10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 19
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,357 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Jul 212020

Optima

  • 55,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and my car told me to pull over and check the engine. I pull over, wait a little while, and try to start it again. It doesn't start. They have someone come out to jump it, and it looks like we're good. I start to drive away and merge back onto the highway. Almost immediately I loose power--- I have no control over the gas, the brakes, the steering wheel is stiffening up. I am somehow able to put it in neutral, barely get over to the right shoulder, and then use my emergency brakes. This was an incredibly dangerous situation, and could have easily killed me. I just had it serviced the day before so I took it back. It turns out the hybrid fuse went out. I look it up online and this has happened to other people! I informed another Kia dealer and they were also unaware of this. It's incredibly unsafe and my life was endangered.

- Willow Springs, IL, USA

problem #28

Dec 052019

Optima 4-cyl

  • 138,000 miles
I purchased a new 2015 Kia Optima. Completed regular maintanence on it, and the engine failed (locked up) at 138,000 miles. Later, I was advised the 2015 Kia Optima and other Kia's were found to have faulty engines. Kia did not offer assistance at the time, but are now offering assistance since I have traded the Kia with a locked motor. I have been given the run-around for weeks and today a "regional manger" called and offered zero assistance and basically told me the faulty motor was not their problem. When the motor locked up, I was passing a car on the highway. The Optima stalled while I was in on-coming traffic, and then the motor died. I was able to pull over safetly, and the car smelt like an electrical fire, it never started again.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #27

Jul 152020

Optima 4-cyl

  • 58,556 miles
The brake lights would not go off when I turned my car off. This ended up killing my battery. When I got the battery recharged it allowed the car to start without the brakes being pushed in. Also I noticed that the stopper had broken. This allowed the computer to think that the brakes were engaged even though the peddle wasn't pushed.

- Owenton, KY, USA

problem #26

Mar 192020

Optima

  • miles
I purchased my car in bellevue ne I tried taking it back within the first week. They told me everything was fine and sent me to edwards Kia in council bluffs ia. My brakes and rotors were horrible and needed to be replaced they in ne said they were completely fine. It cost $600 to repair. The bellevue manager asked me what I expected him to do about it. They let me leave the lot without inspection my car. Then I had a motor recall my engine light was flashing and it wouldn't accelerate this has now happened 3 times in the last 30 days. Edwards Kia in council bluffs currently have had my car for 2 weeks and tell me that it could be an additional 6 weeks before I get it retired to

- Red Oak, IA, USA

problem #25

Apr 072020

Optima

  • 33,000 miles
My daughter was driving down main street when everything shut off, electrical, motor, steering wheel locked up. She coasted to the side of the road, a man pulled over to help her after 20 mins the car was as able to start again. 3rd time this has happened. Very scary.

- Spanishfork, UT, USA

problem #24

Mar 132020

Optima

  • 95,000 miles
I was headed from Ohio to Michigan and all of a sudden it won't let me accelerate anymore and I get this burning smell and then all the dash lights start flashing and then the car just completely stops I pop the hood open on the side of the road and it's leaking oil which is not my fault cause I just got the oil changed and then the car just refuses to start now I can get the lights on and stuff but as for the engine turning over it's just not gonna happen and I'm surprised Kia hasn't had a recall on anything at all for these engines cause there are so many complaints about them

- New Brighton, PA, USA

problem #23

Nov 282019

Optima

  • 93,223 miles
Both of my headlights on my 2015 Kia Optima have stopped working on low beam I have fog lights but I can't see maybe 20 feet in front of me it's already caused me to almost have one wreck I was in the middle of an interstate when my lights went out

- Pembroke, GA, USA

problem #22

Dec 082019

Optima

  • 92,000 miles
I was driving the car on a two lane street at a normal rate of speed when the motor cut off. I coasted to the side of the road and tried to restart the engine. When I glanced up I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I opened the hood and the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the flames and the car is a total loss.

- Fox River Grove, IL, USA

problem #21

Nov 182019

Optima

  • 57,000 miles
Vehicle burst into flames without provocation. Vehicle was in perfect, pristine condition. Was in vehicle 5 minutes on way to work in am. Vehicle was being driven approx 5 miles per hour on a busy main road. Slowed down to stop at red light and the car died, instrument panel started flashing and engine burst into flames.

