Kia Optima Complaints (2011)

628 consumer complaints on file.

#11196176April 15, 2019
STEERING
THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE VEHICLE SOLELY BEING STATIONARY. THE STEERING WHEEL JUST HAD MORE GIVE BEFORE IT WOULD ENGAGE THE TIRES. IT'S CONSISTENTLY GOTTEN WORSE TO WHERE NOW, WHILE DRIVING, HITTING A BUMP ON ANY KIND OF ROAD CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND LOUDER. IT SEEMS TO BE LESS EXTREME IF YOU HIT A BUMP WHILE TURNING. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11196419April 15, 2019
ENGINE
TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER IN CAMP SPRINGS, MARYLAND TO HAVE AN ANALYSIS DONE AND TO INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG RECALL FROM DMV. ONE OF THE ISSUES WAS TO CHECK MY FLUIDS AND TO SEE WHY MY CAR HESITATES AND MAKES A CLANKING NOISE AFTER DRIVING A PERIOD OF TIME. NOW, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. JUST WHEN IT WAS DRIVEN FOR A FEW HOURS STRAIGHT. ONE OF THE DEALERS SERVICE REP REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL. AFTER READING THE REPORT, I WOULD CONSTANTLY CHECK THE OIL. WHEN I FIRST NOTICE THE CLACKING NOISE, I WOULD CHECK THE OIL. THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL IN THE CAR, HOWEVER, MY COOLANT CONTAINER WAS LOW. PURCHASED COOLANT FOR THE VEHICLE. A MONTH LATER, THE CONTAINER WAS ALMOST EMPTY AGAIN. APPARENTLY, THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. NOW I HAVE AN ENGINE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11195506April 10, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
ECU MALFUNCTION CAUSING MISFIRE IN CYLINDER ONE RESULTING IN IGNITION COIL MELTING AND AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL FIRE IN ENGINE BAY WHILE IN MOTION ON LOCAL STREET. VEHICLE IS NOW INOPERABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194119April 5, 2019
ENGINE
AS I WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND BEGINNING A LEFT TURN MY CAR WITH NO WARNING BEGAN TO BUCK AND SURGE WITH NO MOTOR POWER AND AN ONCOMING CAR AT MY PASSAGER SIDE DOOR. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE ONCOMING DRIVER WAS VERY ALERT TO MY CAR NO BEING ABLE TO MOVE AND MISSED MY CAR. WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR UNDER VERY REDUCED POWER AND STILL, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AS WE PULLED INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND STOP I PUT THE CAR IN TO PARK AND IT COMPLETELY DIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TWICE DUE TO KIA GIVING BAD INFORMATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193254April 1, 2019
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MINS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND IT WOULDN'T STOP. TURNED CAR AROUND DROVE BACK HOME AND COME TO FIND OUT I HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO SIGNS NOTHING TO INDICATE SOMETHING WAS WRONG. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO MY TURBO WENT OUT TOO. MY HUSBAND DOES OUR OIL CHANGES SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP THEY WANTED TO SEE RECEIPTS WHICH WE DO T HAVE SO MY TURBO REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED. SPENT ABOUT $4000 TO REPLACE. I'M SO DONE WITH THIS CAR! I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR IT LAST YEAR 2018 AND NOW THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193211April 1, 2019
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LEAKING OIL , STRUTS MAKING NOISE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11192681March 30, 2019
SUSPENSION
I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE LOWER CONTROL ARM INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD AND CV AXLE 2 TIME BECAUSE PARTS ARE CHEAP AND SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF FORCE SUCH AS HITTING A CURB CAUSES MASSIVE SUSPENSION DAMAGE. BOTH TIMES CAR WAS RUNNING UNBER 20 MILES AN HOUR AND HIT A CURB AND IT DESTROYED SUSPENSION. SECOND TIME TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL AND ENDED UP HITTING GUARD RAIL AND SAME THING DESTROYED SUSPENSION.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11192250March 28, 2019
ENGINE
THE ENGINE STARTED CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL 10 MONTHS AGO WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 170,000 MILES IN IT. THAT IS, THE OIL GOES BELOW THE LOW MARK WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ABOUT 800 MILES AFTER THE OIL CHANGE, AND KEEPS GOING DOWN TO THE EMPTY LEVEL WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ABOUT 1,200 MILES. I ALSO HEAR OF RATTLING-LIKE SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE TO CHECK AND ADD OIL EVERY 500 MILES. I WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE MAY LEAD TO THE FIRE ON THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT KIA RECALLED REGARDING THIS SIMILAR ISSUE FOR MANY OTHER CARS. I DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGNS OF LEAKING WHEN I CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES THE FLOOR IN A SPOT WHERE I PARKED. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WAS RELATED, BUT THE ENGINE DIED, ABOUT 4- MONTHS BEFORE I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED CONSUMING OIL, WHEN I DROVE UP HILL. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN THAT AREA, AND WHAT A TECHNICIAN SAID IS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE OR PUMP. THEY CHARGED $700 FOR THIS JOB.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11191408March 25, 2019
