Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11414285April 28, 2021
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF MCCOMB (1030 LONGLEAF RD, MCCOMB, MS 39648) AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD THROWN A ROD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A NEW ENGINE UNDER THE RECALL HOWEVER, AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 150,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A HYBRID AND GASOLINE ENGINE SO THE ODOMETER MILEAGE SHOULD NOT BE THE DECIDING FACTOR IN DETERMINING WHICH VEHICLES WERE INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM THE FREE RECALL REPAIR AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414358April 28, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL AND AS I REACHED THE TOP OF THE INCLINE, MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO USE MY BRAKES AND I BARELY TAPPED THEM, BUT THEY REACTED AS IF I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKES AND I BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. MY BRAKES WERE THEN LOCKED, I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND THEN TURNED OFF & THEN BACK ON MY CAR WITHOUT REMOVING THE KEY. I THEN PUT MY CAR BACK INTO DRIVE, HOWEVER, MY GAS PEDAL WAS STILL NOT WORKING. I THEN TURNED MY CAR OFF AGAIN, REMOVED THE KEY, PUT THE KEY BACK, THEN RESTARTED AND WENT BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE AFTER THAT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414072April 27, 2021
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE BRAKE PEDAL IF THE SHOE SIZE IS US10+. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND THE KNEE AIRBAG MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414112April 27, 2021
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BURNING OIL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414139April 27, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EVERY TIME I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY BREAK LIGHTS STAY ON AND THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. PEOPLE THINK I AM RIDING MY BRAKES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413926April 26, 2021
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANDEVERE KIA (328 W MARKET ST, AKRON, OH 44303) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413990April 26, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE BEEN FEELING A LEFT TO RIGHT MOVEMENT AT TIMES WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SO AFTER FURTHER CHECKING I NOTICED IT MOVES LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN MOVED BY HAND MY CAR ONLY HAS 36128 MILES SO WHY IS THIS COMING LOOSE ALREADY?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414050April 26, 2021
ENGINE
CAR BROKE DOWN. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. ENGINE IS SHAKING. SMOKE NOTED TO BE COMMING FROM THE ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413545April 23, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROVIDE ILLUMINATION FARTHER THAN 30 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF FARGO (3901 2ND AVE S, FARGO, ND 58103, (701) 281-9165) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HEADLAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. *DT, Consumer Started with attachment photo *TP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11407658April 23, 2021
ENGINE
2011 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING ENGINE SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE DISCREPANCIES CONCERNING THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSPECTION FEE. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL LEAK HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413542April 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A HIGHWAY AT TRAFFIC TIME WHEN I NOTICED A SMALL GAS ODOR MY BRAKES GOT REALLY HARD AFTER THAT I PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN MY HOOD SMOKE AND FLAMES IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT, THE CAR ITS TRASH NOW POLICE TOOK IT TO IMPOUND BECAUSE OF THE FLUIDS THE CAR WAS LEAKING AND SAFETY ISSUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413311April 22, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2013 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH 71K MILES. CAR HAD A VERY SLOW START. TROUBLE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD LEFT LIGHTS ON FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS SO THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ISSUE. SEEMED OKAY SO DROVE HOME. NOTICES SLIGHT GASOLINE SMELL IN CABIN. NO MORE DRIVING THAT DAY. TOOK TO LOCAL SHOP. CODE READER CAME BACK AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICED MANY WITH SAME ISSUE ON THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AND A RECALL OR TWO AS WELL. VIN CHECK RETURNED NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE. WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A RECALL IN 2018 (SC 147) BUT 'PASSED THE TEST". SC 172 WAS ISSUED LATER FOR A CALL BACK OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT HAD ENGINES REPLACED UNDER SC 147 FOR A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PIPE ISSUE. I HONESTLY THINK MY OPTIMA IS CURRENTLY HAVING WHATEVER THE ISSUE WAS UNDER SC 147 BUT SINCE IT TESTED OKAY IN 2018 - OH WELL! SINCE THE FUEL PUMP WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2018, I GUESS I'M ON MY WAY TO AN ALMOST $1,000 REPAIR! SEEMS LIKE KIA SHOULD ALLOW GETTING THE ORIGINAL SERVICE CALL ISSUE LOOKED AT AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE TO SEE IF IT IS NOW AN ISSUE. DISAPPOINTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413378April 22, 2021
