Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11614957September 16, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I started having clicking sound in engine around 50k miles . Then my check engine light came on and my engine has been using so much oil. I have to get an additional 3 quarts in between oil changes. The clicking sound is getting louder and my car is now having issues accelerating. . My engine is failing and I bought this car brand new and have regularly maintained it .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614674September 15, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I’ve had the 2018 Kia Optima for a little over a year. I purchased it as a used vehicle. I’ve noticed that the car is utilizing an excessive amount of oil. Each time I get an oil change for the vehicle I am having to purchase oil to refill the vehicle about 2weeks to a month after. I’ve made multiple road trips where I’ve gotten the oil changed before leaving and I drove around 350 miles; halfway through the drive the oil was half empty on the dipstick. The first time this happened I was unaware of this issue and when I arrived to my destination after around 350 miles of driving, the car had little to no oil. I will provide store receipts of each time I had to purchase oil for the vehicle. I will also provide service interval receipts upon request. Dates of oil purchase are as follows: 1.7/18/23 2.8/16/23 3.10/20/23 4.12/18/23 5.2/7/24 6.2/29/24 7.3/18/24 8.5/4/24 9.5/11/24 10.7/9/24 Service intervals for oil changes are kept up with every 3-5k miles and can provide maintenance receipt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614687September 15, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In May 2024, I took my 2013 Kia Optima (2.0L T-GDI) to my local dealership to have several recalls completed, including SC284QF (Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit). The dealership completed the recalls and I have a receipt showing all three recalls were completed. On Sep 12 2024 I received a recall notice stating the recall SC284QF had NOT been completed and to contact my dealership to schedule this recall repair. I looked up the Kia Safety Recall Campain instruction, detailing the repair step-by-step. I then went to my vehicle fuse panel (where the recall repair was to be performed) and was able to verify the recall has NOT been completed, despite the Kia dealership claiming (and documenting) the recall as being complete. This recall states that the risk of not competing this recall is potential engine fire while being driven or parked. I park this vehicle inside my garage (attached to my house) and this could have caused a fire which could have endangered the lives of my family. I have attached the Kia Safety Recall Campain instructions as well as a photo of the affected fuse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614735September 15, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
After getting HECU recall done , it has caused issues with the HECU module to where the brake lights no longer work and the ESC light comes on the cluster panel. Up on reading the code C2130, it says Brake lamp relay error. Mind you that my car was in working order before this recall was even done. This a huge safety issue not having your brake lights work. I can get rear-ended and i have kids in the car. This has been a issue since July when i got the recall done and KIA has yet to find a fix for this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614541September 14, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
A high pressure fuel pump, the car is at a shop to get worked on. I was told not to drive the vehicle because it can catch on fire. The part that was leaking was connected to the engine which could cause the car to catch fire if it touched the hot engine. I was scared to drive the vehicle because it smelled like straight gas, I was terrified thinking the car was going to blow up. So I parked the car , so nothing bad can happen to me or others. I also Called Kia of Waldorf and the did not have an appointment until the following week of the 20th. Yes this was confirmed by an independent service center. No there was not any warnings on the dash board. But I do know it was a recall one time before on the high pressure fuel for Kia optima’s.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614637September 14, 2024
ENGINE
Check Engine light on due to too much oil consumption of engine per mechanic
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614409September 13, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH several hours after an oil change was performed on the vehicle, the engine seized. The battery, the check engine, and the low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road close to a swamp. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer contacted the manufacturer, and an engineer was sent to diagnose the vehicle. The engineer determined that the repair could not be covered because Kia Campaign Number: PI1803 (Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement) had not been performed on the vehicle; however, the contact had not received the Service Campaign notification in the mail. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact followed up with the manufacturer, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 127,718.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614062September 11, 2024
ENGINE
Engine seized and failed whilst traveling 70 MPH down I-10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613770September 10, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2013 Optima SXL Snow White Pearl Pain Has been peeling since approximately 48,000 miles This has been discussed with Kia Service reps on multiple occasions since it was first noticed. Vehicle is now at 148,000 miles and paint continues to chip away on the hood and pillars of car. It is evident the problem is not isolated to my car. Every snow white pearl car i see driving down the road has similar paint chipping.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613791September 10, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
My car's paint began chipping and peeling about a year ago, it continues to get worse day by day and exposed areas show a bare metal with some areas rusting. This is happening very rapidly and appears the whole car may lose its paint quickly. Please help!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613866September 10, 2024
ENGINE
