10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,729 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #40

Apr 202020

Optima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V100000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- St. Cloud, MN, USA

problem #39

Apr 062020

Optima

  • 98,000 miles
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

problem #38

Feb 092016

Optima

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. Contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to cable dahmer of Kansas City located at (555 w 103rd St, Kansas City, mo 64114 (816) 284-7240) where, the contact was informed that the transmission was defective. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turbo oil feeder line was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 20V100000 (fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Blue Spring, MO, USA

problem #37

Feb 142020

Optima

  • 165,000 miles
On February 14, 2020 I was driving down the highway from an appointment and noticed that my gas light was flashing and the gauge was way below empty. I had just stopped prior to my appointment and put gas in it. So, I stopped and put more in it. Still didn't move the gauge one bit. I stopped at advance auto and ask for a code reading and it came back as obd-II code P0463 high pressure fuel sensor. Called Kia dealership and ask if it had anything to do with the recent recalls I had brought in for my Optima 2013. And they didn't think or know until I nbring it in for diagnostic testing. At which point would be$118 an hour. Somewhere I seen Kia will be having a recall on Kia Optima 2011-2014 put for low pressure fuel pipe..

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #36

Feb 252020

Optima

  • 30,000 miles
Whenever trying to fuel my vehicle, the pump would click off within seconds. I would have to stand holding the pump and reclick the pump over and over. This process would take 10 to 15 minutes to fuel the vehicle. After several trips to the Kia dealer trying to get this fixed. They eventually replaced the whole fuel system. From time to time, while pumping gas, I still have to stand by the pump because the fuel pump will click up as if my tank is full.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #35

Dec 012019

Optima

  • 170,000 miles
Check engine light came on, took car to local O'reilly auto parts for them to see what the problem was. Gave code P0091 which yeilded part PR536 - fuel pressure regulator. Called rick case Kia, duluth, ga (absolute terrible service/customer service, numerous times)...car isn't under warranty, will not cover...immediately said O'reilly's was wrong - it's the entire fuel pump - quoted $800 to change. Called a second time, spoke with someone different, said $600 to change fuel pressure regulator. Car isn't running any different. Check engine light came on about $170K mile mark.

- Monroe, GA, USA

problem #34

Dec 262019

Optima

  • 156,000 miles
I was driving down the highway with cruise control set on 75 with 67 miles to empty when all sudden the car start slowing speed I looked cruise control had shut off check engine light came on the just went dead on the side of road the will turn on turn over to wanna crank but won't catch to crank I called the dealer ship and explained he she said she sure it's fuel pump because they just installed 2 this week on the same car

- Winnfield, LA, USA

problem #33

Dec 012019

Optima

  • 150,000 miles
While in motion on city street, vehicle shut down. Tried to restart vehicle, all lights would blink and engine sounded like it sputtered but did not turn on.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #32

Nov 012019

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
I noticed when I am at a red light and I take off to go, the car misfires and stalls for a minute. I then noticed my car was not giving the acceleration and kept stalling, and a service engine soon light came on with a code P0087 which has to do with the fuel pressure. I feel this could be a concern as my car could stall while I'm driving which would make it dangerous as it could stall while im on the interstate or while I'm going through a light.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #31

Oct 282019

Optima

  • 65,000 miles
I was driving to work-freeway 65 when check engine light and oil light came on. The car dropped power and I could have had serious injuries to myself and others. I contacted Kia and they had it towed to dealer-dealer and Kia 800# give you the run around-they said there engineers told them we need to do oil comsumption test and told me to pick up this dangerous car and drive it. I have made numerous calls to Kia and they never call back- I even asked the service manager if he has driven my car and he said no. This is not taking care of your consumers/customers to even ask me to place my life in danger to keep driving this car-they are well aware of fires and the seriousness of driving this car and putting others in danger-my car has sat at Kia -independence, mo for 2 1/2 weeks and I also received no recall notice ever. My car had 5 recalls at the time it was towed the most serious recall is SC147 NHTSA 17V224 my car had 65,000 miles. There is no way I will drive that car until Kia resolves the issues, I also had large amount of white smoke- coming from tail pipe-dealer said car burning oil don, T know where, well that isn.T so true. Dealer aid motor needs replaced but it is out of there hands because engineers said oil test needs done.drive it come in every week so they can see how much oil it burns-I am glad they think our time isn.T important or our safety-this is there mistakes and they need to resolve it.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #30

