10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 12 / 75
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 65,032 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the oil light would illuminate and the vehicle would began to sputter before stalling. A burning odor was also present coming from the engine compartment and hot air would blow from the vents. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer classic Kia (3875 eastex way, belmont tx) who diagnosed that the battery and starter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced by an independent mechanic. The starter was not replaced. Also, oil was leaking from the radiator. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.
- Port Arthur, TX, USA
The oil light has been on but the oil has been changed and then the car starts stalling and kind of hesitating when driving.then starts having trouble starting so got it diagnosed and it read that the crank sensor shaft was the issue. Brought it to classic Kia and they said the battery was bad and I needed a new starter. Got it towed to a mechanic and put a new battery in, so it runs but the light is still on and the car will start to smell like its over heating but on the dash still reads between hot and cold(right where it should) but I pull over and its smoking. When I pop the hood its smoking but the fan is still going so the engine isn't over heated. Cant continue to drive like this with two small children and the car stalling and/or dying in the middle of driving!!!!
- Port Arthur, TX, USA
On May 10, 2020 @7:32 am I was driving home from work and came to a stop light when the light turned green my car stalled and all the lights on the dashboard turned on. I pulled over and started the back up and made it home. The next day I drove about 10 miles and the car seemed fine but as I get to the stop light the car started making a grinding sound like metal and I couldn't accelerate so I pulled over and the car died in a residential area. The next morning I call aaa and had car towed back to my home. The next day aaa came out again and checked my battery, starter, and system something and they were all working good. I called steve schmitt Kia on halls ferry road and asked was there another recall on my car for the engine, the lady paused and then said "we don't have the parts yet, " she then said hold on and came back and said "we don't have any recalls on this car. On October the 1, 2019 I took my car to Kia for a recall on my motor and looking at the receipt they replaced element air filter, adjusted alignment four wheels, mount and balance 2 tires, replaced cabin air filter plus a oil change which I paid for. My car has been sitting since May 13, 2020. I frequently go out and check it and it starts and I hear a knocking sound.( engine fail)
- Florissant, MO, USA
I had my car a whole year been getting oil changes regularly until May 22, 2020 got an oil change and my car started knocking and cut off on the high way and I never experienced this problem before.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
2013 Kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine compartment fire. The consumer stated the vehicle's engine failure occurred after having the recall number 5C141 repair completed. Manufacturer was notified of the failure.
- Delmar, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,405.
- Oxford, MS, USA
All electrics work. Engine will not work. Starter is new. Alternator is new. Battery is new.
- Tifton, GA, USA
I will be driving and all of the sudden the car loses power. I'll be going 55 it drops instantly to 25. The rpms stop working. This first happened on I81 highway my car just lost power now this is a 3 line highway. I was almost rear ended by a tractor trailer. You push the gas and goes no faster than 20/25.this has been going on for several years. I've reported this time and time again. A recall came out and my vehicle was on it for a new engine. Was told no because my check engine late didn't come. This happen at least 5 times all reported. Now Kia refuses to tow my car to the dealership. The manager at Kia said it's a certified vehicle plus it's a recall. Nope still did nothing. It happened to myself, my husband and also when our daughter drove it. It's not safe.. if my vehicle is listed on the recall why are they not fixing it. She typed in my VIN at outten Kia and she said wow you are the first person that has an Optima that"S on recall for an engine. I have 13 Kia Optima that they will not stand by. Please help. What can I do" the last tome it happened was March of 2020. It's documented at the dealership every time is was down there.
- Shenandoah, PA, USA
While driving I-10 my car suddenly lost power after a complete stop there was a smoke smell, I immediately exited the car and noticed a small fire had started underneath the car and I immediately started to extinguish the fire then I noticed a puddle of oil and a piston rod laying in the pool of oil. Had toed to a Kia dealership in D`iberville ms.
- Ocean Springs, MS, USA
Turbo shutting off causing vehicle to not accelerate
- Kingsland, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and loss motive power without warning. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to haddad Kia (5445 gasoline alley dr, bakersfield, ca 93313, (888) 376-2617) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) and 20V100000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
- Dalano, CA, USA
The engine blew up on car was driving normally when car stopped and didnt want to power on. Engine started making noises. Went to dealer to have engine replaced but wont make it valid since they mention engine is not the original engine and was replaced.
- El Centro, CA, USA
Engine seized
- Pell City, AL, USA
In the late morning of Monday, April 6th 2020, my husband was driving our 2013 Kia Optima sxl home from the store when the car began filling with smoke. Luckily, he was able to pull the car over and jump out before flames began to engulf the front of the car. He called 911 and the fire company was dispatched. Their response time was short, but it took under a minute for the car to go up in flames (see pictures attached). There was zero warning that this horrific event was about to occur. No engine light, no funny noises, no problems whatsoever. In fact, I had just brought the car into our local dealership for routine service less than a month before on March 9. they gave me no indication that there was anything wrong with the car that would cause it to catch on fire. We filed a claim with our insurance company, who confirmed the car was totaled and listed a recent, but as yet unannounced, recall on my exact year, make and model of the car. After some research, I found that according to a February 27, 2020 article in us news and world report, Kia would shortly be recalling nearly 142,000 2013 and 2014 Kia Optima's. furthermore, 'Kia says a fuel hose can deteriorate and crack due to engine heat. The hoses can leak and cause fires. A fix is still being developed. The recall is expected to start April 16.' Although at the time of the article no fires had yet been reported, given the sudden nature of our car fire, it is obvious to us what has happened.
- West Grove, PA, USA
Engine started making a knocking noise -
- Acworht, GA, USA
I was on my way home from work when I heard a faint knocking sound coming from the engine. Less than ten minutes later, while going 60 mph on the freeway, I lost all power to the wheels and had to pull over to the shoulder. The engine knock was much louder now and the car wouldn't budge. I'm guessing this is similar to the issues which caused recall SC147, but to my knowledge the hybrid ex doesn't have a gdi engine. With only 113K miles, I'm hoping Kia will cover it.
- Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Engine is under recall due to lawsuit and they are still refusing to replace
- Sparta, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was towed to auto zone to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage 132,054.
- Edenton, NC, USA
Kia Optima on 2.4L engine is the same Hyundai have issues, those cars are all the same, the hybrid battery have both names, my engine is knocking and my car has no recalls on engine, but my friend have a Hyundai that he have full replacement, I replace the hybrid big battery to keep my car and after couple weeks, my engine knocking, the car is super clean and used engine cost almost 3K installed
- Bradenton, FL, USA
- Las Vegas, NV, USA