Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10452528March 21, 2012
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON THE PURCHASE OF MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX I NOTICED A PULL TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP IS APPROX. 80 MILES FROM MY HOME, DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE TUG AND THE CAR'S INCLINATION TO VEER LEFT. I FELT A CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL TO VEER. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO AND HAD THE SERVICE DEPT. CHECK THE VEER. OF COURSE, I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO VEER. THE CAR CONTINUES TO STRAY, NOW AT 3500 MILES. THE CAR WILL BE GOING IN FOR SERVICE NEXT WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOR MAINTENANCE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP'S SALESMAN WHO HAS CONFIRMED FOR ME THERE IS A DEFINITE ISSUE WITH THE OPTIMA'S STEERING AND TO DATE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I LOVE THIS CAR, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, BUT THE PULL IS A PROBLEM. BY THE TIME I DRIVE THE CAR AT CRUISE SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND GET BACK WITH IT, I LITERALLY FEEL TIRED IN THE ARM AND SHOULDER FROM THE PRESSURE TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT IN THE LANES. ALSO, LATELY AT APPROX. 3000 MILES, I'VE NOTICED THAT IN REVERSE, THE BACKUP CAMERA DOESN'T ALWAYS COME ON WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT HAS A HESITATION THAT HAS LASTED AS LONG AS 30 - 40 SECONDS BEFORE I CAN SEE BEHIND THE CAR. ANYONE WHO HAS DRIVEN THE OPTIMA KNOWS, YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING BEHIND YOU IN THAT CAR DUE TO THE LOW SITTING SEATS AND HIGHER TRUNK - IT HAS TO BE TALL TO SEE IT BEHIND YOU. I'M TAKING THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE NEXT TIME, FROM THERE, I'LL DECIDE AS TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT AS FAR AS KEEPING THIS CAR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452145March 18, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH THIS FOR 4 TO 6 MONTHS NOW. AND GETTING REALLY UPSET PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETLY HAZARD AND THIS IS COVERED I REALLY DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE ONLY WAY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO UNLOCK IS FOR ME TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSANGER SIDE. THEN PLAY WITH THE LOCK WITH THEY KEY FOR A FEW DAYS TO HAVE IT UNLOCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452054March 17, 2012
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ESC STARTS BLINKING WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE GOES DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451990March 16, 2012
AIR BAGS
SUMMARY: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WOULD NOT IDENTIFY THAT A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE OFF. COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY WRONG.. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS FIRST REPORTED 30,000 NOW HAS 49,000. THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE KIA. LAST TIME AT THE DEALER WAS FEBRUARY, 2012. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451664March 14, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DOORS DID NOT OPEN WHEN USING THE KEY, KEY FOB, OR FROM THE INTERIOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451709March 14, 2012
STEERING
STEERING PULLS TO THE LEFT. I HAVE TO ALWAYS CORRECT. MANY TIMES I END UP OVER CORRECTING WHEN GOING THROUGH A CURVE. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE TIRE PRESSURE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS 42 PSI WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 38 PSI AND SEEMED TO HELP A LITTLE. I FINALLY TOOK ALL FOUR TIRES DOWN TO 35 PSI, AND ALMOST DROVE IT OFF THE ROAD WHILE GOING THROUGH A RIGHT CURVE AT 50 MPH. BY THE WAY, THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 50 MPH. THE FREEWAY IS ALSO AN ISSUE. ALWAYS HAVING TO CORRECT THE STEERING BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LANE LINES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE NHTSA. HAVING TO OVER CORRECT IS NOT FUN SITUATION TO BE IN. I DROVE MANY HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES, AND THIS IS THE MOST CONCERNING. BEAUTIFUL CAR WITH TONS OF POTENTIAL. STEERING NEEDS FIXED!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450151March 3, 2012
STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA, VEERED OF THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE DUE TO A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRES HAD BEEN REPLACED THAT MORNING AND WITHIN 130 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE POPPED. AS I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK I NOTICED MY WHEEL WAS SLANTED IN. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY BASICALLY SAID SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY KIA IN ANY OF MY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THEM RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM, AND HAVE BEEN, STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR 3 WEEKS NOW WAITING ON THEM TO MAKE SOME KIND OF DECISION. THEY HAVE OVERLOOKED EVERY WORD I HAVE SAID TO THEM ABOUT THE SALT IN MY LOCATION AND THE CARS PREVIOUS LOCATIONS WHICH CAUSES SUCH CORROSION TO A POORLY MAKE VEHICLE. THE CAR ORIGINATES FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE SALT IS PRESENTLY IN THE AIR. IT THEN WAS REGISTERED IN OKLAHOMA AND THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, BOTH HAVING HARSH SNOWY WINTERS. THE CAR CLEARLY HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO ENOUGH SALT TO HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I CRASHED MY CAR INTO THE DITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, MY LIFE WAS PUT AT RISK. THERE VERY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A CAR TO MY LEFT OR RIGHT OR A POLE IN THAT DITCH. KIA SHOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN ALL OPTIMA'S PUT OUT DURING THE YEAR OF THE RECALL. IT IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO ANY UNAWARE DRIVER OF A 2001-2004 KIA OPTIMA. LEGAL ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST KIA. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450072March 2, 2012
POWER TRAIN
