Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10495243January 30, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA .THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED AND ONCE THE SPEED FELL BELOW 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495300January 30, 2013
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER RETURNING FROM WORK AND PARKING MY VEHICLE AT HOME, THE CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY IN 40 DEGREE WEATHER FOR APPROXIMATELY 12 HRS. I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND FOUND MY CAR ON FIRE AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED AND DISPATCHED TO MY HOME. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THERE IS NO REMOTE STARTER INSTALLED OR ANY OTHER ACCESSORIES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE AFTER PURCHASE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND STARTED SPONTANEOUSLY, PERHAPS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY FROM LEAVING WITH THIS CAR TO RETURN TO MY OFFICE AND I AM CONCERNED IT COULD OF STARTED WHILE I WAS IN IT, PERHAPS CAUSING INJURIES OR DEATH. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ME, THAT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IT COULD HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. I BELIEVE KIA HAS A HIDDEN MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS WAS DESCRIBED IN MY INCIDENT, AND ITS VERY POSSIBLE IT EXISTS ON OTHER KIA VEHICLES. PLEASE TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY AND I THINK KIA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER ASAP. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, I WELCOME AND ENCOURAGE KIA TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO ASSURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR UPDATED 03/12/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495025January 29, 2013
STEERING
THE OWNER OF A 2012 LX KIA OPTIMA WITH 14K MI BUT VERY CONCERN AFTER DISCOVERING THAT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GREATER THAN 65-75 MPH YOU HAVE TO USE TWO HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AND FROM PULLING LEFT OR RIGHT. I'M NOT A TECH BUT, IF I HAD TO GUESS, MY MONEY IS ON THE ELECTRONIC/POWER STEERING DEVICE. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS CAR AND IF KIA/HYUNDAI MOTORS WANTS TO KEEP THEIR SELLS, THEN THEY BETTER "OWN IT!" THIS IS DEFINITELY A RECALL/ NHTSA SAFETY MATTER THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. ELECTRONIC/POWER STEERING IS AN AREA THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AND RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494879January 27, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CAN HEAR THE ASSEMBLY TRYING TO WORK, THE KEY WILL UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN AN EMERGENCY. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IAND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO POSSIBLY LOSE THEIR LIFE IN AN ACCIDENT,BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT BEFORE THERE IS A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494657January 25, 2013
SUSPENSION, STEERING
CAR DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING OVER 55MPH. DRIVER HAS TO CONTINUALLY CORRECT WHEEL TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT ON ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494680January 25, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TWICE NOW TO GET MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN, I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO CLIMB IN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR AND I HAVE HURT MY KNEES IN DOING SO. EVERYTIME I LOCK MY DOORS AND THEN UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS NEEDS A RECALL .I HAVE ALREADY SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10494746January 25, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SUSPENSION
WE BOUGHT OUR CAR LAST YEAR , 5 MONTHS AFTER WE GOT THE CAR , WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT THE VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) LIGHT TURN ON AND THE CAR SHAKING VERY BAD AND WE CAN NOT HANDLE THE CAR RIGHT AND THE BRAKE ITS NOT WORKING WELL, ITS VERY VERY SCARY. THE ONLY THING THAT WE CAN DO WE TURN THE VDC LIGHT OFF, ITS GONNA BE OK FOR COUPLE DAYS , AND AGAIN IT HAPPENS. AFTER THAT I TOOK THE CAR TO FAIRFAX KIA IN VIRGINIA THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME AND THEY SAID WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR IT DIDN'T HAPPENED TO THEM, SO IT HAPPENS FOR ME ALMOST 7 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THEY WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHOULD I DO, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ME WHAT SHOULD I DO? KIA MOTOR IN RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494597January 24, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFT WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AND THE GEAR SHIFT FAILURE WAS CORRECTED; HOWEVER, THE COMPUTER REPROGRAMMING AFFECTED THE VEHICLES ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE ENGINE BECAME IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A TEST DRIVE WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,553 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,240. UPDATED 3/25/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK MONTHS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. KIA DENIED THERE WAS EVEN A PROBLEM. IT WAS FINALLY DISCOVERED, WHEN THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION FOR A HARD SHIFT, THEY INADVERTENTLY CREATED A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CONTROLS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494455January 23, 2013
POWER TRAIN
FIRST THING CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. SECOND OCCURRENCE PULLED OUT AND CAR LOST POWER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ROAD TURN IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED CAR WAS OK. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. NEXT OCCURRENCE NOV 2012 CAR DID SAME THING RESTARTED WAS OK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER 2 DAYS. NOW JAN 2013 COLD MORNING STARTED DRIVING ENGINE HAD NO POWER. I GOT TO A OPEN ROAD SLOWLY PUSHED ACCELERATOR TO FLOOR WITH NO RESPONSE. CAR IS NOW IN DEALERSHIP I'M WAITING FOR MY PHONE CALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494516January 23, 2013
SUSPENSION, STEERING
