Kia Optima Complaints (2014)
622 consumer complaints on file.
- #11104951July 1, 2018ENGINE
ENGINE SEIZED
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11102909June 20, 2018ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), STEERING
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IT PULLS EXTREMELY BAD ALMOST CAN'T CONTROL IT , ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S ANY WIND BLOWING . VERY HARD TO DRIVE IT FOR A LONG TIME ON THE INTERSTATE
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11102293June 18, 2018UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PARKED MY KIA OPTIMA AT 7 PM. AT MIDNIGHT I WAS WOKEN UP TO FIRE TRUCKS OUTSIDE OF MY APARTMENT. MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR REPORTED NO FOWL PLAY BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE HOW IT HAPPENED. SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE LEFT. HAD 62K MILES AND WAS FREQUENT WITH OIL CHANGES. NO LIGHTS ON DASH.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11102416June 18, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND 'TURN THE ENGINE OFF' DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCED KIA, 1575 W. 16TH ST., MERCED, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM SAFETY FUSE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11099477June 4, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH MY CAR HAS RANDOMLY STOPPED AND CUT OFF.. AFTER SITTING THERE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART. HOWEVER I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER CARS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11097934May 25, 2018ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED FIRE AND SPARKS UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11096524May 17, 2018ENGINE
ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP. VALVES ARE VERY LOUD AND IT LURCHES UNDER ACCELERATION.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11092694May 9, 2018ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IT WONT SHIFT AND SOUNDS FORCED. THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A RATTLE SOUND AND I WAS VERY CONCERNED! THE CAR STOPPED IN FULL SPEED AND I WAS SCARED FOR ME LIFE AND MY SONS. HAD A CAR BEEN BEHIND US OR IN THE INTERSECTION IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD! IT TURNED BACK ON AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN N AND PRESSING THE START BUTTON. BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO SOUND AND FEEL AS THOUGH ITS BEING FORCED TO RUN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11089567April 23, 2018ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KIA ENGINE RECALL ENGINE KNOCKING SOUND FOLLOWED BY FULL LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY ( IN MOTION) AND ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT . WITH MAINLY ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS LIT FIRST. I COASTED TO A PARKING LOT OFF THE EXIT I WAS ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING ONCE IN PARK . THE CABIN AND ENGINE SMELLED OF BURNING. ALL OF MY NEWLY CHANGED OIL WAS BURNT UP AS WELL. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER WHEN I PUSHED THE START BUTTON. CAR MAINTENANCE IS KEPT UP TO DATE . A FEW MONTHS PRIOR MY ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND I HAD IT LOOKED AT TURNER KIA DURING AN OIL CHANGE ON 4/3/17 AND THEY STATED THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND CONTINUED TO ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WOULD COME ON TIME TO TIME SINCE THAT DATE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11084368April 10, 2018ENGINE
1) 59,000 MILES ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED ROUGH IDLE WHEN STATIONARY. IDLE IS WORSE UNDER LOAD CONDITIONS. RPM FLUCTUATES BETWEEN 500-550 WHEN IN DRIVE. IDLE AT 600 WHEN IN PARK. MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON THE 2.4 GDI ENGINE. KIA DEALERS CLAIM THE ENGINE IS NORMAL. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO FAIL. 2) INTERMITTENT ENGINE WON'T START. ELECTRONICS ACTIVATE, BUT ENGINE DOES NOT START. KIA DEALERS CONTINUE TO CLAIM EVERYTHING IS NORMAL SINCE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO ENGINE NOT STARTING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11083538April 6, 2018ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN I COLD CRANK IT THE ENGINES SOUND VERY VERY LOUD RATTLE AND SETTLES TO A LOUD RATTLE AFTER ABOUT GETTING WARMED UP WITH THE ENGINE VIBRATING WHICH COULD ALSO BE SEEN. I TOOK IT IN WARMED UP & THE TECHNICIAN STATED AFTER A REVIEW, HE DIDN'T HEAR A RATTLE OR A KNOCK (THATS A LIE, I AM GOING BACK AGAIN & REVIEW WITH THE TECH) I ALSO HEAR A RATTLE FROM THE LEFT CV AXLE WHEN THE TRAC CONTROL COMES TO PLAY, TURNING ON A HARD RIGHT & A THUMP WHEN PULLING HARD ON A WET PAVEMENT ON A GREEN LIGHT. THIS COLD CRANK RATTLE CANNOT BE HEARD ON OTHER OPTIMAS WHEN I ASK TO HEAR THEM START THE OTHER CARS UP. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THIS IS A 30000 MILE CAR & SHOULD BE HAVING A VIBRATING ENGINE & A COLD CRANK RATTLE OR ANY RATTLE AT ALL WHEN WARMED UP, IT SHOULD BE SMOOTH.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11082411April 1, 2018ENGINE
