Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10447279February 9, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 214,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447018February 7, 2012
SEATS
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS MOUNTED FAR TOO LOW IN ALL 2011 AND 2012 KIA OPTIMA CARS. A PASSENGER WILL EASILY SLIP UNDER THE SEAT BELT AND COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. KIA USA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DESIGN DEFECT, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN NOTED REPEATEDLY BY OWNERS OF THESE CARS WHEN POSTING ON KIA OPTIMA FORUMS ONLINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446769February 6, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SEAT BELTS
I AM UNABLE TO UNLOCK MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR EITHER MANUALLY/KEY OR BY REMOTE ACCESS THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF I NEED TO EXIT MY VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY (FIRE AND OR CRASH) I WOULD BE UNABLE TO. ALSO, TWO OF MY REAR SEATBELTS ARE JAMMED IN THE HALF EXTENDED POSITION. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY AND ALL HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WITH THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446828February 6, 2012
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, A ROCK STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BOTTOM CORNER AND SHATTERED THE GLASS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MOLDING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT SECURE. THIS FAILURE RECURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,535 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,537.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446929February 6, 2012
STEERING
I PURCHASED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA ON 1-13-12 AND IMMEDIATELY DISCOVERED IT PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND TODAY (2-5-2012) THE DEALER BOUGHT IT BACK. I LOST $5,000 BY SELLING IT BACK BUT I AM JUST GLAD TO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE. KIA SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR BUY THE CARS BACK AT THE SELLING PRICE. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT BE STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE OR FORCED TO DRIVE IT TO AVOID THE LOSS. THIS PULL LEFT ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE KIA FORUM SITE. I JUST WISH I HAD CHECKED THAT SITE BEFORE BUYING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446385February 3, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK, WHICH PREVENTED ACCESS IN ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ACCESS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446151February 1, 2012
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, JACK, OR LUG NUT WRENCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT SUPPLY THE CONTACT WITH THE MISSING ITEMS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS BETTER FUEL EFFICIENCY WITHOUT THEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE MISSING EQUIPMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445695January 28, 2012
STEERING, WHEELS
THIS IS A BRAND NEW HYBRID. SINCE INITIAL PURCHASE THE CAR HAS BEEN OBSERVED TO STEER TO LEFT ON ITS OWN AT LOWEST SPEEDS. TIRE PRESSURE HAS BEEN CHECKED WEEKLY AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AS PER SPECS. CAR STILL VEERS TO LEFT. ON RESEARCHING HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL 2011 KIA OPTIMAS INCLUDING OTHER MODELS. CONTINUOUSLY OBSERVED THIS FOR NEXT 500 OR SO MILES AND THEN TOOK TO DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE BUT SAID KIA CORPORATE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THEM OF ANY ISSUE SO THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AS THIS HYBRID CAR IS TOO NEW. THE SAME ISSUES HAS BEEN REPORTED ON OTHER KIAS NON HYBRID AS WELL.THE DEALER WAS DULLES KIA IN LEESBURG, VA . I WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT COSMETIC ISSUES BUT ON A BRAND NEW CAR SUCH SAFETY ISSUES ARE TROUBLESOME ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE. DEALER INDICATED THESE ARE NEW CARS WITH NEW POWER STEERING MODULES AND HENCE THEY HAVE SEEN LOT OF THESE CASES. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPLACE ASAP. NHTSA NEEDS TO ISSUES SAFETY RESEARCH. THE CAR ON HIGHER SPEEDS ALSO PULLS TO LEFT AND IS DANGEROUS WITH WINDY CONDITIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445592January 27, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIRBAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444977January 23, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER DOOR REFUSED TO OPEN. I HAVE A DISABILITY SO THIS CREATED A HUGE PROBLEM FOR ME. WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR (REGARDLESS OF GRADE OR GAS STATION) MY CAR REFUSES TO START. WHEN I MAKE A U-TURN, MY CAR MAKES LOUD CLICKING SOUND. I HAD IT CHECKED...MY AXLE AND EVERY THING ELSE LOOKS FINE. NO ONE CAN ESTABLISH WHERE THE NOISE COMES FROM. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES BUT IT DOES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444824January 22, 2012
POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2011 KIA OPTIMA EX, WITH THE NAVIGATION PACKAGE. I HAD A STRANGE INCIDENT WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT. AFTER DRIVING FOR 15 MINUTES, I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO REV VERY HIGH. I PUT MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED IN TO NEUTRAL, BUT IT KEPT REVVING VERY HIGH, SO I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT STILL REVVED VERY HIGH-- ROARING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AGAIN AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. STARTED IT AGAIN 5 SECONDS LATER AND IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE ROARED REVVING VERY HIGH. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THEN IT STARTED NORMALLY. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME AND THERE WERE NO OBJECTS TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444607January 20, 2012
