Kia Optima Complaints (2019)

213 consumer complaints on file.

#11485265September 19, 2022
STEERING
Two thefts of my 2019 Kia Optima in less than one year; 9/12/2021 and 7/30/2022 due to Kia's negligence in fixing a very obvious security flaw and lack of engine immobilizer. I have spent approximately $2,500 of my own money between insurance deductibles and replacing items that were stolen from my vehicle in addition to the actual vehicle theft. The thefts caused over $13,000 of damage between the two claims, and surely have depreciated the value of my car significantly. Thousands of Kia customers are negatively affected by this negligence, and we are being punished and violated for owning compromised vehicles. I feel incredibly unsafe driving my vehicle anywhere knowing full well it could be stolen at any moment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485068September 18, 2022
AIR BAGS
On sept 1st I was in an accident. I hit a parked car. My car was totaled. I suffered a fractured sternum and possible concussion. All of airbags failed to deploy. PALO ALTO POLICE RECORD,22-02889
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11482606September 2, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is chipping on the right side of the vehicle it is through the primer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482370September 1, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, several deers intercepted the lane, to prevent impact with them, she turned the steering wheel and crashed head-on into a telephone pole. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained a concussion when she hit her head on an unknown surface and was transported by an ambulance to an Emergency Room to seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact towed the vehicle to an autobody center. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,596.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11481102August 25, 2022
POWER TRAIN
Double clutch failure replacement twice in 3 years Transmission being replaced My son has same model and year of car and has had double clutch replaced once. Beat friend also owns same year and model Kia with same double clutch issue Transmission fails to engage from stopped position to starting off from dead start. Car begins to shake and shutter and the transmission kicks in When parked downhill, car will not engage into reverse and lunges forward. Serious problems with this models double clutch transmission. Internet search revealed this is problematic with Kia double clutch transmission
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480213August 19, 2022
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there were knocking sounds before the engine suffered a failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over safely and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit software not being updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479279August 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
As soon as I pulled onto the parkway, I heard a loud bang almost like a gunshot. Pulled over to inspect the vehicle and my sunroof had exploded. No rocks or foreign objects. The sunroof looked as if it blew up from the inside out forming almost a “volcano” shape. After trying for an hour to get ahold of Kia, they inform me this won’t be covered under warranty. Filed a claim with insurance. This is very dangerous and if my visor was opened, I could have been cut to pieces. This could easily cause a wreck and danger myself and others
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479201August 14, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The skid plate under the vehicle has two pieces. The main larger piece and a small piece that comes off to change the oil. The screws used to hold up the smaller part of the skid plate tend to puncture the oil pan because one of the screws holding the skid plate is directly underneath the oil pan. If people are unaware of the oil being gone it can seize the motor and stall the vehicle. After researching and looking at different forums, this is a common issue that takes place.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475811July 25, 2022
ENGINE
Car ran perfectly. No indications on the dash cluster until the check engine light started flashing and car went into limp mode. Got to safety off freeway to a gas station lot. Parked car. Took video of the car running while recording the dashboard. Pushed the gas while in park to hear Rod knock. It was 10pm. Had car towed home. 2 days later towed to dealer. Between time it broke down and I had towed to them. I found out about the knock sensor. I also joined a group on Facebook with hundreds of people getting screwed over. There I learned about class action and oil consumption issues. Not on any oil change was I made aware of low oil. I check my oil levels and have a high class mechanic change my oil. So first the dealer calls me and says. Technician states no oil in engine. I ask. Well why was there no oil light on? I said if there was. I’d had had my car checked. I said only thing in was flashing check engine light at the moment of failure. He advised. No the engine lights not on but oil light is. I emailed him my dash cluster video. He calls me and says. Oh you’re right. Sorry miscommunication with technician. I also sent picture of oil dipstick that showed there was oil filled to The top indicator. Advisors Response was basically a shrug. They asked for most recent 6 oil change receipts. I furnished 8. They said sludge in engine. I asked for pics. After 6 requests I received 2 pics that do not match up with pics I took of same part. So at this point per at least 200 people and myself. Kia and Hyundai are voiding warranties and not backing up their crappy engines. WE NEED HELP URGENTLY. I have not paid car payment since breakdown. I am $3700 in the hole paying for rental that I was told would be reimbursed once engine replacement was approved. Well they SUCK. Many more in my position or worse now. This is criminal and fraudulent
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473779July 13, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have had my AC have 4 problems now and continue to have different problems since I bought the car a little over 6 mo ago. KIA is a pain and I'm constantly taking my vehicle in. The first time it wasn't major, the second time it was something electrical with the AC that tore apart my whole dashboard. Now I have a mold and mildew smell in my car and water leaking excessively under my car. My daughter who is 5 yrs old hasn't had ac for multiple weeks and now we are inhaling mold and mildew. I changed the cabin filter that was in the car and it had water stains all over it. This is a safety concern for the health of me and my child and I want things made right. My lawyer has been contacted and will proceed if nothing is done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458448March 26, 2022
ENGINE