I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR A TEST DUE TO THEIR ENGINE RECALL CAMPAIGN IN NOV/DEC 2017. MY CAR PASSED THEIR "SO CALLED" LISTENING TEST, BUT I AM STILL UNCERTAIN IF THAT TEST IS ADEQUATE. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE READ FROM OTHER PEOPLE IS THAT THE ENGINE QUITS AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT NOTICE EVEN AFTER PASSING THE TEST. I PUT MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS AND I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11081980March 29, 2018ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT NOTIFIED HIM OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE DEALER (KIA COUNTRY OF SAVANNAH, 1 PARK OF COMMERCE BLVD, SAVANNAH, GA 31405, (912) 335-4176) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11082000March 29, 2018AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAG LIGHT ON (CONSTANTLY)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11081078March 23, 2018ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, BUT THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RODEO KIA (10685 PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (623) 298-1200), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO RODEO KIA FOR THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11079177March 14, 2018STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SHARK FIN FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF ABILENE (4702 SOUTHWEST DR, ABILENE, TX 79606) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11078684March 12, 2018STEERING
AS MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE STATED, 2014 KIA OPTIMA DRIFTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TAKES CONSTANT CORRECTION TO KEEP IN LANES > 55 MPH. HAS HAPPENED SINCE I OWNED CAR, BUT HAS WORSENED AS OF 2016. JUNE 08, 2016 - COMPLAINED TO DEALER THAT CAR DRIFTS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. REPLY WAS IT IS OK. APRIL 4, 2017 - DEALER TEST DROVE, SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. APRIL 19, 2017 - CONTACTED KIA USA AND OPENED COMPLAINT. # K3421611 NO HELP. KIA SAID AS LONG AS THE TECH FELT IT DID NOT DRIFT, THEN NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MAY 3, 2017 - PURCHASED 4 NEW CONTINENTAL TIRES TO SEE IF THAT WOULD CORRECT PROBLEM TO NO AVIAL. SO IT IS MY WORD AGAINST THE TECH AND I AND 35 OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE CARS THAT DRIFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11078739March 12, 2018ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TURNSVILLER KIA (2900 NJ-42, SICERVILLE, NJ) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE PRIOR TO A FAILURE PER KIA POLICY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,783. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11074148February 21, 2018ENGINE
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND WITH SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE. PULLED OVER AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND NOT LONG AFTER ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. FOUND OUT AFTER THE FACT THAT CAR HAD RECALL ON IT. CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY DID NOTHING TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11073765February 20, 2018ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON SUNDAY 02/11/2018 MY CAR DIED GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY DOING 70MPH. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE CAR IS A 2014 KIA AND HAS 46,763 MILES ON IT. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT'S ALSO PART OF THE RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED 10/04/2017, 17V224. CALL KIA 3 TIMES ON 02/19/2018 FIRST TIME I WAS SAYING THAT MY CAR STILL WASN'T FIXED FROM THE LONG BLOCK THAT WAS REPLACED ON THURSDAY THAT WAS STILL MAKING FUNNY NOISES AND THAT THERE WAS A SWEET BURNING SMELL. WAS TOLD BY THE 1ST PERSON I TALKED TO GIVE IT TIME AND IT WILL WORK ITSELF OUT. THAT SWEET SMELL WAS THE OIL BURNING OFF OF THE ENGINE THAT THEY JUST REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. I CALL BACK NOT EVEN AN HOUR LATER TO SAY MY HEAT STOPPED WORKING THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC RUN ON IT AND THEN IT WILL COST ME $99 AND IF THEY DETERMINE WASN'T PART OF THE ENGINE WORK THEY HAD JUST DONE. THAT PERSON MADE A 10 A.M. APPOINTMENT FOR 2/20/2018. SINCE MY HEAT WASN'T WORKING I HAD TO KEEP USING MY WIPERS AND FLUID, BECAUSE THE DEFROST WASN'T WORKING. WHEN HOME I WENT TO PUT MORE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID IN THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THEY DID NOT PUT COOLANT IN THE CAR WHICH IS NEEDED TO COOL THE ENGINE SO IT DOESN'T SEIZED UP STALL OR BLOWUP. SO WHEN THEY REPLACE THE ENGINE THEY DIDN'T PUT COOLANT IN THE CAR WHICH IS NEEDED. SO NOW I'M HAVING THE CAR TOWED BACK TO KIA SO THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT THIS ENGINE ISNT SHOT NOW ALSO. THAT'S ALSO THE REASON THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING I'M SURE. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR SINCE I GOT IT BACK ON 02/15/2018 WITH NO COOLING PROBABLY DRIVEN IT 20 HOURS SINCE I'M A LYFT DRIVER. SO AFTER THEY PUT IN A REPLACEMENT LONG BLOCK BECAUSE OF THE RECALL THIS THURSDAY 02/15/2018 THEY DIDN'T PUT COOLANT OR ANTIFREEZE IN THE CAR SO II BLEW THE NEW ENGINE AND ALSO MESSED UP MY STARTER. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 02/19/2018
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0