9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
67,500 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. obtain another car (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Kia dealer.

problem #2

Jan 022009

Optima LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

This car is the worst car I have ever owned!!! I bought it in January 2002 off the lot. It was in the service department CONSTANTLY! Less than 6 months after I bought it problems started with electrical devices, and it has been nothing but problem after problem since then. It is no longer under warranty, unfortunately and NONE of the parts are standard forcing me to buy them from Kia. I can't afford another car right now so I am stuck with this POS for the time being but as soon as I can get rid of it, I plan to and I will NEVER buy another Kia EVER!

- kharvey, Hanover Park, IL, US

problem #1

Dec 272002

(reported on)

Optima SE

  • 29,000 miles

I purchased my car in November 2001 from Auffenberg Kia in O'Fallon, Illinois, and the problems are as follows.

Listed below are the dates that I have had my car in the service department for repairs: Jan. 18, 02 – radio problems, rear strut and brake problems Jan. 18, 02 – thermostat Jan. 31, 02 – engine light on, making popping noise when heater is on Mar.12, 02 – engine light on again, fog light burned out, wobbling of car, tire problem May 8, 02 - brakes are making grinding noise, burning smell at times, A/C vent broke May 21, 02 – to replace vent Sept. 9, 02 – vehicle would not start, no power, car door locking itself when trying to get in and out, brakes still making grinding noise (had to be towed in) Nov. 4, 02 - driver window went down by self and would not go back up Nov. 7, 02 - (service department closed, talked to sales rep, said rent car and bring car in for service on Monday), again engine light on for two days, light went out, seat stuck at steering wheel it will not move backwards or forwards, trunk latch on door will not open trunk, door continues to lock itself, having trouble with auto key, requested a new one to be ordered last time brought in for repairs, had to mention it again today (Nov. 9, 2002).

I am writing to let you know of my dissatisfaction with my Kia, and the service I have received in trying to rectify all the problems, and it is a shame that the men in the service department know me by my first name. I intend to contact the Better Business Bureau, Action 2, and any another organization that can help me regarding the dealership, as well as Kia. What good is a 100,000 mile warranty if it takes 95,000 miles to find and fix the problems????

I have been caused so much stress by the situation with this car, that I am actually losing my hair. I am afraid to get on the highway in this car, not to mention the fact that I am scared to death to drive it with my children in it with me. I do not want to have to take legal action, but I will be forced to if Kia cannot turn this nightmare into a satisfied customer story.

I want out of the Kia, totally. I want a car comparable to it in size, with all the same options, with the same payment (for the length of time I have left on the Kia) and I want it now. I have been fooling around with the dealer's service department and this car for long enough.

And if this is not enough when the car went in on Nov 7th and I was told to rent a car (which I did, I had to go out to Lambert Airport to get it) and that I would be totally reimbursed, Ha! They wouldn't give me the total amount, and get this on Friday Dec. 20th the same thing happended again, the fuses blew and once again I am without my car. They call me today Dec. 27th and tell me my car is finished but I will be responsible for two days for the rental because the warranty only covers 5 days, needless to say I didn't pay anything, I didn't ask them to take 7 days to fix the car.. Believe me, Auffenberg Kia has not been very helpful to get me out of this car and into another one unless I have a down payment and want to start over. They won't even honor the Lemon Law and I believe that should have already kicked in.

If anyone else is having these problems please lets get together and maybe we can make the difference for someone else.

- frankd, Caseyville, IL, US