We own 2 2019 Kia optimas, one my 20yr old daughter drives. On her way to school she smelled a burning smell. On her way home at a dangerous intersection she smelled a strong burning smell & the car just stopped. I told her to get out of the car quickly, she had to climb to the right side as it was too unsafe to exit from the left. Thankfully she wasn’t on a 55 mile/hr road bc it just stopped abruptly & surely would have been hit as brake lights would not have warned. The car was towed to the dealership where it was purchased & under warranty on Friday 3/18/22. Saturday 3/19/22 I went to inquire what happened & was told by the service advisor that it started once, there was a burning smell coming from the engine & the engine was only running on 2 cylinders & stopped. He said they created a ticket, which I came to know that they were conferring with Kia engineers by Kia consumer affairs & I also created a case with. We did research & found a class action suit that was settled describing the exact problem that we experienced, however bc it was settled, Kia was never had to issue a broad recall, so if your 2019 optima experienced this very serious problem of engine failure & fires after 11/30/2021, they say Kia will be handling the cases on a rolling basis, however we just got the run around & the car remains there today 3/26/22 unfixed & the dealership is trying to say it’s just a fuel pump & if that was the case, they wouldn’t need 8 days waiting for Kia engineers to be fixed. In the settlement, Kia was also noted to be denying proper fixes for this serious issue with cars still under warranty. We were denied a rental car & they will not call us. This is my daughter’s life, please help us. The other 2019 Kia Optima that I drive was brought to the same dealership under warranty complaining of the engine sputtering & jumping, they did nothing & said it should be fine however it’s still doing it & my daughter is now driving this potentially dangerous car to school. This vehicle has been there since 03/18/22 & it’s 0
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447746January 17, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Refer to all the complaints of the pearl white paint flaking. I am filing another complaint and the dealership is not helping. Please help! https://www.google.com/search?q=kia+pearl+white+paint+recall&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS970US971&oq=kia+perl+white+pai&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i13l2j0i22i30l7.6591j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444715December 22, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is bubbling and chipping. When I call the dealer I get voicemails or a sales rep telling me its not covered despite the warranty manual stating it is.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442058November 30, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
My car didn't stop the brakes wouldn't stop i hit a stationary Tractor i got a ticket due to me hitting the light pole too
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442166November 30, 2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The forward collision system failed in my Kia 2019 optima. I was driving and the lights come on the forward collision lights and the engine turned off I had no control over the vehicle I couldn't even turn the wheel. It turned right on its own and threw me up on a bank and I rolled twice. The car was out of control. I've never been so terrified in my life. The safety measure failed and nearly cost my life. My brakes locked up as well and I'm lucky to be alive. This was uncontrollable the car was in control and it was wrong. I'm not sure if it was the forward Collison or the traction control and there were no warning lights ever on this was a new vehicle. I have witnesses that seen it someone pulled me out the vehicle bc my doors were locked. The car is currently deemed a total loss by state farm and is in Pulaski at IAA #5409946490. Stock # 31768854. Please help me get this out for other Kia owners the safety issues life or death. There was a police report and I do have pictures. I have reached out to Kia many times and they will not help me or inspect it. I'm at a loss of what to do. Please help me Kia has confirmed safety issues with this model and year with the forward collision error. Although I didn't know this until after the accident and I researched it.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442026November 29, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Optima SXL, 2019, 5,678 miles. When using the air conditioning, liquid on passenger side fills up on my mate about 1/2 inch. Took to dealer Three times. States the hose gets clogged and they have to clear this. Now car starting to smell like mold/mildew. Rug is getting wet. They did not want to detail the call. Service person tells me to bring it back and they will unclog it. But I want it fix not keep coming back to unclog the hose. They stated this happens all the time. This sees to be a problem to me. It’s a New Vehicle. What can I do?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442030November 29, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
my car has been broken into and stolen twice by the same people because of how easy it is to steal it (Kia and Hyundai). Kia hasn’t fixed the issue of their car door locks can be busted with a screen driver and the ignition can too. My car has been stolen twice the same way they bust my door lock bust my ignition and steal the car. Kia won’t even acknowledge the issue despite their being many complaints about the same thing happening to other peoples cars. Filed insurance claims both times and both times the car has been recovered
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440959November 18, 2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My daughter hit a deer at 65 mph causing total loss 5 miles prior to the accident the forward collision warning light came on stating it was inactive due to the sensor being blocked or damaged.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440481November 15, 2021
AIR BAGS
Wow
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11440501November 15, 2021
AIR BAGS
Struck by heavy vehicle in an intersection; t-boned in the left front — by the right front of other vehicle which ran a red light. I have numerous injuries to my left side, and I have a damaged heart because none of my airbags deployed during the crash. The corner where I moved from when the traffic signal turned green has a severely blocked view where I sat at a red light. There’s a highway barrier fence that stretches alongside the road I was traveling, and this fence extends beyond the stop line for that traffic signal; it even stretches up to the sidewalk/crosswalk. That fence is completely covered with the heavy cover of vegetation/vines. Even at night, there is no visibility through that fence, can’t even see headlamps of another vehicle at night.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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