Kia Optima Complaints (2014)

622 consumer complaints on file.

#11253639September 6, 2019
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT WAS AN AUTO DETAILER WHO WAS SERVICING A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG BURNED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION AND TENDED TO HIS INJURIES AT HIS JOB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,421.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11253407September 5, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BREWBAKER KIA (334-319-8343, LOCATED AT 222 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL 36117) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SIMPLY OUT OF OIL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN ALERT IN 2016 REGARDING ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11252705September 1, 2019
ENGINE
ENCLOSED IS A LETTER WITH A DETAILED COMPLAINT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11252065August 28, 2019
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN MY CAR FOR AWHILE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11245253August 20, 2019
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL TAPPING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WORLD CAR KIA SOUTH (7915 INTERSTATE 35 ACCESS RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78224, (210) 305-5658) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,389.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11244831August 18, 2019
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE I REALIZED MY CAR (IT HAD BEEN SET ON CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE NOTHING HAPPENED REALIZED IT HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. PULLED TO SHOULDER. FIRST TIME RESTARTING FAILED SECOND TIME I STARTED AND HIT THE GAS IT STARTED UP BUT HAD A TERRIBLE KNOCKING SOUND AND CAN BARELY ACCELERATE. DROPPED OFF AT KIA DEALERSHIP. IT'S SUNDAY SO WAITING TO HERE BACK TOMORROW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242880August 9, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11240440July 29, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE SAID HYBRID FAILURE TURN CAR OFF AND REMOVE YOURSELF. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF PUT HAZARDS ON WENT TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED BY MY CAR TO THE POINT IT MADE ME LOSS CONTROL OF MY BLADDER!! HAD WONDS TO MY RING FINGER WHERE ELECTRICAL SHOCK WENT IN AND WAS IN LOCAL ER. LOCAL KIA DEALER SAID THERE IS A BULITN TO REPLACE THE 125 WAT FUSE TO THEY HYBRID SYSTEM TO A 150 FUSE AND THAT IS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I FEEL THE DANGER OF ELECTROCUTION IS SO GREAT IT MUST BE A RECALL. I CONTACTED CORPORATE WHO TOLD ME THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT RECALL WORTHLY!! NOT ACCEPTABLE I SPENT 5 HRS IN THE ER WITH EKG , AND BURN MARK'S ON MY LEFT FINGERS AND. NOW MY SKIN IN MY LEG IS PEELING DUE TO THIS. ACCORDING TO ER DR. I WAS LUCKY AND MOST LIKELY RECEIVED 100 VOLTS ANYMORE COULD HAVE CAUSED INTERNAL ISSUES. MY LEFT ARM IS STILL TINGLING FROM THE SHOCK DAYS LATER. IT IS COMPLETE INCOMPETENTS TO ALLOW KIA OPTIMA HYBRID OWNERS DRIVE THESE CARS WITH A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE. PLEASE PUT A SAFTY RECALL OUT BEFORE A CHILD ENDS UP HURT OR DECEASED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11234670July 24, 2019
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE KIA OPTIMAS FOR THE TOD BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE. I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON APRIL 8 2019. AS OF 7/22/19 THE SAME CODE P1326 AND SYMPTOMS ARW ARE HAPPENING AGAIN WHICH ARE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING THE CAR IS IN LIMP MODE THE CAR WAS SMOKING AND IT CAN'T GO OVER A CERTAIN SPEED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11231138July 11, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SPEAK WITH THE DEALER, BUT HAD COMMUNICATION ISSUES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11229839July 6, 2019
ENGINE
DRIVING TODAY ON INTERSTATE 20 IN SOUTH CAROLINA AT 70 MPH AND CAR JUST SUDDENLY CUT OFF. HAD TO WAIT 31/2 HOURS FOR TOW THROUGH KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IN 95 DEGREE WEATHER. CAR WILL NOT START, HAD BATTERY CHECKED BUT CAR WON'T DO ANYTHING, ALL DASH LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, RADIO ALL WILL COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WON'T TURN OVER TO CRANK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11229373July 3, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN GOING OVER 40 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE WHEELS LOCK UP AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FLIP OVER. YOU CANNOT TOUCH THE BRAKES OR THE GAS WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING AS IT CAUSES THE HAZARD TO HAPPEN MORE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11228890July 2, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
