Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11527362June 16, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving ~40-45, mph and my car stopped on its own, a warning ⚠️ came up in the dash regarding ABS and to stop and not drive, luckily no one ran into me and I was able to pull over. I called a service center and they told me I could bring it in and they would do a diagnostic. I turned the car off and back on, the message was gone and my husband came and followed me to the shop. They ran the history and it was a code for ABS, they reset it and I was on my way. Not long after, I started hearing what sounded like a woodpecker under the hood and loud, while the car was on, in route and off. I took it in and service center was unable to diagnose/duplicate the noise and was told I would have to leave it, however, due to not having another means of transportation, I was unable to leave it. Twice more it gave me the ABS dash warning with stop and do not drive. I took it in and was told it Brake booster/ABS was making a noise, however, I need to take it to Kia for further assessment, which is not for 11 more days. According to accounts read online, this is a common issue and is dangerous for a car to stop you while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527398June 16, 2023
ENGINE
We are a used vehicle dealer. We purchased this vehicle for resale from a new vehicle dealer, while transporting it back to our lot, the motor blew up. Kia is willing to fix it, but not while it is titled in our name. They will only repair if it is in a private individuals name. There is an issue with the vehicle and why will they only repair if it is titled to a private individual?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527155June 15, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
On June 12th myself and two friends were traveling on a rural two-way traffic hwy. As I was attempting to pass another vehicle, the car lost all power. I was barely able to avoid a head on collision. I pulled over to the side of the road which had only enough shoulder to fit my car and there was white smoke coming from under the hood. All the dashboard lights were lite after I pulled over, but nothing prior to the car losing power. I was on a curve in a dead zone for our cell phones. After opening the hood, white smoke was billowing out, and I could smell what smelled like burnt rubber. Once the car cooled off, I was going to attempt to start it, but I could not depress the brakes. The brake pedal was stuck. We managed to get a ride to an area where I could call to have the car towed to a private mechanic, who told me the motor had seized. I just purchased this car in March 2022. Nothing was ever mentioned to me by the dealer of any recalls or any other issues with the car. They made me sign a paper stating I was buying the car as is, which I see now should have been a red flag. The Dealer was San Jose Kia in California, and I'm very angry that they would knowingly sell me a defective car, risking not only my self but my family and friends.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526723June 13, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
My sunroof exploded as I was driving my car down the road. It made a noise that sounded like a gunshot and I pulled into a parking lot and the whole thing was shattered. The sun roof is less than a year and a half old and there was no chips or cracks in it and nothing had fallen on top or damaged it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526746June 13, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer. The local dealer stated that there was no engine oil in the oil pan, which caused the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526832June 13, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact's daughter was driving at approximately 60 MPH when numerous lights on the dashboard illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter said that the vehicle stalled, however, she was in the right-hand lane and pulled over. The daughter said that smoke was being emitted from the engine compartment. The contact stated her daughter was picked up by family and the vehicle was left at the side of the highway. The contact stated that the daughter's companion retrieved the vehicle. The contact stated that he opened the hood and checked the oil and observed that there was no oil showing on the dipstick. The contact filled the vehicle's oil reservoir and started the vehicle. The contact said that he also reported that all panel warnings illuminated and the vehicle had begun to emit smoke. The contact stated he pulled off the roadway, opened the hood, and observed smoke and flames being emitted from under the engine block. The contact stated he had immediately closed the hood and moved away from the vehicle. The contact stated that he reported that the vehicle continued to emit smoke but no more flames were observed. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526577June 12, 2023
ENGINE
Good Afternoon, I have a recall on my 2019 Kia Engine but since I’m over my mileage Kia does not want to help with it but i read that there is a lifetime warranty on the cars with this type of engine I got a disgusted test done and they are still not wanting to fix the problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526583June 12, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was related to an unknown recall not being performed. Additionally, the code PL1802 (Echo Logic Upgrade) was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526684June 12, 2023
ENGINE
Driving on highway auto lost all drive power and stopped running. Zero warning or lights were ever noted on car and no vehicle function had been observed in previous days. Auto towed and mechanic checked vehicle. Found engine seized and unrepairable. Shop reviewed this as a known recall from previous models repaired. Kia contacted by owner, VIN reviewed and noted to be part of a class action suit as well as confirmation this malfunction was a recall. Told by Kia that recall would not be honored since this is a second owner. However we researched this and could not find any recalls prior to purchase of this vehicle. This malfunction could have resulted in accident, injury or death and we as owner were given no choice to repair or even identify this malfunctioning vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526409June 11, 2023
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
pearl white paint chipping away. also both power mirrors went out. one replaced with after market and other one available for inspection
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526018June 8, 2023
AIR BAGS
Air bag line came on, dealer states is clock spring.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526071June 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My air and heat stopped blowing air on 4 (high speed) I took to mechanic who couldn’t find a issue with the resistor, motor, or any components related to it so he took the dash off to check the climate control. The connector going into the back of the switch control to control the temperature speed was burnt and so was the unit. He said it was a wonder my car hadn’t caught on fire and it should have blown a fuse before burning that bad. I did get pics of the connector but didn’t of the control panel. I am now afraid to drive my vehicle as this is a expensive repair and their seems to be a lot of electrical issues with Kia from what I am finding and I don’t even have this vehicle paid for yet. They replaced a motor in December due to failed components on their end
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525549June 6, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525668June 6, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Peeling paint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525683June 6, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became stiff and seized before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where an unknown software update was performed, and the anti-theft software was updated. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that every two days he had to add 1-quart of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525688June 6, 2023
ENGINE
The engine is knocking and stalling out. Lawrence Kia has had my car for three weeks, and nothing has been done. After investigating the issue, the failure is related to NHTSA Campaign Number 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The recall is to replace engines. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525467June 5, 2023
ENGINE
We have tried numerous times to get Vanguard Kia in Arlington, TX to address the recall on the engine. They have only updated a short term fix which is a software update. It will be 2 years in October that we have been trying to get the recalled engine replaced. They updated in their system that they replaced the engine but the same old engine still remains in the vehicle. They have charged us for many other repair issues and now tell us they don’t know what is wrong with the vehicle and can offer no solutions. We have repeatedly asked for them to correct their error and they refuse. I believe individuals working for the dealership may have fraudulently reported addressing the recall engine and may have kept it. We have reached out to Kia and have not heard a response. Is this legal?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525477June 5, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
hybrid system warning safely stop and do not drive with some kind of brake warning and then the brakes were basically non existent. Could not brake had to coast to a stop in a neighborhood very scary
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525486June 5, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system inadvertently activated, prompting the vehicle to inadvertently stop. The contact stated that there was no other vehicles or objects nearby during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who advised the contact that an unknown obstruction on the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor had possibly caused the inadvertent activation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525324June 5, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The center console power supply is faulty, does not charge or hold usb port. The white paint on my car began to chip in large amounts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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