10.0

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

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #78

Feb 032019

Optima

  • 64,887 miles
2014 Kia Optima hybrid completely shut down while decelerating for a traffic light. The car displayed a fault on the screen as a "possible battery management system failure." When the car shut down. Had loss of steering control (electrical/optical steering). Had to slow to stop, place transmission selector in park before the car would allow restart. Engine warning light stayed on for 3 hours then extinguished by itself. Bms was updated at cost to customer.

- Haines City, FL, USA

problem #77

Oct 102018

Optima

  • 82,000 miles
On the morning of 10/10/18. My daughter was driving to work on a clear, strait, highway road at about 45 mph. She heard a noise then lost all power to the car. She coasted to the side. Immediately after loosing power, the wheel locked on her. On the ground was tons of fluids. A wrecker was called. I took it to my mechanic and his words were "the barring went through the motor." I had to find another motor to put in my car. The pictures will show the damage.

- Liberty, TX, USA

problem #76

Jan 232019

Optima

  • 130,000 miles
There is a recall on our 2014 Optima on the engines. We did the initial recall check with our dealership to see if there was any debris in our engine; as it passed according to them. Then Dec 2018 we got an oil change and our dealership did an upgrade recommended by Kia...our engine showed failure..coded the code that indicated a new engine was required. Kia forced our dealership to put a harness on the system. Our engine failed again Jan 23, 2019..still no engine. Kia is not approving a new engine yet...still working out the issues. Car loses all power....in stale mode

- Roachdale, IN, USA

problem #75

Jun 062018

Optima

  • 58,000 miles
While driving the Kia on the highway after getting repaired for cracking the transmission due to running over a median the car engine seized while in full motion on the highway. Going 65mph engine stopped and car came to a stop after driving 5 miles from the shop. I called the roadside assistance to come tow the car. They took it to the nearest Kia dealership which I had called and explained I was about to take the car into be checked out for the recall notice I had received. The shop had told me it could have been the timing chain but when I was on the phone with the man in the Kia dealership he stated that a piece of came off in the oil pan and went into the engine. When I asked him if this had something to do with the recall he stated no. I don't know I think it had to have had something to do with the recall how else would there be anything in the oil pan or come loose in the engine like that. My car has been totaled out I no longer have a vehicle to drive. There's no way that running over a curb could make the engine completely seized up. Plus I had driven the car a week before, it had drove just fine, a little rough however was still leaking transmission fluid for the new transmission so I sent it back to the shop. Now the second time I get it from the shop that's when it breaks down on the side of the road do to a seizing engine. Sure makes me question

- Dodge City, KS, USA

problem #74

Jan 112019

Optima

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine stalled and stopped while the vehicle was in motion. The contact also heard a loud rattling noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to riverside Kia (8100 auto dr, riverside, ca 92504, (951) 509-1000) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was repaired per an unknown recall, but the failure recurred. The contact called the dealer and was still waiting to hear back. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #73

Jan 042019

Optima

  • 48,000 miles
While driving the car stalled resulting in a collision with a telephone pole. I had just made a turn & the car went dead. Steering and brakes locked up. Now my car is completely totaled not to mention the airbags never deployed. My fianc was ejected from the vehicle resulting in a fractured hip.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #72

Dec 222018

Optima

  • 157,000 miles
While on the highway trying to make a pass I suddenly loss power. I wasn't able to get the engine restarted once I pulled over. After a period of time on the side of the I restarted the car and was hearing a consistent knocking noise coming from me engine. Never had any issues or anything with the car.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #71

Dec 202018

Optima

  • 55,400 miles
I was driving in a 2014 Kia Optima with an estimate 55,400 mile on it down I-285 East when engine suddenly lost power. I notice an odd clicking noise, check engine light came and stayed on, and RPM dropped. I safely merged over in 4 lines of traffic on shoulder and turned engine off. The car sputtered when I cracked it on the side of the road, the car sounded terrible, extremely rough idle and engine noise, then I immediately turned back off. I call roadside assist and had the car towed to the nearest Kia dealership. Waiting to hear back from the dealership

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #70

Oct 152018

Optima

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While the vehicle was stationary, smoke ascended from the hood. There was no indication of the vehicle overheating prior to the failure. The contact called bob utter Kia (2433 texoma pkwy, sherman, tx 75090, (903) 892-3555) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 36,000.

