Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10173863November 20, 2006
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
KUMHO RADIAL TIRE ON THE BACK (PASSENGER SIDE) OF A 2007 KIA OPTIMA FAILED AT APPROXMIATELY 70 MPH. THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WALLS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TREAT ITSELF, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING OTHER THAN STRUCTURAL FAILURE (SUCH AS A FOREIGN OBJECT) WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRE'S FAILURE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173827November 19, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
OUR CONCERN RELATES TO THE SAFETY OF OUR VEHICLE. A NICE FEATURE OF THIS CAR IS THE DE-ACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHEN THAT SEAT IS VACANT; HOWEVER, THERE APPEARS TO BE A MALFUNCTION. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP AS PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED THERE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN OF OURS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173752November 17, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V156000, REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171849October 25, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA THAT WAS JUST PURCHASED 2 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS A PROBLEM STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ALSO WORK AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP. ONE OF THE LAST TIMES THIS HAPPENED I ALMOST HIT A BUSINESS SIGN TURNING A CORNER. I BELIEVE THE DEALER AND KIA ARE NOT DOING ALL THEY SHOULD SINCE I WORK THERE. THEY ONLY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE ONE TIME AND ONLY CHECKED A COUPLE OF THINGS. I HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR BUSINESS ALMOST 20 YEARS AND I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. THE FACTORY REP. FOR KIA DID NOT REALLY CARE. HIS NAME IS [XXX]. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. BEFORE I PURCHASED VEHICLE THE DEALER HAD ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THE FUEL PUMP ON THE VEHICLE. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170330October 10, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FROM THE DAY I HAVE PULLED MY CAR OFF THE LOT ONE YEAR AGO I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS EVERYTIME I CRANK MY CAR MY BELTS LET OFF THIS SQUEALING NOISE. AT EVERY OIL CHANGE I HAVE ASKED THEM TO DOUBLE CHECK THE BELTS. UPON PICKING UP THE CAR THE DEALER ASSURED ME THEY HAVE TIGHTEN THE BELTS ONLY TO HAVE THEM CONTINUE SQUEALING. THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT I DO NOT GET A COMPLETE FILL UP WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION. I PUT THE NOZZLE IN THE TANK AND CLICK THE AUTO HOLDER TO FILL UP MY TANK AT THE POINT IT IS READY TO SHUT OFF GAS COME SPEWING OUT BEFORE IT SHUTS OFF. THEN YOU CHECK THE GALLONS ENTERED AND YOU REALIZE THAT YOU COULD HAVE PUT AT LEAST ANOTHER GALLON IN THE TANK BUT IT WON'T LET YOU. THE LAST MAJOR THING THAT I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR WAS EVERY TIME I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL IT MADE A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE. TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT MY UPPER CONTROL MOUNT BOLT HAD COME LOOSE. IN ADDITION I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT THE ACCELERATION THAT THE 2005 KIA OPTIMA REALLY STINKS. IT HAS NO ACCELERATION, IT BOGS DOWN AND ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN MY AIR CONDITIONING OFF JUST TO MAKE IT OUT OF AN INTERSECTION. I AM SO UNHAPPY WITH MY CAR IT IS NOT FUNNY. THE INCIDENT DATE IS ONGOING, NO SPECIFIC DATES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170291October 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 200 MILES I STOPPED FOR A MEAL. APPROX. 30 MINUTES LATER I STARTED MY KIA OPTIMA (2006). IT RAN VERY ROUGH THEN STALLED & DIED. I HAD PLANNED TO STOP AT WINERY APPROX. 3-4 MILES FROM CAFE I ATE AT. I STARTED CAR AGAIN. DROVE TO WINERY AND AS I PULLED INTO PARKING SLOT, CAR RAN ROUGH & DIED AGAIN. I WENT BACK TO SHELL STATION ACROSS FROM CAFE I ATE AT. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASST. CAR WAS TAKEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN PEORIA,IL. SERVICE DEPT FOUND MISFIRE AND CHANGED CRANK SENSOR. ALSO PERFORMED OTHER TESTS WITH REGARDS TO FUEL PRESSURE, ETC. RETRIEVED CAR THE FOLLOWING SAT 9/30/06. APPROX. 100 MILES LATER THAT DAY ON WAY TO INDIANAPOLIS, WE STOPPED AT MUSEUM. STARTED CAR APPROX. 2 HOURS LATER, CAR RAN EXCESSIVELY ROUGH AT START UP , BUT DID NOT DIE THIS TIME. DROVE BACK TO INDIANAPOLIS. INFORMED KIA AND TOOK CAR TO LOCAL KIA DEALER ON 10/3/06. CAR DID NOT DISPLAY SYMPTOMS UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY APPROX. 2-3 P.M. WHEN I DROVE BACK IN AFTER START UP WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS. SERVICE DEPT DID NOTICE MISFIRE AT THAT TIME. I AM NOW WAITING ON A LOANER CAR FROM KIA, SO MY CAR CAN GO IN FOR TESTING TO FIND PROBLEM. KIA AUTHORIZED WAITING REF#K1230868 ON 10/4/06. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170087October 6, 2006
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON PAVED ROADS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAD A SEVERE VIBRATION AND MADE A ROARING NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN AND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE HANKOOK, OPTIMO P205/60R16, DOT #T7BKBWH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170085October 6, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, VISIBILITY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ADJUSTED TOO LOW TO SEE BEYOND 30 FEET AHEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DESIGNED THAT WAY. UPDATED 11/14/2006 - THERE IS A DARK CURTAIN THAT BLOCKS HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON THERE ON A DARK ROAD THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SEE MORE THAN 30 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DARK CURTAIN. WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY WITH AMBIENT LIGHT THE CURTAIN IS TRANSPARENT. THE DEALER CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT TO BRIGHTER ONES BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER THE DEALER THOUGHT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171190October 4, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