VISIBILITY
MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER AND PASSENGER VISORS DO NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THEY ARE IN MY VIEW OF DRIVING. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH EVER AGAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443894January 16, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT, IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND THE STARTED WORKING AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443998January 16, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA STALLED, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY NEAR AN EXIT. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING STEERING. THE CAR ENDED UP RIDING A GUARDRAIL AND LANDED ON TOP OF IT. THE END RESULT WAS, FOR ME, A BROKEN NECK! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK MY 3 YEAR OLD SON UP FROM SCHOOL. HAD HE BEEN IN THE CAR, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE CAR IS UNDERGOING BODYWORK REPAIRS AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO STEP FOOT IN THIS DEATH TRAP EVER AGAIN. CALLS TO THE KIA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR GO UNANSWERED, AS THEY USUALLY DO. THIS IS SERIOUS! IF YOUR OPTIMA HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING PLEASE POST A COMPLAINT. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10443992January 16, 2012
STEERING
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2011 AND WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS, NOTICED THE CAR WOULD PULL LEFT AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN OR EVEN CHANGING LANES TO THE LEFT. THINKING IT WAS JUST AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE 6 TIMES, EACH TIME THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT. RECENTLY I NOTICED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY, WITH LESS THAN 14000 MILES, AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH TIRES. SINCE THE NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE, LIKE IT WAS WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. NOW AT THE DEALER FOR THE 6TH TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT KIA HAS NEW ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS, THE 3RD SET OF ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS KIA HAS HAD IN LESS THAN A YEAR. I WAS TOLD ALSO TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE WAS IN PART DUE TO THE NATURE OF ELECTRONIC STEERING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND AN EXCUSE, NOT A REASON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443481January 11, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT WRIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT CASE NUMBER: 1200904053). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10443514January 11, 2012
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN I BRAKE TO 20 MPH MY CAR JERKS FORWARD. I CALLED THE KIA CONSUMER LINE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM HADN'T BEEN HEARD OF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442657January 6, 2012
EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP REGARDING KEYLESS REMOTE NOT WORKING. I ADVISED DEALERSHIP THAT BOTH REMOTES WERE RE-PROGRAMMED 12 MONTHS AGO AND THAT ONE REMOTE STOPPED WORKING 6 MONTHS AFTER RE-PROGRAMMING AND THE 2ND REMOTE STOPPED WORKING 12 MONTHS AFTER RE-PROGRAMMING. BASED ON DISCUSSION, IT APPEARS THAT 2003 THROUGH 2006 KIA OPTIMAS HAVE DEFECTIVE KEYLESS REMOTE SYSTEMS, BUT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO FORMAL RECALL, REPAIR OF KEYLESS REMOTE IS NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE REPAIR COST IS ABOUT $400. MY OPINION IS THAT A RELATIVE KEYLESS REMOTE RECALL SHOULD BE MADE BY KIA SINCE THE KEYLESS REMOTE DEFECT IS NOT CUSTOMER'S FAULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442732January 6, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DURING A TURN IN AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND I COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD POWER. I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND MANUALLY PUSH IT TO SAFETY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND TO THE CURB ON THE OTHER SIDE. I WAS SAFE DURING THIS INCIDENT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL INTERSECTION WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. IF THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION OR ON THE FREEWAY, THEN MY SAFETY COULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED A BAD COIL AND SOME BAD WIRE IN THE SPARK PLUG, BUT THEY ARE NOT CONFIDENT ON WHAT THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN AFTER SPEAKING WITH KIA TECHNICIANS. YET THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO TAKE THE CAR AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THIS PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE MAJOR INJURY OR BODILY HARM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT EXTENSIVE TESTING SO I HAVE ASKED KIA FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE (CAR ONLY HAD 200 MILES ON IT WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED) BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO SO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442742January 6, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO EITHER CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW OR THE ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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