10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,780 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #57

Jun 152024

Optima

  • miles
Car stopped accelerating on the highway. Check engine lights and other lights went on. Dealership is refusing to inspect the car without the CEL staying on. My family's life is at risk as long as Kia deems this car safe to drive. The dealer and corporate refuse to inspect it without a check engine light staying on when starting up again.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #56

Jul 022023

Optima

  • miles
In March 2023 car stopped in the middle of an intersection with no warning. -??Hybrid system warning-?? on dashboard lit up as well as all other lights. Dealer said repair was under warranty because of faulty spark plugs which were a safety recall. Prior to this all safety recalls were taken to dealer yet the problem still occurred. On July 2, 2023, the car stopped on the freeway. All lights lit up and the -??Hybrid system warning-?? came up. The car began to smoke. The car was towed to Kia dealer they said the water pump needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced with a certified Kia part. The car still would not turn on. Kia replaced the battery and said the engine needed to be replaced for $9000. They said we were out of warranty (10 years by 2 months). This engine failure seems to be related to the safety recalls that Kia -??fixed.-?? I also have documentation that the warranty should be extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles but the delay refuse to make repairs under the warranty.

- La Habra, CA, USA

problem #55

Aug 052023

Optima

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. Several attempts to restart the vehicle failed. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #54

Jun 252022

Optima

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message -??Shift to Park-?? was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle, shifted the vehicle into drive and then shifted back to park and the contact was able to shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, the contact stated while pulling out the driveway the brakes applied unintendedly with the brake light remaining illuminated. The traction control warning light, the ABS warning light, the auto lock warning light illuminated and the code -??EPB auto hold-?? was displayed. The contact shut off the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 155,000.

- Abbeville, SC, USA

problem #53

Jul 182023

Optima

  • miles
Hello, I had my vehicle's engine replaced by a dealership (Reason - recall on engine and failure on freeway that has me traumatized!!!) and due to the labor done at Kia Tullahoma, TN my transmission has failed causing a near mishap crash on the freeway due to transmission slip. Noticed transmission fluid leaking. After taking it to another dealership (Kia Anderson, SC) they inspected and said that the labor performed by previous dealership had caused the malfunction. Today (7-24-23) Kia Tullahoma, TN refuses to cover the new transmission that now I have to replace due to their negligence. Due to separation of the transmission to engine the output seals started leaking and causing the incident. May I add that the engine might be at risk due to this also. Please post or let Kia corporate. I will also make claim. Thank you!!

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #52

Jan 232023

Optima

  • miles
I purchased a Kia 2013 from a used car lot driving it home it cut out on me numerous times and then all the sudden it lost power I was almost struck by a truck luckily I got off and out of the way as I drove all the way home it did the same thing it cut out and lose power I called the dealership where I bought it and he won't return my calls can you help

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #51

Dec 202021

Optima

  • miles
Our engine has been replaced twice. Engine stalled while driving 65mph. Transmission pulled hard almost causing accident. Twice. First engine was @ 60,000. Second @ 90,000. Now they want us to pay our $250 deductible again, to add transmission fluid because it-??s completely almost empty. We told them that it has been pulling hard from the first replacement of engine. They did nothing. Engine has been heating up all other components like radiator causing it to over heat. We paid to replace it before it cause a fire. Fuel line. We payed to get it fixed before it cause a fire. Now they want us to pay again, to add fluid to transmission before it causes a pull and we crash. Please help us. They have had the car for 2 months at Garden Grove Kia in California.

- Dana Point, CA, USA

problem #50

Jan 202022

Optima

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle accelerated to a speed which caused the vehicle to go over a medium and crash into a tree. The air bags did deploy. No warning lights illuminated on the vehicle. The contact was the only person in the vehicle, and sustain injuries to their chest and lower back. There was medical treatment at the scene however the contact did not go to the hospital for further evaluation. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

- Newburgh, IN, USA

problem #49

Jul 042021

Optima

  • 100,581 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle then lost motive power and stalled. The contact slowly pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. Several days later the vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. Due to the dealer being short staffed, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,581.

