10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 77
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 1
Average Mileage:
64,466 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #303

Apr 272020

Optima

  • 102,000 miles
I was driving on a main road about 50 miles an hour when car lost ability to accelerate, lights and everything were still on. I was able to coast to a side street to pull over and park the car. I shut it off and then when I tried to restart it black smoke with an electrical type smell came from under the hood. Kia dealership said motor was seized and replaced it under a recall. Then they said it needed fuel pump and battery (which battery was only 6 months old), so I had both replaced. I drove for 2 days and had trouble starting the car so I took back to dealership. They said it needed a starter and an electrical assessment for a short, as starter began smoking with the vehicle not even running. Now they are saying it needs a new junction box/fuse box over $2900 and may have been related to other problems but not covered and I will have to pay. I have already paid $900+ dollars for fuel pump, I exchanged the battery where I originally bought it, and $493 for starter. I dont understand why the junction box would randomly fail or short and need replacement, unless it was part of the original black smoke electrical smell that happened when engine seized in the first place.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #302

Sep 252020

Optima

  • 126,000 miles
I was driving down the road doing about 45 when I heard a small pop & all my dash lights came on & I lost everything. Car clicks when trying to restart but does not start. Oil light, battery light, eps light & check engine light stay on now. I was told there is a recall on these cars and would like to get it fixed asap as it's my only transportation.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #301

Sep 242020

Optima 4-cyl

  • 95,547 miles
2013 Kia Optima [xxx] was towed to southern Kia lynnhaven of virgina beach. Virginia for a engine failure recall SC147, upon inspection Kia dealer refuses to replace engine starter as subsequent failure saying that starter is not oem part but aftermarket which contradicts service bulletin SC147 and warranty bulletin SC 147 where on page 7 states any subsequent damage particularly starter should be covered under warranty or goodwill. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #300

Aug 142020

Optima

  • 105,949 miles
Started vehicle up and it started smoking very badly. Took it to Kia dealer. They said it needed a new motor. Price $9400. And it was not under any warrenty.

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #299

Sep 122020

Optima

  • 84,800 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving a long distance on the highway and the vehicle slowed down on its own as all the warning lights flickered. The contact mentioned that he saw smoke and fire through the rear view mirror. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact stated it was difficult to exit the vehicle since all electrical functions failed. The entire front of the vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames. It was unknown if a police or fire report filed. The fire department informed the contact there was a electrical failure within the engine. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted yet and contact was unaware if the vehicle had been declared totaled by his insurance. The failure mileage was 84,800.

- Sumter, SC, USA

problem #298

Jun 012019

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
The cars engine light has been on for over a year. The engine is constantly burning oil even though oil changes are done every 2000 to 3000 miles. The vehicle engine sounds louder every month. The car passed two recall tests at a Kia dealership, one for which I paid out of pocket. I was told the engine is burning oil by my mechinic and there should be a recall on my car. The Kia dealership cannot explain to me why my car is passing the recall even though it's obvious the car has had an engine problem since I bought it. There is a distinctive knocking sound coming from the engine and you can hear the engine hiccup while the car is turned on, as if were about to brake down.

- Addison, IL, USA

problem #297

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 #296

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 #295

Jul 102020

Optima

  • 128,000 miles
When istart my vehicle, sometimes the radio does not come on, so I have to pull the fuse and place it back in. Also, I cannot excel past 40mph, otherwise it stalls. The dealership stated I needed a new engine. I was stranded in Wyoming, so I had to lease a new Kia. I still owe on my 2013 Optima, which is not drivable. I did not want a new vehicle. I'm very frustrated.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #294