WHEN SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF USING THE BRAKES, THE CAR JERKS AS THE TRANSMISSION DOES A HARD DOWNSHIFT CAUSING ENOUGH JERK TO THE DRIVER. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449771February 29, 2012
SUSPENSION
RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION MAKES CREAKING NOISE, PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. SUSPENSION WAS GREASED UP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER ONE WEEK. CONCERNS THAT ASSEMBLE MAY COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. NOISE WORSE ON UNEVEN SURFACES OR WHEN EIGHT IS REDISTRIBUTED TO RIGHT SIDE (E.G. DRIVE THROUGH WINDOWS SOMETIMES ELEVATE FROM THE LEFT CAUSING CAR TO LEAN ON RIGHT SIDE; UNEVEN PARKING LOTS WILL CAUSE CREAKING SOUND). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449587February 28, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WOULD NOT IDENTIFY THAT A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE OFF. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449649February 28, 2012
AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED, 2ND IN POSITION, AT A STOP LIGHT. I WAS REAR ENDED BY A NISSAN SENTRA DOING APPROXIMATELY 50 TP 55 MPH. MY CAR WAS HIT IN THE REAR, PUSHING THE FRONT INTO A DUALLY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I STRUCK MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS WONDERING WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT LEFT BUMPER WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AS THE LEFT REAR BUMPER. IN ALL, THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10449464February 27, 2012
VISIBILITY
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP OR POSITION ... SHOULD BE WARRANTY ISSUE EVEN @ 80,000 MILES. NO EXCESS USE OR ABUSE. JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY USE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449373February 26, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS SOMEONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER IN CASE OF A FIRE OR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I WORK AS A PARAMEDIC AND HAVE FIRST HAND SEEN PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT THEIR VEHICLES DURING A FIRE AND IT WAS NOT PLEASANT. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH TO FIND HOW TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THROUGH ALL YEARS AND MODELS OF KIA VEHICLES. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO MANDATE A RECALL ON ONE PARTICULAR VEHICLE, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU LOOK AT THE MANUFACTURER AS A WHOLE AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO CORRECT A SYSTEM WIDE MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF I CAN PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED, IF NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED BY THIS DEFECT YET... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449385February 26, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DOOR HANDLE(S) ARE DEFECTIVE TO POINT WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. UPON TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP, THE WORKERS INFORM ME THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH OF "2003 KIA OPTIMA DOOR STUCK" WILL SHOW THAT MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, WHEN THINKING IN TERMS OF AN ACCIDENT OR IF A PASSENGER NEEDS TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449250February 24, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TOWARDS THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND A CAMBER KIT WAS INSTALLED ON THE SUSPENSION BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448929February 22, 2012
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE AND COULD BE HAZARDOUS IF THE CONTACT WAS LEFT STRANDED IF THERE WAS A BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THERE WAS A BLOW OUT WHILE THERE WERE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE, THE TOW TRUCK WOULD NOT ACCOMMODATE THE OTHER PASSENGERS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448625February 21, 2012
POWER TRAIN
WHEN SLOWING DOWN, EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT BRAKING ASSISTANCE, CAR JERKS AS THE TRANSMISSION DOES A HARD DOWNSHIFT FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR WHEN REACHING 20 MPH. THE FORCE OF THE DOWNSHIFT IS ENOUGH TO JOLT THE DRIVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448847February 21, 2012
AIR BAGS
I WAS TRAVELING 55MPH BEHIND A VEHICLE WHO SUDDENLY SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE, UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME I STRUCK THE BLACK JEEP LIBERTY IN THE REAR BUMPER MORE TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE WITH THE THE PASSENGER FRONT BUMPER OF MY CAR. ( KIA OPTIMA) MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I DID STRIKE MY HEAD, ALTHOUGH I AM NOT SURE IF I HIT IT ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE GLASS TOP. MY CONCERN IS MY SEATBELT DID NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY ALLOWING ME TO STRIKE MY HEAD. AND AGAIN THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448430February 18, 2012
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA WITH 100K MILES ON IT AND AFTER ABOUT 30 DAYS THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN ANY MOVING INCIDENT AND REMAINED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER (ROSEN, MILWAUKEE, WI) AND THEY BELIEVED IT WAS THE CONTACTS BECAUSE I GOT CODE B1378, AIRBAG RESISTANCE TO HIGH. THEY SPRAYED SOMETHING ON THE CONTACTS BECAUSE THE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THEY RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT FREE OF CHARGE, BUT AFTER DRIVING ABOUT ONE WEEK THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT KIA NEEDS TO RESOLVE BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447687February 12, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN 2011 WE HAD A HOLE FORM IN THE GAS TANK OF OUR 2005 KIA OPTIMA. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP IN WHICH THEY DETERMINED THAT THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN HAD CAUSED WEAR ONTO THE ACTUAL TANK. THEY REPLACED THE TANK WITH NEW GAS TANK (ORIGINAL FACTORY GAS TANK) ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK IN FOR SERVICING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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