ENGINE
OUR CAR BEGAN EXHIBITING A CLACKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING THAT WOULD WORSEN WITH ACCELERATION. WITHIN 1-2 DRIVES, IT QUICKLY PROGRESSED TO BE QUITE LOUD AND CONSTANT, SO WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR ENGINE HAD THROWN A ROD AND WOULD NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. WE ARE JUST OUTSIDE THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2012 (YES, THE YEAR AFTER THE MODEL DATE, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PRICE BREAK IN BUYING OLD STOCK), SO IT IS STILL A FAIRLY YOUNG ENGINE TO BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS OTHER NON-HYBRID KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS FROM THE SAME YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOTHING ON THE HYBRID VEHICLES, DESPITE THAT WE WERE ALSO TOLD THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11190226March 20, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. IN 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING METAL DEBRIS THAT WAS LEFT IN THE ENGINE, WHICH CONSTRICTED OIL FLOW TO THE VITAL PARTS OF THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A PINGING AND KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE'S OIL CHANGED, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11190052March 19, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR. SECONDS LATER, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED AND FLAMES ROSE FROM THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11186160March 12, 2019
STEERING
I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL KIA OPTIMA 2011. I BEEN HAVE A FEW PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALL JACK UP. THE PROBLEM IS THE PARTS THEY PUTTING IN THE CAR ARE CHEAP PARTS YES YU GET WHAT YU BUY. BUT KIA HAVE BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB REPLACING PARTS BECAUSE THEY KNOW HOW CHEAP THEY ARE. NO ONE SHOULD BE RIDING AROUND THE CITY AND THE CAR MAKING LOUD NOISES WHEN YOU HIT I HOLE IN ROAD OR EVEN A MAN HOLE ITS SOUND CRAZY. ITS LOUDER THEN MY RADIO. MY RADIO STAY ON MAX SO I TOOK MY KIA TO KIA WEST IN CLEVELAND OHIO. THE MECHANIC CALL BACK THIS MORNING 03 12 2019 STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK/ ASSEMBLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTOOD WHY IT NEEDED REPLACE. NOT BECAUSE I WEARED IT OUT . THE STEERING COUPLERS WAS START OF THIS PROBLEM. WITH A QUALITY PARTS THESE PROBLEMS WOULDNT COME UP. THE REPAIR BILL WAS 1035 WITH OUT LABOR COST. KIA HAVE TO DO RIGHT THING BY THE PEOPLE. THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL NEED TO BE PUT UNDER RECALL. OR SOMEONE GOING BE KILLED BY THIS ISSUE. WE ALL KNOW NO ONE WANT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEATH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11186256March 12, 2019
ENGINE
I AM DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND JUST AS I GET THROUGH, WHILE STILL IN MOTION, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED OR TURNED ON. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE GAS PEDAL, LOST POWER STEERING, AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I COULDN'T GET TO A PARKING SPOT AND WAS LEFT STUCK AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. I PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE AFTER TRYING TO TURN IT OFF AND START IT BACK UP SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS FORCED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET TOWED TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE ENGINE BLEW A BEARING AND WILL NEED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11182680February 26, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
ENGINE MISFIRE IN CYLINDER # 1. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE, CHECK ENGINE (P0301) ILLUMINATED. IGNITION COIL WAS MELTED NOW CAR DOES NOT START. ENGINE FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED ON A SHORT TRIP TO THE STORE LIMPED THE CAR BACK HOME. KIA REFUSES TO RECALL THIS OPTIMA ENGINE BECAUSE ITS A HYBRID ALTHOUGH IT HAS FAILED AND HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MULTIPLE SAME YEAR KIA OPTIMAS DUE TO METAL DEPOSITS IN THE ENGINE FROM FACTORY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11182373February 25, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT ****SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT IS IMPOSSIBLE*** FOR ME AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT'S TOO DARK TO SEE! I'VE HAD NEW LIGHT BULBS INSTALLED, ONLY TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 80K MILES. I SPOKE TO KIA'S REGIONAL REP ONLY TO FIND THAT HE HAS A POMPOUS ATTITUDE AND NO REGARD FOR CONSUMER SAFETY. HE TOLD ME THAT DESPITE SAFETY CONCERNS, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED AT 40K MILES AND KIA "CAN'T" DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. OF COURSE THEY CAN, BUT HE ASSURED ME THEY WONT. I ADVISED HIM THAT ACCORDING TO THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS DEFECT TYPICALLY OCCURS AT 75K+ MILES, MEANING THAT THEIR WARRANTY WOULD NEVER COVER IT ANYHOW. IT'S A CATCH 22 AND KIA APPARENTLY KNOWS THIS, ACCORDING TO THE REP. HIS SUPERVISOR, JULIE MILLER, IS SUPPOSED TO CONTACT ME WITHIN 48 HOURS. I HOPE SHE HAS MORE COMPASSION FOR HUMAN LIFE THAN HER EMPLOYEE. THIS IS MY 3RD KIA VEHICLE, AND HOPEFULLY NOT MY LAST, SINCE THEIR VEHICLES AND SERVICE HAVE BEEN GREAT UP UNTIL NOW. KIA, RECALL THIS DEFECT BEFORE PEOPLE DIE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11181796February 22, 2019
