10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,125 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 #8

Sep 072023

Optima

  • miles
My 2013 Kia Optima sunroof exploded as I was at a stop, about to turn into work. I experienced a pop and had glass falling on me within seconds. There were no recent rock experiences and the road was completely clear. After dealing with the initial clean up, I drove to an auto glass shop to have it professionally removed. The glass was bowed and left with a large hole, almost like it had just exploded due to pressure or a faulty piece. I almost always have my daughter with me and I-??m SO grateful she was not in the vehicle. This could have resulted in injury or even a collision due to the terrifying nature of glass shattering above you. My insurance does not cover comp, however I do work for an insurance agent and he did view the damage. No claim can be filed as the repair and replacement for the damage has to come out of pocket.

- Orting, WA, USA

problem #7

Feb 222022

Optima

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph during rain, the windshield wiper where violently wiping and there was a burning odor coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Eyless, TX, USA

problem #6

Apr 042019

Optima

  • 99,000 miles
Oil is completely empty before 1000 miles after an oil change. Have switched to synthetic oil and used additives. Nothing has helped and I am adding at least 6-8 quarts for 3000 miles. Also the headlights are horrible. I can not see 10 feet pass my front end at night. This is extremely dangerous and new bulbs do not help. It is a known problem, but Kia could care less. Not only can I not see but I'm driving a death trap that will most likely catch fire like thousands of the 2013 have already. How do these car companies get away with this?

- Seabrook, TX, USA

problem #5

Jul 012017

Optima

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While the vehicle was being driven highway speeds, a pebble struck the windshield and caused a minor crack. Upon trying the clean the area, the contact noticed the film on the windshield was starting to detach. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #4

Apr 042017

Optima

  • 65,000 miles
My four year old daughter and I were in the car and while driving, the sunroof exploded. It was so loud, almost like a gunshot. A small amount of glass entered the car. I was driving straight, southward, near the osceola exit on I 55. There was absolutely no sign or evidence of anything hitting the glass. Weather conditions were clear and the temperature in osceola today was a high of 76 and low of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #3

Mar 162016

Optima

  • 23,000 miles
While sitting at a stop sign, my sunroof exploded. The roof was open and the weather was sunny and approaching 70*.

- Houston, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 172014

Optima

  • 6,000 miles
At a 4 way stop, (stop signs only) the car to my left was completely obscured by the side mirror and window housing. Street lights absorbed his headlights, car was dark blue. After looking both ways I let off the gas to proceed through the intersection to see a dark object right in front of me. I brake but we made contact scraping the paint from my bumper. I will say I just moved here from a larger town that only had stop lights so I had not noticed this problem before. I am 5'2" tall which also puts my eye level directly line of sight with the side mirror. It's a problem.

- Troy, MO, USA

problem #1

Mar 052013

Optima 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 mph, the sunroof glass exploded. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they advised her that the results of the inspection were inconclusive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 12,000.

- Fort Leonard Wood, MO, USA