10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 12 / 78
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 62,843 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 112,194.
- Great Falls, MT, USA
I was driving the car and suddenly as I was coasting through an intersection the car stalled I coasted to the side of the road and stopped then attempted to start it and nothing happened wouldn't turn over all light on dash were on, it never started after that the mechanic said the engine seized then the starter went bad now need a new engine and starter.Kia is refusing to honor the engine recall because of a salvage title.
- Sun City, CA, USA
About 3 weeks ago my 2013 Kia Optima started smoking really bad. Contacted Kia through there web site to file a claim for a recall on the long engine block that causes piston rings to fail. I contacted Kia twice through there web site. With no response. I then called a dealer and they told me I would have to pay the cost for towing my vehicle to them for repair. I then called Kia and they also told me that I would have to pay the cost. My vehicle is not operational because of manufacturing mistake. I am under the understanding that Kia is to cover all cost to fix any recalls, but they are telling me I have to cover part of the cost. The closets Kia dealer is 140 moles away they closed the one that I bought my Kia from.
- Dillon, MT, USA
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle before suddenly smoke and flames were scene coming from under the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the owner sustained an injured right finger while attempting to open the hood. No medical treatment was required. The vehicle was towed away as it was destroyed by the fire. The local dealer alm Kia South (4310 jonesboro rd. Union city, ga) was notified of the failure as wells the manufacturer were a case was opened. The contact stated he had received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V100000 (fuel system. Gasoline), however, when he contact the dealer he was unable to schedule a recall repair appointment for several months. The failure mileage was 137,000.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
While driving on the turnpike the car completely shut off. Prior to shutting off, the battery, oil and transmission icon appeared on the dashboard. Thankfully I was able to merge over into the side lane safely because the breaks along with the steering suddenly became difficult to control. After placing the car into park and removing the keys from the ignition, I attempted to restart it. It started, so I continued heading home. Approximately driving another 12 miles, the same thing happened again. The only difference this time was upon restarting it, a weird knocking noise came from underneath the hood, so I shut the car off. I waited about 5 minutes to restart it and it started right up, so I continued heading home. Today, once again while driving, the car shut off. Same knocking, and dashboard lights. After waiting about 5 minutes, I restarted it, only to continuously hear a loud knocking noise and a vibration coming from under the hood. While accelerating, it barely moved and the noises became louder along with the vibration.this time the car was incapable of being driven. I had to get it towed directly to a Kia dealership. Good thing my car was still covered with easy care or else I wouldn't have been to get it towed. I don't even know how I am going to be able to afford whatever needs repaired. I did receive a recall notice and will attach it below.
- Hazleton, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her spouse was driving at approximately 70 mph, the coolant and engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, there was smoke coming from the rear and front of the vehicle. The smoke extinguished once the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to start and was making an abnormal knocking noise. The contact stated that she also noticed oil leaking in the rear of the engine compartment. The contact contacted gunther Kia (1900 S state rd 7, fort lauderdale, fl 33317 (954) 800-2125) and informed them of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after parking vehicle after running an errand, she saw flames coming from the passenger side of the front hood from the engine. The fire was put out with a fire extinguisher. There were no injuries and there was no police report filed. The contact called her insurance company who towed the vehicle to a body shop. The insurance company totaled the vehicle after conducting an examination. The dealer and the manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The contact received a recall letter three weeks after the fire NHTSA campaign number : 20V-100000 ( fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 85,000.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
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
- Dillon, MT, USA