2003 OPTIMA AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN SWERVING TO AVOID A MANHOLE. *TS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE IT REGISTERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A COLLISION. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A DISTRICT PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANAGER CONCLUDED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG PROPERLY DEPLOYED IN THE INCIDENT EXPERIENCED BY THE CONSUMER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169910October 4, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
JUST PUT MY 2 YR OLD DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT, LOADED THE GROCERIES INTO THE CAR ALONG WITH MY PURSE AND KEYS. SHUT THE DOOR. DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. HAD TO CALL 911 FOR POLICE TO COME AND GET MY DAUGHTER OUT OF CAR. ALSO HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR, HAD THE KEYS AND STILL COULD NOT GET DOORS UNLOCKED. THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A FLUKE UNTIL I READ OTHER REPORTS ABOUT THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENING IN KIAS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169716October 2, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY LOST TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER, CAUSING A LAG IN THE PICKUP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168515September 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED EACH TIME AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168159September 13, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT IS AWAITING INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE THIRD AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167792September 10, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
PURCHASED A 2003 KIA OPTIMA AND AFTER 3 MONTHS OF DRIVING VEHICLE, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166218August 22, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT INCIDENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, THEN CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSTIC CODES. THERE WERE NO CODES FOUND AND THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FROM THE LOT, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO EXPRESSED THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH AND THERE WERE STILL NO CODES. THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED A THIRD TIME; ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REFUELED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165870August 16, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IT TOOK 3-4 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA OPTIMA TO START AND THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. *KB WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165162August 10, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPDATED 08/29/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164399August 3, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR AND DROVE IT, THE LIGHTS BECAME DIM IN THE INSIDE AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND ON, TOOK IT TO DEALER 4-5 TIMES FOR PROBLEM AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR DOESN'T PICK UP SPEND WHEN GOING OVER HILLS NOT EVEN LITTLE ONES. THE GAS NEEDLE DOES NOT READ FULL EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS PRACTICALLY OVERFLOWING WITH GAS. READING A FULL TANK OF GAS HAPPENS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON . HAVE TAKEN TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY SPEND SENSOR IS GOING OUT AND THAT IS WHY THE CAR IS GOING FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR AND SKIPS 2ND ALTOGETHER I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR THE WARRINTY IS GONE AND I WAS NEVER OFFERED THE EXTENDED WARRINTY AND REALLY DIDN'T THINK OF IT SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY 4 YR OLD. BACK BRAKES HAVE ALSO GONE OUT AT LEAST I THINK SO THEY STARTED GRINDING WITH NO WARNING 2 DAYS AGO I'M GOING TO HAVE THEM CHECKED THIS WEEKEND. AIR (NEVER USED BEFOE THIS SUMMER)DOESN'T GET COLD LIKE IT SHOULD. DOOR LOCK MAKING A CRAZY SOUND ON DRIVERS SIDE, BELIEVE THE MOTOR IS GOING OUT ON POWER LOCKS THEY ALSO TEND TO NOT WANT TO UNLOCK SOMETIMES. ATENNA BROKE.AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T TURN OFF. ALSO HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF ANY RECALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED ON MY CAR OR NOT OR IF THEY STILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164405August 3, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 2004 KIA OPTIMA WITH A BELT THAT SQUEAKS RATHER LOUDLY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $120.00 TO REPLACE IT IF I WANTED TO, BUT IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. MY PROBLEM WAS THAT I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT MADE THIS AWFUL SOUND. I EVEN CONTACTED KIA'S COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT, BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST KIA. THIS JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN ONCE, BUT SQUEAKS ON A REGULAR BASIS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163722July 25, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
2003 KIA OPTIMA CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND ONTO A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF BUT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE BATTERY CABLES HAD MELTED. *KB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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