUTSIDE OF MY APARTMENT. MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR REPORTED NO FOWL PLAY BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE HOW IT HAPPENED. SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE LEFT. HAD 62K MILES AND WAS FREQUENT WITH OIL CHANGES. NO LIGHTS ON DASH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102308June 18, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER (KIA OF DAYTON, 8560 TROY PIKE, HUBER HEIGHTS, OH 45424, (888) 461-2115) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM ANY RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102355June 18, 2018
STEERING
THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102416June 18, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND 'TURN THE ENGINE OFF' DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCED KIA, 1575 W. 16TH ST., MERCED, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM SAFETY FUSE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102435June 18, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON A DRY ROAD SURFACE. I HAD JUST GONE THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT WAS GREEN FOR ME TO GO. THERE WAS A SLIGHT DOWN GRADE SO I STARTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC AHEAD. WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP CAUSING ME TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED IN A VERY BUSY CITY STREET.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102201June 15, 2018
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP AT A HIGH SPEED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101795June 14, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR INSIDE DOOR LOOK SWITCH. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZZARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101845June 14, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF UNION CITY (4084 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (770) 964-4900), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000. *TT CONTACT STATES ON AUG 22 2018 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101949June 14, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TODAY I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY FOR THE BRAKES FAILING IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT THE MECHANIC SAID TO ME THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CAR SO THEY LET ME LEAVE WITH IT I WAS IN LAKE WORTH TODAY DOING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND IT DID IT AGAIN AND SAID CHECK BRAKE CAR SHUT OFF MY BRAKES FAILED AND I RAN INTO A MEDIAN TO STOP MY CAR. KIA CORPORATION IS NOT DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS THE DEALERSHIP DOES HE EVEN HAVE AN ANSWER FOR ME AND THAT IS GUNTHER KIA. I BELIEVE THAT I AM GOING TO DIE IF I DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE AND I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD CHILD THAT THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE KIA CORPORATION 5 TIMES ALREADY
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101670June 13, 2018
ENGINE
MY CAR MILEAGE IS AT 65000 I HAD THE CAR LAST YEAR MARCH I DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES A MONTH AND HALF AGO I DID ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GET ANOTHER OIL CHANGE THERE IS A TICKING SOUND IN ENGINE BROUGHT IT TO PEP BOYS AND MECHANICS AND THEY ARE SAYING ITS A OIL DEFECT AND ROD BEARING TICKING WHENEVER I ACCELERATE CAR WON'T MOVE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101703June 13, 2018
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME AT A SPEED OF 45MPH WE LOST ENGINE POWER AND BRAKES. UPON THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPING, BLACK SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES BEGIN TO SPREAD FROM THE ENGINE. WE WERE NOTIFIED BY AN OFF DUTY DEPUTY THAT HE WAS GOING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHEN HE SAW US WITH A FIRE UNDERNEATH OUR VEHICLE WHILE STILL MOVING. THE VEHICLE ULTIMATELY WENT UP IN FLAMES ALONG WITH EVERYTHING WE HAD INSIDE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101574June 13, 2018
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. I MAKE SURE TO GET REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND I AM NOT A HARSH DRIVER. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ON A 2 LANE ROAD. THE LIGHT AHEAD TURNED YELLOW AND I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP. ONCE MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AT THE RED LIGHT, IT MADE A WEIRD NOISE LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF BUT DIDN'T. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I BEGAN TO PRESS THE GAS AND IT SEEMED AS IF IT WAS STALLING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS QUICKLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT POPPED ON SO I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, TURNED MY CAR OFF AND WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I CRANK THE CAR BACK UP AND THE ONLY LIGHT REMAINING ON WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND MY CAR STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE EVERY TIME I PRESSED THE GAS. I PROCEEDED TO GO HOME AND DECIDED SINCE IT WAS A HOLIDAY I WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. I WENT TO CRANK MY CAR UP THE NEXT MORNING AND THE KNOCKING NOISE HAD GOTTEN LOUDER. I STARTED DRIVING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOME BUT IT TURNED OFF AT A RIGHT LIGHT. I WAS TOO AFRAID TO TRY AGAIN SO I CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. SINCE I WAS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, THE ENGINE WAS APPROVED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE WAS VERY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED BEING THAT I HAVE HAD ZERO OTHER PROBLEMS NOR DID ANY HAZARD LIGHTS APPEAR ON MY DASH BEFOREHAND. MY VIN WAS CHECKED FOR ENGINE RECALLS AND DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ON THE LIST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101074June 11, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND NEEDED TO BE JUMPSTARTED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11100731June 10, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BACK UP CAMERA STOPPED WORKING THE SCREEN IS BLACK. IT STARTED WHEN IT RAINS IT WOULDN'T WORK THEN WHEN IT GOT SUNNY IT WOULD COME BACK ON. BUT NOW IT'S NOT WORKING AT ALL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11100737June 10, 2018
ENGINE