ON 6/07/19 WHILE TRAVELLING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MPH, THE DASH DISPLAY READ CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AND SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, STEERING WHEEL BEGAN STIFFENING, I COASTED FROM THE PASSING LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE CAR. KIA FAILED TO PROVIDE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE THE CAR HAS OVER 60,000 MILES(ACTUALLY HAS 95,000 MILES), HOWEVER I AM STILL UNDER THE 10YR/100,000 MILES WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP VIA MY INSURANCE COVERAGE. AFTER THE ASSESSMENT I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN MAIN HYBRID FUSE. CHARGED $201.24 TO REPLACE THE FUSE. I PRESENT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY POSSIBLE TO REACH A LANE SHOULDER WITHOUT POSSIBLE HARM OR DEATH. ACCORDING TO KIA'S OWN "TECHNICAL OPERATIONS NOTICE - PS515(REV 2, 02/28/2019" DATED AUGUST 2017), THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE BATTERY FUSE IS TO BE REPLACED FROM A 125 AMP TO A 150 AMP. THIS FUSE IS PART OF THE SAFETY PLUG LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. AS A OWNER I SHOULD HAVE BEEN WARNED OF THIS POSSIBLY HAPPENING TO THE CAR AND GIVEN THE OPTION TO HAVE THIS FUSE REPLACED....AT KIA'S EXPENSE. FOR THOSE STILL DRIVING THIS YEAR AND MAKE OPTIMA HYBRID,PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS OCCURRENCE. THE 125 AMP HV BATTERY FUSE SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE NEWER 150 AMP HV BATTERY FUSE(PART #375F2 4R150. SEE KIA'S PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS NOTICE #PS515. UNFORTUNATELY MY COMMUNICATION WITH KIA PROVED FRUITLESS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11220939June 18, 2019
ENGINE
I PURCHASED MY KIA OPTIMA 2014 BRAND NEW OFF OF A DEALERSHIP LOT. A FEW YEARS LATER I WAS DRIVING TO CALIFORNIA AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY WENT OUT, I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER FOR KIA THEY TOWED MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. KIA HAD FAILED TO INFORM ME THAT THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN FOR A RECALL FOR MY ENGINE HOWEVER THEY DID REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE EXACT SAME DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED OUR STARTED TO SMELLING GASOLINE AROMA ALONG WITH LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT THAT WAS NORMAL AND THOSE THINGS WOULD SOON SUBSIDE. A FEW MONTHS LATER AS I WAS BACKING INTO MY GARAGE MY NEIGHBOR FRANTICALLY WAVE ME DOWN STATING THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE CAR I LOOKED OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I DID SEE SMOKE AND I LOOKED OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND I SAW A RED FIRE AND SMOKE I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SOON CAME WITHIN 6 MINUTES MY CAR WAS HALFWAY IGNITED INTO FLAMES. HE HAS STATED THEY WOULD SEND OUT A FORENSIC FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND I SHOULD HIRE MY OWN FIRE INVESTIGATOR. I DID SO HE HAS YET TO DISCLOSE THEIR FINDING ON CAUSE OF FIRE. HOWEVER SHORTLY THEREAFTER MY FORENSIC FIRE INVESTIGATORS HIT ME OVER INFORMATION STATING THAT KIA FAILED TO REPLACE THE CLIP THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE ENGINE. THIS POSES A BIG ISSUE FOR CONSUMERS CAN POTENTIALLY PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER. UNFORTUNATELY I'M A VICTIM OF THIS AND I FEEL KIA SHOULD BE OBLIGATED TO WRITE THEY'RE WRONG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11220953June 18, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE DASHBOARD READ 'HEV SYSTEM WARNING. PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE.' ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF. AFTER NEARLY BEING HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK, I COASTED FROM THE CARPOOL TO THE OFF RAMP EXIT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL AT APPROXIMATELY 5-15MPH AND MADE IT HOME SAFELY. I TOWED MY VEHICLE TO THE CITRUS VALLEY MOTORS IN THE CITY OF ONTARIO. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS STATING IT WAS A FUSE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WILL COST ME $686.97. KIA RELEASED INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC STATING THEY KNOW THE 125 FUSE AMP FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEMS WAS THE WRONG SIZE WHICH CAN CAUSE A 'BLOW OUT' TURNING THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING. KIA STAYED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE IT WITH THE 150 AMP FUSE IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE POWER TO THE ENGINE. I CALLED KIA EXPRESSING MY CONCERN UNDER THE FEDERAL POLICY 'LEMON LAW.' KIA TOLD ME 'YOUR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BY 3 WEEKS. WE CAN NOT GIVE YOU ASSISTANCE.' MY VEHICLE SITS IN THE SHOP WITH A WRONG SIZE FUSE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE CORRECT SIZE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THEIR IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11219372June 11, 2019
