10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,267 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Nov 122018

Optima

  • 64,000 miles
Took my car into the dealership ( atlanta West Kia, douglasville, ga) for an oil change, tire rotation, etc. I was notified when I checked in that there was a computer recall for an upgrade of the computer/electronic system. They informed me that they would do that while performing the other service work. 3 weeks after the oil change I was driving on the interstate the car sudddenly lost power after a big puff of white smoke and loud noise. I worked my way over to the nest exit and proceeded to turn around to go back home. No warning/engine/oil lights came on during this time. I called the dealership and never returned my call, with no results. We checked the oil the car was 3 quarts low. Continue to notify the dealer to no avail. The car needed 3 quarts of oil everytime I checked it weekly. Let me reinterate that the car was running fine before I took it in for service in Nov 2018. I called Kia Corp. They infomed me that my car was not under recall and that there's nothing they can do becasue I had 68K on the car. They asked me to have it towed in for diagnostic test. Now they want me to provide all the service records. The service records was in the Kia dealership system as I have used that dealer (prior owner) for most of my work. I am not sure what happened to the service records. At this point they refuse to replace the engine. Kia has recalled every year but 2015 - apparently they think they got it right in 2015 since the motor was built in a different location. The engine I S pracically gone and I have had the car less than 4 years. I purchased band new off the lot 9/2015. I feel like they should be made to add the 2015 Kia Optima to the engine recall list before someone get seriously hurt either by the car stopping in highway traffic or catching on fire. Door handle on the driver's side contiues to stick and the dorr will not open from outside or inside.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #5

Nov 122018

Optima

  • 62,555 miles
At approximately 4:30 a.M. on November 12, 2018, the engine became fully engulfed in flames while the car was parked on the street in front of our house and turned off. No one had driven the car for several hours. The fire destroyed the entire front end of the car, melted the tires and filled the interior of the car with smoke. Fortunately, the fire department arrived and put out the fire before it spread to the gas tank.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #4

Sep 182018

Optima

  • 55,388 miles
Body paint is peeling on hood and rear bumper ; Kia dealer said Kia only warrants the paint job for only 3 years. I am contending Kia knows this and is deceiving its customers from day 1; unacceptable !

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #3

Jan 032018

Optima

  • 40,000 miles
Shark fin antenna cover fell off. This is reported to happen to many 2015 Kia Optimas. There is no replacement fin and to fix the issue a whole antenna kit has to be installed. Apparently the screws that hold the antenna fin down rust overtime and eventually cause the fin to pop off. This presents a problem that would allow water to enter the vehicle and cause damage.

- Palm Springs, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 012017

Optima

  • 35,000 miles
Front glass panel of sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

problem #1

Dec 142017

Optima

  • 25,240 miles
Was at light then proceeded once light turned green traveling on left lane on a 2 lane city road. Used turning signal to move to right lane when another car that had turned at the traffic light on to the road I was traveling on. I did not see the car after turning to look due to the blind spot in rear of my car. At the time I hit the other cars front left fender/tire area causing minor damage to both cars. I was ticketed for improper lane change even though I turned my signal on & looked. I now have to go to traffic school to keep points off my license & pay out of pocket for repair damage to my car. There have been a few other close calls when attempting to change lanes due to the blind spot area in my car.

- Orlando, FL, USA