10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,104 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Oct 042022

Optima

  • miles
The vehicles paint started peeling on one of the rear columns. I have noticed very many different Kia optimas with the same issue when it came to the same color paint. The paint is snow white pearl. I-€™ve had no success working with Kia and it is clearly a defective paint issue. I own several cars older and they never had issues. They are unwilling to help.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #33

Jun 152022

Optima

  • miles
There was no accident. My paint keeps chipping. I-€™ve never had a car chip paint like this one. I-€™ve seen multiple other cars who have the same exact car in the color Snow White have this problem. Very frustrating.

- Harrisburg, NC, USA

problem #32

May 282022

Optima

  • miles
Hello, I have a 2015 Kia Optima with Snow White Pearl paint. The paint has started to bubble and chip off. I understand that this paint color is an issue for cars in South Florida which have had the same issue. I have included pictures of the areas and also the vin with paint code.

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #31

May 032022

Optima

  • miles
Delamination of the Snow White Pearl Paint due to faulty factory primer appearing at multiple spots including front and rear pillars, hood and doors. Confirmed by 2 Auto Body Shops - Triangle Collision and Carolinas Collison. Rust has began appearing in said spots and the paint strips are getting worse overtime.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #30

Dec 122021

Optima

  • miles
I have a 2015 Kia Optima and the paint (Pearl White) is starting to peel of. It started on the front left of the windshield last December (2021) There is now the back right of the vehicle, the top of the trunk and the hood. After research on line, it looks like it is common on this paint type on the Kia models. I am seeking out some help to resolve this problem for everyone. I talked to my car dealer about the problem and told me that the warranty for the paint stops at 36000 miles. My car has 96021 and is not covered anymore, even if it is a defect. My car is starting to rust, no recourse from the dealer, need some support from the NHTSA department to resolve this problem that is not isolated to my vehicle only but many more. Sincerely,

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #29

Jul 092021

Optima

  • miles
My paint is chipping badly. I have noticed a few other vehicles that have had the same problem with the SNOW WHITE PEARL paint. It started as a small knick in the paint and has gradually turned into severely needing a paint job. Hopefully kia can find a way to resolve the issue I love everything else about my car and fell in love with the color instantly and considering you pay extra for the snow white pearl color it should last!

- Wiergate, TX, USA

problem #28

Oct 012021

Optima

  • miles
I own a 2015 Kia Optima Ex that is having paint issues. it is the Snow Pearl White and there are chunks of paint peeling off of multiple spots on the vehicle.

- Pomona, MO, USA

problem #27

Nov 102021

Optima

  • miles
I have a 2015 White Kia Optima and the paint started chipping a few months ago in just one area on the passenger side back door. I took it to a Kia dealer in Irvine, CA and they said it was not a covered item. I believe it should be a covered item and would like assistance getting it repaired please.

- Placentia, CA, USA

problem #26

Sep 042019

Optima

  • miles
-€¢A small spot the size of a half-dollar formed on the exterior paint (pearl white) on the passenger side rear door and has since expanded to the size of two fists. -€¢I brought the vehicle to a reputable body repair shop that was recommended by my auto insurance provider to get the area repainted. -€¢The body shop reports that the paint is -€œdelaminating-€ and is not adhering to the primer. -€¢There are countless related complaints online from vehicle owners with the same year, make and model -€" yet no recall has been issued by Kia. -€¢There are no warnings to alert the driver to this problem. However, over time, the exposed metal will rust and the door will eventually corrode, putting the passenger at risk.

- Uxbridge, MA, USA

problem #25

Nov 202019

Optima

  • miles
My 2015 Kia Optima has shown signs of paint chipping for the past year in the half. At first a minor inconvenience, now is becoming a major problem with parts of the body starting to rust and larger sections beginning to peel as well. While paint deterioration is expected on a car, it shouldn't happen as early as 5 years in or less than 80,000 miles. I am worried that paint will continue to peel off and the body work will continue to rust. The car has not been looked at by the manufacturer and various site across the internet have shown that the Pearl White Paint color is the sole color that has experienced this problem. The Hood, A Pillar, and rood railings are all experiencing this problem.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #24

Aug 062021

Optima

  • miles
My 2015 kia optima with snow white pearl paint is peeling and delaminating without any prior damage. An independent shop reviewed the paint and agreed that it was a factory paint failure. They started to appear a few years after I bought it but I passed it off as regular stone chipping.

- Santa Paula , CA, USA

problem #23

Sep 012021

Optima

  • miles
My Pearl White paint is chipping off

- Easley , SC, USA

problem #22

Aug 082021

Optima

  • miles
Extreme paint chipping

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

problem #21

Jan 012020

Optima

  • miles
2015 Kia Optima, Snow White Pearl paint is peeling off hood, and rails around windshield.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #20

Mar 142021

Optima

  • 130,000 miles
On 3-14-2021 about 225pm I was attempting to merge onto the I10 freeway in Ontario California, while merging all the lights on the dash lit up and the car proceeded to shut off and my speed was going down. I attempted to pull over off the shoulder of the freeway, once I was stopped I turned the car off. The car than was engulfed with smoke and flames I jumped out the car and the car lit up in flames. I called Ontario police and fire department.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #19

Feb 022021

Optima

  • 97,600 miles
Was driving down main road approaching redlighy and brake pedal went to stiff and car shut off while rolling. Could not get to start again and smelt electrical burning somewhere. Had to beg car towed home. Tried jumping with a jump box to eliminate battery and it was not issue. Almost rear ended vehicle infront and was stranded on side of main road.

- Oakdale, PA, USA

problem #18

Oct 012020

Optima

  • 57,240 miles
Peeling paint on hood and side pillars. Seems like there is an issue with Kia and swp white pearl paint.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #17

Dec 012019

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
The paint is seriously peeling "delaminating" in "snow white pearl" and that needs to be addressed!! it occurs driving or just washing the car. Searching online I see this is a common issue.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #16

Jul 282020

Optima

  • 88,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden the check engine and all lights came on. I could not accelerate or stop the vehicle the brakes did not work I coasted off to the side of the freeway and hit the guard rail because I had no breaks. Then I had a tow truck come and pull me off the freeway to see if I could start my vehicle however it did not start all the lights were on the dash on and the car was smoking and smell like fire I had the car towed to the mechanic to find out what is wrong. The mechanic said the engine is fried because the oil pump was not being pumped into the motor therefore it locked up he said I believe there is a recall on this vehicle for the same reason I checked the recall and there is nothing in the system that a 2015 Kia Optima is up for recall. I believe Kia needs to refund this vehicle that has only 88,000 miles in the engine needs to be replaced Kia needs to call

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #15

May 292020

Optima 4-cyl

  • 50 miles
Engine caught fire! had picked the Kia Optima up the day before from the dealership, where they had installed a new engine, belts, and hoses. Had driven 40 minutes for a doctor appt. Got off the freeway. As I was approaching the light (about 3 blocks from freeway), noticed gray smoke coming from under hood on passenger side. With a broken left arm, had to get out and across traffic. Saw the flames as I was crossing the street. In under a minute, the front of car was engulfed in flames.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

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