ENGINE
OUR CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. IT RESTARTED BUT NOW FAST FORWARD TO A FEW DAYS AND IT HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AGAIN AND REQUIRES A TOW TO A DEALER. WE TRIED TO EXPLAIN LAST YEAR THAT THIS CAR WAS HAVING ENGINE TROUBLE THAT INCLUDED REVVING WITHOUT BEING ON GAS AND BOGGING DOWN. DEALER KEPT TELLING US THERE IS N O RELATION TO THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. STRANGELY ENOUGH THE CAR JUST PASSED OUT OF WARRANTY BY 6000 MILES AND HERE WE ARE WITH NO CAR. KIA SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL EVERY 2014 OPTIMA. WE VERY NEARLY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THE DEALER IS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. COLLUSION?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217436June 3, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
SHARK FIN ANTENNA SNAPS OFF, ONLY 4TINY SCREWS HOLD IT ON
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217236June 1, 2019
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND NOTICED MY CAR HESITATING TO GO OVER 20. LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO CUT OFF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT BLINKING ON AND OFF. I TOOK IT UP TO AUTO ZONE NEAR ME AND A CODE READ MY ROD BEARING IS DEFECTIVE. I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, IT GOT LOUDER AS I DROVE THE CAR ON THE ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217067May 31, 2019
ENGINE
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAVE THE 1803 SOFTWARE UPDATE DONE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO. I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM VACATION GOING APPROX. 80 MPH THE CAR CUT OFF AND SEVERAL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE, MY CAR WAS DECELERATING, I NEEDED TO MOVE ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! IT IS AN ABSOLUTE MIRACLE I WAS NOT HIT OR SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPENED. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATE DONE. HE WAS VERY TRANSPARENT AND EXPLAINED THE 1803 SOFTWARE UPDATE TO ME. IDEALLY THE CONCEPT IS TO SET THE COMPUTER SO THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN TO AVOID PISTON OR OTHER PARTS TO GO THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE RAISES THE SENSITIVITY LEVEL TO DETECT AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE, NOT NECESSARILY TO CORRECT OR STOP IT FROM HAPPENING BUT WAS TOLD THE UPDATE IS DONE SO IT WILL NOT CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC SITUATION TO THE ENGINE! SERIOUSLY?!! IT DID CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC SITUATION, I WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN KILLED! MY CAR SITS 2 HOURS AWAY, 2 1/2 DAYS LATER AND NO ANSWERS. I CALLED TWICE, I HAVE BEEN TOLD I SHOULD HAVE SOME ANSWERS TODAY AROUND 2 PM. I ASKED HOW I WILL GET MY CAR, I WAS TOLD KIA DOES HAVE A "REUNITE" PROGRAM BUT SEEING AS IT IS W/IN THE SAME STATE IT MAY NOT BE APPROVED TO GET MY CAR DELIVERED! KIA IS JOKING, RIGHT? MY CAR (OBVIOUSLY) IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES AND RESEARCHING ISSUES AND REPORTS ONLINE APPEAR TO POINT TO THE ENGINE. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT GOING ON RIGHT NOW? I AM GOING TO LOOK INTO THIS AND PRETTY SURE I WON'T BE PURCHASING ANOTHER KIA EVER AND WILL BE TELLING NUMEROUS PEOPLE AND SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS ABOUT THIS HORRIFIC STORY THAT COULD HAVE ENDED TRAGICALLY FOR ME. P.S. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA FOR A TOW I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 90 MINUTES, I SAT IN 98 DEGREE HEAT ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF! THANKS KIA! IMPROVE YOUR CARS AND ALL FACETS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11210657May 29, 2019
ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY STARTED TO MAKE A WEIRD NOISE. AS I ACCELERATED TO GET OVER TO EVENTUALLY PULL OVER MY CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. AS I OPENED THE HOOD YOU COULD DEFINITELY TELL THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE I LOOKED ONLINE AND THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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