Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10436371November 18, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436054November 16, 2011
STEERING, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD THE DEALER PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT TWICE AND BOTH THE STRUTS AND THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVED THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 347 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,672. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 01/23/12*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435670November 15, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASE AS A NEW CAR ON JUNE 20,2011 FROM KIA DEALERSHIP. FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHIN FIRST MONTH. THE REMOTE START CONTINUALLY FAILED AT STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN PRESSING THE REMOTE START BUTTON THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE CAR ALARM WOULD SOUND OFF IMMEDIATELY. SECOND PROBLEM THAT OCCUR WITHIN FIRST MONTH IS THE GAS DOOR ON OUTSIDE WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN PRESSING THE GAS BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT REQUIRED YOU TO KEEP PRESSING GAS BUTTON REPEATEDLY BEFORE IT WOULD OPEN THE OUTSIDE DOOR TO PUMP GAS. THIRD PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WITHIN THE THIRD TO THE FOURTH MONTH OF THE PURCHASED VEHICLE IS THE SOUND TO THE CAR HORN FAILED. WHEN I WENT TO BLOW MY HORN, THERE WAS NO SOUND WHICH ALSO LEAD TO NO SOUND ON THE CAR TO INDICATE THAT I HAD LOCKED THE VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE CAR-LOCK. THE LOST SOUND TO THE HORN AND TO THE VEHICLE HAS RECENTLY FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME AFTER RECENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435701November 15, 2011
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED HANDLING DIFFERENTLY AND NOTICED THAT THE ESC OFF LIGHT HAD COME ON. I CHANGED THE WAY I WAS DRIVING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LACK OF STABILITY AND GOT TO WHERE I COULD STOP SAFELY. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT HAS SINCE COME BACK ON AGAIN TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR OR THAT SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435350November 12, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. NEITHER THE KEY NOR THE DOOR LOCK KNOB ON THE INSIDE WORKS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BEEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE DRIVER SIDE BY ENTERING THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL KIA MODELS AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE WEBSITE HTTP://VLANE.COM/DISCUSS-TOPIC/989/MY-DRIVERS-DOOR-IS-LOCKED-WILL-NOT-UNLOCK . THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE ONCE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, THE DRIVER CAN NOT EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR WHICH CAN PROVE TO BE A PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY. KIA IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OWNERS BY NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WHILE DRIVING AND EMPHATICALLY PLEAD WITH YOU TO RECALL THESE KIA CARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434337November 5, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS OPENING APROX 6 MO. AGO. IT TAKES ABOUT 3 OR 4 TRIES TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN IF YOU ARE USING THE KEY. IF YOU ARE JUST THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER OPENS THE DOOR FOR YOU WITH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TRIES AS THE DOOR WILL AUTOMATICLY RELOCK BY ITSELF AND YOU WILL BE LOCKED OUT. ON 10/29/11 THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR AND IT TOOK ABOUT 20 TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE LOCK FELT VERY TIGHT AND WAS HARD TO TURN. I HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE LOCKING SYSTEM. ONCE I GET INTO THE CAR, I WAS CONFUSED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AFTER THAT AND DROVE TO MY DESTINATION, WHEN I TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR I COULDN'T. I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. IT TOOK TEN MINUTES TO WITH ME FIGHTING WITHT THE LOCKS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I ONLY GOT OUT BY MY DAUGHTER GETTING OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND TAKING THE KEYS TO FIGHT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK. I HAVE MY CAR NOW SCHEDULED TO BE FIXED AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP ON 11/7/11. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434277November 4, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK BEFORE THE DOOR COULD BE OPENED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434154November 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN I USE THE REMOTE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS THEY UNLOCK. THEN WHEN I PULL ON THE HANDLE THE DRIVER SIDE, IT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS. IF I AM INSIDE THE CAR AND HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON IT UNLOCKS BUT WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE IT LOCKS AGAIN. I CAN GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2006 SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 4400. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433986November 2, 2011
STEERING
THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES TO THE RIGHT. YOU HAVE TO HANG ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. THE PULLING TO THE LEFT IS MORE PROMINENT. I TOOK IT IN ON SEPT 20TH FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY SWITCHED THE WHEELS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN ON OCT. 7TH AND AT THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED STILL. ON OCT 9TH I WAS DRIVING OFF A THRUWAY RAMP WHEN THE CAR ALMOST SWERVED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT BACK ON OCT. 13TH BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THEY STILL HAVE SAID VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432995October 27, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE KEY FOBS. THEY CANNOT BE REPROGRAMMED AND YOU BECOME STRANDED WITH NO WAY OF STARTING THE AUTO. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED FOUR TIMES TO REPROGRAM THE KEY FOB WITHOUT SUCCESS. THERE IS NO WAY TO START OR OPERATE THE CAR WITH THE MECHANICAL KEY. CAN BECOME A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE IN AN ISOLATED AREA! *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432874October 26, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,533 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,353.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432807October 25, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WAS INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432624October 24, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,200.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432365October 21, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CAR WILL RUN FINE, THEN ENGINE WILL START TO MISFIRE. THEN LOSE POWER (PUT THE GAS PETAL TO THE FLOOR AND CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND THE ENGINE DOES NOT REV UP DUE TO THE INCREASED GAS FLOW.) THE ENGINE WILL SHUTTER AND TURN OFF. LE IT SIT FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES AND THE CAR WILL START. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FOR ANOTHER 5-10 MINUTES AND SHUT OFF AND WILL NOT RUN FOR START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND WILL NOT DRIVE BEYOND COUPLE HUNDRED FEET. WE HAVE REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, EGR VALVE, SPARK WIRES, SPARKS, COIL PACKS, WATER PUMP, ALL BELTS, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND SHORT BLOCK REBUILD (WARRANTY WORK). THE CODE WAS THE FIRST TIME WAS MISFIRE IN 1 AND 4 CYDERS, AFTER THE REBUILD THE CODE IS MISFIRE 2 AND 3 CYDERS. WE HAVE THE COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NO CLUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430540October 17, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO START AFTER FUEL FILL-UP. IT GOT WORSE AFTER EACH FILL UP. TRIED PUTTING FUEL IN WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING, BUT IT WOULD JUST CUT OFF. MUST PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND REV GAS AFTER PUTTING IN FUEL TO GET GOING. I WAS USING KROGER GAS, I SWITCHED TO SHELL GAS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON. I THINK THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2003 KIA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429996October 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE IS AN OPTIMA 2006.5 MODEL YEAR. WHEN SLOWING (BRAKING) AND THEN RESUMING (ACCELERATING) IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR FREQUENTLY GOES INTO A 'NEUTRAL' STATE WHERE IT DOESN'T GO FORWARD ON ACCELERATION. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED THE ENGINE REVS UP, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE TO DRIVE FORWARD. ONCE THE CAR COASTS DOWN TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH OR LESS THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL RE-ENGAGE - AT LEAST SO FAR THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE. AS THIS IS HAPPENING I HAVE TO KEEP DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO KNOW WHEN THE DRIVE GEAR ENGAGES. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT STEPS NEED TO HAPPEN TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT DOES OCCUR FREQUENTLY NOW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS ~55,000 MILES. THE SITUATION IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT'S TERRIFYING TO BE COASTING DOWN TO A LOW SPEED WAITING ON THE TRANSMISSION TO RE-ENGAGE WHEN VEHICLES ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING FROM THE REAR. IF THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T RE-ENGAGE, THE RESULT IS LIKELY TO BE DEADLY FOR ALL PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430080October 13, 2011
SEATS
THE OWNERS MANUAL, SECTION 3, PAGE 8 DESCRIBES THE "FORWARD AND BACKWARD ADJUSTMENT" OF THE HEADRESTS IN THE 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE HEAD RESTS DO NOT ADJUST AS DESCRIBED IN THE MANUAL. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPLAINS THIS AS A "TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR." THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE HEAD REST IS DESIGNED SO THAT IT THRUSTS DRAMATICALLY FORWARD. IF THE SEAT IS SITTING UPRIGHT ONE MUST TILT ONES HEAD FORWARD TO ACCOMMODATE THE HEAD REST OR THE SEAT MUST BE LEANED BACKWARD SUCH THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 5' 2" TALL CAN NOT SEE OUT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429169October 8, 2011
SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED MY OPTIMA SX TURBO WITH LESS THAN 50 MILES ON IT. I GOT THE TURBO WITH 274 HP BECAUSE IT WAS THE CLOSEST I COULD GET TO A HOT ROD WITH FOUR DOORS. I HAVE SEND THIS INFORMATION TO KIA IN HOPES OF RESOLUTION. THE CAR'S ACCELERATION IS FANTASTIC, ESPECIALLY FROM 40-50 WITH GAS PEDDLE FLOORED. HERE IS THE PROBLEM. THE FRONT END RISES AND THE WEIGHT SHIFT MAKES THE CAR FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT TO PULL A WHEELIE. AT THIS POINT I QUESTION THE TRACTION OF THE FRONT TIRES. IT CANNOT BE THE SAME AS WITH NO SEVERE ACCELERATION. THIS TAKES AWAY THE REASON I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE. ALSO THINK ABOUT THIS SCENARIO. A FAMILY IS DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. THEY WANT TO PASS AN 18 WHEELER GOING UP A GRADE. ACCELERATION IS INCREASED AND WITH WEIGHT SHIFTED BACK OFF THE FRONT WHEELS, THEY CRASH. THE CAR NEEDS EITHER STIFFER SUSPENSION OR ABILITY TO CHANGE THE SUSPENSION. WHEN I FLOOR IT, THE WEIGHT RATIOS OVER ALL WHEELS MUST NOT CHANGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429147October 7, 2011
AIR BAGS
2007 KIA OPTIMA AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAY ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUTOFF. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OF COMPLAINTS TO KIA CONCERNING THIS PROBLEMS.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND KIA NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. NHTSA PLEASE INVESTIGATED KIA AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429688October 6, 2011
STEERING, SUSPENSION
2011 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WOULD OFTEN VEER TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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