7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
90,850 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
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problem #6

Dec 082016

Optima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,265 miles

Please help... my problem is getting worse. the jerking cutting out and hesitation happens accelerating as well as slowing down to make a stop. this morning on my way to work I experienced something I have never experienced before in this car. I was at a very busy intersection during morning Rush and when I begin to turn my vehicle stalled as if it wasn't taking the acceleration or the gas. All caps please help. I'm not sure if it is a fuel problem or a transmission problem some insight would be greatly appreciated.

- romerosgirl131, Erath, LA, US

problem #5

Apr 232013

Optima LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Transmission jerks when downshifting till engine warms up. There is no recall.

- anthonyaz, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #4

Nov 182015

Optima LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

The car shifts hard from 2nd to 1st gear with declining speed around 20 mph. The problem occurs the first few minutes of driving after the car has sat for a couple hours. Then it runs fine until I let it sit for at least 90 minutes and repeats the problem. I had taken it in to the local shop and since they could not get the problem to repeat, they thought it was broken sway bar and fixed that instead for $450. The problem was not resolved. It was at this time I tried to pay attention to my speed when the jerking happened, since the mechanics reassured me my brakes were fine. That is when I noticed the jerking was occurring around 20 mile an hour routinely.

- Stacey L., Rossford, OH, US

problem #3

Jan 012012

Optima LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

I have had this car since it was brand new and have been taking it in to Anderson Kia in St. Joseph, MO. They say they are technicians and if the machine does not identify the problem they can't help me. This has been going on since the car was purchased. When I slow down the car bangs into gear and it seems to be getting worse.

I feel like this is turning into a dangerous situation. I have a 6 year old daughter who is in the car with me all of the time and I feel like I am putting her in harms way. I have tried everything to get someone to help me but we don't have "mechanics" anymore, we have "technicians". I have been told that as hard as it is banging into gear, it could cause the airbags to come out. I feel like I have exhausted all options and feel like I now have to take it to an attorney or start posting online to see how many others are having the same issue.

I have been more than patient with this issue and have contacted an Attorney for legal help. I feel like I put my faith in Kia when I purchased the car and I feel like it should not have had to come to this. Every day I feel like I put my life and my child's life at risk by getting behind the wheel of my car. I hope to hear back from someone in a timely matter. This has been an ongoing issue and I want my vehicle fixed before someone gets injured.This car was purchased from Jack Miller Kia in Kansas City, MO. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from someone very soon.

- Mary B., Rushville, MO, US

problem #2

Feb 012013

Optima LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

The car was taken to the dealship only to find out I was not covered as I was the second owner and the dealer failed to tell me that a second owner is only covered until 60K.

They re-programmed tohe trans...still continues

- Eric M., Clark, NJ, US

problem #1

Jul 162012

Optima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,800 miles

when i am slowing between 22 and 20 miles an hour the car downshifts very hard, i have read numerous blogs online by other Kia owners, not just with the 2010s, later models also. some of the bloggers have had the problem fixed. it was the transmission control module, it has to be reset. if it is not completely cleared first before resetting the module it will not fix the problem. a few people said their Kia dealership was not aware of a problem of this kind. this i cannot believe, there are to many Kia Optimas with the same problem. I'm pretty sure Kia knows all about this problem and ought to have a recall to fix it. I"m going to take my Kia to a Kia dealership Tuesday, tell them the problem. if they say mine is the first they have heard of this problem i will whip out my copies of all the blogs I've copied from the internet. my car has 58,000 miles, Should be under warranty, We'll see!!!!!

- Dian B., Oklahoma City, OK, US