Oct 012019

Optima

  • 120,000 miles
Kia issued a recall for the engine burning cylinders causing foreign objects to get into the oil cycle, and causing the car to stall out. So my wife was driving the car along the highway going 70mph and the car completely stalled out and could've resulted in a serious wreck, and if it would've they would have been sued. So my car won't run now, and I get it towed to the dealership after I see this recall about the engine. The dealership test the engine and tell me the engine is fine, but my turbo is actually burning metal and causing foreign objects to get into my oil cycle. Since it's not the engine they are refusing to fix it. The same exact thing the recall is calling for is what is going on in my car but in a different part. They are refusing to go it and want me to pay over $2,500 to have it fixed when it's a serious malfunction on their part. If my wife would've wrecked I'm sure they would be begging to fix it so they didn't get sued! this is not right what is going on, and I'm very unhappy. If it was a consumer problem it would be no big deal but there is a recall going on that is happening to my vehicle that they are refusing to fix because they say the engine test out fine! well the foreign object is still getting into my oil cycle and could've lead to a serious wreck!

- Palmyra, MO, USA

problem #29

Oct 052019

Optima

  • 191,000 miles
Intermittent stalling of vehicle upon slowing/stopping at redlights/stop signs in which engine begins losing power/gas either stalls as if it's trying to quit or car stalls & quits. This has happened numerous times, nearly causing accidents & increasing in frequency. I have noticed my motor knocking louder & upon visual exam, the entire motor is shaking which can be felt while driving but most noticeable causing car to shake when at an idol. Most recent, I've began to smell a very strong odor of gasoline upon starting the car but worsens upon accelerating. The car is running rich, and smell of gasoline is so strong, we have to roll down windows. The fumes are more prominent towards rear of car close to exhaust. I cannot see any leakage of fuel when looking however I am losing fuel somewhere because my gas mileage has greatly gotten worse & burning through it at a fast pace. I took it to Kia dealership in salisbury nc today in which they upgraded computer software related to recall on 2.4L gdi engine as I have a 2013 Kia Optima. Mechanic states the engine test did pass but feels it will need to be replaced at some point?? mechanic said he didn't smell any gasoline but he did not test drive the car or run diagnostic test as he said I would have to pay the $129 fee......I declined paying the fee and requested it be done as this is a well known problem but that was denied. I need this addressed and repaired. It is dangerous, costing me more money for gas & affecting my job. Please advise.......this is not acceptable and should not place financial or safety burdens on owners as we already pay enough financing as well as regular/normal wear & tear expenses!! I'm still making payments on mine but becoming too difficult & dangerous to drive esp getting to work so I can support my family!!

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #28

Jun 162019

Optima

  • 91,000 miles
My Kia would just cut off in the middle of traffic if I idling at a light or at a stop sign. I even noticed when I when to put fuel in the tank the car had a hard time turning back on.

- Saint Cloud, FL, USA

problem #27

Jun 112019

Optima

  • 74,439 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. Within five minutes of entering the vehicle, the contact's lips and eyes started to burn and there was a fuel odor inside the cabin. The failures occurred after the contact filled the fuel tank. The contact stated that she could not breathe inside the vehicle and the air made her sick. Medical attention was not received. The contact scheduled a diagnostic appointment at crown Kia (5500 34th St N, St. Petersburg, fl 33714, (844) 921-3247). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,439.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 202018

Optima

  • miles
When driving my vehicle I can smell gas fumes inside of the car. This started on the latter part of last year. I contacted my the center that services my car. Took it in for service asked them to check for the smell. I was told that they didn't smell anything. I was told that I would have to pay to have a diagnostic fee the have it checked. I have scheduled to have my car serviced on June 18 and I will be paying to have it run them. Curious if this has been a problem. I have become very insecure in driving my car. What else can I do in this case?

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #25

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 #24

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 #23

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 #22

Jul 192017

Optima

  • 140,000 miles
Check engine light is on code reads high pressure fuel pump. When starting the car it is very sluggish and has fluttering rpms for the first 10 15 minutes when driving the car is jerky and hesitant to accelerate. There is currently a active recall on the high pressure fuel pump but my VIN is not listed under the recall even though it was listed on the engine recall. Was told I did not need a new engine but was given an oil change ABS new oil pan and the problem started shortly after

- Merrimack, NH, USA

problem #21

Apr 232018

Optima

  • 89,625 miles
Evaporative gas fumes inside and smells like something is burning

- Clamont, DE, USA

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