Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11454853March 2, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving my 2015 Kia Optima hybrid with around 77,000 miles on the interstate at 70 mph when the HCS, battery management system and other hybrid battery warnings flashed on the screen. The display said to pullover over immediately and turn off the engine. The hybrid battery charge display went from mid charge to zero charge. The car went into limp mode with very limited power. Fortunately, I was able to get off the highway as there was an exit ramp close by. After turning off the car, it would not start again. I disconnected the 12V battery hoping it would clear it out but that didn't work. Had to get car towed to the Kia dealership. They replaced the hybrid battery's high voltage 125 Amp fuse with a 150 Amp fuse and the problem was fixed (cost of $370). A search on the internet revealed that this is a common occurrence on 2011 to 2016 Kia hybrids and Kia knows about this faulty/inadequate fuse problem but refuses to issue a recall. Kia issued a TSB #PS-515 DTC P1B25/P1B77 – 125 AMP HV FUSE INSPECTION that states to inspect the resistance on the factory 125 A fuse and replace if less than 1 Ohm resistance with new 150 A fuse. This is a relatively simple fix for Kia that could prevent a dangerous situation if the car were to lose power on a crowded interstate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454654March 1, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have my driver side tail light out, when I bought the car in 2019, they said I have 30 days to bring in my car so they can replace what needs fixing, well I hit day 32 and I’ve had to replace my tires, brakes, headlights and tail lights because they all went out on my own dime, now my brakes are making me nervous because sometimes it feels like my car isn’t slowing down to a stop and I have to slam them to stop sometimes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454661March 1, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454404February 28, 2022
ENGINE
Every morning when I start the car and try to accelerate the car has no power, I have to stop turn the car off and restart the car again for their to be power. This simple restart works for a couple months before the check engine light comes on. When I take the car to Kia they tell me that because the diagnostics machine isn’t giving them a code they don’t know what to fix, however the diagnostics machine resets the check engine light and the process starts all over. This all started right before Kia replaced the motor on a recall. The car is doing the same thing as it was when I had it towed to them and they said the motor was seized up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454564February 28, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a pearl white vehicle paint is pealing on passenger back seat door
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454382February 27, 2022
ENGINE
Driving on highway and car engine shut off without any notice or warning. Brakes still worked but car shut completely off. Was in car with younger child. Not a pleasant experience. Have to pay over $400 to get it towed to my house. Absolutely, not a car that I want to drive or ever buy Kia brand again!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454052February 25, 2022
SEAT BELTS
UNKNOWN But the passenger side seat belt start chumming on its on and won't stop until I connect the seat belt
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454162February 25, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Snow White paint is chipping and peeling on random parts of the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454189February 25, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl White paint peeling around windshield, paint bubbling and lifting on roof and trunk lid.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453840February 24, 2022
STEERING
Steering the vehicle is a struggle. Jerky, not smooth at all. I've had it repaired once over 2 years ago. Same issue has returned... It's like a hard workout for my upper arms. I have done my research, and other owners have complained about the same issue. LONG trips are a nightmare. Any/all help would be greatly appreciated. This has been going for at least the LAST 6 months!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453860February 24, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, while slowing down the brake pedal was depressed and would engage however, after several seconds the brake would disengage and the vehicle would roll forward. The contact was able to safely stop and noticed a knocking sound coming from the rear area in the trunk as the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed however, the mechanic found no failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453897February 24, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER, STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph during rain, the windshield wiper where violently wiping and there was a burning odor coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453565February 23, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was in the fast lane doing about 70 MPH an all of a sudden my car turned off no power at all no warning lights nothing thank God there was no cars on side of me I went over 3 lanes of traffic an got to side of road the engine light was blinking . I had to tow to dealership an they told me that it might be minimum 2 weeks till they can look at my car . So now I have no car an have to be at work in morning . But still making car payments with broken car . I bought car from kia thinking I would not have problem with car specially for the dealership to have for 2 weeks or more so I guess I have to rent a car on top of car payment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453718February 23, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When driving with headlights set to Auto the headlights turn off whenever the blinker is used. I've found many complaints however my vehicle has not been inspected. This poses a hazard of driving at night with no headlights, then having to fiddle with the switch to turn them back on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453336February 22, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The car's paint is comiming off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453337February 22, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel gauge in the dashboard indicates the car still has gas (approx. 1/4 tank) when in reality the tank is empty. This cause to be stranded on the street, freeway, going up the hill in the freeway. This can cost an accident while random stoppage of the car. It happend 4 times already
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453486February 22, 2022
ENGINE
The engine is burning thru 2 quarts of motor oil per week. No leaks just burning oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453073February 20, 2022
SEAT BELTS
The passager side seat belt goes off by itself
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453152February 20, 2022
STEERING
While driving making an left or right turns steering wheel locks up and very hard to turn. The steering wheel light is on with the slippery light too! Trying to pull to the side of road., turn car off and waited to restart car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452945February 19, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Smell like gas everyday I don’t want my car get in fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima