10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
87,600 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. change high pressure gas pump (1 reports)
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problem #4

Jun 232021

Optima EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,243 miles

On 6/23/2021 I was getting off the Interstate and as I’m accelerating I noticed my car was slowing down and the lights on the dashboard were lighting up. I had no time to pull over so in the middle of traffic, I turned the car completely off and tried to crank it agin and it didn’t work. I had a problem one month earlier where it just turned off by itself and I was able to turn it back on and it acted normal after that but this was not the case this time.

We tried to jump it but that didn’t work. We thought it was the alternator so I bought a new one - and that ain’t working. My bf tested the battery but the battery was fine. I checked the recall list and I notice there’s a recall on my type of Kia basically for engine seizing (SC147). I put my vin number in and it basically tells me my car isn’t on the list. So I call Kia and come to find out my car was on that list and the previous owner took it to get the recall checked but they didn’t do everything they was suppose to do to it. So I was told to get it towed to Kia, let them check it and if that’s the problem it should be covered.

I don’t know why he said should, a recall under any circumstances should be covered especially if it wasn’t done right the first time. So even if you check online and your car doesn’t have that recall I advise you to still call Kia.

I’m getting my car towed to Kia, they said because they’re backed up it’ll be weeks because they can even diagnose it. I’m 36 weeks pregnant right now, this is the last thing I wanted to stress about before bringing in my first child.

Update from Jul 15, 2021: Turns out it was a motor problem. Thank God there was a recall on it, Kia is going to put a new motor in free of charge. Always be aware of any recalls on your car even past recalls. I read my car report prior to getting the car and previous owner had took the car to a Kia dealer for the recall. I assumed it had gotten fixed, well apparently not if the motor went out on me but I’m glad I they were able to link it to the SC147 recall. It sure beats any out of pocket expenses.

- Neia D., Pensacola, FL, US

problem #3

May 222019

Optima 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,458 miles

The first time the problem occurred, I was accelerating and suddenly the car started to lose power, I was very close to have an accident and I quickly went home for my safety and to be sure the problem doesn’t get worse. On the way my car engine stopped twice and it was very difficult to restart the engine. Since I had just refueled, I figured the problem may be the gas and since my car did not redo the problem for a while I didn’t make a big deal about it. The second time it happened, my car engine stopped directly on the highway, it was the incident of May 22, 2019. The car was very difficult to restart. I then went to bring my car to my KIA retailer and they did a few tests without finding the problem. The problem did not reappear for a year and then it starts again. I still have an appointment with my KIA retailer, but I must say that I no longer trust them or my car. Does anyone somewhere know what is causing this problem? I see thousands of complaints on the internet, but I have seen no solution other than changing the engine. I'm french Canadian, so sorry if my english is bad.

Update from Jun 13, 2020: With a friend who’s a mechanic, we changed the spark plug and two of them wear white and he told me that generally mean the engine doesn’t have enough gas for the amount of air it as so the problem most be related to the gas distribution in some way.

Update from Dec 24, 2022: Finally the problem was the high pressure fuel pump, we change the pump and finally the problem was solve so I get to keep this crappy car for a bit longer.

- Francis A., Val-d'Or, QC, Canada

problem #2

Aug 012019

Optima LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,200 miles

Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this - car loses acceleration then stutters like it’s going to stall out , shut off for 10 minutes starts up fine and runs; until happens again. Kia said when checked it was not the problem with the recall for new engine: but because I have a lifetime warranty with the engine recall it could be in the future an engine replacement!?

- Elaine W., Andover, US

problem #1

Dec 012017

Optima EX 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 43,416 miles

Engine started sputtering, lost ability to accelerate and a burning smell. Luckily I was around the corner of my home and pretty much coasted home to the garage. This is only the beginning of the problems I have had. Car only has 43,000 miles. I made an appt about 2 weeks ago with a Kia dealership for my oil to be changed and tires rotated. I also mentioned that there were 2 recalls and one of these recalls was for metal chips in the engine. I called today to cancel my appt and made it for Jan 2. I just happened to ask the person at the repair shop about the recall on the metal chips in engine and how long would this take to fix. She informed me that the engine would need to be replaced and should only take about 2-1/2 hrs for all the work to be done. Really, really, I'm not that stupid. I know this is just the beginning of the nightmare! Here we go with the rental cars (out of my pocket) and weeks of not getting my car right away. I'm definitely starting to stress about this extended warranty I purchased when I read the other reviews. This site requests that each incident be reported separately so I'll be documenting these other issues for the next hour or two.

- Catherine T., O Fallon, US