Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10521781June 25, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH A DEER RAN INTO THE SIDE OF MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS IN WHICH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS PUSHED IN ON THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WIDOW WAS DESTROYED INFLICTING CUTS ON THE DRIVER AND WITH THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE INCLUDING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER EVEN WITH THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT OF WHICH KIA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WAS CONTACTED AND THE EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING SIDEWAYS AT IMPACT AND THIS IS WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THIS IS NOT A VALID EXCUSE TO ME OR I WOULD THINK AN CONSUMER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT THEY HAVE SIDE AIR BAG PROTECTION! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10521357June 24, 2013
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SRS LIGHT STAYS ON.... TALKED TO DEALER.. THEY SAID KIA HAVEN'T RECALL THIS PART YET. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENOR IN THE SEAT NEED TO BE RESET. VEHICLE CAN'T PASS INSPECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521182June 22, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IM NOT GIVING IT HAS I HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD AND CUT OFF CAR AND WAIT TO RESTART SOMETIME IT CLEARS UP AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO OK AFTER RESTART AND OTHER TO TIMES IT MAY GO COUPLE MILES AND DO IT AGAIN. ALSO MY TRUNK LATCH DOESN'T WORK EVEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PULL THE EMERGENCY OPEN IN TRUNK. MY SISTER HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH HER 07 OPTIMA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520936June 20, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520179June 17, 2013
TIRES, WHEELS
AFTER 15,000 MILES TIRE DEVELOPED A HUGE BUBBLE ON THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW WITH ORIGINAL TIRES FROM DEALERSHIP(NEXEN).THESE TIRES SHOULD BE OUTLAWED. RIGHT AFTER I GOT IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP, IT EXPLODED AND WAS SITTING ON THE RIM. I WAS VERY FORTUNE TO NOT BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURED. I CAN SEND PICTURE ALSO. I HAVE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. NOT INCLUDING THE 2ND PAIR THAT THE BUBBLE DEVELOPED AT THE FRONT. THE NEXEN TIRES TREAD LIFE IS VERY SHORT TOO.. THEY SEEMED TO DRIVE BETTER IN SLIGHTLY WET CONDITIONS THAN DRY; ODD. :/ I RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519827June 14, 2013
ENGINE
DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD DURING NORMAL TRAFFIC (4:30PM EST) MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE LARGE RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD PICKED UP SOMTHING ON THE ROAD, BUT AS I ACCELERATED/DECCELERATED THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER/SOFTER. I IMMEDIATLEY CONTACTED MY KIA DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER HE TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN NEXT WEEK SINCE THAT WOULD BE THE SOONEST IT COULD BE LOOKED AT. I INFORMED HIM THAT I DID'NT THINK I COULD EVEN MAKE IT HOME LET ALONE WAIT A WEEK TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. HE STATED I COULD DROP IT OFF, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE LOOKED AT UNTIL NEXT WEEK. EITHER WAY, WITHIN 10 MIUTES OF DRIVING A LARGE BANGING NOISE WENT OFF UNDER THE HOOD, ENGINE OIL SPRAYED THROUGHT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND I HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD AND HAD 600 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURED. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP I WOULD NOT WANT A VEHICLE WITH A REPLACED ENGINE AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT IS MY ONLY OPTION. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING FROM KIA AGAIN AS THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FROM THEIR CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519881June 14, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR INSIDE SWITCH. ALL THE OTHER DOORS WILL UNLOCK EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR. AFTER TURNING THE KEY FOR ABOUT 10 MINS UP TO A DAY OR A WEEK IT WILL SOMETIMES UNLOCK, BUT ONLY USING THE KEY. THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFETY HAZARD. IT LOOKS AS IF THE PLASTIC PART INSIDE THE DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE LOCKING IS BROKEN . THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS THAT MADE THIS OCCUR . I HAVE TALKED TO KIA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ABOUT THE MATTER AND THIS IS ONE FEATURE THAT THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT NEED TO PAY FOR. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND CAN TRAP SOMEONE IN A CAR . YOU HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR TO EVEN TO GET IN AND DRIVE. SHAMEFUL ON KIA . SEEMS LIKE ITS GOING TO TAKE SOME ONE BURNING OR HAVE A FATALITY FOR KIA TO DO A RECALL ON THIS , BUT ALL ABOUT MONEY WHEN THEY PRIDE ON SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515939June 10, 2013
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I IMMEDIATELY LOST ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE POWER. I MANAGED TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER WHERE I CAME TO A STOP. ONCE MY OPTIMA CAME TO A STOP, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. MY WIFE AND I GOT OUT. ONCE WE DID, THERE WAS ANOTHER EXPLOSION FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH SENT BURNING SHRAPNEL OUT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR ERUPTED IN FLAMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516046June 10, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SECURE INTO PARK OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516104June 10, 2013
