10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 41
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,533 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #339

Sep 152022

Optima

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, smoke was coming inside the vehicle. The contact had to stop the vehicle and turn off the vehicle, when the contact restarted the vehicle, he saw flames coming from the windshield wipers. While opening the hood of the vehicle to see where the flames were coming from, the contact burned his hands. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #338

Sep 152022

Optima

  • miles
While driving on the freeway vehicle began to knock. Pulled off the freeway into a dealership. Dealer said there was little oil in the engine despite having an oil change less than 1000 miles prior. Engine burned through 5 quarts in less than 1000 miles. No oil lights or check engine lights on causing engine failure and need for a new engine. Told vin does not fall under the endings oil consumption recall of similar model/year.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #337

Jul 312022

Optima

  • miles
2015 Kia Optima Hybrid HEV system. Months after purchasing the vehicle two different lights would come on the engine. One is the HEV warning light and the other is a flashing -??Turn off engine and check HEV system-??. The first time it happened the vehicle turned off. It was towed to Kia, 02/2020. They change some sensor and sent me on my way. 3 weeks later the HEV warning light came on again so it was towed to Kia for the 2nd time, 03/2020. This time they said they could not recreate the issue. A month later the light came on again and again but since the light never stayed on, I kept getting told by Kia that I-??d have to take it in when the light stayed on. 01/2021 the light came on again, with the flashing warning and the vehicle turned off, mid-drive. It was towed to a mechanic shop near me, where they replaced the wiring harness completely, but a month later the same light came on again. Over the course of the year, the warnings kept turning up and time and time I kept getting told they needed the light on at the dealer so they could determine with the codes, what is wrong. 07/2022, light came on as I was merging on to the freeway and the car shut off. I was able to make it turn on and make it home safe. The next day I towed it to the shop where they replaced the wiring harness and they stated they could not touch it further since the codes they got where -??High voltage battery-?? codes and a specific tech is the only one when could work on it. I took it to Kia where it stayed 33 days. They changed a part. Two days later the HEV light came on again, so I took it back. They kept it one day, drove it 60 miles and they could not recreate the issue. I got it back on Saturday, 5 miles out the light came back again and again. I took video. Called Kia and now the car is back at the dealer while they try and figure out the issue. I-??m scared for my life. The car gives no warning when it decides to shut off. Wheel locks on the times it does turn off. HEV system is no good.

- Azusa, CA, USA

problem #336

Aug 312022

Optima

  • miles
2015 Kia Optima. Consumer writes in regard to engine failure. The consumer stated they were never notified of any recalls. The manufacturer was notified, but had not offered any assistance.

- Lizella, GA, USA

problem #335

Feb 032022

Optima

  • miles
On January 12, 2022 I was informed by Danbury KIA (Danbury, CT) that my 2015 KIA Optima required a recall engine replacement. I left the vehicle with the dealer and the repair was completed on Jan 31, 2022. I picked up the car on February 1, 2022 and on February 3, 2022 the car was destroyed by an engine fire. My insurance company deemed the car a total loss and compensated me for the market value of the car. At the time the car was completely paid off and I was still in excellent condition. I had no reason to trade for a newer model - especially with the new engine. After the insurance payoff I still needed to finance $25000 for the purchase of a comparable replacement vehicle. To date neither the dealer nor the KIA corporation have contacted me or made any attempt to address my loss.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #334

Jul 212022

Optima

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise was coming from the engine. The vehicle then lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #333

Aug 182022

Optima

  • miles
I been reported the recall about my car engine and other problems thats going on with it but the manufacturer won-??T fix it so what else can I do to have all these recalls fixed

- Talladega , AL, USA

problem #332

Aug 102022

Optima

  • miles
While driving at 65 mph check engine light turned on and I lost all power. Very dangerous. This is the second time this has happened and the second time I have reported this emergency situation has occurred. The last time this happened in 2019, Kia replaced engine then wiring harness. Your assistance is needed to prevent this doesn-??t happen to other drivers.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #331

Jul 252022

Optima

  • miles
As the car was running on the intersection, all the emergency lights came on from the vehicle. The car completely stopped but I was able to move it to a safe space. When I attempted to turn on the car again smoke came out of the engine.

- Pacoima , CA, USA

problem #330

Jul 152022

Optima

  • miles
Engine Failure due to rod bearing issues-faulty manufacturing parts appears to have gotten into engine preventing or binding the engine so that it will not start.