FIRST NOTICED ABNORMAL TIRE WARE ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE ADJUSTMENT PERIOD. SO I HAD TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT. RECEIVED THE SPEC SHEETS AFTER. THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT .15 DEGREES RF, .01 DEGREES LF, .19 DEGREES LR, .13 DEGREES RR. VEHICLE WAS SET BACK TO FACTORY SETTINGS, AND DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE MIS ALIGNMENT ON MICHIGAN ROADS. CAR WAS SET TO HAVE THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED 1500 MILES LATER OR 30 DAYS. 2ND TIME IN THE SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT CHECK AND WAS OUT . 09 DEGREES LF, .11 DEGREES RF, .02 DEGREES LR, .04 DEGREES RR. DEALERSHIP SET THE ALIGNMENT BACK TO FACTORY SPECS. CAR AGAIN WAS SET 30 DAYS LATER OR 1500 MILES FOR ANOTHER ALIGNMENT CHECK AND WAS OUT ONCE AGAIN. .21 DEGREES LF, .13 DEGREES RF, .26 DEGREES LR, .02 DEGREES RR. AT THIS TIME THE MILEAGE WAS 22300. AFTER THE 3RD TIME TO THE DEALER AND TAKING THEIR ADVICE TO GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN THE END , THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, YET EVERY TIME IT WAS THERE THE ALIGNMENT HAD TO BE ADJUSTED AND PUT BACK TO FACTORY SETTINGS. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE NUMBER OF DEGREE CHANGES, MORE THAN .05 DEGREES IS ASTRONOMICAL WHEN IT COMES TO TOE SETTINGS ON ANY CAR. THIS CAR HAS A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, YET KIA, NOR THE DEALERSHIP IS STANDING BEHIND THE PRODUCT, THEY MANUFACTURE OR SELL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10492890January 14, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE DRIFTS LEFT AND RIGHT CONSTANTLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY, WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. SAME CONCLUSION EVERY TIME. ADJUSTED, AND VEHICLE IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THEY HAVE NOT AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. AS OF JANUARY 8TH 2013, OVER ONE YEAR SINCE PURCHASING THE PROBLEM, IT STILL EXISTS. WE RECENTLY WAS IN A MINOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON A TIGHT ROAD WITH LITTLE OR NO ROOM FOR WAIVER, WE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLES MIRROR WITH OURS AT 70MPH. LUCKILY THERE WAS ONLY SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE BESIDES BOTH OF US DECIDING WE ARE NOT DRIVING THIS CAR AGAIN DUE TO THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OURSELVES. WE ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING A LEMON CLAIM ON THE VEHICLE. BALE KIA AND CRAIN KIA BOTH HAVE TOLD US THE SAME THING, COULD NOT DUPLICATE AND VEHICLE IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS, TSB #032. ACCORDING TO THEM THEY ARE ASSUMING WE ARE MAKING THIS UP. ALONG WITH THE 30+ OTHER COMPLAINTS FOUND ON HERE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491945January 9, 2013
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE TIRE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, ONLY A TIRE MOBILITY KIT THAT INCLUDED AN INFLATION DEVICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILED TIRE COULD NOT BE INFLATED AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490840January 2, 2013
SEATS
THE DRIVE AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE TO LOW IN THIS CAR. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY WIFE WHO IS 5' TALL CANT SIT HIGHER THAN THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS, AND THEY BLOCK HER VIEW. I TEST DROVE THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, SO DIDN'T SIT TO LOW FOR ME BEING 6' TALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490559December 31, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF ANOTHER DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490605December 31, 2012
POWER TRAIN
WHEN BRAKING OR NOT AROUND 20 MILES AN HOUR CAR JERKS FORWARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490482December 29, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED DOOR NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN, HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO DRIVER SIDE, WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, I AM DISABLED AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE TO CLIMB OVER TO DRIVER SIDE, FOR A LONG TIME NOW I HAVE LEFT THE CAR UNLOCKED FOR THIS REASON, SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE PLACED POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT'S NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED. ANYONE IN AN ACCIDENT (GOD FORBID) IS TRAPPED, MORE SO IF THERE DISABLED, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS ISSUE. THANK-YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490406December 28, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS LEAVING WORK @ 5:45 PM AND GOT IN MY CAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I TRIED FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE I CALLED KIA LEDGEN DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. THEY TOLD ME WHERE TO PUT THE AUX KEY STARTER INSIDE THE GLOVE BOX AREA. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. THEY TOLD ME A WOULD HAVE TO CALL THE 800 NUMBER TO GET A JUMP OR HAVE MY CAR TOWED. I FOUND A CO-WORKER WHO GAVE ME A JUMP AND THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. I PROCEEDED TO A FIRESTONE STATION AND GOT A NEW BATTER ($146.00). STARTED RIGHT UP AND HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL MY WIFE AND I WENT TO THE MALL TODAY (DEC 28) AND MY CAR WOULD NO START AGAIN. I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET STRANDED OR NEEDED TO FIND A JUMP. AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY STARTED AND I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. AFTER STATING THAT I READ ABOUT OTHER KIA OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THEY DECIDED TO KEEP IT OVER NIGHT. ARE THERE OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT CAN LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490148December 26, 2012
AIR BAGS
MY CAR WAS HIT IN THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR GOING APPROX.40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS 6 MONTHS PREVIOUS. WE TOOK IT IN,THEY SAID A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY GAVE US A PAPER SAYING IT WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED OUR CAR TO US. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489573December 23, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AS I FILL THE TANK, GASOLINE FORCEFULLY SPITS BACK OUT ONTO THE PERSON FILLING THE TANK. THIS IS GETTING WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A KIA DEALER AND HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE LAST TIME IT GOT ALL OVER MY ARM, CAUSING SEVERE IRRITATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489126December 18, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE OR MANUALLY WHEN USING THE KEY. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SMALL PLASTIC DOOR CHECKER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 01/29/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS BEFORE FINALLY GETTING THE DOOR TO OPEN WITH A COAT HANGER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/31/2013 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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