Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10465126July 10, 2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE, ABOUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN MIRROR SUDDENLY JUST FELL OFF! THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT IT FROM COMPLETELY FALLING OFF WAS THE CABLE RUNNING INTO THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID "THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE!" IT WILL BE 4 DAYS BEFORE MY MIRROR GETS REPLACED! THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S CURRENT CONDITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464450July 6, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS STUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FENDER WELL WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES COVERING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,930.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464256July 5, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FIRST EPISODE WAS A DEAD BATTERY. THE CAR HAD 13 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SECOND INCIDENT, CAR WOULD NOT START, IGNITION ISSUE, BUT LATER STARTED (AFTER 1HR). TAKEN TO DEALER, SECONDARY TO IGNITION ISSUES. PROBLEM RESOLVED UNTIL TODAY. WOULD NOT START AGAIN. TRIED TWO DIFFERENT KEY FOBS AND STILL DID NOT START. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT SINCE HAVING THE VEHICLE. I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FOR THE SECOND TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464270July 5, 2012
ENGINE, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2006 KIA OPTIMA NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW THOUSAND + MILES (NEEDS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 60,000 MILES OR SOONER), BUT ONE THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY JUST CAME OFF AND THEN THE BELT CAME OFF A COUPLE PULLEYS BECAUSE OF THIS. THE BELT ACTUALLY LOOKS FINE, BUT THE PULLEY FAILURE CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF. THIS BELT RUNS SEVERAL THINGS SO THE INITIAL LOOSE PULLEY CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE POWER STEERING, BATTERY LIGHT TO TURN ON, THE A/C FAILED, ETC., AND THEN THE INNER PART OF THE PULLEY CAME OFF AND THE OUTER RING (MAGNETIZED) FELL AND STUCK TO PART OF THE CAR FRAME THAT IS ACTUALLY METAL. MY WIFE MADE IT TO WORK WHILE THE BELT HAD TO STILL BE ON BUT LOOSE, AND IT NOW SITS IN HER PARKING SPOT AT HER JOB (HOSPITAL PARKING RAMP). I WILL PROBABLY HAVE IT TOWED TOMORROW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND THE OUTER PART OF THE LOWER PULLEY LAYING ABOVE THE CAR FRAME CLOSE TO THE ENGINE. IF THE CAR DROVE AFTER THIS, ENGINE DAMAGE WOULD BE MOST LIKELY. I WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP BY TOMORROW TO SEE IF I JUST NEED THE PULLEY AND BELT OR IF THE ENGINE IS DAMAGED. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, BECAUSE I FOUND MANY PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BREAKING OFF AND SOMETIMES CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TIGHTEN A FACTORY TIGHTENED BOLT EVERY NOW AND THEN. I HOPE THAT THE NEWER BOLTS ACTUALLY HOLD LIKE A GRADE 8 AMERICAN BOLT, BECAUSE THAT WOULDN'T FAIL. RUBBER CAN'T BREAK STEEL, AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS OBVIOUS OVERSIGHT BY KIA HASN'T BEEN RECALLED OR IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464056July 3, 2012
VISIBILITY
AFTER BEING LOWERED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER CAN BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION AND HANGS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN LITTLE USED AND HANDLED WITH CARE. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUN VISORS ARE TOO FRAGILE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464071July 3, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WITH THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY TURNING THE KEY ABRUPTLY AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING THE AUTOMATED KEY FOB UNTIL THE DOOR LOCKS RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463999July 2, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
06/18/12- WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND VEHICLE RESTARTED. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WHO HAD NO SOLUTIONS. *JS 06/27/12- WHILE ACCELERATING UP A HILL, 30MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL VEHICLE RESTARTED. TOOK TO DEALER WITH LIGHT ILLUMINATED, NO STORED CODES, AND NO SOLUTIONS. 07/02/12- WHILE ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DURING SUDDEN STOP, DUE TO TRAFFIC, ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE, VEHICLE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL LEFT. CALL MADE TO DEALER. WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD RESPOND. NO RESPONSE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463898July 1, 2012
AIR BAGS
AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IS UNDER A RECALL, THE PASSENGER SIDE SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO BE INVESTIGATED. ABOUT 10-15% OF THE TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL INDICATE THAT IT IS OFF AFTER AN ADULT SITS IN THE SEAT. THIS REQUIRES THAT THE PERSON WILL NEED TO GET OUT THEN BACK IN, OR THE CAR NEEDS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT THE SYSTEM WILL OPERATE PROPERLY. LAST WEEK THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT HAS NOW BEEN COMING ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT WILL APPEAR FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN GO OFF, REAPPEAR THEN GO OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463247June 27, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB, CAUSING THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ACTUATOR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 970.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463360June 27, 2012
POWER TRAIN
SOMETIME AROUND JUNE 4, ON AN EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH, IT FELT LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING. THERE WAS A VIOLENT SLAM IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE EXPRESSWAY TO SEE IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING. AFTER SEEING THAT I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO GET BACK ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD HARDLY MOVE AS THOUGH IT WERE STARTING OFF IN A HIGH GEAR. I DROVE TOWARD THE NEXT EXIT AT 55 MPH AT AROUND 3500 RPM AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE NEVER SHIFTED GEARS. WHEN I GOT OFF THE NEXT EXIT TO RETURN HOME, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT INTO LOW, IT STAYED IN A HIGH GEAR. I DROVE HOME IN ONE GEAR AND GOT HOME TO BACK INTO THE GARAGE, AND WHEN I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO REVERSE, IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR. I PARKED AND WENT INSIDE FOR THE EVENING INTENT ON GETTING THE DEALER TO SEND A WRECKER FOR THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. I GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS STILL ACTING THE SAME WAY. I STARTED THE CAR UP AND IT DROVE PERFECT, SHIFTING THROUGH ALL OF THE GEARS AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BEHAVE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND WE LEFT WITH OUR "REPAIRED" VEHICLE. ON JUNE 26, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 50 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET, THE SAME "SLAM" HAPPENED IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, FRIGHTENING MY WIFE. SHE THEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED THE CAR, AND SHUT IT OFF. SHE RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT SHIFT AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. SHE CAME BACK HOME, PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND CALLED THE DEALER. SHE STARTED THE CAR ON JUNE 27 TO GO TO THE DEALER, WENT DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES AND THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED. SHE PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THEY NOW HAVE THE CAR AND SAY THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 12000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463033June 25, 2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