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #48

Oct 012020

Optima

  • 97,000 miles
Car smells like it is constantly leaking oil. The smell is very noticeable. I will be taking it in on 1/8/2021

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #47

Oct 122020

Optima

  • miles
Excessive engine oil consumption. The engine uses 1 full quart of oil each 500 miles. It is a pollution issue as well as an engine issues. Car only has 113,000 miles. I called Kia and the dealer repair dept. Said the recalls for engine failure only covers bearing wear and not excessive oil consumption. Please help me.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #46

Sep 292020

Optima

  • 120,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle on the street when I began to see white smoke clouds coming from my exhaust. I immediately took the car home, was nearly hit on the way home (low power to vehicle) and made an appointment at Kia. I had approximately 120000 miles on the car. Had engine and turbo charger replaced at 74000 miles. Took car to Kia claims the turbo charger is out again. This year has a lot of problems as it is. I do not recommend Kia...

- Monterey Park, CA, USA

problem #45

Sep 212020

Optima

  • 63,528 miles
I stopped in a parking space and shifted into park and turned off the car. When I stepped out of the car it started rolling. I jumped back on the car and stepped on the brake. The lever was in park but the transmission was in drive or neutral. I could have been run over. The linkage that connects the shift lever to the transmission broke. The car has less than 64,000 miles on it. This could be dangerous if a child was behind the parked car. I had the car towed to the Kia dealer. The part was less than a dollar but the labor was almost $300.

- Cooper City, FL, USA

problem #44

Jul 162020

Optima

  • miles
My car is getting a P2562 code which is for the turbocharger boost control position sensor. I'm having a significant decrease in engine power and fuel economy.

- Robbinsville, NJ, USA

problem #43

Sep 152020

Optima

  • 175,592 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 65 mph with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle started losing motive power without warning. The contact immediately activated the hazard lights and pulled off to the side of the highway. The contact waited a few minutes before resuming normal driving. The contact called moritz Kia hurst (110 ne loop 820, hurst, tx 76053) where she was informed to bring the vehicle in for inspection. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 175,592.

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #42

Sep 052020

Optima

  • 150,000 miles
9/5/2020 roughly 10:00 am entering the onramp to get on I10 West. Car lost acceleration, never reached 40 mph, this has happened multiple times before, took foot off gas, attempted to accelerate, car lost all power and turned off. I was able to pull onto right shoulder and park vehicle. Car was towed to my home. I called all star Kia in san bernadino ca, unable to assess vehicle for 7 - 10 days. Called palm springs Kia multiple times on extended hold. When we connected, I was informed that my vehicle wouldnt be looked at until 9/18/2020.

- Banning, CA, USA

problem #41

Dec 182019

Optima

  • miles
I noticed the problem while driving roughly 65 mph. My vehicle pretty much went into limp mode. I was only able to travel at a certain top speed. Over heating then became a very drastic issue. I looked on the nhsta website for any known recalls there were some for my year and model but mine wasn't listed? I called a family mechanic and described in more greater detail about my issue from start to finish, he advised me not to drive the vehicle that it was displaying the exact qualities as the listed recall and I should call Kia motor company to have the look into my class of vehicles further. Long story short I was basically left homeless in a city and state pretty much beat on the whole idea of every getting my car back at the time of the incident it dropped below 28 degrees outside. I was approximately 200 miles from home. Because of this corporations negligence. I lost more than a good night sleep I had to start back over again and I'm unfortunately an only child with no parents so it was very mind boggling.. I made repeated attempts to come to some sort of agreement with Kia to no avail. Some one went so far as to steal a safe out of my vehicle. Which I had professionally installed and vandalized the inside of my car beyond repair. Thanks Kia, for victimizing me to make your millions.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #40

Aug 242020

Optima

  • 110,000 miles
I was driving then the car shutoff almost causing an accident. It stated hybrid system warning do not drive. The car will not start and gets a few gauge lights.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #39

Feb 092016

Optima

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. Contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to cable dahmer of Kansas City located at (555 w 103rd St, Kansas City, mo 64114 (816) 284-7240) where, the contact was informed that the transmission was defective. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turbo oil feeder line was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 20V100000 (fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Blue Spring, MO, USA

problem #38

Jun 012019

Optima

  • 125,000 miles
I had the engine replaced around 85000 miles, at dealer with recall. Now at 140000 the transmission is making a bad grinding noise when accelerating and slowing down, noise starts about 15 mph all the way to highway speeds. At highway speeds if I put the car in neutral, the sound goes away. As I put car back in drive the grinding noise reappears. The noise does not change while gear changes, only when put in neutral.

- Warwick, RI, USA

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