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 #299

Jul 012021

Optima

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then lost motive power. The oil warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer performed a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #298

Apr 142022

Optima

  • miles
The motor is locked for a second time. The first time occurred in May of 2018, I had approximately 80,000 miles on the car. I was leaving from the gas station and as soon as I made it into the middle of the street, the car just cut off. I had a mechanic come look at it, and they told me that the motor was locked up. So I had it towed home, bought another motor and got it repaired. Now here it is 04/14/2022, and the motor is locked up again. This is ridiculous!!! I have had to replace multiple parts (the lower control arm for example) several times over 200 hundred dollars each time. I refuse to replace this motor for a second time and have never got reimbursed for nothing!! I used to love KIA but honestly, this is a crappy car and company.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #297

Dec 072021

Optima

  • miles
I was driving on the highway going about 60 an then all of a sudden the car loss acceleration and stopped. Lucky I was about to pull on the side of the highway.

- Elkton, MD, USA

problem #296

Feb 152022

Optima

  • miles
While driving my car felt as though it was running differently and upon looking at my dash board I saw 4 different indicator lights. The charging system warning light, engine oil pressure light, immobilizer indicator light with smart key, and malfunction indicator light. I brought my car to a stop and because I did not know exactly what was wrong I turned my vehicle off. Upon trying to restart my car is when the brake would not press in and the car would not turn over. I had the car towed to my mechanic who contacted me the next day to let me know that the engine was locked up due to the HECU and that I needed to contact a Kia dealer close to my home because there was actually a recall on this from the manufacture. I then had the car towed to a Kia dealer near my home and was then informed that because I did not have the KSDS Product Improvement done back in 2018 this would mean that the HECU recall would not be covered and they directed me to contact Kia Corporate and see if they would give the approval to have this repaired. After numerous emails I was finally contacted by someone at Kia Corporate and they once again informed me that they refused to fix my vehicle. I am reaching out for assistance with this before I move forward with contacting legal council.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

problem #295

Mar 212022

Optima

  • miles
1. The O2 Sensor malfunctioned causing check engine light to come on. The Catalytic Converter failed or malfunctioned, an it is available for inspection upon request. 1wk after replacement of O2 Sensor installment, check engine light illuminated once again. [Official diagnosis was the catalytic converter was faulty but no mention of replacing 02 once catalytic converter was fixed]. 2. My safety as well as my children's safety was put at risk because there was and still is (even after repairs made from dealership where car was purchased) an issue with broken exhaust system and leak. A broken exhaust system poses extreme danger because it releases carbon monoxide (CO)- an odorless, tasteless, highly toxic gas, which can travel in passenger area and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Overexposure to this odorless and colorless gas can cause death. Even in mild cases of exposure to CO can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. I need not mention that the extreme or excessive temperatures caused severe discoloration where the three- way catalyst is located. The pistons could have melted as well could have caught the car on fire.My safety as well as every occupant that ever traveled in the vehicle thus far, was at risk. The exhaust leak was big enough to affect the oxygen levels, to spring that code. Another safety risk was when owner of car was falling asleep at wheel of car while driving, not knowing there's a leak. This put the owner and the vehicles occupants at risk which is the greatest threat by far. 3. The problem has been confirmed by Rivard Buick GMC. 4. The vehicle has NOT been physically inspected by the manufacturer or police but has been insoected by insurance representatives. Yes there warning lampsthat appeared as the check engine light came on each time the exhaust system was malfunctioning. There was/ are other symptoms prior to the failure 1st appeared 11/01/21 o2 Sensor, 11/15/21 catalytic converter, 01/28/21 symptoms

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #294

Jan 062022

Optima

  • miles
Engine locked up exactly like it is described in NHTSA ID Number 1147025. The manufacturer refuses to honor the civil suit judgement on this vehicle due to the previous owner and a Kia dealer not performing 1 recall.

