10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 24
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 8 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 53,494 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
As I was driving my 2014 Kia Optima the engine light turned on and started flashing. Within seconds of that the oil light and battery light turned on and my car started slowing down and thankfully I was able to put pull over. As soon as I pulled over my car turned off and I was unable to turn it back on. I have keep my vehicle up to date with all the recalls and maintenance. My vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic and stated that the engine was seized and engine needed replacement. My vehicle hasn-??t reached the 100,000 miles yet.
- Wasco, CA, USA
My car has been using a lot of oil lately and it is due partly to the turbocharger. I have had the oil leak fixed once already and now the dealership wants to charge me over $7,000 to fix it again. I would also like to know if the current recall for the engine fuel hose has anything to do with the oil leak.
- Humble, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, the vehicle started to shake. The contact pulled over, turned the vehicle off, and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that after 5 minutes the vehicle was restarted and drove with no issues. However, when driving at 30 MPH the vehicle lost motive and electrical power without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a seized engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine was replaced twice before and provided the VIN on the engine that needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
- Rochester, NY, USA
While driving on the freeway, my 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid LX suddenly loses all power. My dashboard flashed a red rectangle warning stating something was wrong with the HEV, pull over, and turn off car. My engine light was also flashing. Towed vehicle to dealership where they said engine seized, they can hear engine knocking, but the rod bearing passed the clearance test. According to 17V224000, my vehicle year and engine is involved but because my engine is MPI and not GDI, KIA Consumer Affairs claims my issue is not covered. All of my maintenance are timely and I have records of it as 99% of my maintenance were with the KIA dealership I purchased my vehicle from. How can my car just seize on the highway if my vehicle is well-maintained?
- Edmonds, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
- Apollo Beach, FL, USA
The panel lit up and it car died in the middle of rush hour traffic on the highway, was almost run over by other cars. There is apparently a recall on Kia Optima's engines and that they misfire while driving.
- Plant City, FL, USA
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the husband was driving the vehicle a ticking noise was present coming from the engine compartment before suddenly smoke began to come from under the hood of the vehicle. The husband exited the vehicle and moments later flames were seen coming from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. A police and fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that prior to the incident occurring the vehicle had been serviced for a recall related to an engine failure and fire but the failure still occurred. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 144,000.
- North Augusta, SC, USA
Low pressure fuel line start leaking, creating a fire hazard for me and my family. You can smell the fuel inside the cabin while you're driving. I did take the car to the dealership and they told me is not a recall on my car at this moment. No warning lights came on.
- Camby, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
- White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA
My partner was driving my car and the engine seized. We never miss an oil change and use full synthetic since I got it. We did notice little changes in the engine over time that were concerning. Out of nowhere my check engine and oil light came on at the same time and the engine seized. That-??s the first time I ever seen my oil light come on. He was on the express driving, lucky he is still here.
- Toledo, OH, USA
So I have a 2014 Kia optima got out the dealer at 70,000 miles was the second owner next thing u know I got a recall letter, Stating that I need to inspect after I took it, my Kia start to go down hill, I was stranded on limp mode pay off 4500 then couple moths later did the same thing now is at 190000 I tried fixing being honest but I just gave up so hope u guys could help install a new one
- Upland, CA, USA
As I was driving on the freeway the car just started flashing the engine light and speed just went down even though I was still pressing the gas pedal, hesitating to go, like a lil jerk or if it was about to cut off while I was trying to get to a safe position off the freeway. And after that the car wouldn-??t let me go over 60 and it still was jerking.
- Birmingham , AL, USA
On November 11 2021 i was on the highway doing 65 mph. I heard a putting sound then, no pressure on gas paddle. After cruising about a half mile up the highway the i was finally able to pull to the shoulder. After about a week i took the car to Capital KIA in Columbus, Ohio. They looked at my car said my engine was most likely down due to the recall. We walk to the tech computer. I give him my vin number, and he see i have a salvage title and refuse to do the recall. I got the car towed there and back.
- Columbus, OH, USA
I had My mechanic Show me I have a Safety recall on my car and the deal ship has denied to Fix
- Killeen , TX, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly shut off without warning. The contact indicated that on several occasions, it was discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low although oil had recently been added to the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the turbo engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine was replaced with a non-Kia rebuilt engine. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer; Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley (12840 Auto Mall Dr, Moreno Valley, CA 92555) who diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was taken back to the first dealer who had replaced the engine. The dealer advised the contact that the engine had failed and advised the contact to no longer drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,127.
- Moreno Valley, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that an independent mechanic informed her that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
- Lumberton, NC, USA
Vehicle has engine failure at 156600mi. Bearings and axle are worn out which caused the engine to go into limp mode (code P1326). Car is accelerating poorly and does not oprate over 60mph. Vehicle required a new engine. Dutch Miller of Charlotte Kia, 7725 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC ensured that engine would be brand new. However, the engine was used, and obtained at LKQ costing $3600. Total cost for the engine and labor totalled $5117.18. Kia also confirmed the problematic suspension which led to the engine failure was fixed. Once again this obligation was not met.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
Vehicle check engine light came on at 164000mi. Diagnostics confirmed trouble codes P2562 (Power train system) and C2130, C1611, C1612 (Anti-lock brake sytem). The begins to shake at 40mph and the turbo fails to run properly causing the car to accelerate poorly and make steering an issue.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
- Peachtree City, GA, USA