Kia Optima Complaints (2014)

622 consumer complaints on file.

#11475573July 24, 2022
ENGINE
While driving on Highway 77 N in North Carolina (Marker 22) and in the middle lane my Kia shut off. I almost was hit by a semi-truck behind me. Traffic had slowed due to an accent so I was doing 50 mph. The engine fluttered and instantly the car was off!!! I coasted off to the side and was unable to restart the car. 911 was called. When the car was towed on my own dollar the mechanics were unable to get the engine to turn. The engine in the Kia "locked itself" and the mechanic said it was on the manufacturer. I called Kia as per the mechanics request. The Kia rep wanted ME to pay to tow it to a local dealership. I don't the funds to do so. I'm not from this state and now stranded. I referred the Kia rep to the mechanic that has the vehicle. I was the rep would reach out to the mechanic. Kia did not reach out to the mechanic who I followed up with before they closed. I'm stranded in another state with little money, no car, and children. It's been 24 hours with no word from Kia. I saw recalls for my vin number NONE mention engine locking while driving! This could have killed my entire family.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472409July 5, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine seized without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer were notified but refused to help with the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472081July 2, 2022
ENGINE
As I was driving my 2014 Kia Optima the engine light turned on and started flashing. Within seconds of that the oil light and battery light turned on and my car started slowing down and thankfully I was able to put pull over. As soon as I pulled over my car turned off and I was unable to turn it back on. I have keep my vehicle up to date with all the recalls and maintenance. My vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic and stated that the engine was seized and engine needed replacement. My vehicle hasn’t reached the 100,000 miles yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11470175June 21, 2022
ENGINE
My car has been using a lot of oil lately and it is due partly to the turbocharger. I have had the oil leak fixed once already and now the dealership wants to charge me over $7,000 to fix it again. I would also like to know if the current recall for the engine fuel hose has anything to do with the oil leak.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469000June 13, 2022
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the hybrid system malfunctioned. The contact stated that during the failure the vehicle decelerated and lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and remained with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Error message comes up on the dashboard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468445June 9, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, the vehicle started to shake. The contact pulled over, turned the vehicle off, and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that after 5 minutes the vehicle was restarted and drove with no issues. However, when driving at 30 MPH the vehicle lost motive and electrical power without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a seized engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine was replaced twice before and provided the VIN on the engine that needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468224June 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468337June 8, 2022
ENGINE
While driving on the freeway, my 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid LX suddenly loses all power. My dashboard flashed a red rectangle warning stating something was wrong with the HEV, pull over, and turn off car. My engine light was also flashing. Towed vehicle to dealership where they said engine seized, they can hear engine knocking, but the rod bearing passed the clearance test. According to 17V224000, my vehicle year and engine is involved but because my engine is MPI and not GDI, KIA Consumer Affairs claims my issue is not covered. All of my maintenance are timely and I have records of it as 99% of my maintenance were with the KIA dealership I purchased my vehicle from. How can my car just seize on the highway if my vehicle is well-maintained?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467016June 1, 2022
ENGINE
The panel lit up and it car died in the middle of rush hour traffic on the highway, was almost run over by other cars. There is apparently a recall on Kia Optima's engines and that they misfire while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467069June 1, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Interim recall notice recieved April 15, 2022 from Kia via mail. May 29, 2022 car starts smelling like fuel inside and outside cabin. Visible Leak detected in garage floor and again on driveway. Contacted Kia Corp and was told to have it towed to North County Kia. Dealership confirms leak to be associated with recall issue but cannot repair it bc the recall isn't published and there is no fix for issue. I was charged $160 for a diagnostic fee. Part is not available and quoted me $670 for repair out of pocket when part is available. Offered no loaner or resolution but was asked to get car towed off their lot. Called Kia Corp again and was told they would escalate my case to their case resolution team but don't expect a call until 3 to 5 business days later. The average wait to get through to a live human at Kia Corporate is 1 hour minimum and noone seems to think the issue I have is serious or warrants any immediate attention. I was told to rent a car and wait for notification when recall is ready.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466060May 25, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the engine seized. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence and the next day the vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465766May 23, 2022
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AND ROTATING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OT LRIGHT THERE IS A "CLUNKING" NOISE. THE SERVICE REP AT KIA STATED THAT THIS IS A STEERING COLUMN COUPLER. WHILE DRIVING THERE ARE CERTAIN POINTS WHERE THE STERING WHEEL SHAKES TURNING AND HITTING LITTLE DEVIATION ON THE HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO BUYAUTOPARTS.COM :The Steering Coupler, which includes a cylindrical rubber bushing, ensures the transfer of movement from the steering wheel to the steering rack. The axis of the cylindrical bushing is almost perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the steering system. I DO NOT BELIEVE ANY SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHOULD NOT OCCUR. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAVE OCCURED SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464894May 16, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on my car is just falling off. I cant even wash my car because its peeling off so easily.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464618May 14, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle has developed a fuel leak at the same point of failure described on Feb 17, 2022 Manufacturer Recall NumberSC228, NHTSA Recall Number22V093, Recall StatusRecall Incomplete. The Community Kia dealership in Baytown, TX has had my vehicle since May 12, only 3 days now, and saying that it's not an active recall and doesn't have parts to repair my vehicle. I have had this leak verified by an independent mechanic, and the dealership has supplied a video to the Kia Techline support for warranty approval. I am not happy that it has been 3 months since Kia initially sent out this recall and still does not have a remedy. I am also unhappy that Kia is not supplying me with a rental vehicle while this warranty parts issue is resolved. My vehicle was towed to the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463204May 3, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Low pressure fuel line start leaking, creating a fire hazard for me and my family. You can smell the fuel inside the cabin while you're driving. I did take the car to the dealership and they told me is not a recall on my car at this moment. No warning lights came on .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463249May 3, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the husband was driving the vehicle a ticking noise was present coming from the engine compartment before suddenly smoke began to come from under the hood of the vehicle. The husband exited the vehicle and moments later flames were seen coming from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. A police and fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that prior to the incident occurring the vehicle had been serviced for a recall related to an engine failure and fire but the failure still occurred. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462965May 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is defective/chipping. Now, rusting has occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462873April 30, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint has been rapidly chipping. Dealership has refused to do anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462773April 29, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460293April 10, 2022
STEERING
Power steering column is bad and comes on while driving and turning!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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