Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11081761March 28, 2018
ENGINE
PROPERLY MAINTAINED KIA OPTIMA HYBRID CEASED OPERATING WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY. SYMPTOMS APPEARED ELECTRICAL IN THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, THEN STOPPED AS THE VEHICLE ALSO STOPPED. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE IGNITED IN "ECO" MODE (THE HYBRID ENGINE STARTED), BUT THE GAS ENGINE DID NOT AND THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY MARGINALLY ROAD-WORTHY. IT WOULD NOT GET UP TO SPEED. UPON EXAMINATION BY A KIA DEALER, THEY SAID THEY FOUND "LARGE METAL PIECES," IN THE OIL PAN AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE SHORT BLOCK AND RECONDITIONING THE CYLINDERS. THIS IS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD HAD AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY PRIOR, AND HAD BEEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, WITH ZERO MAINTENANCE FAILURES IN THE 5 YEARS I'VE OWNED IT. KIA HAS RECALLED ITS GDI ENGINES DUE TO COMPLAINTS THAT ARE STRIKINGLY SIMILAR TO THE ISSUE HERE, BUT WERE PATENTLY UNSYMPATHETIC REGARDING THE GAS ELECTRIC HYBRID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11081758March 28, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING, AS IF A PART HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING FLAMES.. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE PART THAT SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STAFFORD KIA OF FREDERICKSBURG (5204 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY, FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, 22408, 540-891-7400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE PART THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CATCH FIRE WAS NOT GIVEN TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,046.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11029528March 27, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
2012 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE CONNECTING ROD SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TURBOCHARGER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE TURBOCHARGER REPLACEMENT. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11081552March 27, 2018
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, A DEER CROSSED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER (BLACKWELL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT KIA 4874 RIVERSIDE DR, DANVILLE, VA 24541(434) 792-8853) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11081177March 26, 2018
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MOTOR OIL KEEPS DISAPPEARING; I CHANGE THE OIL ON SCHEDULE AND 2-3 WEEKS AFTER IT IS DRY. I'M AFRAID OF ENGINE FAILURE OR LOCK UP DUE TO THIS. RAISING THE HOOD DOES NOT SHOW ANY OIL SPLATTER. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; LNTERIOR LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT OR GO COMPLETELY DIM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11081243March 26, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE STATIONARY - DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WITH KEY, MANUAL LOCK OR ELECTRONIC LOCK CONTROLS (STUCK CLOSED). UNABLE TO EVACUATE CAR FROM DRIVER'S SIDE. SAFETY CONCERN - LACK OF EGRESS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11081628March 23, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL ON MY KIA OPTIMA. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (NEW JERSEY) ON THE PA TURNPIKE WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND INJURED OR KILLED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUTOBODY SHOP (PEP BOYS). THIS WAS LATE AT NIGHT, MOST BUSINESSES/PLACES WERE CLOSED. I INCURRED A TOWING BILL, HOTEL BILL, CAR RENTAL BILL AND SERVICE BILL BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL FROM KIA REGARDING THE ENGINE. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM KIA FOR THE COST/FEES I INCURRED. I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THEY ARE DENYING THE CLAIM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11081057March 23, 2018
ENGINE
WHILE IN DRIVE, RANDOMLY AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE WILL DIE. I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN THE KEY COMPLETELY OFF, AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THIS CAN TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FINALLY GET THE CAR STARTED. ONLY THE ENGINE DIES, THE RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC STAY ON WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT STOP LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, IN A CAR POOL LINE, ALL WHILE NOT MOVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11081078March 23, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, BUT THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RODEO KIA (10685 PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (623) 298-1200), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO RODEO KIA FOR THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080631March 21, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FUCCILLO KIA OF WESLEY CHAPEL AT 813-395-0347 (28555 FL-54, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33545) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080178March 19, 2018
ENGINE
OIL LIGHT WARNING DISPLAYED. TOOK IT TO NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING. SAME DIAGNOSIS AS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 17V224000 RECALL!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080218March 19, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN E. KY I LOST CONTROL OVER THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN. I TRIED TO ADJUST RIGHT AND LEFT WITH NO HOPE. I CROSSED THE MEDIUM TO THE OTHER LANE, HIT A LOG TRUCK AND THEN MY CAR FLIPPED ON ITS BACK ON THE MEDIUM. THE WHOLE THING STARTED ON THE STRAIGHT PART BEFORE REACHING THE CURVE. MIRACULOUSL,Y NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME OR THE TRUCK DRIVER. I STILL FEEL THAT SOMETHING WENT WRONG. INSURANCE ESTIMATOR SAID MY SIDE IS SO BAD HE CAN'T TELL IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080235March 19, 2018