- Paris, TX, USA

problem #69

Nov 062018

Optima

  • 8,100 miles
This is the second time around im gettin hybrid engine issues please turn off engine. First tine this happen 6mnths ago I got the run around for almts 3wks finally fix now im having the same issue again. I should not be getting the run around figuring out if this is covered... car shutting off

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #68

Nov 022018

Optima

  • 119,377 miles
My car (2014 Kia Optima) started having a faint gas smell about two days ago, I thought the gas smell was because I had gotten gas and some was on my shoe. I found out today that my direct injection fuel pump on the engine is the problem. The guy at the shop said the car could have blown up at anytime, and that I was blessed. I called the Kia dealership because the engine locked up on me in September of 2017. The dealership told me they replaced a part, but is now telling me they replaced the entire engine. The problem that the car is having now is not under a recall. I don't feel safe in my car because this is the second time something tragic could have happened due to something that was not my fault. I am sending this to warn other Kia drivers to be careful.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #67

Nov 012018

Optima

  • 20 miles
Kia Optima recall I was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden my engine turn off and everything else was on I got off the freeway and park at a hotel try to turn the car on again and it wouldn't turn on again I noticed that it was smoking from the hood of my car. Can you please help me out

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #66

Aug 182018

Optima

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while reversing at 5 mph, smoke was seen coming from under the hood. As a result the vehicle caught on fire. The local fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The contact sustained scraps and bruises from escaping the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to jim marsh Kia (8555 w centennial pkwy, las vegas, nv 89149 (702) 946-1000) but a cause of the fire was not provided to the contact. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) at the same dealer before the failure occurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #65

Sep 162018

Optima

  • 66,000 miles
Fire! my 2014 Kia Optima caught fire while I was driving it on the highway. First, I could smell something burning. Then, smoke quickly filled my cabin. I pulled over lost steering and brakes, put car in park. Got out look behind me. See sparks on ground. Get in call 911 and with in seconds my car snap, crackled, and popped and flames engulfed my vehicle. I grabbed my purse and ran. I had to watch my car burn. I am very thankful I made it out.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #64

Oct 012018

Optima

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and completely shut off. All the instrument panel indicators illuminated and there was a strong odor of smoke inside the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was unsure if police or fire reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to baileys wrecker service tow lot where the contact was informed that the vehicle was a complete loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #63

Dec 182014

Optima

  • 5,000 miles
Bought April/May 2014, by December 2014 the engine needed replaced. Electrical: Buttons don't work for proper functions (volume up will turn volume down, cruise control button was a completely different one on the steering wheel then it's supposed too & ac stopped working) while in motion or stopped but when car is turned off than back on it resets to normal.

- West Mifflin, PA, USA

problem #62

Jun 022018

Optima

  • 30,000 miles
When I turn the key in the battery starts but the engine does not. I learned that the way to turn it on when it does this situation I have to press the break and then move the shift changer and while pressing on the gas I try turning the starter and the engine then starts.

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #61

Jun 302018

Optima

  • 120,000 miles
Car stalled on me as I was driving. Now makes cyclic noise when I drive. I don't drive it at all had mechanic check it and he said I need a new engine.

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #60

Jan 022014

Optima

  • miles
I have not received any information regarding the recall notice on the engine of my vehicle.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #59

May 192018

Optima

  • 52,000 miles
S a single, full-time working mother to two young children, I was unable to schedule an appointment in time to bring my 2014 Kia Optima sxl turbo in for the engine recall test; my car's engine decided to croak on me fortunately a block from my home. My car was towed in to the local Kia on May 19, 2018. As of present day, I am still without an engine and have been given a different eta on the engine every time I contact Kia. I have recently been in touch with a member of the escalation team (as high up as I can go). As of today, she has changed my eta to the last week of August when I was told it would be the last week of July. I am medically diagnosed with chronic migraines and extreme photophobia and have a valid and legal tint prescription for my vehicle in the state of Mississippi. My prescription allows me to warrant window tint that is otherwise illegal without a prescription due to my condition. I have stressed this medical issue to Kia every time I call but that does not help speed up the process of getting an engine here. My medication (imitrex aka sumatriptan) cannot be safely taken more than just a few times per week but I have kept a migraine at least 4 days of each week since I have been without my car due to driving in a vehicle other than my own. Most would speculate that wearing sunglasses would be a fix all to this problem; it is not. I am now afraid that at any given time while driving this loaner vehicle, I will get a sudden migraine and end up having an accident and harming myself, my toddler, my fourth gader, or others. What upsets me most is knowing that Kia/Hyundai pumps out brand new vehicles daily without known engine problems but they cannot produce engines for myself and others who are anxiously awaiting the return of our personal vehicles. Please help.

- Meridian, MS, USA

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