10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,494 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #130

Apr 152020

Optima

  • 55,000 miles
I had taken the vehicle to the Kia dealer in orange county, and they charged me extra to resolve the recall, and the vehicle's air conditioning system is no longer working, the gas intake is ridiculous, and the car does not have the same power as it used to.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #129

Jul 032020

Optima

  • 144,918 miles
I was driving on the road on a nice sunny day, and while my vehicle was in motion all of a sudden my engine shuts off and I lose power. My car won't start and I had a mechanic inspect my car and he says everything checks except for the engine. He says the engine is seized. Kia has tech service buliten tsb for recall campaign for this exact issue. I'm curious as to why my vehicle hasn't been recalled yet. This is dangerous.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #128

Mar 302019

Optima

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a knocking sound was present coming from the engine. The vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Shicker Ford located at (3300 S. kingshighway, St. Louis, mo 63139, (314) 664-4100) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #127

May 312017

Optima

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle stalled, he was able to shift to neutral and restart the vehicle. The contact stated shortly after the restart the vehicle stalled again. He then parked in a parking lot, opened the hood, heard a screw fall and saw flames coming from the middle of the engine. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. There was a police report filed. The vehicle was towed away to a salvage lot. The vehicle was not totaled due to the contact switching insurance coverage to another used vehicle. The contact called the manufacturer to alert them of the incident but they had not called back since the issue occurred in 05/31/17. The unknown dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The contact stated that he recently received notification NHTSA campaign number: 20V100000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #126

Jun 032020

Optima 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
My engine is making ticking noises. I need a recall on my engine.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #125

Mar 292020

Optima 4-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
Driving on city street car caught on fire. Engine seized.

- Fairmont, NC, USA

problem #124

Dec 012016

Optima

  • 0 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, and stopped at a stop sign, the contact noticed thick black smoke from the tail pipe. The check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The contact also heard a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact's husband to have the vehicle taken to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Kia dealer, located in baton rouge, la where it was diagnosed and the contact informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the contact no longer owned the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Zachary, LA, USA

problem #123

Apr 082020

Optima

  • 102,367 miles
Driving down in motion on a village road going 40 mph, car completely shut off, lost power steering, I had to pull car over without power steering to side of busy road, car would not stop right away and park would not engaged right away into park, car then rolled forward about 10 feet and slammed into park. Car would not turn over however all power lights, and battery were working without issue. Called a tow truck, could not get ahold of Kia for Kia 24 hour emergency roadside assistance, due to covid-19, I had to call a local body shop/used car dealer for a tow.

- Herkimer, NY, USA

problem #122

Apr 132020

Optima 4-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
As I was driving out of nowhere my engine light came on this never happened before out of the few years I had this car but now it just came on I'm updated with oil changes and all I'm not understanding why this is happening I was driving on the highway and the engine light came on.

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #121

Feb 262020

Optima

  • 85,000 miles
My check engine light will come on and off and when I went to go get it checked, it came up and transmission range sensor circuit (pnrdl) input. When I put my car in park, I can't take it out until I turn my car off and turn it back on. My car has a little over 87,000 miles and should not have transmission/engine issues.

- Selma, NC, USA

problem #120

Feb 072020

Optima

  • 158,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to billion auto - Kia of Iowa city (2845 mormon trek blvd, Iowa city, ia 52246) to be repaired under an unknown recall. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact noticed by the service sticker placed on the window that the wrong type of oil was placed in the vehicle. After contacting the same dealer, the contact was informed that they used that type of oil due to the recall update. As the contact started to drive the vehicle, the engine stalled while the check engine light starting to flash. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where they initially informed him that there were no problems. As the problem persisted, the contact took the vehicle back for a second time and the vehicle was diagnosed with an engine misfire. The contact had the vehicle repaired by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted. The contact then stated that while driving at 25 mph, the engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle loss motive power and hit an unknown object on the road which caused a blowout of the passenger's side front tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the tire was replaced. The next day while driving at a low speed, the contact became aware that the accelerator pedal was loose and additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the engine oil level was very low despite having a recent oil change. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and was informed that they would investigate the matter. After not hearing from the manufacturer, the contact called back and was informed that the manufacturer was unsuccessful in reaching the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was invalid.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #119

Feb 222020

Optima

  • 171,000 miles
I was driving home with my child in the car approximately at 67 mph on freeway 99 North from la to bakersfield ca and all of a sudden car stalled. I was on the fast lane and reacted immediately turned my emergency lights on but cars behind me were so short into rear ending me I cried because I was just shocked and scared for my son. Luckily my aunt was two cars behind me since we had took a short family trip and they helped me out. I had just took my car for an oil change to Kia haddad of bakersfield where they also fixed a recall on my vehicle. This is the third time engine failure happens to this car. The first time was in June of 2017 that's what Kia told me that's why they couldn't replace the because they had already replaced it and was out of warranty the second when it happened to me in 2018. Same thing happened car stalled with my son with me. Mechanic said I needed a engine which he ended up replacing I payed for that. Now this happens again for the third time ? I'm just so overwhelmed I've been so lucky I haven't caused no accident. Now I'm scared to even fix this car again and drive it.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

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

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