Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11658199May 1, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden the blinking lights of the check engine light came on and automatically I went from 75 mph down to 63 mph and when I looked up what it was, it was the knock detection system of the 2020 Kia Optima. I could not accelerate beyond 63 mph and I fear that the engine might stall on me so I went to O’Reillys and have them check it and it says it’s the P1326 Code
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657677April 30, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
For several years my 'check hybrid engine' followed by turn off engine. The dealership can not figure out the cause. Twice in the last month the engine has automatically shut off when the "check hybrid engine' warning light displays. I nearly had an accident because the brakes are much weaker when the engine shut off. Kia dealership is unable to find the source of the problem and says the car is functioning normally and to continue to drive it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657754April 30, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657407April 29, 2025
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I am contacting you regarding my 2015 Kia Optima EX (VIN: [XXX] , while driving, I experienced a sudden strong burning smell followed by heavy white smoke from the engine area. Shortly after, the engine stalled, and the vehicle had to be towed. I have verified that there are no open recalls or settlements listed for my vehicle. However, based on the known engine issues affecting similar models, I am respectfully requesting goodwill assistance from Kia to repair or replace the engine. I have always taken good care of my vehicle, and I believe this issue may be related to broader known concerns with the engine models from those years. I would appreciate your help in reviewing my case and offering any available support to resolve this issue. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your positive response. Sincerely, [XXX] Pho [XXX] ail: [X [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] SUANT TO [XXX] FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657548April 29, 2025
ENGINE
The car drives slowly and sputters because oil is burning out quickly. I have to replenish oil continuously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657588April 29, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after parking her vehicle in her driveway when the vehicle had caught on fire 2 hours later. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The location of the fire was underneath the front driver's side tire, shortly after the vehicle was engulfed in flames, and due to the proximity of the vehicle to the contact's residence, this caused siding on the side of her house to also catch on fire. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. A police department report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. No injuries were reported. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) as probable cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657291April 28, 2025
ENGINE
Valve 3 does not have compression sent to private mechanic. Sent to KIA was told this is not covered under warranty for new engines went to say that intrest rates are down for new used cars. After some research this could be caused by engine recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657393April 28, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Yesterday [XXX] as I was driving with my wife present, suddenly warning popped up: Stop the car, hybrid break system safety, not safe to drive, or something close to that, I don't recall exact words. The car started to sputter , the brake pedal lost power meaning no brake, I quickly looked at the rear view mirror, luckily there was no car coming up close to me, the car lost speed and I slowly drove into an almost vacant parking lot across Lowe's, turned the engine off. Waited 30 minutes and start the car and the issue was gone. The same thing happened almost a month ago but that time the car was parked and hybrid brake system safety popped up as I tried to start the car and went away after 45 minutes of the engine being off. Had yesterday's episode happened while I was driving on the highway two weeks ago to visit my grandsons in Fontana, I would have surly killed in an horrific accident. My vehicle is Optima Hybrid. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656982April 26, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving my 2014 Kia Ex and I heard a knocking noise, as I was driving my car stopped accelerating and went into limp mode. I took it to Kearny mesa kia and they told me it was the Knock sensor code P1326 I have looked and seen that there are plenty of recalls pertaining to this specific issue. Why are they telling me I have to pay for this when it is clearly something that is wrong with this on many vehicles across the board? I need my car fixed and back. Please help me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656490April 24, 2025
AIR BAGS
The airbag warning light on the dashboard stays on continuously and will not go off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656322April 23, 2025
ENGINE
Car has been consuming way more oil than usual which caused engine failed and I’ve filed several complaints with Kia America few years before engine failure with concerns of how much money I was spending in oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656353April 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought the car odometer and title both said 98xxx on the car. 3 days after I purchased the car the motor started knocking. Come to find out the actual miles are over 240,xxx. The mileage has been rolled back on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656397April 23, 2025
STEERING
Failure of Flexible Steering Coupler, part of the Motor Driven Power Steering. This flexible coupler deteriorated noticeably over about 6 months time. Currently steering is very erratic with crunching sounds when turning wheel. This is a serious safety concern. I had the steering and suspension inspected at an official PA state inspection station (annual requirement) and was assured that the mechanical under car parts are all good. HAs never needed any repairs in this area, not even a wheel alignment. I am the original owner and the vehicle has been well maintained. Vehicle currently has 141,000 miles, mostly highway driving. KIA advises that there is no recall and no warranty repair available. I believe this is a design defect and safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656036April 22, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted by the mechanic and the mechanic was advised that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who requested the oil change receipts before the contact could receive the engine replacement under the lifetime warranty. The contact was denied a rental by the dealer. The contact became aware that the engine was a rebuilt engine when the vehicle was purchased, which was not information that was provided at that time of purchase. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656164April 22, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The white paint on my car (Snow White Pearl) has been chipping and peeling off near the windshield and rails on the side as well the hood. This is a known problem for KIA's with this particular white colored paint and KIA should really address is. Touching up just the locations it's happening in is not a fix ... The car needs to be properly repainted to fix the issue. KIA has not addressed this for customers and really need to as this happens for spanning several years and different models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655927April 21, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is peeling
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655964April 21, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving home at night around 8pm. I was merging into the slow lane and my car completely lost power. A semi truck was right behind me. Luckily I was able to get over to the emergency lane safely. My car had no acceleration at all or any control of the steering. Prior to this incident there was no problem or warnings of any lights on dash or car having problems. It’s a daily driver for me to work. It’s never gave me any problems prior to this. I’ve had the routine maintenance done on along with the recommended mileage maintenance done. It’s been over a month now and my car still won’t start I haven’t had time to get it towed to a dealer ship or repair shop because I work 17 hour days. Everything I’ve researched about my make and model is starting to indicate that the engine seized up. I really hope that’s now the case because my car will be paid off in 3months. It has 165k miles on it I need help on weather the engine is part of a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655502April 18, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. However, several days later the failure reoccurred, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a nondescript failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655507April 18, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving downhill at approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The battery, oil, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the pedal was firm. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. There was smoke coming from the engine. The contact attempted to turn off the vehicle; however, the transmission failed to shift to park. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 154,782.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655521April 18, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Bubbling and painting chipping on the driver door, passenger driver's side door, at the top roof at all doors, around the front mirror, and passenger and back passenger door. Pearl white paint. I believe the ENTIRE kia needs to repainted and fixing one spot is not the solution!! This includes the top of the car and racks on top if your car has them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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