Kia Optima Complaints (2013)
1,443 consumer complaints on file.
- #11046243November 15, 2017ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AFTER LOSING FUNCTIONALITY OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY HI KIA (14673 CIVIC DR, VICTORVILLE, CA), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL THE SECOND TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR DRIVING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, MOTOR MOUNT, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER BANNED THE CONTACT FROM RETURNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF ORANGE (210 W KATELLA AVE, ORANGE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED, BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED LOWER BACK, HIP, AND HEAD INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11045387November 11, 2017VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I OWN A 2013 OPTIMA SXL. WHEN I AM PULLING OFF FAST OR PUNCHING IT AROUND 20MPH THE CAR DIES. LIKE I LOSE POWER, BUT THE RPMS ARE UP. FEELS LIKE I JAMMED THE BRAKES BUT I DON'T EVEN GET A ABS FEEL. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN SLOWLY HIT THE GAS. TIRE PRESSURE IS WHERE IT SUPPOSE TO BE. WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING IS TURNING OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL SO I FEEL SAFE HITTING THE GAS. IT'S REALLY BAD IN THE RAIN. IF I GO TO ACCELERATE AND NOT FAST IN THE RAIN IT DOES IT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND OF COURSE THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL. I DID SOME SEARCH ONLINE AND I FOUND A FORUM WHERE MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. ONE OWNER HAD THE HYDRAULIC ABS ASSIST MODULE REPLACED AND ECU REPROGRAMMED UNDER WARRANTY. WHILE MOST CUSTOMERS LIKE MY SELF HAVE BROUGH THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP JUST FOR THEM TO CLIAM THE PROBLEM IS NORMAL. THE PART IS 1600.00 PLUS 900.00 IN LABOR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT BECAME A REAL DANGER SPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. AS THE DIES UNDER ACCELERATION WHILE OVERTAKING. PART NUMBER 58920-2T550
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11043485November 5, 2017AIR BAGS
HAVEN'T ANYTHING HAPPENED JUST YET, BUT I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11040514October 27, 2017WHEELS
THE CHROME ON THE WHEELS IS SEPARATING FROM THE WHEEL/RIM. ALL AROUND THE LUG NUTS AREA THE CHROME IS PEALING OFF.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11039318October 24, 2017AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
ON SEPTEMBER 28TH MY HUSBAND WAS IN A ACCIDENT WHERE HE TURNED A CORNER AT 8MPH AND HIT THE REAR END OF A BOAT ON A TRAILER. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRUNCHED AND THE CAR IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF AND IF I WERE IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11036027October 24, 2017STEERING
CONSTANT KNOCKING / CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE SEEN ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE KIA BRAND IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING COUPLER???? ATTACHING A PIC I FOUND ON A WEBSITE. IT HAS BEEN "KNOCKING" FOR OVER A YEAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11034145October 17, 2017ENGINE, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IT STALLS AT LOW SPEED AND STALLS AT HIGH SPEED PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. AND MOTOR MAKES ALL KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE RATTLES WHEN COLD. AND RUN POORLY WHEN COLD. HAD A TOTAL OF 4 RECALLS AND HAVE NOT HAD IT A YEAR. HAD IT SENT TO KIA OF CHATTANOOGA WHEN I FIRST GOT IT FROM EDD KIRBY OF DALTON,GA AND ALL THEY DONE WAS PUT 600 MILES ON IT. AND DID NOTHING TO IT. THEN IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DALTON,GA FOR THE REST OF THE RECALLS BUT NOTHING WAS FIXED ALL THEY DONE WAS SERVICED THE CAR. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. IT IS GOING TO END UP GETTING SOMEONE KILLED OR BADLY HURT. I AM ABOUT READY TO CALL A LAWYER AND CHANNEL 3 NEWS OF CHATTANOOGA, TENN. IF YOU CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU MAY TALK TO MY HUSBAND [XXX] AT ANYTIME. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11033424October 15, 2017SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED ON THIS CAR. IF YOU WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE ACCELERATION THE CAR WOULD DETECT A SPINNING CONDITION AND CAUSE MAJOR DECELERATION BEING VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY IN MODERATE TRAFFIC TAKING THE VEHICLE FROM 60+ MPH TO VIRTUALLY 40 MPH WITH NO WARNING AND NO BRAKE LIGHTING TO WARN APPROACHING TRAFFIC. AFTER MANY VISITS TO KIA DEALER REMAINED UNADDRESSED UNTIL CONTACTING CORPORATE KIA AND FINDING A POSTING ON KIA OPTIMA FORUM WITH ANOTHER USER THAT HAD SAME ISSUE AND WAS FINALLY RESOLVED WITH SOME HYDRAULIC PART REPLACEMENT THAT COSTS $1,600 AND WAS BEING AVOIDED BY DEALERS. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO KIA CORPORATES ATTENTION THEY AGREED TO REPLACE WITH THAT PART WHICH DID ALMOST RESOLVE THAT ISSUE EXCEPT ON RARE INSTANCES CAR WILL STILL HESITATE WHEN ENCOUNTERING A BUMP ON ACCELERATION. AFTER THAT REPAIR HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOW FAILING WITH ERRATIC PULSING ON HARD BRAKING AND LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11030593September 29, 2017ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
