10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,998 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #13

Apr 202021

Optima

  • 109,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway at about 70mph when my panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded. It was not hit by a rock or any sort of debris, it exploded completely on its own without warning. The loud explosion caused me to swerve and panic brake as glass shards rained down on me from the broken sunroof.

- West Hills, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 292020

Optima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled intermittently and the engine and tire sensor lights illuminated while the failure occurred. The contact was able to move onto the road shoulder inspected under the hood and found smoke and within a moment the flames was under the hood and the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that before the engine failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to doug smith Kia (495 w main street american fork, ut 84003 phone (801) 692-4390) to have NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (engine) performed. The contact also stated that a recall for under frame corrosion protection was also performed. The dealer checked the engine and was unable to see any problem with the engine and provided a free oil change, and replaced dip stick to the orange color. The California fire department extinguish the fire. The California state patrol department was also present a police report was not filed. The contact suffered smoke inhalation and scrapes from glass. The vehicle was towed to the contact home. The contact also stated that the air conditioning system did not work properly after recall was performed and caused the defrost system failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. Consumer stated he lost everything in the car.

- Sun City, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 022019

Optima

  • 48,000 miles
2012 Kia Optima ex with 48000 miles now driver-side headlight stopped working, so as of now I am driving with passenger sidelight in combination with parking lights. Buying Kia Optima is the biggest mistake I have ever done, it seems every month something goes wrong with this vehicle. Surprisingly NHTSA has not taken any action as per Kia Optima well known defects.

- Farmers Branch, TX, USA

problem #10

Mar 102017

Optima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate and there was extremely poor visibility. Also, the oil light randomly illuminated several times. The dealer (ossett Kia South, 2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115, (901) 328-8173) was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The contact replaced the headlight assemblies more than five times, but the visibility was still poor. The contact also noticed an abnormal odor in the vehicle. The dealer indicated that without the check engine indicator illuminated, they would not replace the catalytic converter. The contact stated that the warranty expired without the part being replaced. The fan also failed to function, but the failure was not remedied. The dealer also performed a repair per an unknown recall regarding the steering; however, the remedy failed to provide a solution for the steering coupler and the steering wheel was no longer straight. Also, the sun roof and moon roof glass had a crack going down to the driver's side of the vehicle where it met the windshield. There was also an abnormal noise progressing due to the failures. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the steering failure, headlight failure, and moisture in the rear camera. The failure mileage was not available.

- Leland, MS, USA

problem #9

Feb 142018

Optima

  • 64,585 miles
My wife was driving on the freeway at 6:20 P.M in the slow lane at 65 mph when she heard a loud explosion and the sunroof shattered. There were no vehicles in front of her or around her that could possibly have kicked up a rock or debris from the road. She was also not passing under an overpass or bridge. Luckily, she was able to control the car and was not physically hurt in the incident. This vehicle has a panoramic sunroof and the moving part of the glass sunroof shattered.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #8

Sep 062017

Optima

  • 97,000 miles
The engine seized while driving on the highway. This has als resulted in the climate control system including the defrosters and radio to malfunction

- Villas, NJ, USA

problem #7

Jun 092016

Optima

  • 3,200 miles
I have sent in complaints on my Kia many of times and the one just came out about the latches, mine is not on the recall list. I have had the middle part of my glass crack the windshield that was and still under warranty and more but it seems I am being over looked on my car. I guess the only action to take is a class action lawsuit against Kia America. When you have the proof they still do not believe you.