- North Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #20

Aug 102019

Optima

  • 98,000 miles
2015 Kia Optima turbo.. I was entering the highway and was attempting to accelerate to merge with on coming traffic on the highway. In doing so, I realized my vehicle was not accelerating and when I looked down, all of the indicator lights were on on the dashboard. I managed to pull over to the shoulder just making it out of the lane of approaching traffic. Once on the shoulder, I placed my car in park turned everything off and tried to restart it. I then saw and smelled smoke coming from under the hood of my car. Frigthtened that it might catch fire, I turned the engine off, waited a few minutes and tried to start it again. Again there was smoke coming from under the hood. I then called for a wrecker. Had the vehicle towed to Kia dealership that same day. Did not find out until the following Tuesday that the engine was locked up and they were waiting to see if Kia was going to approve replacing the engine. Was told I should hear something by tomorrow. Still waiting to hear back. Details to follow.

- Fresno, TX, USA

problem #19

May 012019

Optima

  • 100,009 miles
I had just reached my destination. After being parked for approximately 30 - 45 minutes when I tried to crank up to leave. I put it in the drive gear and it would not move forward or backward when put in the reverse gear; then I had it towed. Then when attempted to crank it; it caught a fire and destroyed all of the motor, and most of the car before the fire could be extinguished

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #18

Jan 022018

Optima

  • miles
Car won't start when you push to start with brakes

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #17

Apr 252019

Optima

  • 52,000 miles
Takata recall just pulled into my job car was in parked. Car was still running had about 45mins to spare before clocking in. Notice the car begin to smoke as I'm sitting preparing my self for work. No warning signs appeared to notify me that the car was overheating. Turned the engine off to see if car will cool down. Smoke seemed to get heavier. I got out the car and seen there was fire underneath. Immediately I notified emergency officials. Good samaritans helped put out the fire. Emergency officials say it was electrical that caused it.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #16

Mar 112019

Optima

  • 11,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. While driving 20 mph, the engine seized. The contact pulled the vehicle over, but it would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was taken to arapahoe Kia (9701 E arapahoe rd, centennial, co 80112, (720) 262-9111) where it was diagnosed that a computer update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #15

Apr 132019

Optima

  • 84,000 miles
Oil light sensors aren't working

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #14

Jan 152019

Optima

  • 61,000 miles
I was driving the road when out of the sudden the engine stops and sometimes turns on on itself, its seems like the engine locks and the cars stops suddenly.it also happens and I turn on intersections, when I accelerate to gain speed it turns off and I have to put the car on neutral and turn it on. On all of these occasions my family traveling with me.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #13

Dec 132018

Optima

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and the contact activated the hazard lights. The contact called roadside assistance and had the vehicle towed to lou fusz Kia (1025 N lindbergh blvd, St louis, mo, 63132). The dealer diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the battery had to be changed on two occasions by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Wester Groves, MO, USA

problem #12

Nov 232018

Optima

  • 60,000 miles
I was driving about 40 mph and the engine and electrical systems just shut off. This is after an oil change, and with no warning signs. Luckily I wasn't on the freeway and was able to safely pull over. Still have no luck getting it restarted after being towed to my residence

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 152018

Optima

  • 98,000 miles
I bought a 2015 Kia Optima ex brand new off the lot in October 2014. Since then I have had to replace both drivers side and passenger side window regulator modules. The first one that broke (passenger) in March 2016 and was told because the window shattered its not covered under warranty. To replace the module and window it was $700. The drivers side window regulator went bad in July 2017. That was $250 to replace since the window stayed in tact. Here we are November 2018 and for the second time the passenger side regulator has gone bad. That's 3 times I have replaced the same part with Kia genuine parts (purchased from Kia) in 4 years. I have done extensive research and many other people have had issues with the same thing.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #10

May 222018

Optima

  • 31,500 miles
Engine ( and electrical systems ) shut down (3 times) completely and unexpectedly, while car was in motion at highway speeds( twice) and once while at tolls. Also noticed that when you turn key occasionally, its like battery is dead. I believe that first and second times I was flashing hi beams at highway speeds. After these events happen, the mileage guage resets, and clock is wrong. Also notice that the radio flickers, , and or turns off on its own. Also, not able to reset trip mileage, and noticed that shifter button intermittently will not depress.

- West Haven, CT, USA

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