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT OR AROUND 50 MPH THE CAR STARTED DRIFTING LEFT THEN RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515593June 7, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX T GDI I LOST ACCELERATIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, BUT IT DID DECREASE IN SPEED TO A DANGEROUS 20 MPH. I TRIED TO USE MY PADDLE SHIFTERS IN HOPES THAT WOULD WORK, TO NO AVAIL. I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE SPEED DID NOT CHANGE. I EVENTUALLY REACHED A SAFE PLACE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND ATTEMPTED RE-STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND PAUSED BEFORE EVENTUALLY STARTING, THEN ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS BEFORE HAVING THE SAME DECREASED SPEED SITUATION AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE TO DRIVE HOME AT 45 MPH AND AVOID BEING RUN OFF THE RODE OR REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WORSE . . . A TRUCK. THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOT SUCH BAD NEWS BUT I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE PRICE QUOTED TO ME, BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, IS $900.00. UNBELIEVABLE!!! I SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND FOUND ALL THE PARTS THAT ARE RELATED TO THIS TYPE ISSUE AND NOTHING, NOT ONE PART, COST $900.00. THE PROPOSED COST TO REPAIR MY CAR IS GREATER THAN THE CAR PAYMENT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT COST MORE THAN THE CAR PAYMENT FOR MY WIFE'S ML500. I HAVE VISITED KIA FORUMS THAT SPEAK TO PROBLEMS WITH THE KIA AND IT SEEMS THAT A MANUFACTURER IS IN ORDER. INCIDENTALLY, THE PART IS NO LONGER COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE I RECENTLY PASSED THE 60,000 MILE MARK. I FEEL LIKE I AM BEING RIPPED OFF TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED FOR WHAT WILL BE LESS THAN AN HOUR OF WORK TO REPLACED A MINOR PART, THAT INCIDENTALLY HAS A COST OF $900.00. I WILL BE WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA. I SHOULD BE PURCHASED AND AUDI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515625June 7, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515141June 5, 2013
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MORNING TO WORK WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, A LOUD SOUND LIKE A BOMB OR EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN MY CAR, THEN GLASS FROM MY SUNROOF FELL DOWN. MY SUN ROOF ON MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA EXPLODED. THE MINUTE THIS HAPPENED I LOOKED UP BECAUSE I COULD HEAR AND FEEL AIR FROM UP ABOVE. MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED IN TINY PIECES. THE NOISE BY ITSELF WAS SO STARTLING AND FRIGHTENING THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF I WOULD HAVE REACTED TO THE SOUND SOMEHOW WHILE DRIVING. ONCE PULLED OVER, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE GLASS SHATTERED OUT AND UP NOT DOWNWARD SO IT WAS FAIRLY APPARENT NOTHING LANDED ON TOP OF MY ROOF TO CAUSE THIS. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE. HOWEVER, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET THIS ISSUE AND FROM WHAT I AM READING ON LINE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE. I HOPE YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS BEFORE THIS CAUSES A REAL TRAGEDY TO SOMEONE'S LIFE! PLEASE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514538May 31, 2013
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON/ WOULD NOT GO IN GEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514181May 30, 2013
STRUCTURE
KIA OPTIMA, HAS TOO MUCH CHROME ON THE DASH BOARD AND ON THE DOORS HANDLES. WHEN DRIVING YOU GET BLINDED WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. THIS CAUSE YOUR EYES TO HURT AND CAN CAUSE TEMP BLINDNESS. PLEASE DO A STUDY ON THIS SUBJECT. IT SHOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE CHROME INSIDE THE DASHBOARD AND DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10514294May 30, 2013
STEERING
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION NECESSARY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. VEHICLE WILL DART TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS ON PERFECTLY FLAT ROADS WITH NO WIND. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO TURNED TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. DEALER SAYS EVERYTHING IN SPEC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514355May 30, 2013
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,100. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514129May 29, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WOULD FALL FROM THEIR HOUSING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUN VISORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,450. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513860May 28, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DOOR LOCK MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513571May 26, 2013
STEERING
PURCHASED A NEW 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON 4/30/13 AND THE CAR WANDERS LEFT THEN YOU HAVE TO CORRECT CONSTANTLY. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. AFRAID TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY FOR FEAR OF HURTING SOMEONE. THE CAR HAS 400 MILES ON IT NOW. PLEASE HELP ,CHECKED ON INTERNET AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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