Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10894943August 10, 2016
ENGINE, STEERING
WHEN U DRIVING IT . U CAN HERE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAD THE OIL LIGHT TO POP ON WHILE DRIVING ON THR FREEWAY PUT OVER. PUT SOME OIL IN IT. THEN THAT NIGHT TRYING TO CRANK IT & IT STARTED TO SMOKE & CAUGHT A FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10894290August 9, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD SUDDENLY BEGAN JERKING AND STICKING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PROPERLY STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10894331August 9, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITHOUT USING THE KEYS, AND THE ALARM ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10894500August 9, 2016
WHEELS, STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10894606August 9, 2016
ENGINE
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 KIA OPTIMA HOME ONE EVENING AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WHATSOEVER. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED UP. THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY SLUDGE IN THE OIL. THE PRICE TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE 6,612.00$ I CONTACTED KIA CORP. AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE OIL. THE ENGINES HAVE A DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF BUT REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THEY HAVE QUITE A POOR HISTORY WITH THESE ENGINES. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MY PERSONAL CERTIFIED MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED BUT THERE WAS NOT AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THEY ARE GOING TO PUT ANOTHER ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE WITH LESS MILES FOR ABOUT 1,200.00$ LESS. NOT ONLY KIA WOULDN'T HELP ME OUT BUT THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE AN ABOVE AVERAGE COST. THE AVERAGE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS 4900.00$ SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP ALL WHO ARE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893832August 7, 2016
STEERING
LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING WHILE DRIVING, HARD TO TURN AT TIMES AND VERY LOUD RATTLING WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS. MY DAUGHTER USES THIS CAR DUE TO BETTER GAS MILAGE THAN HERS TO GO TO COLLEGE SOMETIMES AND I ALSO CARRY MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS BEFORE NOW AND THOUGHT I PURCHASED A SAFE CAR ALL AROUND BUT BEING THAT NOTHING IS GETTING DONE ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE I AM CONCERNED. I WOULD HAVE RECOMMENDED A KIA TO ANYONE TILL NOW AND NOW JUST NOT SURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893697August 6, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. POWER DOOR LOCK WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK ALL DOORS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN OR UNLOCK WITH KEY OR INSIDE LOCK LEVER. HAD TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE TO GET IN OR OUT WHEN FINALLY ABLE TO GET PASSENGER FRONT DOOR TO OPEN. FINALLY ABLE TO GET DOOR OPEN BY HOLDING KEY CYLINDER IN UNLOCK POSITION AND FORCING HANDLE TO OPEN. UNHOOKED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. AS LONG AS LOCKED OR UNLOCKED DOOR WITH KEY ONLY, DOOR WOULD OPEN. IF LOCKED DOOR WITH INSIDE LOCK LEVER, DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AGAIN. MECHANIC REPLACING THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY REPAIRED VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IN ACCIDENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893370August 5, 2016
STEERING, WHEELS
MY TIRES HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREMELY QUICK WARE ON THE OUTSIDE TREAD SINCE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2011. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT IT WAS JUST TIME TO CHANGE THE TIRES OR HAVE THEM ROTATES/BALANCED. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND I TOOK IT SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR A 2ND OPINION - GOT AN ALIGNMENT DONE (WHICH HELPED FOR ABOUT A MONTH) TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, HAD IT RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS - AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.. I HAVE GONE THROUGH SO MANY TIRES... IN ADDITION, I NOW RECENTLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A VERY LOUD CLANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, VERY INTENSE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION IN ADDITION TO A CLICK NOISE WHEN I TURN HARD RIGHT OR LEFT, IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE SOMEWHERE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893582August 5, 2016
AIR BAGS
I HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG APPX 5 YRS AGO (COULD BE LESS). I TOOK CSR IN AND MONTHS LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND HASN'T WENT OFF. I'VE CHECKED IN RECALLS AND NOTHING INDICATED. SHOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPAIR, BEING I TOOK IT IN ONCE ON A RECALL AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.. I PUT IN DATE BELOW BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893083August 4, 2016
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. ...UPDATED 10/11/16 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893258August 4, 2016
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SHIFTER'S POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE FAILURE WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10892865August 3, 2016
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. TRIED TO RESTART AND IT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED A FEW TIMES AND THAT WAS IT. THE CAR HAD 75,000 MILES WITH 30,000 PUT ON WITHIN THE ONE YEAR I HAVE OWNED IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10892968August 3, 2016
ENGINE, SEATS, STEERING
