10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,898 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #118

Jan 242020

Optima

  • 40 miles
I was driving my vehicle from las vegas to California on the I15 South, when out of nowhere it felt like the vehicle stauled out and started hiccuping and started loosing power very quickly so I pulled over to the side of road and the car died. I sat there in disbelief, like what just happened...then I started it back up and it started no problem but when I put it in drive it started hiccuping again and what felt like my engine was being choked out and it wasnt accelerating and there wasn't any power. Im just glad that I didnt loose control or have an accident from this mysterious incident. Although this incident has already lost me a great deal of money because of the lack of my work. The 2 jobs I work are both transportation orientated.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #117

Mar 012019

Optima

  • miles
My vehicle just cut off in drive on the highway all dash lights came on and vehicle will not start this is the second engine I have purchased from Kia being that they insisted on my engine wasn't falling under recall under my VIN number so I had to come out of pocket for the engine and labor. I've contacted 1-800 Kia but they insist that I have had a life time warranty on my engine that I shouldn't have come out of pocket for a new one the first time due to defects I still have yet heard back from Kia consultants I am coming out of pocket for a rental car and as well as towing and this will be the second time my engine has failed with less than 70,000 miles on it. I am a single mother and I can not afford to pay for another engine when the car has a defect I'm just so ready to be done with Kia I'm almost done paying on my vehicle and this is the second time this has happened to me and eve tone is practically playing hot potato with

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #116

Jan 142020

Optima

  • 5 miles
Took my vehicle to a mechanic because engine was smoking and sputtering. He said theres a recall and the manufacturer should replace engine. The dealership is sayjng the engine issues are from sludge and changed my oil. I believe they didnt do this recall correctly SC147

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #115

Jan 112020

Optima

  • 92,000 miles
While driving on the interstate, my Kia Optima stopped accelerating, we were luckily near an exit and were able to pull over to the side of the road. The lights and music stayed on but the car would not start again. There was nothing happening up to the point that would have warned us this was going to happen, the check engine light never came on. I had to get the vehicle towed home.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #114

Jan 052020

Optima

  • 110,000 miles
Car was working fine and we got to a light and it just stopped.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #113

Dec 182019

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
I have a 2014 Kia Optima that I purchased 3 years ago. My car lost all power on the highway and the motor is making a knocking noise I've taken it to my Kia dealer who always does my oil changes and they are saying that I need a new motor but no recalls are falling U see my VIN in their paperwork. Everything is always up to date on my vehicle oil changes to detailing once a week and this happens out of no where but my insurance states that under my VIN I have 2 recalls one for the motor and my Kia dealer is refusing to check or replace it after my complaint I have contacted Kia 1-800 number and they have also stated that I have a lifetime warranty on my motor and that I have in fact 2 recalls on my vehicle that I should take it into the nearest Kia dealer but I have done that and they denied

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #112

Dec 232019

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
80,000 miles on vehicle and engine failed. Vehicle was in motion and began to slow down on the highway. Lights in the dashboard appeared. Vehicle was towed by aaa and determined engine failed.

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

problem #111

Mar 282019

Optima

  • 130,000 miles
I have a Kia Optima 2014 Kia Optima love my car. There's only one bad thing I go do my recall on March 28 2019 it says everything had passed but in reality. The service that they did was careless 9 months later my car is bad motor. Has 130,000 that's what 20,000 dollar is worth wow. They did my oil Kia change they put the wrong oil 5-30 really that for Kia turbo and Kia Optima 5-20 now my car is in a mechanic. I need my car fix, I did my recall thought it was for a cause but I gues it wasn't. I need my car fix ! my car stop in the middle iff the 57 South freeway.. Kia Optima in pomona

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #110

Nov 202019

Optima

  • 50,871 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, the ignition failed to start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact called jeff wyler fairfield Cadillac Kia Nissan (located at 5815 dixie hwy, fairfield, oh 45014, (513) 682-2500) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,871.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #109

Jan 152018

Optima

  • miles
Since purchase this car has continued to have engine issues, oil issues and check engine light on and off. It's a real concern to me and since this continues the air bag sensors keep coming on. This car was purchased in 2017 from dealership. This started occurring mid January 2018 and had gotten progressing. This cannot be normal. I received a red recall notice and have since been informed that there are no recalls on this 2014 Kia Optima. This is very concerning to me ! this car obviously has serious issues. The vehicle is reading this as there are messages alerting me on the display and through the digital system.

