Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11578660March 21, 2024
STEERING
2013 Kia Optima EX 2.4L the issue continues to be problematic when driving at 40 miles an hour and above around turns. The steering wheel gets sticky making it difficult to correct the steering.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578729March 21, 2024
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the vehicle had begun to burn. The fire department was called and the vehicle fire was controlled using water to extinguish the flames. The contact stated that the fire department filed a report. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an impound lot and had not been examined by a dealer or insurance adjuster. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was aware of one recall associated with the VIN, NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), however there were a total of three recalls - NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine), and NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that she was not aware of the other two recalls. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578460March 20, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would shudder. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and driven to a restaurant. The vehicle was then driven to the residence, where the failure reoccurred and there was a burning smell inside the cabin. The MIL warning light had illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,389.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578585March 20, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Pearl white paint has been chippong through the years. I have had paint retouched in certain places. I continuously complained and demanded it get fixed. Eventually they would repaint. But when it gets painted over a new part of the car starts chipping away. It’s nonsense. I bought this car new and my parents have cars older than me that have no problems with the paint. My car started chipping with it warranty we paid for but they always found loopholes. Fast forward more years and my car is an embarrassment to drive around
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578197March 19, 2024
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the brake lights continuously remained illuminated. The taillight bulbs blew out on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there were several unknown warning lights flashing. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578289March 19, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION
Coming to a stop and breaks go to floor u will freak out this happens in 2 different times
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578293March 19, 2024
ENGINE
Oils going some where no oil puddles but very low on oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578034March 18, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Our 2019 Kia Optima has now stalled twice at a stop light in the past year. When it happens, we're able to restart the engine. In addition to stalling, the car struggles to start on some days and runs lumpy (minor surges in power) on other days. The symptoms match a problem Kia is aware of and for which it has provided an extended warranty (15 years/150,000 miles). Below is the wording from the extended warranty letter (2016-2020 MY Kia Optima Vehicles Low-Pressure Fuel Pump New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension dated Sept 9, 2022): "If, at any time within the extended warranty period, you experience intermittent reduction in engine power, stalling while at idle, and/or inability or difficulty starting your engine, your authorized Kia dealership will diagnose the cause at no cost to you." When I took the car in after both incidents, the Kia dealer is not able to replicate the issue because it's an intermittent issue. There is no fault code thrown by the vehicle computer. The dealer and I have separately called Kia to get authorization to replace the low-pressure fuel pump (the most likely culprit), but Kia has denied the request because the dealer isn't able to replicate the issue. This is non-sensical given the fact that Kia in its letter admits that this problem is intermittent. I'm afraid that the next time the low-pressure fuel pump fails, it will be in a far more dangerous situation (e.g. highway) than at a stop light. I believe Kia should replace the low-pressure fuel pump for those owners who report the symptoms of a failing low-pressure fuel pump even if the failure can't be replicated at the dealer. Kia is basically saying they're not going to replace the low-pressure fuel pump until it malfunctions and stays broken which could very likely leave us stranded somewhere or worse without engine power in the middle of driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578118March 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
My 2019 KIA optima with 116,021 odometer on mileage. Stop in the middle of High Volume Traffic , Because of Software Issues , I suspect . All Forward Collision Warning Detection , Also Rear Collision Warning Alerted on dashboard!!! Which Causes my Car to stop in the middle of Traffic Completely shut down. I was able to get my vehicle towed to KIA West Dealership Located in lithia Springs GA . I requested a diagnostic test and was informed by my service advisor and service manager that my vehicle has a burned out wire located in the left right rear sensors radar assembly, bumper area . Which will eventually have caused a fire or actually already did, I asked how did it happen? I was told it just simply burnt out. !!!! I was told the assembly box junction box needed to be replaced, which I agreed at that moment in order to diagnose the vehicle. Second the electrical problem was revealed, which is the big problem now currently for 1 , the vehicle is not safe for a midsize sedan on public roads and highways the if this make and model car causes random fires. secondly the parts very expensive and suspicious. I’m currently still doing my investigation. Unfortunately I had to agree for the sensors to be replaced and fixed because personal reasons I need my vehicle to get back-and-forth to work, etc.. I’ve been in contact consumer regional services, No one is able to find a recall with my Vin number the car never been in a accident ever. I have a picture of the hazardous burned out wire the technician showed me as well. As they claimed randomly caught fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578119March 18, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Manufacturer hasn't provided a remedy to recall notice issued in September 2023. For something that has a chance of catching on fire driving or Parked this should've been taken care of along time ago instead of risking peoples lives dragging this out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577901March 17, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
White pearl paint peeling off, all over hood, etc
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577785March 16, 2024
ENGINE
Could be the barons
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577539March 15, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577658March 15, 2024
ENGINE
My engine has been consuming oil since 30,000 miles. It consumes in excess of 1 qt per 500 miles. There's zero dripping oil from under my car, it's all being consumed. I've lost power and gone into limp mode because it's consumed too much oil and ran dry in between regular oil changes. Kia has not helped me. I've done more than 5 consumption tests with a Kia dealer. And now Kia says that it's a warranty event. However they will not accept my warranty event without evidence of every self oil change such as receipts for oil filters or oil. I don't have all of these records so Kia refuses to repair my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577093March 13, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to start the vehicle when it began clicking fast. The ABS warning lights and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577190March 13, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This car is pearl white and the paint on this car bubbles up and starts peeling. It is missing paint off the hood,passenger side doors and driver side rear quarter panel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576875March 12, 2024
ENGINE
The contact's sister owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she noticed a burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that there was a fluid leak under the hood. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to restart immediately. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle after some time. The vehicle was driven to the residence of the contact's mother. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer was contacted and had declined to cover the repair because the contact had failed to complete an unknown software update on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576933March 12, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576645March 11, 2024
ENGINE
Oil pressure sensor leaked out all of the oil and no warning lights lit on the dashboard to let me know that I had lost oil pressure or that I was low on oil. Problem part #1: oil pressure sensor Problem part #2: no warnings on dashboard Result: #1: Engine failure / loss of engine #2: This caused engine to seize on main highway on Feb 14, 2024. This could have caused a major accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576330March 9, 2024
ENGINE
This owner has a 2015 Kia Optima. Car started tapping without warning. Checked the oil level and it was out of oil. No warning at all. Had maintenance on car when due. Motor is completely gone. I have had this car 3 years and it only has a little over 60,000 miles on it. This vehicle needs to be repaired @ no expense to me because the 10 year or 100,00-mile factory warranty still remains.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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