I PURCHASED THIS NEW CAR IN JANUARY AND HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME ADAPTING TO THE BLIND SPOTS OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THIS CAR ARE AMAZING EVEN WITH WHAT I BELIEVE IS 1 EXCEPTION. THE REAR HEADRESTS OF THIS CAR WERE DESIGNED TOO LARGE. EVEN IN THE DOWN POSITION THESE HEADRESTS BLOCK NEARLY 2 THIRDS OF THE REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY. SELECTING SAFETY OVER LOOKS I'VE COMPLETELY REMOVED BOTH REAR HEADRESTS (THEY SLIDE RIGHT OUT) AND CARRY THEM IN THE TRUNK IF PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE REAR REQUEST THEM. MY SUGGESTION IS THAT KIA PRODUCE AND RETROFIT LOWER SLEEKER HEADRESTS FOR THE REAR THAT ARE 1/2 AS HIGH AS THE CURRENT. DEALERS COULD PROBABLY SWAP THEM OUT AND KIA COULD REUSE OVERSEAS IF THEY CHOOSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL IF PHOTOS ARE NEEDED BUT FOR THE MOST PART YOUR DEPARTMENT COULD LOOK AT ANY 2012 OPTIMA AND SEE WHAT I SEE. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS AN AMAZING CAR BUT I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT / CONCERN. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462902June 24, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A CO-WORKER FOLLOWED ME HOME AND TOLD ME MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT. THEN MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING REAL FAST. FEW DAYS LATER MY DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON & OFF. HAD A FRIEND WATCH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND HE SAID THEY WERE FLASHING ON & OFF WITH THE DASH. SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT! IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THE LIGHTS DON'T FLASH. EVEN THOUGH MY LIGHTS COME ON, THE BRAKE & SIGNAL LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN I APPLY THEM. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY CAR BECAUSE OF IT. EVERY ONE TELLS ME WITH AS LITTLE MILEAGE AS I HAVE ON MY CAR - I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS. I HAVEN'T TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GET A TICKET OR POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY LIGHT DON'T WORK! I'M SINGLE MOTHER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A MECHANIC TEAR MY CAR UP TO SEE IF HE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462688June 22, 2012
AIR BAGS
AFTER CLOCKSPRING RECALL/ AND REPAIR THE CARS AIR BAG SIGNAL NOW COME ON WITH A CODE OF B1378 IN WHICH KIA HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS S HIGH RESISTANCE DSAB. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS CODE IS FOR A BAD OR FAULTY AIRBAG. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462390June 20, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE IT WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY SEIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. ...UPDATED 07/19/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE HAD JAMMED AND ONLY APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE FROM ONE SIDE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PAD ON ONE SIDE TO WEAR METAL TO METAL, WHILE THE BRAKE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DISK HAD LITTLE WEAR. UPDATED 07/23/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462303June 19, 2012
ENGINE
I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PROCEEDED TO TURN LEFT WHEN I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AS I PULLED OVER THERE I NOTICED A THICK CLOUD OF BLUE SMOKE OUT OF MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AND AIRCONDITIONER AREA OF THE CAR. FLAMES CONTINUED UNTIL THE INTERIOR BEGAN BURNING AND WINDSHIELD BROKE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461957June 16, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, MY REPAIR GARAGE NOTED THAT BRAKE LINES WERE QUITE RUSTED, AND STATED THAT THEY COULD FAIL SUDDENLY. IS THIS COMMON OR UNCOMMON IN A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461910June 15, 2012
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT TO LOCK HER IN, WHICH CAUSED HER TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE PILLAR NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10461411June 13, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION
VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL AND STEER STRAIGHT, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SEVERE PULL TO THE LEFT, THOUGH OCCASIONALLY IT DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. AT CITY SPEEDS, THE STEERING PROBLEM IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT. MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, AND TIRE INFLATION CHANGE, RESULTED IN NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE PROBLEM...IT REMAINS SEVERE. IF YOU LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN THE CAR SWIFTLY MOVE ACROSS TO THE LEFT LANES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461389June 12, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOORS, LOCKS, LINKAGE, UPON LEAVING WORK ON JUNE 16TH, 2010, I WENT TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR USING THE KEY AND THE CAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I OPENED THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CRAWLED OVER TO TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, NO LUCK. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS NOT AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD!!! NO LUCK WITH KIA FIXING IT EITHER!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10460873June 7, 2012
ENGINE
AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE, THE CAR WAS RUNNING HORRIBLY, MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. HAD AN EPISODE WHERE THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE ENGINE ABOUT DIED, SO I HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED FOR MONDAY MORNING. THE SATURDAY BEFORE, WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, HAD THE EPISODE OCCUR AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP EVERY SINCE BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, KIA WON'T HONOR IT WITH ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. I AM FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE I KNOW OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE AND HAVEN'T COMPLAINED LOUD ENOUGH OR WHATEVER, BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE, NOT ME. NO CAR SHOULD BLOW AN ENGINE AT 62K. IT'S RIDICULOUS. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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