10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 78
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 1
Average Mileage:
62,843 miles

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problem #180

Jun 062019

Optima

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled in traffic. The contact pulled over to the shoulder and could not restart the engine. The vehicle was pushed to the contact's home. The vehicle was later restarted and driven to quatro motors (24820 Plymouth road, redford mi, 48239, 313-794-9494) from where it was purchased. The vehicle was then towed to glass man Kia (28000 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48034, (855) 237-2819) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

- Ruffered, MI, USA

problem #179

Jun 252019

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Optima engine shut off while I was driving and luckily I didnt get into accident and was able to park nearby to wait for a towed truck. This is very scary and dangerous. Not sure what to

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #178

Jun 212019

Optima

  • 104,000 miles
My friend was driving my car and while in the turning lane my car shuts off. Car would not turn on and it would not take a jump. The location was a busy street in memphis.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #177

Jul 272018

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
Takara recall: My engine had been knocking/shaking for a good minute now. When I have it running and hood open it's just vibrating extremely hard and constantly.I've noticed it wants to stall or no shift correctly after a dead stop and something going into 3rd gear. Even while just idling I can feel the engine shaking the whole car from inside.

- Spiro, OK, USA

problem #176

May 032019

Optima

  • miles
See service report

- Robinson, TX, USA

problem #175

Jun 132019

Optima

  • 120,794 miles
While driving on westbound 696 at approx 70 mph, the engine stalled. Check engine light blinking. Engine mileage 120,794 recall service performed at Kia dealer at 116,214 miles.

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

problem #174

Mar 042019

Optima

  • 13 miles
Engine recall. Dealership first received vehicle repair March 4, 2019 for complete engine replacement due to recall and car become completely immobile while on freeways. And towed to dealership. Dealership informed me first engine failed and reordered a new engine. Received vehicle back from 2nd attempt of engine repair May 16, 2019. Vehicle check engine light illuminated May 31,2019. Returned vheicle back to dealership. Repair to harness and noc sensor. Received vehicle back for repair June 8th. On June 10th vehicle became immobile again while driving out of parking lot and towed to dealership for repair. Waiting on dealership for details of car problems.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #173

Jun 012019

Optima

  • 63,000 miles
Engine burning oil. Knocking when accelerating.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #172

May 232019

Optima

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle speed suddenly decreased before stalling. Smoke was present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. After lifting the hood flames were present coming from the engine. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident the a vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was taken at the scene. The VIN was not available. The contact mentioned that his 3 children were present at the time of the fire. The manufacturer was contacted and offered assistance with a rental. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #171

May 032019

Optima

  • 126,000 miles
Takata recall engine oil is burning away and the replacement of oil is becoming more frequent. Used two quarts in last 7 days

- Robinson, TX, USA

problem #170

May 302019

Optima

  • 150,000 miles
Was driving vehicle 65 mph on interstate hwy when engine shut off without warning of any kind. Vehicle will not restart and was towed

- Nebo, NC, USA

problem #169

Mar 012019

Optima

  • 102,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Optima sx burns excessive oil and produces excessive exhaust smoke. The dealership originally told me I had a faulty exhaust control valve. After I replaced that valve, however, the problem(s) persisted. At my last service visit, the dealership simply topped-off the oil to get the engine malfunction and check oil warning lights to go off. Upon leaving the dealership, I soon discovered that the excessive exhaust smoke remained. The only time the excessive exhaust smoke dissipates is when most or all of the oil has burned off. (the service advisor at a second dealership simply told me they couldn't diagnose or fix the problem.)

- Shaker Heights, OH, USA

problem #168

May 172019

Optima

  • 156,000 miles
Car stopped while proceeding through a toll. Tried getting a jump to start it. Motor would not turn over.starter had a steel every time trying to start it.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #167

Apr 202019

Optima

  • 190,000 miles
While on the freeway the vehicle froze up and locked. We smelt a strong burn odor. Mechanic checked fuses and we thought it was wiring or possibly the motor but turns out the starter went bad. The burn smell came from the coil wire on the starter.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #166

May 162019

Optima

  • 114,000 miles
A recall was issued to me by Kia in 2017 when we had the vehicle's engine totally replaced. On May 16, 2019 my son was driving when passerby's were honking and flashing their lights at him. He noticed that the engine was on fire, when he lost steering, and breaks. He jumped out of the car while moving and then the car exploded, a total of 3 separate times before fire and emergency personnel arrived on scene. Fire report and investigation underway.

- King George, VA, USA

problem #165

Sep 252018

Optima

  • 7,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine). The contact stated that there was a fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to southside Kia (9401 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225, (904) 406-7779) three times to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 7,000.

- Jackville, FL, USA

problem #164

Dec 282018

Optima

  • 107,000 miles
I own a 2013 Kia Optima. The first time I noticed the issue, I was driving on the interstate miles from home on a family trip. I noticed the oil light flickering when I depressed the accelerator, and also smelled something burning from engine compartment. I pulled off at the nearest service station and checked the oil and found no oil on the dipstick other than some burnt oil residue. The strong burning smell and smoke was coming from the opening. I immediately added oil and have been keeping a close eye on it ever since. I contacted the dealer and have learned of the many problems that Kia owners are having with these particular engines. The dealership conducted a oil consumption test and determined the car is losing a little over a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so, but isn't leaking anywhere. I have read many of the stories of engine failures and fires caused by this and I do not want to experience this while on the road with my family. This car only had about 107,000 miles on it when I first noticed this oil consumption problem. This vehicle has been well maintained and should not be going through oil like this with so little miles on it. The dealership is telling me that there is no warranty that covers this and no recalls have been issued despite all of the trouble Kia owners are having. I don't trust the car on the road with my family and I don't know where else to turn. Please help with this. Thank you!

- Bismarck, AR, USA

problem #163

Apr 152019

Optima

  • 70,000 miles
Waiting on a red light, the Kia Optima stalled and then smoke started coming into the cabin. Within seconds the front of the car caught fire and my wife and two children had a very limited time to get out from the burning car into safety. The burning car was eventually extinguished by the fire department. Local police cordoned off the lane to provide safety for my family and others motorists on the road. The weather was clear and the time of the fire was around 12:30pm.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #162

Apr 182019

Optima

  • 126,000 miles
My car engine shut down after making a left turn, which I almost got rear ended by traffic turning right from a faster street. I had to place the car in park to restart the engine after a couple tries. I noticed my engine light and other lights on dash turned red. After a couple tries the engine started and I seen my oil light also so I thought maybe my oil was bad so I went and had an oil change done and after getting that completed was driving home and my engine has this knocking noise now and it seemed to get worse. The technician stated that the engine light showed that the overhead cam sensor was the cause of the light. But after changing the oil the light went out. Technician stated the car was a quart low before the oil was changed out. I do not understand why this happened because I used the best oil and changed my oil on a regular basis and have records to show if needed.

- Sandy, OR, USA

problem #161

Apr 172019

Optima

  • 130,000 miles
While driving dash lights came on and off.. lost acceleration power. Itermitten power. Came to a stoplight lost acceleration tried to press gas to accelerate and souned like pots and pans banging while acceleration hear a loud bang and shattering metal. Mmanaged to pull over on highway..opened hood and saw oil substance all over engine compartment and around firewall. Parts were recovered. Towed. Kia shop notified as it was service for the warranty shards back in October of 2017 and claimed no issues. Oil was changed.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

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