Kia Optima Complaints (2011)

628 consumer complaints on file.

#11232147July 15, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING (IN FORWARD MOTION), WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO EITHER THE BRAKE OR PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SLOW ITSELF RAPIDLY LOSING ACCELERATION.; A RUMBLE CAN BE HEARD THERE IS CONSISTENT BEEPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO VIBRATE SLIGHTLY. A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT AND THE WORDS CHECK BRAKE APPEARS IN THE DRIVERS DISPLAY; ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE INCREASES THE RPMS BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SLOW RAPIDLY. NOT IDLE AS IF IT WERE NOT IN GEAR, BUT JUST AS IF THE DRIVER WAS BREAKING SUDDENLY. THE ONLY KNOWN METHOD OF CORRECTING THIS IS TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. HOWEVER, THIS STOPS WORKING AS A SOLUTION AFTER A FEW DAYS AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTS YOU CAN FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL RELEASE. THIS HAS OCCURRED RANDOMLY AT LEAST 20 TIMES IN THE PAST BEFORE UNTIL EVENTUALLY IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AT ALL. AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 25 MPH ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS TO 70 MPH ON BUSY FREEWAYS. I SINCERELY FEAR THAT IF NOT CORRECTED IT WILL LEAD TO A (POTENTIALLY FATAL) VEHICLE COLLISION. I ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEAR-BY KIA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN CA. AFTER MONTHS THE CAR WAS RETURNED AND IT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITHIN A DAYS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE MALFUNCTION AS ALSO. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS AS WELL. THIS NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY BE CORRECTED AND THE TECHNICIANS NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HOW TO FIX IT RATHER THAN EXPERIMENTING ON OWNERS VEHICLES FOR MONTHS OR WEEKS TO THEN RETURN IT WITHOUT RESOLUTION. WHY SHOULD I OR ANY OTHER KIA OWNER BEAR THE BURDEN OF THESE UNNECESSARY COSTS, INCONVENIENCE, AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITIONS. KIA NEEDS TO RESPOND I AM SURE OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE AND SHOULD COME FORWARD IMMEDIATELY FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11230528July 9, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE WIRING IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY.THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACROSS DEALERS AND AFTERMARKET SHOPS. HEADLIGHTS APPEAR VERY DIM AND GIVE OUT LOW OR NO LIGHT. IT'S NOT THE BULBS. THE WHOLE HEADLAMP NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR WIRING ISSUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11230174July 8, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SOMETIME TOWARD THE END OF 2017, I NOTICED THAT MY DOME LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. I CAN STILL USE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS MANUALLY, THOUGH THIS USUALLY LEADS TO FORGETTING AND LEAVING THEM ON. I LIVE IN WA, IT IS OFTEN DARK AROUND 4 PM AND GREY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AS I CANNOT SEE WHO IS IN MY CAR BEFORE ENTERING WHEN IN A PARKING LOT. ALSO, MY 5-YEAR-OLD HAS A HARD TIME BUCKLING HER OWN CAR SEAT BELT SINCE SHE CANNOT SEE THE BUCKLE. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE AND WITH CRIME RATES RISING, IT MAKES ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE GOING OUT ALONE, KNOWING THAT NOBODY CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WHILE I AM BUCKLING HER IN. THE CHANCES OF BEING MUGGED OR WORSE GO UP, MY SAFETY IS WORTH THE $400, HOWEVER, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE REASON I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IS BECAUSE OF THE 3 KIA'S WE OWN, 2 OF THEM HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ONLY WORKING MANUALLY AND NOT ACTIVATED WITH OPENING THE DOOR. MY WIFE'S 2014 KIA SORENTO DOME LIGHT STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED AROUND DECEMBER OF 2018. BOTH OF US HAVE OVER 60,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTION. I WAS QUOTED OVER $400 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. WHEN LOOKING AT FORUMS, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT IS A CONNECTION THAT WIGGLES LOOSE. I AM SURE THAT IF 2 OF OUR KIA'S HAVE THIS ISSUE, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY MANY MORE KIA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11228965July 2, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF NEW BERN (1715A US-70, NEW BERN, NC 28560, (252) 638-6161) AND THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE HONORED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT TRAINED ON THIS ISSUE AND THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE VALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11228387June 29, 2019
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND STARTED TO SHAKE AND CHECK ENGINE STARTED FLICKER AND HEARD RATTLING. THE CAR THEN STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND JERKING. I'VE READ ABOUT SEVERAL RECALLS INVOVLING 2011-2015 KIA'S HAVING ENGINE RECALLS BUT MY VIN HAS NOT HAD A RECALL FOR MY CAR, WHICH I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE MY IMPRESSION OF KIA IS RELIABLE UP TO THIS POINT. I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL MY MAINTENANCE SUCH AS REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND PERFORMING DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO ENSURE MY VEHICLE IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND SAFELY. I HOPE YOU GUYS CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND MAKE A RECALL FOR MY ENGINE FAULTY, WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT 6K TO FIX.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11223107June 28, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/SHORTAGE IN 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE IN MOTION, DRIVER SIDE DOOR UNLOCKS, INTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF AND DOOR/DOORS OPEN LIGHT COMES ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11219692June 13, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUSSMAN KIA (1940 JENKINTOWN RD, JENKINTOWN, PA 19046) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALRIGHT IN JANUARY OF 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11219779June 13, 2019
ENGINE
