Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10781156October 9, 2015
STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. BOUGHT IT INTO A COLLISION CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT WAS A SERVICE RECALL ON OPTIMA. HE KNEW THAT SOUND BEFORE I DESCRIBED IT TO HIM. BRAKE LIGHT BULB BLOWS AS SOON AS YOU PUT THEM IN. THE TECH SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10780804October 8, 2015
ENGINE
METAL DEBRIS IN ENGINE OIL, SCORCH ENGINE- SAME ENGINE PROBLEM AS PARENT CO. HYUNDAI MOTOR RECALL. ON SONATA. A 2.4 LITER ENGINE., MANUFACTURED BEFORE APRIL 2012. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE FAILED ON FREEWAY DURING NORMAL USE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10780819October 8, 2015
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN BEARING IN THE ENGINE FAILED CAUSING ONE OF THE RODS TO FRACTURE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10780680October 7, 2015
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779703October 5, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BLUE TOOTH FOR THE PHONE IF ALLOWED TO RING CAN CAUSE ONE TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE RING CAN GO WELL PAST 100 DB. IF WE FORGET TO TURN OUR BLUE TOOTH OFF IT ACTUALLY HURTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10779782October 5, 2015
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A LAKE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE LAKE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS NO LONGER SHIFTED COMPLETELY INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,680.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779855October 5, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE IN PARK, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE REMOTE FOR ENTRY AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779297October 2, 2015
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS FROM 10 MPH AND UP, A CONSTANT RATTLE IS HEARD INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. A LOUD CLUNK/RATTLE IS HEARD IF DRIVING OVER A BUMP. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE PARKED, THERE IS A THUD AND A THUD IS ALSO FELT. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THE STEERING COUPLING RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MILEAGE ON CAR WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER WAS 63,000(61,000) WHEN APT WAS INITIALLY MADE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A 2 DOLLAR PART BUT WOULD COST 350 TO REPLACE IT. THE WARRANTY FOR STEERING WHEEL PARTS EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. PART WAS NOT REPLACED AT THAT TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779099October 1, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10778891September 30, 2015
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON I 95 ON OUR WAY HOME FROM FLORIDA. WE WERE PASSING FAYETTSVILLE ,NC WHEN MY CAR ENGINE MADE SOME KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BEFORE I CAN PULL TO THE SHOULDER, THE CAR STALLED,LOST POWER AT 70 MLS PER HR. WE WERE LUCKY NO ONE HIT US AS I WAS SLOWLY NAVIGATING TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN FAYETTSVILLE,NC. THEY SAID ENGINE SEIZED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THE CAR HAS 71,000MLS BUT KIA DENIED MY WARRANTY CLAIM SO I END UP PAYING $5,700 FOR A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10778375September 29, 2015
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,106.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10778074September 28, 2015
STEERING
GOT IN CAR TO GO HOME NOTICED CAR STEERING WAS TERRIBLE AS IF I WAS ON ICE IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPT. GOT OUT TO SEE IF I WAS EXPERIENCING A FLAT TIRE NOTICED THE TWO FRONT TIRES WEREN'T LINED UP CORRECTLY. AFTER GETTING TO A GARAGE AND HAVING THE TWO FRONT TIRES REMOVED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN!!!! IT NEEDED REPLACED. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO SO AS OF YET :( SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT ALL THESE 2001 OPTIMAS THAT ARE STILL ON THE STREET IN DESPERATE NEED OF RECALL. I COULD OF EASILY HAVE WRECKED AND INJURED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10778126September 28, 2015
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OUR CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR THE 4TH TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. LAST SPRING THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE". THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY (REGULAR, NOT HYBRID) SO WE HAD THAT REPLACED (OUT OF WARRANTY - WE PAID FOR THAT). THIS PAST AUGUST, THE WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN - THE DEALER SAID THERE HAD BEEN A TECHNICAL BULLETIN, AND THEY PERFORMED AN UPDATE (COVERED BY WARRANTY). WE HAD THE CAR BACK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN, AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM". THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRE (UNDER WARRANTY). A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED AGAIN. THIS TIME (4TH TIME) THE DEALER SAID THAT THE TRACTION MOTOR NEEDED REPLACING AND THAT WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION (ALSO UNDER WARRANTY). WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10777966September 27, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK (CANNOT GET THE DOOR OPEN AT ALL) - MY PASSENGERS HAVE TO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE WINDOW TO SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT AND MY 78 YEAR OLD GRANDMA CAN'T DO THAT SO SHE HAS TO SIT IN THE BACK. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY AND WHEN I GOT OFF THE EXIT LAST NIGHT DOING ABOUT 20 OR 25 MILES AN HOUR, MY ENTIRE CAR FAILED (LCHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, OIL, ETC. LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY CAR DIED - TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE). TOWED THE CAR TO GET CHECKED - NOTHING WRONG WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY PER MECHANIC. HE SAID KIA KNOWS THEY HAVE THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND FAULTY LOCKS BUT THE CHEAPSKATES WON'T CONDUCT A RECALL LIKE RESPONSIBLE AUTO COMPANIES DO, SO HE TELLS ALL HIS CLIENTS TO NEVER BUY A KIA. FOR ME, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I SAVED MY MONEY TO BUY MY FIRST CAR AND I HAVE OBVIOUSLY MADE A POOR CHOICE. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FORCE KIA TO RECALL THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE? IF MY CAR GOES ON FIRE FROM THEIR FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HOW DO I GET OUT OF THE CAR TO SAVE MY LIFE? WHERE DO I TAKE MY CAR TO GET REPAIRED SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A MORE RELIABLE CAR? DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE? I CAN'T KEEP GOING BACK, SO I WANT IT FIXED ONCE AND FIXED RIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10777732September 25, 2015
STEERING
STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR RAILROAD TRACKS. GOING TO TAKE IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT TODAY. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND GETTING WORSE WHEN I LAST DROVE IT ON 9/23/15.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10775927September 24, 2015
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10767454September 22, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, AN ABNORMALLY LOUD CLICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10764994September 18, 2015
STEERING
MY STEERING USED TO BE GREAT, WITH NO ISSUES. A FEW DAYS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO FIGHT ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. STRAIGHT, TURNING LEFT, TURNING RIGHT, IT SEEMED TO FIGHT ME NO MATTER THE SITUATION. ALL OF A SUDDEN, ANY TINY BUMPS IN THE ROAD THAT THE CAR COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THROWS THE STEERING WHEEL A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. ALSO, THE CAR VEERS RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT. MY NORMAL DRIVE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT WAS PHENOMENAL, WITH NO COMPLAINTS... THE CAR TOOK TINY BUMPS IN THE ROAD BUT IT WAS NOT FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM BY ALIGNING MY TIRES AND UPDATING THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SETTINGS. I WAS EXCITED TO GET BACK INTO MY CAR WITH THE PROBLEM FIXED BUT ALL I NOTICED AFTERWARDS WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS TIGHTER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE TIGHTNESS OF THE WHEEL DOES NOT MAKE THE PROBLEMS AS NOTICEABLE, BUT THE CAR STILL DIRECTS RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL IS JUMPING WITH EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS IN THE ROAD, AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS STRESSFUL AND UNCOMFORTABLE AS I ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ON HIGH ALERT - THIS IS NOT PLEASANT WHEN I DRIVE LONG DISTANCES EVERYDAY FOR WORK. NEEDS TO BE FIXED!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10764565September 17, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS INDEED CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10763836September 15, 2015
POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT JERKS FORWARD AND DOWNSHIFTS AGGRESSIVELY AROUND 30 MPH. KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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