- Millerton, NY, USA

problem #108

Nov 112019

Optima

  • 79,000 miles
I have a 2014 Kia Optima and I keep up with the maintenance and also the recalls on my car the only thing I havevreall had to replace that was quite expensive to me was the battery so far but I took my car in to the dealership for the recall for the bearing and was told it was fine and everything checked out and they changed my oil for free less than 5 months later I am back at the Kia dealership because I was driving down the highway at 6 am cold raining and sleeting and my car loses power engine light comes on flashing so I pull over turn off the engine then wait a minute turn it back on same thi G so I go to the dealership and was told they will check out my car and within 20 minutes told I need a new engine so now that the engine has been replaced less than a month ago my daytime running lights does not turn on and off like they are supposed to automatically if I dont turn them off or on then they won't be off or on I have had to replace my driverside headlight bulb for the second time now and when I'm driving it looks so dim so now I have to keep spending money every month on a bulb that isn't cheap my back passenger brake light keeps going out like every 3 weeks the Kia Optima has some electrical issues and Kia needs to issue a recall and get them all fixed before someone encounter a serious problem and Kia have a much serious issue on their hands.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #107

Oct 012019

Optima

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road. On one occasion, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the right shoulder that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot and then towed to Kia atlanta South (7310 jonesboro rd, morrow, ga 30260, (770) 968-3400); however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #106

Oct 252019

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 65 mph, the check engine warning indicator flashed and the vehicle lost power. The contact also heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Fortuna, CA, USA

problem #105

Sep 282019

Optima

  • 146,000 miles
As I was driving to work going up the hill on a highway my 2014 Kia Optima completely shut off, I was going 70 mph. Car wouldn't start I had to get a towed to an independent repair shop where they said it might need a new engine

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #104

Sep 232019

Optima

  • 139,400 miles
The car started to overheat, as I was pulling to the side the warning sign to check hybrid system came ob. Shortly after the car shut down while I was going up a hill. I had to tow to the repair shop and that's where they told me that the engine needed to be replaced.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #103

Sep 252019

Optima

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 40 mph up a hill, the vehicle seized and the ignition turned off. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be driven. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

- Smethport, PA, USA

problem #102

Sep 152019

Optima

  • 186,000 miles
Driving to from austin to houston on 290 East on 9/15/2019 at around 12:00 noon. I was going around 70 miles per hour and I heard a loud pop from the engine and I saw white smoking coming from the hood and underneath the car. I immediately pulled over and open the front hood. The engine was on fire at the bottom, I actually saw flames. The engine was turn off and I got away from the care and it did stop smoking. Had car towed back to austin and it was towed to dealer were care was purchased.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #101

Aug 282019

Optima

  • 128,000 miles
I was driving to work, same route same time, when my engine stalled while on the highway going around a curve. "hybrid system failure, pull over and turn off engine" was the error. I was able to coast around the curve and to the side of the highway. Had to tow it off the highway at first, and tried to jump it. (I had a problem in 2017 with the neutral safety switch on my battery, replaced safety switch/battery at the cost of 1K and a month due to the safety switch being an aspect of the recall for the non-hybrid Optimas). Battery was perfect, car was able to turn on, radio, ac, everything but the engine. Towed it to fredy Kia (great shop by the way!), by the time it got there, they stated the battery was completely dead. They replaced, then tried to turn the engine both mechanically and by hand. Engine seized per dealership. (I know im an idiot for saying this but..) this is not the first Kia that this has happened to with the same recall. I had a 2014 Kia sportage in January have the exact same problem. All maintenance records (oil changes every 3500 miles, any belts/changes, etc.) were presented to Kia of which they recalled the 2014 sportage engine. With my Optima hybrid (same theta II engine as the recall for the non-hybrid Optimas per Kia own "investigations" since 2017) after contacting Kia headquarters, they are stating that this is not the same issue but are willing to "work with me". since then Kia headquarters has talked to the dealership, and my car has been sitting there for almost 3 weeks with 0 response, or update on whats next. I currently both have and dont have a car. Moral of the story, please be careful with these cars! obviously they are flawed (my "seized" engine is no longer manufactured at all due to problems with the barrings, only fix is a short block engine replacement for my long block engine then fabricate the headers, etc.)

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #100

Aug 092019

Optima

  • 94,300 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle ran out of oil. The vehicle was towed to brewbaker Kia (334-319-8343, located at 222 eastern blvd, montgomery, al 36117) where it was confirmed that there was no oil in the vehicle. It was also stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was simply out of oil; however, the contact stated that there was no oil leak. The contact also stated that he received an unknown alert in 2016 regarding engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,300.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #99

Aug 032019

Optima

  • miles
Enclosed is a letter with a detailed complaint.

- Aguadilla, PR, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »