Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11587879May 9, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The vehicle was restarted several times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with oil leaking into the spark plugs causing an engine misfire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587927May 9, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle when the vehicle restarted. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 115,911.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587630May 8, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hybrid system malfunction
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587699May 8, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint is chipping and falling off all over the car. The paint isn't sticking to the factory primer, causing paint chips to fly off while driving. This issue also exposes the unprotected steel to the elements, causing rust and weakening the car body.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587403May 7, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My paint is delaminating all over my vehicle and is flying off in large sheets. My car now has metal exposed which is susceptible to rust which poses a risk to the structure of my vehicle and the potential of my windshield flying off as a result. This first started occurring about a year ago. KIA fails to recognize this manufacturer defect and it continues to delaminate at an alarming rate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587420May 7, 2024
STEERING
Flexible steering coupling was faulty and replaced on 02-22-23 under recall. The same part became faulty again on 02-22-24, but Ewald Kia of Oconomowoc refused to replace the defective part without charge. The HECU is under recall so I scheduled a service appointment for recall and when I arrived at Ewald Kia of Oconomowoc, I was advised by service manager that they did no have parts to fix recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587564May 7, 2024
ENGINE
My son and his pregnant fiancé were traveling on [XXX] West bound Thursday [XXX]. They just got out of a construction zone near Rolla MO. At mile marker [XXX] the engine shut down with no warning at 60 mph and all the lights on the dash came on. He had a hard time controlling the car due to the steering being very tight and the brakes were manual. They got a tow to a safe place. I drove 5 hours to meet them and used a scanner to see what codes the car had. Zero codes showed up on my scanner. The engine immobilizer was engaged. We could not get the car started so I rented a U-Haul and car dolly and brought the car back to Indiana to the Avon IN Andy Mohr Kia dealer where we bought it. It was scheduled to be seen Tues [XXX] at [XXX]. I did not hear from them, so I called at 2:30. They informed me an engine was ordered for the vehicle. The Knock sensor detected a bearing knock and shut the car down at high speed on an interstate. The car has no outstanding recalls. I asked about the Knock sensor recall for Kia and ask why the car did not go into limp mod so they could make it safely off the interstate. No response from the dealer. This is a terrible design to have the car shut down at high speeds on an interstate. This could be deadly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587155May 6, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her husband was turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking noise was detected. The window failed to roll down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was concerned of the vehicle catching on fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587241May 6, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I have 3 issues currently going on with my 2015 Kia Optima. The first is the Oil Control Valve. This is supposed to be covered under my extended warranty that I pay for. If I didn't have the extended warranty I would be responsible for putting a new engine in a car with less than 60,000 miles on it. However, it will take time for the adjuster to come out and then to decide if the entire engine should be replaced which would then take even longer. The second issue is the O2 sensor which is part of the exhaust. Apparently in a care with less than 60,000 miles on it it's not unusual in the Kia Optima for this to go bad. Kia knows this is an issue but hasn't done anything about it. Lastly, the Stop Module in the braking system needs to be replaced. After hitting my brakes at a red light the ESC light came on and the brake lights don't go off. It's very dangerous as no one behind me can tell if I'm stopping or not. There was a previous recall for the HEC system which I had fixed. Per that recall brake fluid can leak and cause an electrical issue within the brake system but my Kia dealer service department is telling me it's not related to the original recall. I think it is and I think Kia should make the repair with no charge to me on a car with less than 60,000 miles on it. How does the engine, the exhaust system and the electrical system all go bad at the same exact time? This is unacceptable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587032May 5, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle is defectively unsafe, and unreliable due to PCM not functioning properly!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586917May 4, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
our ac keeps blowing relays. every month. and they other day we have to force power bank to the blower motor just to get it to work. half the inside and sometimes the even the outside lights works.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586738May 3, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started losing motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. However, while replacing the battery and starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586746May 3, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone where the vehicle was scanned and diagnosed with a failure with the knock sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a local independent mechanic where the knock sensor was replaced. The contact stated that the failure had recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586499May 2, 2024
ENGINE
Vehicle Hybrid system wanring light has come on 3 times since January 2024. Kia has not been able to resolve the issue and just reset the system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586521May 2, 2024
ENGINE
On April 19 of this year I was driving on the freeway and I noticed my car was losing power and my engine light came on and I quickly had to merge over to the emergency lane while my car was jerking back and fourth and making a knocking sound. I’ve only had the car for about 5 years and I took it to the dealership and explained to them that my oil would burn faster now and I think it was messing up my engine but they didn’t care. They said I need a new engine now and it’s going to cost me $6200 to fix and I’m still financing on this car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586591May 2, 2024
ENGINE
I've had a recall for months that there is no fix for. This is way too long to wait for a fix while there are so many issues with Kia's and Hyundai and getting insured right now. I do not feel safe with this car at this point. 5XXGN4A78DG155676 Sep 25,2023 I've had a recall for months that there is no fix for. This is way too long to wait for a fix while there are so many issues with Kia's and Hyundai and getting insured right now. I do not feel safe with this car at this point. [XXX] Sep 25,2023 Manufacturer Recall NumberSC284QF NHTSA Recall Number23V652 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete Summary KIA AMERICA, INC. HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 2012-2013 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES. THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586604May 2, 2024
STRUCTURE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (Structure) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair because the vehicle was a Canadian-manufactured vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586678May 2, 2024
ENGINE
Was on highway, engine seized, flashing engine light and knlocking noise, car went into limp mode, took to dealership code p1326 was thrown which is engine failure, I have had the knock sensor installed thru kia prior which put me in lifetime warranty for the engine, kia dealership did a diagnostic BCT, which is a 4 to 5 hour job at the most, kia called me in less than 2 hours and told me is passed the BCT ! there is no way they did the testing in less than 2 hours, and no way it passed with engine light blinking and knocking, that's what the sensor detects is engine failure, they are refusing to honor my warranty for the new engine , picked up my car from. Dealership, soon as I hit the end of the parking lot engine seized and loud knocking noise, was barely drivable but yet the lied on the paperwork and said it drives as designed and was fine, put in a new knock sensor which they already did a month ago! went right back in to dealership and they told me because it supposedly passed there was nothing they could do! R u kidding me!? They were rude and not wanting to help or honor my engine replacement, so here I am with a seized engine and they tell me nothing they can do till it fails the BCT! THE DAM CAR IS IN ENGINE FAILURE! In the last 3 months I have put 3k in this car! What is it gonna take for them to honor the new engine? Gonna take me, my kids, or someone else getting hurt before they do what they said they would do? I have been in contact with corporate as well and they have yet to get a return phone call from the dealership, they have left several messages and called bullshit as well, and believed I was treated poorly because I'm a female.....Little do they know, my father was a mechanic, he has passed on but I grew up around cars and know what's safe and what's not and know how long it takes to do a BCU test! Basically kia told me to drive it till the engine blows completely! I just want them to honor the warranty of the engine .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586278May 1, 2024
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
My vehicle has not repaired. I have not been in an accident. However there are two open safety recalls for my car and I am terrified that myself or someone else is going to be injured or even killed due to this problem has yet to be resolved. The first recall for my car is the headliner plates. I took my car into my local dealership (Stokes Kia of Goose Creek) and they told me it would take 10 business days before they could inspect my car and determine what the problem is (it’s a recall so I don’t understand why they would have to identify a problem that was clear in recall letter). However, I asked if they would repair my car within that 10 day period if they “identified” the problem. They told me it could take an additional 10 business days or longer for the repair (for them to get around to fix it because they were extremely backed up). I asked if I would be provided a loaner vehicle or rental and they told me no. They instructed to try the other Kia dealership which is much further away from me. I ended up trying the other Kia dealership. However, they told me they would not provide a loaner car but they did schedule an appointment for my repair. They told me it should not take long for the repair but they could have my car for about 3 days until they can get around to fixing it. I went along because I wanted the issue fixed so I prepared to make arrangements for the possibility that I wouldn’t have a car for 3 days. However, like the day or so before my appointment Kia Country called me saying that the parts for the repair were on a national back order and that I would be notified when they are available. I have yet to notified. Now there is another serious recall that there is no remedy for. I am extremely uncomfortable with my car with these recalls that can’t be fixed. This is not my fault so I shouldn’t have to suffer or be without a car due to these problems. I want to know what other options do I have?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586406May 1, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds or while parked, the electric windows, seats, sunroof, and radio failed to operate as needed. Additionally, when coolant was added to the coolant reservoir, the A/C unit blew warm air for 15 minutes before cooling down. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a car stereo store where it was diagnosed that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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