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2012. IT IS 6 YEARS OLD. WE WERE NOTIFIED OF AN ENGINE RELATED RECALL IN 2017. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET THE RECALL (S) LOOKED AT (THERE WERE 3 OTHER RECALLS TOO) IN OCTOBER 2017. THEY NOTIFIED US THAT OUR ENGINE WAS FINE AND DID NOT NEED REPLACED. IN MAY 2018 I WAS DRIVING IN A 70 MPH AREA OF THE INTERSTATE, TRIED TO ACCELERATE, HEARD A LOUD CLICKING SOUND, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER, LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC AROUND ME WAS LIGHT AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE CAR IS RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I NO LONGER HAVE A VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH I JUST BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR THAT IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA AND WILL NEVER RECOMMEND BUYING A KIA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11100768June 10, 2018
AIR BAGS
A CAR ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 IN WHICH THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURIES. KIA WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THAT A ACCIDENT HAD TAKEN PLACE IN A NEW VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED, AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ALTHOUGH IT HAD PASSED THE INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. KIA FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, ALTHOUGH INDICATING THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR OUT TO CHECK THE VEHICLE. LATER IT WAS INDICATED THE VEHICLE HAD 2 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH IT (#1. 16V7050000 AND #2. 16V231000), HOWEVER, KIA FAILED TO HONOR THE RECALLS OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILING TO PROPERLY INFORM OF THE DEFECTS. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REACH SOMEONE AT KIA TO RESOLVE THE MATTER, BUT EACH TIME A DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED MR. GUSTAVIO VALILA WAS THE PERSON HANDLING THE MATTER AND WOULD RESPOND IN A TIMELY MANNER. VOICE MAILS WERE LEFT UNRETURNED AND EMAILS WERE SENT, HOWEVER, MR. VALILA COULD NOT BE REACHED. A YEAR LATER A REPRESENTATIVE RESPONDED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT MEANT TO DEPLOY AND THAT THE COMPANY WAS SORRY FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATION. THE COMPANY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR RESPOND TO THE PREVIOUS RECALLS THAT WERE NOT HONORED, NOR DID THE COMPANY CORRECT OR RESOLVE THE CONCERNS OR MAKE AN EFFORT TO ASSIST OR PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE INJURIES SUSTAINED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER DIED A WEEK LATER. KIA WAS INFORMED OF EVERYTHING, ALONG WITH RECEIVING PHOTOS AND PAPERWORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENT (THAT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COMPANY REQUESTED), AND HAS STILL CHOSEN TO ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SITUATION OR DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THE PREVIOUS MATTER / CONCERNS...*BF *TT
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11100530June 8, 2018
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING MAKING NOISES WHEN OPERATING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11100567June 8, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR IN ALL SUDDEN MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND SAYS HYBRID SAFETY ISSUE CHECK BREAK. THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME AND MY BRAKE WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP. SO I RAN INTO A FIELD THANK GOD THAT WAS RIGHT THERE AND I HAD MY FOUR YEAR OLD KIDS IN THE CAR. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL STARTED DRIVING IT DID IT AGAIN AND MY BRAKE WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND SAID THE SAME THING. I HAVE SAW FOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. IT IS IN THE DEALERSHIP I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS YET BUT THIS SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY FOUR YEAR OLD. I WAS GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THIS HAPPEN. IT SAID HYBRID CYST SAFETY ISSUE CHECK BRAKE IN THE BRAKE ONE TREE TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP. PRICES ON THE MAIN ROAD NOT A HIGHWAY. I WAS IN FORT LAUDERDALE FLORIDA ON 19TH STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN LAUDERHILL FLORIDA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11100630June 8, 2018
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING HOME MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS NO NOTHING. I HAD A TOW COMPANY TRY TO JUMP START THE CAR. NOTHING. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP. CHECKED STARTER, FINE. MECHANIC TOLD ME MY ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE, NEVER HEARD BEFORE. HE STRONGLY SUGGESTED I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR. HAD ALL OIL CHANGES DONE AT DEALERSHIP. WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO HELP FROM DEALERSHIP OR KIA. I DO NOT HAVE $5200 TO REPLACE AN ENGINE. NO CAR FOR 3 MONTHS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11100393June 7, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 5 SEPARATE TIMES. MY CAR WON'T CRANK AFTER SITTING ANYWHERE FROM 2 MINUTES TO ALL NIGHT. I STOP AND PARK MY CAR, PUT GEAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE BUTTON TO STOP THE ENGINE. WHEN I TRY TO GET BACK IN IF MY DOOR IS LOCKED, SOMETIMES I CAN'T GET IN WITH MY KEY FOB. I HAVE TO OPEN THE HOOD, CHARGE THE BATTERY AND THEN THE KEY FOB WORKS. IF MY CAR IS NOT LOCKED, I GET IN AND NO LIGHTS COME ON, PRESSING THE START ENGINE BUTTON DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I CANNOT OPERATE ANY PART OF THE CAR, TRUNK, LIGHTS, SEATS, WINDOWS, IT IS ALL DEAD. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BATTERY. WHY IS THIS NOW HAPPENING? I HAVE AROUND 42,000 MILES AND I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA 2013 WITH ALL BELLS AND WHISTLES. I LOVE MY CAR BUT AS A WIDOW, I DON'T WANT TO GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITH A DEAD BATTERY / ENGINE. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN READING THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? THE DEALERSHIPS JUST CHARGE EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND THE PROBLEMS STILL ARE FIXED. SHOULD THERE NOT BE A RECALL ON PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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