THE ISSUE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY '17 WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY (55MPH SPEED LIMIT, SAME SPEED LIMIT FOR EACH TIME I EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES IN THIS SUMMARY). I HONKED MY HORN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKES (DUE TO ANOTHER CAR MAKING AN UNSAFE LANE CHANGE INTO MY LANE). SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS I HONKED THE HORN THE ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THEN WENT OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER I LIFTED OFF OF THE HORN. ADDITIONALLY, THE RPM GAUGE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED DOWN TO ZERO, THE CAR DRASTICALLY SLOWED DOWN, MY A/C STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR MY SEATS. MY CAR HAD THE ABILITY TO STILL ACCELERATE BUT, IT WAS EXTREMELY SLOW TO PICK UP SPEED. FURTHERMORE, EVERY TIME I HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MY CAR WAS EXTREMELY SLOW TO PICK UP SPEED. EVERY SYMPTOM LASTED UNTIL I PARKED MY CAR THAT DAY. I RETURNED TO MY CAR HOURS LATER AND TURNED IT ON AND IT WAS LIKE THE CAR RESET ITSELF. THE RPM GAUGE, ACCELERATION AND A/C WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MOST RECENTLY ON 9/28/17. THIS IS A LINK TO A VIDEO I FOUND THAT SHOWS SIMILAR ISSUES I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING (HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QULSDY-UMDK).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11024468September 28, 2017ENGINE
2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE ENGINE IS OFF. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENGINE KNOCKING COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT VISITING A DIFFERENT DEALER. UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11030187September 27, 2017SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT FOR LEFT REAR SEAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FEMALE PART SINKS INTO THE SEAT POCKET WHEN ATTEMPTING LATCHING SUCH THAT IT WILL NOT ACCEPT THE MALE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT. THE HARDER THE PUSH OF THE MALE PART, THE MORE THE FEMALE PORTION RETRACTS INTO THE SEAT. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MY KIA DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY CLAIM IT IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT OFFER A SOLUTION, IN SPITE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS I HAVE FOR MY PASSENGERS - ESPECIALLY MY GRANDCHILDREN. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND I HOPE IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE NHSTA EITHER. I HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE & ULTIMATELY FORCE KIA TO OFFER A RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. [XXX] GLENDALE, AZ VIN IS INVALID. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11025154September 23, 2017POWER TRAIN
SHIFTING PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR..BEFORE AND AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO AROUND TOWN. STARTED LAST YEAR VERY FEW TIMES, 2 TIMES DURING THE YEAR. 3 TIMES SO FAR THIS YEAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11022903September 12, 2017ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED BLACK SMOKE AND VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARMAX AND THEN TOWED TO KIA SOUTHSIDE (9401 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ASKED WHY A NOTIFICATION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12476138 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA WAS SUPPOSED TO NOTIFY THE CONTACT OF THE DEFECTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11022522September 10, 2017ENGINE
THERE IS A SAFERY RECALL FOR THIS CAR AMD INSPECTION HAVE BEING CONDUCTED I JUS RECEIVE THE NOTICE ABOUT 6 MONTHS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11022075September 7, 2017POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. I AM 2,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER. AFTER RESEARCHING WARRANTY HISTORY, I HAVE FOUND THIS CAR HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, AND DRAFT SHAFT REPLACED TWICE. ISSUES APPEAR TO OCCUR EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO PER THE WARRANTY HISTORY. I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS OF MY ONGOING SAFETY IN THIS CAR, GIVEN THE REOCCURRING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I BELIEVE I AM BEING TREATED INHUMANELY. KIA IS NOT WORKING WITH ME TO REACH AN AMICABLE SOLUTION.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11016533August 21, 2017STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FROM LOOSE TO TIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, AUTO HOLD, EPS, CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA (LOCATED AT 39650 LYNDON B JOHNSON FWY DALLAS, TX 75237, 877-363-9542) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12456964 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,873.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11016185August 18, 2017POWER TRAIN, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIRST, THE TIRES WERE WORN/DRY ROT WITH ONLY 3000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SECOND, VEHICLE STALLS WHEN THERE IS ANY MOISTURE ON THE ROADWAY CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THIRD, BACK UP CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. FOURTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR UNDERBODY RUST. FIFTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGINE SEIZURE WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11015550August 15, 2017ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED AND THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DRIVER COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND PROOF OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT SENT THE PROOF, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11013742August 8, 2017ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TAKATA RECALL. CAR HAS BEEN SAYING "WARNING PULL OVER DO NOT DRIVE" ALTHOUGH I AM IN PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY, IN THE CAR WASH OR ON THE FREEWAY. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES NOW AND THEY SAY DRIVE IT HERE NEXT TIME WITH THE WARNING ON BUT THE CAR FREEZES UP AND TURNS OFF WHICH RESETS THE WARNING DISPLAY! THE DEALERSHIP IS ACTING LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG. MILEAGE THIS STARTED IS 58,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11013401August 7, 2017ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SUMMIT PLACE KIA DEALER LOCATED ON 44900 N GRATIOT AVE, CHARTER TWP. OF CLINTON, MI 4803, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LONG BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ONLY GO WITH THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0