- Tullahoma, TN, USA

problem #6

May 022016

Optima

  • 18,875 miles
On 5/13/16 I walked out to my car without notice and got in. As of then I noticed a long crack starting at the bottom running upwards over half way and out to the middle cracks. I called the police to get a report but the officer said it had not been hit from the out side and take it to Kia. I took it there and I was told I was hit by something like a rock or ball. The man at Kia said take it to my insurance company. I took it there and the agent said it was hit but I had to pay $100 before it could be fixed. A man from the glass repair came to look at it and he said it has been broken from the inside and he could tell better when the old one has been removed. He came out on 5/3/16 to replace it and he said that whoever told me that window was broken on the outside did not know what they were talking about. After looking at it very close he said that what broke it and made the cracks was the laminated plastic that holds the two pieces of glass together and it was a defect in the glass. Kia always tells me when I have a problem, that in no way the problems was from Kia's making the car. This is my third problem with that car that they tell me they either cannot find the problem like with the trunk opening up, the battery they replaced on me by taking out almost a new one and replacing it with a older one. Now I had to pay out of pocket $100 when it was no ones fault about the glass but Kia because I still have seven months warranty left on the glass and they did not want to have to install a new one so they could save money and time and keep people thinking that Kia is number 1. this Kia with under 19,000 miles is junk to me and with some recalls on the make, model and year of this one, not but one single recall was ever made but you did not have to have it done. On this and other Kia's they should make Kia America rebuy all those cars.

- Tullahoma, TN, USA

problem #5

Jul 032014

Optima 4-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
I was on I-40 going about 75 mpg. Temp was about 75 and the driver side window cracked a little. The shade was not down on the sunroof, but the sunroof was not lifted.I was about to pass a vehicle to my right. All of a sudden there was a loud bang in the back of my head. I was so thrown off, I almost let go of the wheel. It echoed in my head. I panicked and pulled over on the interstate and flagged down a state trooper. The trooper checked... my car was not hot. Nothing flew in my car. Nothing flew out of my car. There was no other damage besides the hole in the sunroof. But you could tell that the explosion came from inside the car. The trooper was speechless. I was terrified to drive the car anymore because I didn't know what caused it. We concluded that it had to be some kind of air pressure that caused it. Again, I'm not an expert but I do know that I didn't do anything to cause this. I keep my car in great condition. After seeing the other reports, I'm glad I heard about this site. Please mandate a recall or rebate for people who have had this issue. The is extremely dangerous. My hearing in my right ear was "fuzzy" for a few hours, I had a massive headache, my ear is sore, the whole right side of my body hurts. Thank god I didn't have any cuts or bruises, but it felt like it (weird). I could have caused a horrible accident if I took both hands off of the wheel. And it's sad that Kia has not addressed this with so many complains. We shouldn't have to pay a deductible for a manufacture flaw.

- Hermitage, TN, USA

problem #4

Jun 052014

Optima 4-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
I was driving on the highway with the sunroof open. I heard an extremely loud pop, as if someone popped a balloon right next to my ear, and I was showered with glass. The sunroof had exploded. I wasn't around a bridge or overpass, and there weren't cars around me. I don't recall seeing anything on the road in front or me. There was no damage to the sunroof prior to my trip. It was about 80-82 degrees outside with clear skies. I've read that this has happened to other people with Kia Optimas, Hyundai velosters, and other car manufacturers. My car is at the dealer now, and Kia is aware of the issue and is investigating. Luckily I remained calm and pulled over to the side of the highway to clear off the glass and go to the dealer. That sound and shower of glass could have easily startled someone else and possibly caused an accident. I do have a picture of the sunroof prior to breaking away the additional, broken glass. Please contact me for it, should it be needed.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 152014

Optima

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a residential garage, the sunroof exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was being diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 102012

Optima 4-cyl

  • 6,313 miles
Driving along interstate, about to merge into traffic when mirror suddenly just fell off! the only thing that kept it from completely falling off was the cable running into the door. Took it to the dealer who said "they had never seen anything like this before!" it will be 4 days before my mirror gets replaced! this car is not safe to drive in it's current condition.

- Tucker, GA, USA

problem #1

Jun 252012

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
I purchased this new car in January and have had a difficult time adapting to the blind spots out of the rear window. The safety features of this car are amazing even with what I believe is 1 exception. The rear headrests of this car were designed too large. Even in the down position these headrests block nearly 2 thirds of the rear window visibility. Selecting safety over looks I've completely removed both rear headrests (they slide right out) and carry them in the trunk if passengers sitting in the rear request them. My suggestion is that Kia produce and retrofit lower sleeker headrests for the rear that are 1/2 as high as the current. Dealers could probably swap them out and Kia could reuse overseas if they choose. Please contact me via email if photos are needed but for the most part your department could look at any 2012 Optima and see what I see. Once again, this is an amazing car but I see this as a safety improvement / concern. Thank you

- Roselle Park, NJ, USA