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS HAD DIFFICULTY REMAINING IN A SRAIGHT LINE ON THE FREEWAY. TENDS TO PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. THE RATE OF TRAVEL IS APROX. 45-65MPH. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH "OVERSTEERING" WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE CENTER OF THE LANE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY OTHER CAR FOR 29YRS, AND I ASSUMED THAT NEWER CARS MAY HAVE BEEN DIFFERNT, SUCH AS BEING MORE SENSITIVE WITH STEERING. I HAVE ALMOST HAD A COLLISION ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THERE ARE ALSO BLIND SPOTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE KIA OTIMA. THIS TIME I DID END UP IN COLLISION BECAUSE OF BLINDSPOTS AND OVERSTEERING IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME, AND INSTEAD HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME ON THE OTHER LANE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OUT OF THEIR WAY THIS OCCURRED FROM SENSETIVE OVERSTEERING. OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA STATING THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF I WOULD LIKE TO TRADE UP TO THE KNEW KIA OPTIMA. THE EMAIL STATED THEY HAD NEW FEATURES; SUCH AS CAMERAS FOR BLIND SPOTS. THIS MADE ME AWARE THAT KIA KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SERIOUS .BLINDSPOTS. THE CAR WAS ALSO BEGINNING TO RUMBLE, AND I BELIEVED IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE,IN FACT QUITE SURE IT WAS FROM THE ENGINE. I ALSO HAD RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM KIA, STATING THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINES FROM CERTAIN YEARS OF THE KIA OPTIMA MY CAR WAS WITHIN THE YEARS STATED. IT STATED THEY WOULD HONOR THIS PROBLEM IF YOU KEPT THIS LETTER IN YOUR CAR, WHEN BRINGING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I WAS GOING TO DO THIS, BUT THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
5
Deaths:
0
#10892533August 2, 2016
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING/POPPING SOUND EVERY TIME ITS MOVED IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, WHEN GOING OVER ANY SPEED BUMPS OR HOLES, VERY LOUD CLICKING AND TENSION FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS LIKE KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EVERYDAY FOR ABOUT 65 MILES BOTH WAYS. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND PASSENGERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10892633August 2, 2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2012 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH & WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE/BRAKE. RECENTLY WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE WITH NO ITEMS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE ISSUE...UPDATED 10/04/16 *BF *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10892357August 2, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
I TOOK MY CAR FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW RUST. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND PROVIDER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE CASE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT FOR THE STATE I LIVE IN (VIRGINIA).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10892277August 1, 2016
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN ENGINE AND WOULD NOT REPLACE, CALLED KIA WHO STATED THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GET ALL SERVICE RECORDS FROM DAY 1 OR THEY WOULD NOT COVER. I BROUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WHILE I HAVE MOST SERVICE RECORDS FROM 2013 ON, I DO NOT HAVE ANY FROM BEFORE THAT BECAUSE OUR HOUSE BURNT DOWN IN APRIL 2014, NOW ITS BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE MY CAR BROKE DOWN AND MY 2 CHOICES ARE, SAVE UP 5K WHILE STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR OR PAY FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE PAPER WEIGHT THAT DOESN'T EVEN FIT IN MY HOUSE. KIA IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF THEY DON'T TAKE ACTION!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10891838July 30, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2002 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY OR FROM IN SIDE OF CAR ONLY AFTER LOCKING AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES TO HITTING UNLOCK ABOUT 20 TIMES TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN CAR AND CRAWL THREW CAR OR OUT WINDOW. CAR HAS 142000.MILIES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10891530July 29, 2016
ENGINE
ENGINE CUT OFF PASSING SOMEONE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. ENGINE SEIZED WITH 110,000 MILES ON IT. TOWED IT TO DEALER. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED TIMELY. BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAD PERFORMED ALL MAINTENANCE KIA IS REPLACING ENGINE. KIA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE THAT IS WHY WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. HYUNDAI RECALLED THEIR CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY RENTAL CAR THERE WERE THREE RENTALS OUT FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON. I AM GLAD I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS OR MY WIFE. I AM GLAD I WASN'T PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. KIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10891575July 29, 2016
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT ROUGHLY 75 MPH, CAR STALLED. WOULD START UP BUT HEARD LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR SHOP. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC, WAS TOLD ENGINE ROD BLEW AT 71,560 MILES. CALLED KIA CORP OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE RECALL, KIA PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOWED IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. NEXT DAY, WE CALLED TO GET A STATUS AND THE KIA IS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORD OF THE PHONE CALL AND NOW SAYING THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE ENGINE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS TIME. CAR WAS PURCHASE LESS THAN 3 YEARS AGO. NEW ENGINE IS ESTIMATED AT $6,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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