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 3:30 AM, OIL LIGHT FLICKERED OCCASIONALLY, VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, AND ENGINE EVENTUALLY STALLED, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD AAA TOW IT TO A TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP NEAR MY HOME, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SIEZED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED BACK HOME, PENDING DECISION ON WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED BY A KIA DEALER UNDER THE SC147 ENGINE RECALL ON 9/22/2017 (16+ MONTHS EARLIER) AT ODOMETER 89,547 MILES AND EVIDENTLY PASSED THE INSPECTION PROCEDURE PER KIA'S TSB. I BELIEVE DEBRIS FROM THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS BLOCKED OIL LUBRICATION PASSAGEWAYS NOT ONLY TO THE ENGINE BEARINGS, BUT ALSO TO THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE INSPECTION PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY KIA TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ENGINE IS OK OR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IS 100% EFFECTIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11176454February 12, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S GRANDSON WAS DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED UNDER CASE NUMBER: 19-036086. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW FACILITY. THE CONTACT CALLED WEST PALM BEACH KIA (735 SOUTH MILITARY TRAIL, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33415, (561) 433-1511) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11176280February 11, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH ON I-95 SOUTH BACK HOME TO FL FROM VISITING MY FAMILY IN SC WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES IN MY MOVING VEHICLE. I WOKE MY GIRLFRIEND UP AND ASKED IF SHE SMELT IT AS WELL. SHE STATED 'YEAH, I CAN SMELL GAS A LITTLE BIT.' THEN I ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND THE SMELL BECAME EXTREMELY STRONG. I STARTED TO FEEL LIGHT HEADED AND TOOK THE IMMEDIATE EXIT (EXIT 33). I PULLED INTO AN EXXON STATION AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. I OPENED THE HOOD OF MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA EX AND NOTICED GAS SPRAYING ALL OVER THE ENGINE BAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL LINE WHERE THE BOLT CONNECTS. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT MY CAR OFF. I FILLED MY GAS TANK TO FULL BEFORE LEAVING MY BROTHERS APARTMENT AND MY FUEL WAS NOW AT HALF A TANK. I DROVE 57.5 MILES, SO I SHOULD HAVE ONLY USED ABOUT 2.3 GALLONS OF GAS NOT APPROXIMATELY 9.25 GALLONS. THEREFORE, THIS MEANS I LOST APPROXIMATELY 6.95 GALLONS IN THE HOT ENGINE BAY. I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE BECAUSE IT'S LIKELY THAT MY GIRLFRIEND AND MYSELF WOULD NOT BE ALIVE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THIS PART ON MY OWN DUE TO IT BEING BEFORE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE RECALL (18V907). I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO KIA ONCE THE 18V907 RECALL CAME OUT AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN REPLACE THE (FUEL LINE) WORK I DID. THEY SAID IT PASSED THE "TEST." I KNOW I DID NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR BY THE PROPER PROCEDURE AND I'M SHOCKED THAT THEY ARE OKAY WITH THAT AND STATING THE RECALL AS COMPLETED. I FEEL LIKE I AM AT A VERY HIGH RISK OF ANOTHER FUEL LEAK AND TERRIFIED WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR NOW. ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE KIA FIRES THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11174268February 4, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAMS ON MY CAR ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. I'VE REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS WITH FACTORY RECOMMENDED TO NO AVAIL. I CAN SO NO MORE THAN 5 FEET IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING - I HAVE TO LIMIT MY NIGHT TIME DRIVING, WHICH IS TOUGH WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A DAILY BASIS. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND ISSUE A RECALL AS I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11172960January 29, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROJECT ENOUGH LIGHT, WHICH MADE DRIVING DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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