ENGINE
REQUIRES NUMEROUS OIL CHANGES, LOSS OF OIL. ENGINE SMOKES IF DELAYS. CAR HESITATES OFTEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413135April 21, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH WHEN MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ANY SORT OF DEBRIS, IT EXPLODED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOUD EXPLOSION CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND PANIC BRAKE AS GLASS SHARDS RAINED DOWN ON ME FROM THE BROKEN SUNROOF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413136April 21, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I NOTICED MY VEHICLE HAVING A HARD TIME PICKING UP SPEED AND SOON AFTER IT WAS A NOTICEABLE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE RPM AND DASHBOARD GAUGES WERE VERY SPORADIC. I PARKED THE CAR AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THERE WAS SOMEHOW ABSOLUTELY NO OIL, BUT NO CURRENT SIGN OF LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE CAR CONTINUES TO KNOCK WHEN I START IT UP AND AM AFRAID OF IT OVERHEATING AND IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. IT SMELLS DEFINITELY LIKE BURNTNESS AND WHEN SHIFTING INTO D3 AND D IT SEEMS TO BE THE MOST APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE COULD BE HAVING TOUBLE. SPEEDS AND RPM GAUGE ARE MOST SPORADIC AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE EXHAUST PIPE SEEMS TO HAVE RESIDUE OF SOME SORT THAT ISN'T NORMAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413177April 21, 2021
ENGINE
ON APRIL 9, 2021 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY KIA ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY. THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO (BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH) VEER OFF TO THE SHOULDER. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DIFEO KIA IN LAKEWOOD. AFTER ABOUT 1 WEEK OF TESTS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED AND IT "SHOULD BE" COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT APPROVAL FROM CORPORATE WOULD HAVE TO BE ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO ANY WORK BEING DONE. ON MONDAY APRIL 19, 2021 I WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT CORPORATE IS NOT COVERING THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF AN UNRESOLVED RECALL AND THAT THE NEW ENGINE WOULD BE $6,000+.. THERE IS AN UNRESOLVED RECALL ON MY KIA FROM AUGUST 2020. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS RECALL, IF I DID RECEIVE NOTICE ON A RECALL, I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO GET CHECKED LIKE I DID IN 2018 FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL. I HAVE FULL SERVICE RECORDS THAT CAN PROVE HOW I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, AND WOULD HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED HAD I EVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. THE PRESENT RECALL ON MY CAR IS FOR A HECU ASSEMBLY ISSUE, NOT AN ENGINE SEIZING. I DO KNOW THAT KIA HAS RECALLED NUMEROUS KIAS DUE TO MACHINING ERRORS DURING ENGINE MANUFACTURING WHICH CAN CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE. MAYBE MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AS WELL (?). I AM THANKFUL THAT MY HUSBAND SURVIVED THAT DAY ON THE PARKWAY, AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413189April 21, 2021
ENGINE
MY KIA IS USING AND LOSING OIL RAPIDLY. AS IN IN-BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THERE ARE NO LEAKS AND IT IS NOT BURNING OIL. MY ENGINE HAS SEIZED UP TWICE, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, BECAUSE ITS RAPIDLY USING THAT MUCH OIL. MY MECHANIC SAYS HE'S WORKED ON SEVERAL KIA'S WITH THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHERE IS MY OIL GOING? AFTER CALLING 5 KIA DEALERSHIPS TODAY, NONE OF THEM CAN GET ME IN FOR AT LEAST 45 DAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BACKED UP WITH FIXING ALL THE RECALLS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413002April 20, 2021
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE CENTERED IN THE LANE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FEATURE WAS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TH STEERING ANGLE PRESSURE HAD STARTED TO FAIL IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON'S MID RIVERS KIA (4955 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, ST PETERS, MO 63376) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413054April 20, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60MPH AND SUDDENLY THE FRONT PART OF MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED THIS. WE WEREN'T HIT BY ANY ROAD DEBRIS OR ANYTHING IT JUST EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413080April 20, 2021
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERT OGDEN MISSION KIA (2307 E EXPRESSWAY 83, MISSION, TX 78572) WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAULT WITH THE ENGINE. THE RECALL CLASSIFICATION WAS THEN REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KNOCKING GREW LOUDER, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UPON ACCELERATION, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST HIM SINCE THE RECALL WAS ALREADY SERVICED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima