Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11421922June 22, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when driving at 73 mph the engine stalled. The contact stated all lights illuminated on the instrument panel while the failure occurred. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the road shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact stated that the dealer did not perform a diagnostic yet. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421621June 21, 2021
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle shut off and rolled in a parking lot. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the dashboard and vents melted and the air conditioner became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was informed there were metal shavings in the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred the contact to a local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421524June 20, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving normal and started to hear a hissing noise in the front of vehicle. A vehicle cut in front of me I hit the brakes and another vehicle didn't slow fast enough and I went to hit the accelerator and had no power as usual and swerved to avoid the collision. I called dealership they said possibly my wastegate is out of normal voltage or need new turbo. I had a second opinion and they noticed the bolts and nut to service wastegate are rounded showing an attempt to maybe service or repair but unsuccessful. The turbo shows full function just inadequate boost.. The manufacturer has a bulletin and testing procedure Released on WASTEGATE test and adjusting procedure if needed as possible remedy. But I saw no recalls for my vehicle so reporting what I almost experienced and glad I have good driving experience to avoid an accident or life threatening situation behind the wheel of this vehicle now I don't feel safe until its proven resolved not just temporary fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421570June 20, 2021
STEERING
The electric power steering stopped working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421587June 20, 2021
ENGINE
Engine burns a lot of oil. I’ve had my engine oil changed very regularly by professional shops since I bought it new in 2014. I started changing the oil myself after only 2000 miles and noticed only 3 quarts came out of quarts 5 I put in. I changed the pcv valve and it did not solve the problem. There are no leaks. None of the mechanics ever told me my car was low on oil so I don’t know how long it’s been burning oil. I’ve been adding oil regularly in between oil changes since I first noticed the problem. I’m glad I never missed an oil change or my engine could be dead from lack of lubrication.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421398June 18, 2021
ENGINE
Owner's manual states the 1.6Turbo requires 4.75 qrts of oil with filter change. The car reads full after adding 4 qrts. Still reading full after double checking after 250 miles. .Owner's manual typo? . Incorrect dipstick during final assembly? .Following the manual could lead to overfilling/foaming issues and thus engine failure/safety issues. Perhaps a TSB needs to be done? Note: I used a Fram filter. Slightly smaller dimensions than original but in no way accounting for 3/4 qrts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421321June 17, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
05/03/2021 I drove my vehicle to the local grocery store and upon leaving the store, I came to stop and the vehicle stalled and wouldn't start. I knew that it was not the battery, because all lights and dash board system was on. I tried starting the vehicle again and it would not start. My safety was put at risk because I had to figure out how to get the vehicle towed. The problem (PI 1803) with the engine is the problem and KIA Consumer Affairs verified that the previous owner never brought the vehicle in to get repaired. I was never notified to bring vehicle in. KIA Consumer Affairs verified that I did not have a profile and I was not notified because I was not in their system. It is my problem to get a rebuilt engine for $6000 to update software and extend the "Lifetime Warranty." It was inspected by Olathe KIA in Olathe, KS. They were not given any authority to repair this issue with the original engine failure. My insurance agent verified that they could not cover mechanical problems, only accidents. There were no warnings, no knocking (read other peoples statements on the PI 1803 KIA Forum testaments), no leaking, no smoke, or other signs. I had an oil change a week prior before this happen and there was no signs of any problems. My engine just gave out and never started again. KIA has ruined My Family's Life. We have no car to get to work. Losing my Job because I live 15-20 miles from my job. We only have 1 car. We are getting Evicted from our apartment. Domino affect with My Life. I still have a car payment and car insurance I have to pay for. Why, won't they fix their engines? It's there problem when the vehicle was manufactured. I see why they are trying to sell all kinds of KIA's even though there is a car shortage. So sad how many people are in my shoe's and many of lives are affected by this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421340June 17, 2021
ENGINE
In August 2020, my check engine light started blinking which means my engine went into limp mode. I had it towed to the Kia dealership in Birmingham Alabama. They did a reset due to knock sensor detection. In October 2020, the engine light came in again. I took it to the Kia dealership in Murfreesboro and they had to replace a head in my engine. My engine has been burning oil so much so that I can’t even make it 3,000 miles between oil changes without having to add more oil. In June 2021, engine light is on again. This is the vehicle I use to transport my children to and from school and myself back and forth to work, this vehicle is unsafe due to the fact that an engine should not have this many issues and with a known recall Kia should replace the engines to prevent someone from being hurt or killed due to engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421086June 15, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2013 Kia Optima sxl, in the paint color Snow White pearl. The paint is defective. It’s delaminating and peeling all over the car. The hood, rear doors, the pillars along the windshield. The trunk is completely covered in bubbles and is peeling too.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420827June 14, 2021
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When getting on oil change at myCarDoc they wrote the wrong mileage on my car so the CARFAX is off. My engine broke down randomly the other day on the highway and now I need a whole new engine..and to find out the mileage was off when getting maintenance done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420898June 14, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I was driving my car on the street going about 35-45 mph when all of a sudden with no warning my car stopped completely. It had to be towed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420908June 14, 2021
STEERING:COLUMN
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the steering column however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The contact stated that extra effort was needed while attempting to turn the steering wheel. The traction control warning light illuminated whenever the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420717June 12, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The factory paint job is delaminating and chipping. Its chipping in different parts. This is a problem because Kia didn’t let the primer sit well or because they didn’t even put primer. You can tell by the way the paint is delaminating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420565June 11, 2021
ENGINE
While driving the car on 5/14/2021, the warning light came on and in 30 seconds, the engine quit. The car was taken to Steve's Tech Senter, Foley, AL. The starter was replaced and still would not run. Steve told me the engine was seized up. I contacted Team Gunther Kia, Daphne, AL, and was told by Cassandra that the car was not under warranty because it had 130000 miles and I had missed the deadline on the recall notice. I have never been notified of a recall notice on the car at all. I did receive a Northern California District document telling me of a class action suit settlement (approximately one year ago). I had no problems with the car at that time and did nothing. There was a timeframe for reporting of 4/12/2021 to the their document which also stated that the engine warranty would be extended. I had no hint of a problem with the car until the engine seized on 5/14/2021.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420493June 10, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420505June 10, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front low beams continue to be very dim. Cannot see a few feet in front of the car at night. Have replaced bulbs but nothing seems to work. Is consistent with other complaints of the same, noted with NHTSA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420258June 9, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the local dealer. The contact was informed that the vehicle was covered under the NHTSA recall campaign number 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420100June 8, 2021
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When I drive my car it smells just like it is burning or melting in the motor, it comes thru the vents and smells awful. It has only smoked a couple of times when I have turned it off. I have had it looked at but at first they couldn't find the problem. The second time I had it checked out they said that the changed the HECU on my car but it still smells like it is burning. It has been doing it for about 3 months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420174June 8, 2021
ENGINE
I bought the car from an individual in April. The end of May My engine started knocking while I was driving and it stalls out and will not drive. I contacted Kia because there was an open recall on the engine to see if they will look at it. They told me they will not even look at it or fix it because the person who owned the car before me did not fix other recalls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420175June 8, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 66 mph, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle loss motive power. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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