- Rising Sun, MD, USA

problem #329

Jul 312022

Optima

  • miles
Recently has a new engine installed at pitre Kia, due to a recall malfunction, they installed a new engine but didn-??t fix the recall problem, now that I have my car back. My engine moves when I hit the brakes, my brakes go all the way down sometimes, doesn-??t stop the car at all, I am in danger everyday I drive my car, I never know if my brakes will fail on me. Or my car will burst out into flames, and I can smell fuel in the cabin of the car really strong, I have really bad gas mileage and my steering wheel is a lot stiffer than normal

- Santa Fe , NM, USA

problem #328

Jul 212022

Optima 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal burning odor was detected. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and declined the engine replacement. Upon investigation, the contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the contact had not yet received the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

- Le Mars, IA, USA

problem #327

Nov 272020

Optima

  • miles
My car had started acting weird about 5 months after I got it, I believe Jan 2020. Only had it till Jan 2021 and they said my engine Barrings broke and it was going to cost me 10000. I didn-??t have it. I was never informed about the recall. It messed up my whole credit and I still have not been able to get a car since. I moved and I was just now able to get the mail!

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #326

Jul 142022

Optima

  • miles
Just bought the car. Drove it off lot & engine quit on me. Wont go over 25 mph. They won-??t refund my money. So I-??m on phone with Kia consumer affairs. If they don-??t get it fixed/replaced/or buy the car back then I am contacting the lawyers who have the lawsuits against Kia & add my case to their lawsuit. This is ridiculous how many people on here that I see Kia is denying them for replacement of motor due to their company!! They need to get it together or just quit making cars! They suck! I bought it in good faith hoping it was a reliable car. Now I-??m $9k out of pocket.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #325

Jun 212022

Optima

  • miles
5/17/22-Brought car in for a basic "what needs to be done for maintenance if I was to buy/sell this car". Thought it could be idling low so he suggested an oil change, spark plugs and a fuel injection service due to mileage. But no issues happening with the car. He did not have parts. Scheduled for June 20th. 6/20/22 Car serviced at Sun Mountain. Received call that on the test drive after service was completed that the car died mid drive. He got it back to the shop after jumping the battery. He ran a diagnostic and said everything besides the battery looked good. Battery was very low. He revved the engine and there was a rattling. I told him I had not heard that prior to bringing the car in. He brought up a recall that Kia had for Rod Bearing Failure. Paid and returned car home safely. 6/21/22 Car breaks down Called Kia to confirm the recall. Phoenix told me that there is a test that will take a few days to run and Kia will either replace engine or buy your car back. He said that the engine itself is on back order for months. He stated there was no loaner cars available and the next available time slot was Monday 6/27/22 for the test. I worked on securing a vehicle on my own and then called Kia back to schedule the test. While on the phone with Phoenix to schedule the test, the car started clanking and losing acceleration. I pulled over and turned it off. It would not turn back on. I got the car towed to Kia Tuesday afternoon. Large leak under car when towe 6/25/22 Phoenix called to say they finally got the car in for diagnostics and they are pulling in corporate to see if it is recall associated or if the fuel injection service could have damaged the engine. That corporate is closed on weekends and would have a better idea on lead time of the engine beginning of the week. 6/28/22 Denial of Claim I called Kia because I had not heard from them. Phoenix was out so Matthias checked on the status. He stated that Kia denied the claim. I asked him to send documentation

- Frederick, CO, USA

problem #324

Jul 082022

Optima

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal almost to the floorboard; however, the vehicle was decelerating with an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact managed to pull off the highway safely and stopped. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Cartersville, GA, USA

problem #323

Jun 272022

Optima

  • miles
not really sure my car just started making a clicking noise out of no where & powered off & now it wont detect key or wont start

- Walnut, CA, USA

problem #322

Apr 052022

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while performing a daily oil check, the contact noticed that the oil level was low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there was no oil in the engine after an oil change a month prior. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the VIN regarding the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Lake Mary, FL, USA

problem #321

Jan 282022

Optima

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an excessive drop in the oil level. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel injector needed to be cleaned; however, that service had not been completed. The failure persisted. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #320

Jun 052022

Optima

  • miles
On 6/5/2022 my vehicle broke down and had to be towed. On Monday 6/20/2022 I took my vehicle to the Colonial Kia dealership in Chester Virginia. On Wednesday 6/22/2022 I got a call from the dealership saying I would need a new engine and the problem with my vehicle was a part of the large Kia engine settlement. But that Kia denied my claim to get my car fixed and paid for by KIA because I did not get a previous recall fixed. (recall # 21V331). My car is not drivable and Kia is liable for it because of the KIA engine Settlement. I never received any information in the mail about the above stated recall on my vehicle so therefore I had no idea it had to be fixed.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

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