May 232020

Optima

  • 113,000 miles
From the beginning this car journey has been completely devastating on me I bought a car for college right before graduating high school during covid saved up $5000 to purchase this vehicle I went to vinton auto sales in roanoke Virginia the man approaches me I tell him what car I like we test drive it then I'm like well I'll come back tomorrow with my final decision he was like basically forcing me to buy the car that day promising a 3 month warranty I mean let's be real who goes to dealership and buys a car without doing research unless there's a warranty involved on it so 3 weeks into my having the car I decided to make a trip to Maryland from Virginia to see him for my graduation I'm on a one way highway close to almost harrison burg my car just stops being able to accelerate and the engine light starts flashing meanwhile there's on coming traffic behind me and tractor trailers going 80+ mph I was finally able to pull over after almost dying I call my dealership the guy hangs up on me in the most rudest way telling me it's not his problem anymore there's not a warranty I need to fix it my self in the most rudest way while I'm stranded on a one highway alone with a broken car 2 hours from home so I end up paying $500 tow back take it to a mechanic he fixes it I pick it up on the way home from picking it up it misfired again on a highway I engine light flashing unable to accelerate but luckily able to make it to a gas station mind you I paid the guy $500 to replace the knock sensor he said was messed up I tow it back to the mechanic he tells me today he can't do nothing it's the engine so I'm out of a car out of college and out of thousands of dollars due to the car this is my last resort I don't know what else to do I'm supposed to be a college student this fall but I can't be due to this shady dealership who ruined my life I have a 2013 Kia Optima to be exact

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #293

Aug 272020

Optima

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated with NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) and NHTSA campaign number: 20V100000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Bridge City, LA, USA

problem #292

Aug 292020

Optima

  • 143,000 miles
I have a Kia 2013 optimum sxl, yesterday Aug 30 my Kia out of nowhere check engine light came on then it proceeds to stop on the freeway in traffic!! while I'm going 65 now it won't start at all the check engine light come on but my engine knocks and then cuts off. Yes I did have oil in my car in fact it's on the full line so I don't understand wats going on the engine knocking really hard not leaks on my car at all even when I apply pressure to accelerate it stays on 0 then engine knocks agin and then back off I tried 3 times and had to ende up pushing my car out of traffic

- Bullhead, AZ, USA

problem #291

Aug 212020

Optima

  • 155,000 miles
Car shut off while on the highway causing me to breakdown in a tunnel with no break down lane, car will no longer start. Dealership said the recall for the motor was ok on my vechile but I keep up with maintenance

- York, PA, USA

problem #290

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 #289

Aug 132020

Optima

  • 160,000 miles
My car quits while driving. Warning lights flash often on dashboard even after

- West Memphis, AR, USA

problem #288

Jul 252020

Optima

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal nosie when started. The contact stated that the key was in her hand and the car was off but still was hearing the noise. When she opened the hood to disconnect the battery and walk away with the keys in her hand, there was a loud pop and smoke started to come from the engine. The fire department arrived and informed the contact that it looked like the ABS brake module caught fire and they extinguished the smoke. A police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to serra Kia (12304 30 mile rd, Washington, mi 48095) and was diagnosed that the ABS brake module and harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired yet due to part needed to be order. The contact stated that the vehicle was under an investigation. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Imlay, MI, USA

problem #287

May 152020

Optima

  • 97,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Optima started making a ticking noise at idle and the engine light came on. I took it into my dealership, after they got me for about $800 for odds and ends, they said my timing needs inspected. I said do it. Then later got a call from the service advisor saying "nevermind, my certified tech doesn't think it needs checked". certified tech" so, a asc certified tech hasn't been working on and diagnosing my car until now? I left the dealership with the same tick and the engine light still on. I also have proof of "deferred service" by the service advisor, for timing inspection. I was also told on the phone the whole engine should be pulled apart to really diagnose the issue. What"

- Bristol, IN, USA

problem #286

Aug 082020

Optima

  • 143,000 miles
Even though Kia suggests oil change intervals of 7500 I've been getting mine changed every 3000 miles. I still had 100 miles to go and I noticed my car was running a little rough and their was a change in its performance. I checked my engine oil as a precaution and the dip stick barely showed any oil on the tip. This problem started after I took my Kia in for a recall, they updated some sort of software and a some hose that was recalled for deterioration. There are no leaks, never had any and now my car is burning 4 quarts of oil between oil change intervals of jus 3000. I've seen many complaints on forums by owners who are having the same issue..

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #285

Aug 092020

Optima

  • miles
While going 70 mph down the interstate my engine shut off without warning thankfully I got it pulled over to the side of the road. It started back up and made it the short distance to my house this is the second time in a week it has done this.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #284

Aug 082020

Optima

  • 710,000 miles
I was riding down the road car just stopped after stopped try to crank again wouldn't crank when it did crank it had no power sputtered

- Orlando, FL, USA

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