2 weeks ago my 2011 Kia Optima's engine died while driving. I am the 2nd owner of the car and bought it in summer of 2022 (not 2020). Before buying the car private sale, I sought my mechanics advice who told me Kia engines had issues going back to 2011. Before buying, my brother called the closest Kia dealership to confirm the owner was telling the truth that he had taken the car in for all safety recalls. Kia told my brother the engine and vehicle belonging to the VIN he provided were good to go and that the engine recalls were done. After my car died, I had it towed to my mechanic and was told the engine was bad. I called Russ Darrow Kia and informed them of the situation. I don't recall who I spoke with, but I asked about the recalls and any red flags that would void any warranties on the engine. I was told there were none and I should have the car towed to have them do an engine inspection. On September 7th, I called Kia because I had not heard anything about my car. I was told an inspection was done but the warranty was voided because a recall for NOX sensor had not been done. I called Kia consumer and spoke with a supervisor who just read a template of the Federal Lawsuit and how due to the voided warranty, Kia would not replace my engine. I explained how I had called prior to buying the car and confirmed the engine was up to date with any recalls and I had not received any recall notices for the NOX sensor nor any others pertaining to the engine. I only ever received a recall notice about the anti theft software. The supervisor was extremely insensitive toward me and told me there were numerous recalls and that whomever I called at Kia would have never told me the car was good to go. I would've taken it in if I knew about the recall, or any other. They are refusing to replace the engine. Kia is charging me $190 for their diagnosis and a quote on a replacement engine. The car was well maintained with prompt oil changes. I feel like I'm being scammed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613462September 9, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My grandson was driving home last night on our Clay County West Virginia narrow unlighted road when his 2018 Kia Optima Headlights went out completely. He wrote that he was scared but finally was able to get lights back on before running off the road. Also, several nights while car is locked with one in the car: the headlights came on. He had to unlock the car and start it up to finally get the headlights off. The lights were off when he first entered the house. I have a service call set up for 09-27-24 with Dutch Miller Kia, but there is a $180.96 + tax diagnostic charge and then the cost to repair the situation. I see there are many NHTSA complaints on your website for this problem. Kia apparently has not issued a statement or recall. HELP!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613568September 9, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
On or about 13 May 2024 my family and I traveling. During the travel the vehicle displayed “Hybrid System Stop and Do Not Drive”. We took it in to Kia during the time that they had the vehicle, they informed us that it needed an ECU update (recall). When services were finished, we picked up the vehicle and was made to pay for services that were part of the recall. When we left the dealership, the lights on the dashboard appeared 1. Engine, 2. HEV. We called the dealership back and informed them what happened. They told us to take the vehicle back to them. After checking it, they informed us that due to the update that was done to the vehicle it triggered faults in the battery. They informed us we would have to replace the Hybrid Battery that would cost us about $13,000. We stated to them our vehicle wasn’t having battery issues when we initially turned the vehicle in for service. They refused to assist and stated it wasn’t there responsibility even though it was given to us with these faults. We left the dealership and after driving for a few minutes, the warning sign came on and the car began to smell like smoke. I contacted KIA Corporate and informed them that the vehicle displayed a message on the dashboard and smoke. The gentleman I spoke to informed me not to drive the vehicle and park it away from other vehicles and to get the vehicle to KIA to check services. We took it to a different KIA for services. They informed us that the hybrid battery needed to be replaced and the cost. I explained to them the recall issue and that the vehicle was given to us with the issues that started to occur after the update. They said it wasn’t their responsibility and that they weren’t going to fix the damages or issues that were caused by another dealership. I called KIA Corporate and informed them of the situation and how the dealership refused to make repairs although they knew the hybrid battery issues were triggered from the recall updates/repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613317September 8, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine may be blown not sure what all is affected. Engine died while driving. Trying to start makes a loud knocking in engine compartment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612950September 6, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
All 4 of my windows regulators went out within a week without any warning the two front windows went down and I can’t get them back up the two back windows are up but I have something holding them up which is dangerous because I can’t put the child lock on for my children because I can’t let the windows in case I have to get them out
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613078September 6, 2024
AIR BAGS
Possible clock spring failure. Symptoms - Air bag light remains on and lost functionality on left side of steering wheel. Not covered under recall, but 2016 year is covered. My vehicle appears to have a mix of 2015 & 2016 parts (specifically front brakes). No aftermarket changes to brakes or steering clock spring.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612834September 5, 2024
STEERING
There is a serious malfunction with the motor driven power steering. Needs replacement as I am not able to steer my car thus I am not able to drive it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612849September 5, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612591September 4, 2024
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving uphill at 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612662September 4, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The contact also stated that the failure had occurred several days earlier, but the vehicle was able to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the camshaft sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, who additionally determined that the engine had seized due to abnormal bearing wear, resulting in irreparable engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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