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BOUGHT A USED 2012 KIA OPTIMA FROM A KIA DEALERSHIP ON 1/12/18. I DID NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FROM 1/13/2018 - 1/19/18. STARTED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND 5 (FIVE) DAYS LATER, ON 1/23/18 THE VEHICLE BLEW A ROD IN THE ENGINE. AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT HAVING THE DEALERSHIP FIX THE ISSUE AT THEIR EXPENSE, I WAS GETTING NOWHERE. I CONTACTED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY ASSISTED ME WITH COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND GETTING THE ENGINE REBUILT (AS A GOODWILL BY THE DEALERSHIP). HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 1/25/18; THEY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR EXACTLY 1 (ONE) MONTH WHILE THE DEALERSHIP REBUILT THE ENGINE. I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK FROM DEALERSHIP ON 2/23/18. ON 3/6/18 AS I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY, THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON FREEWAY, AND CAR JUST STARTED LOSING POWER. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ENGINE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON & OFF SPORADICALLY. NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS I WAS SCARED THAT I WOULD GET REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. I SLOWLY MOVED OVER THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR; I WAITED APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING THE CAR BACK ON AND PROCEEDING TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC (NOT KIA DEALERSHIP). MY MECHANIC SAID NOT TO TURN CAR OFF; HE INSPECTED CAR & SCANNED IT. NO ERROR CODES WERE DETECTED. HE SAID MAYBE IT WAS A FLUKE AND TO JUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. ON 3/12/18 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT. AFTER A SCAN & TEST DRIVE, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. MECHANIC DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY OVER 80 MILES AND THIS TIME HE DID EXPERIENCE THE SAME REDUCTION OF POWER. HE SCANNED VEHICLE AGAIN BUT NO ERROR CODES SHOW. IT'S STILL AT DEALERSHIP 3/19/18.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080087March 18, 2018
ENGINE
ENGINE FAILED ON MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, STARTED SMOKING, STARTED TO LOSE POWER, AND STALLED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO A KIA DEALERSHIP. KIA ISSUED RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL MODELS THROUGH THE 2014 MODELS. THEY FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR 2015 MODELS. THEY INITIALLY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND WANTED CLOSE TO $6,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. FINANCIALLY, THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR VOLUNTARILY REPOSSESSED. I FILED A FORMAL, WRITTEN COMPLAINT AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR REPOSSESSED. AT THAT POINT, THEY RESPONDED WITH A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT STATING THEY WOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY, IF I RELEASED THEM FROM FURTHER RESPONSIBILTY. THIS OFFER WAS NOT FEASIBLE, AS I NO LONGER HAD THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I ASKED FOR A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT DO THAT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11079917March 17, 2018
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD TWO HEAD ON COLLISIONS WITH MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA, NEITHER WERE MAJOR BUT IMPACT WAS ABOVE 30MPH IN BOTH CASES. DURING BOTH INCIDENTS NEITHER TIME DID AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOY. ONE WOULD THINK AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THOSE SITUATIONS, BUT THEY DID NOT. ADDITIONALLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIX. AFTER HEARING ABOUT AIRBAGS AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES RELATING TO THE KIA FORTE AND HYUNDAI SONATAS I BELIEVE THIS AIRBAG ISSUE COULD BE EFFECTING A WIDER RANGE OF VEHICLES POSSIBLY INCLUDING 2011 KIA SORRENTOS AS WELL.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11079940March 17, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL ,GEAR SHIFT STUCK IN PARK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11079984March 17, 2018
ENGINE
DRIVING ONE DAY PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY.HEARD KNOCKING ON LOWER PART OF ENGINE. OPENED HOOD YOU CAN HEAR KNOCKING, WHEN I ACCELERATED KNOCKING GOT LOUDER, A SPUN BEARING. I HAVE BEEN A CERTIFIED MECHANIC ALL MY LIFE. 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. AT 76,000 MILES, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THANK YOU [XXX]. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL PAN CONTAINED BRASS COLORED METAL PIECES, THE OIL FILER HAD PARTICLES, THE PISTON CAP BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO TURN IT BLACK. THE CONNECTION CAP BEARINGS DID NOT HAVE A OIL FLOW HOLE. THERE WERE ALSO SCRATCHES ON THE PISTON WALLS. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11079756March 16, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN. I'M DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF BUT COMES RIGHT BACK ON AND SOMETIMES THE RADIO JUST SHUTS OFF AND COMES BACK ON PLUS ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE GOES OFF.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11079582March 15, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY. THE ILLUMINATION PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM VIEWING THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,597.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11079104March 14, 2018
AIR BAGS
THE PASSAGE SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON STEADY CODE STORED B1448 OCS MAT IS DEFECTIVE CAR WAS PARKED IN YARD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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