THE COOLANT SENSOR IN MY CAR IS READING THAT MY COOLANT IS -38 DEGREES. MY TRANSMISSION ALSO SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD TO WHERE YOU ARE JERKED EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SHIFTING TO AND FROM PARK AND WHILE DRIVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11219262June 11, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BOUGHT THE CAR JANUARY OF 2018.28 DAYS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE AND I GOT A FLAT TIRE AND COME TO FIND OUT MY STRUT WAS NEVER PROPERLY INSTALLED AND THATS WHAT POPPED MY TIRE.DAN OBRIEN TRIED TO DENY HAVING A WARRANTY TO FIX THE CAR SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT.IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD TO BUY THE NEW TIRE. WHEN THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE CAME OUT,I TOOK MY CAR RIGHT IN. THEY PASSED IT. IN SEPTEMBER WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS 2 MONTH APPOINTMENT THE CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & CAR WOULD NOT START DAUGHTER WAS PRESENT.ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP THEY REPLACED THE LONG BLOCK UNDER THE SC147 RECALL 11/30/18 RECALL SC165, ECU UPGRADE. ON 2/11/19 I HAD THE INSPECTION FOR RECALL SC172 CAR PASSED.3/21/19 NO WARNING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED.P1326 ENGINE CODE CAR WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE,DAUGHTER WAS PRESENT. ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED,GOT TOWED.3/26/19 KIA TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL,IT WAS MY KNOCK SENSOR. THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.5/22/19 FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD,KIA WOULDNT COVER,SAME SIDE STRUT ISSUE OCCURED ON.6/6/19 I WENT TO ACCELERATE ON BYPASS AND LOST ALL ENGINE CONTROL,I WAS ABLE TO COAST. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.PUT IN PARK, OIL LIGHT,BATTERY & EPS CAME ON & OFF. TURNED CAR OFF & ON.CAR WOULD DRIVE BUT WITH HESITATION AND LITTLE POWER.6/8/19 I WENT TO ACCELERATE ON BYPASS AND CAR LOST POWER. 6+ CARS BEHIND ME ,MY CAR BLOCKED THE ROAD.RESTARTED CAR,WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE JOLT AND I COULDNT GET OUT OF THE WAY,I HAD TO GO INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE I WAS BLOCKED.STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, BRAKES LOST POWER & I ALMOST HIT THE GUARD RAIL.DAUGHTER WAS PRESENT. 6/10/19 KIA TOLD ME IT WAS MY THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NOT COVERED. BOUGHT CAR WITH OVER 79K,NOW AROUND 101K.IM SCARED FOR MY DAUGHTERS LIFE & MINE IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE AT ANYTIME WITH ALL THE SYMPTOMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11218102June 5, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE ENGINE SEIZING BUT SHE WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE RISK OF A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *BF *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217688June 4, 2019
AIR BAGS, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOAD CLUNKING NOISE. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND DID NOT RECEIVE EITHER RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217754June 4, 2019
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, CLICKING AND KNOCKING NOISES WERE HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AREA WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO KIA OF BEDFORD (440-735-4000, LOCATED AT 18180 ROCKSIDE RD, BEDFORD, OH 44146) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CLICKING AND KNOCKING NOISES. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11210207May 27, 2019
ENGINE
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON, WE COASTED OF THE ROAD. NO WARNING, NO ENGINE LIGHT NO OIL LIGHT, NOTHING. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED HOME. ENGINE SEIZED UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11207634May 14, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR 200 MILES AND WOULD NOT START SO A NEW BATTERY WAS PURCHASED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IT STALLED, LOST POWER AND HAD TO BE PULLED OVER. WHEN STOPPING FOR GAS THE CAR ONLY STARTED AFTER IT WAS JUMPED. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE BATTERY IS BRAND NEW, THE ALTERNATOR WAS TEST AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN THE CAR STALLS THE LOST OF POWER STEERING MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE LINE OF TRAVEL. THIS VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN BY A YOUNG ADULT THAT COULD BE IN DANGER IF THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11205631May 6, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2011 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MELTED WIRING HARNESS THAT'S IS CONNECTED TO STARTER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY, BY JULY THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. WITHIN 2-3 OF THE MOTOR BEING REPAIRED, THE STARTED FAILED. THE STARTER WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11205536May 3, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WE RECENTLY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT LIGHT (LOW BEAM) ON THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE BULB WAS REPLACED, AS WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BULB ISSUE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BULB DIDN'T WORK WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA. KIA STATED THERE WAS POSSIBLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I'VE HEARD OF BULBS GOING OUT, BUT NEVER THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY, IN WHICH THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED. I'VE OWNED MANY OTHER CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY KIA AS IT PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11205599May 3, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOONS VOLVO CARS OWINGS MILLS (9610 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) TO BE REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE ENGINE, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11204091April 27, 2019
ENGINE
MY ACTIVE AIR FLAPP SYSTEM IS DEFAULTING AND TRANSMISSION GOING OUT. NOT TO MENTION THE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11203947April 26, 2019
ENGINE
MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID HAD AN ENGINE FAILURE, CAR KEPT STALLING SO BOUGHT A 300 DOLLAR BATTERY. WELL THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER JUST TO TELL ME THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT ENGINE FAILURE ON THESE VEHICLES SO WHATS TAKING LONG TO RECALL THESE ENGINE MISHAPS. CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS INFORMED WITH NO HELP WHATSOEVER. SEVERAL CONSUMERS HAVE COME OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE NEGLECTED ENGINE FAILURES AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11197048April 17, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2011 KIA OPTIMA HEADLIGHTS BECAME EXTREMELY DIM CREATING VISIBILITY AND SAFETY CONCERNS DURING NIGHT TRAVEL. I CHANGED THE LID BULBS HOPING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT SAME ISSUE STILL REMAINED. HIGH BEAMS WORK AS THEY SHOULD AND FOG LIGHTS PUTS OUT MORE ILLUMINATION THAN LOW BEAM. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP (FRED ANDERSON KIA RALEIGH NC) FOR DIAGNOSTIC. DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED. PRICE TO REPLACE ASSEMBLY IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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