- Kenton, OH, USA

problem #293

Feb 052022

Optima

  • 129,272 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) and failed the bearing test. 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 advised the contact to file a complaint with the FTC. The failure mileage was 129,272.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #292

Nov 032021

Optima

  • miles
Dean mccrary of mobile agreed to fix all active recalls on this vehicle on 11/3/2021. They kept my car until 12/4/2021 causing hundreds in rental fees. My car still has an active recall which was issued in may, 2021. The service manager assured me all recalls would be repaired.

- Eight Mile, AL, USA

problem #291

Mar 042022

Optima

  • miles
The morning of 3-1-2022, after driving for approximately 5 minutes, I noticed a ticking/knocking coming from the engine area. 10 minutes later, I stopped and opened the hood and it was definitely coming from the engine. This continued that evening when I went home. Sometimes it was quiet, but others times loud. I dropped it off at my mechanic the next morning, they later called saying it was an internal engine knock and they couldn't do anything with it. The next day I took it to another auto repair mechanic and was told the same thing, but they also said it needed a new motor, but to contact kia for any recalls. There are none for my 2015, but 2011-2014 DID have recalls and they were for the same problem I was having. I was given an appt for the following Tuesday, but by Friday afternoon the engine completely shut off while I was driving. Luckily, I was able to coast to a safe location. My check engine light NEVER came on for the 4 days I was having problems with it.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #290

Feb 222022

Optima

  • miles
While driving on the highway, car suddenly lost power which was dangerous because there was no shoulder to pull over out of the way of other vehicles, & another car could have slammed into the back of mine, luckily was able to coast far enough exit highway. Had car towed to shop was told the engine had seized up. With no warning at all. Then I learned about the recall for this car, unfortunately a little too late in my case.

- Lancaster , TX, USA

problem #289

Feb 042022

Optima

  • miles
While driving the vehicle the engine shut off with no warning in heavy traffic. 10 seconds before the check engine light came on and then just seized. 3 police officers came to push the vehicle to the roadside out of traffic. I never Knew of a KSDS install on this vehicle and Kia admits that there is a defective engine but will not fix the car since this install was not complete. The police officers told us that we were extremely lucky to have not been injured in an accident as we sat in the middle of the highway. So we now have a vehicle that we are paying for with a seized motor that kia admittedly knows was defective but they refuse to fix. We never got a notice to have this installed. When I look on your site, there is a recall but for something completely different. How are we to know anything needs to be installed if we are not notified and it-??s not listed under the VIN? Please help! There are thousands of us with this same issue!

- Luray, VA, USA

problem #288

Nov 022021

Optima

  • miles
Every morning when I start the car and try to accelerate the car has no power, I have to stop turn the car off and restart the car again for their to be power. This simple restart works for a couple months before the check engine light comes on. When I take the car to Kia they tell me that because the diagnostics machine isn-??t giving them a code they don-??t know what to fix, however the diagnostics machine resets the check engine light and the process starts all over. This all started right before Kia replaced the motor on a recall. The car is doing the same thing as it was when I had it towed to them and they said the motor was seized up.

- Exeter, MO, USA

problem #287

Feb 162022

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle lots brakes while driving, smell of gas and caught fire under hood. Engine had been completely replaced due to recall in January 2022 Vehicle was a complete loss, luckily son was able to get out.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #286

Feb 132022

Optima

  • miles
Battery, Fluid and Engine light came on and all the sudden car stop and died in the middle of the highway.

- Dayton, TX, USA

problem #285

Jan 142022

Optima

  • miles
I have a 2015 Kia optima that started experiencing problems the week of January 26th. I contacted Kia Consumer Affairs and was advised to have my car towed to Van Guard Kia of Arlington TX since there were 2-3 recalls on the car that I was not aware of. I was told by Kia Consumer Affairs that if the problem with my car was related to a recall, that Kia would be responsible for the repair. I spoke with George (service manager at dealership) today and he informed me that my car would need a new motor and this is due to the recalls on the car. George also stated that I would be responsible for the cost of the repair. I contacted Kia Consumer Affairs again this morning and was told they would have to call dealership and get more information. I've never had any problems with my car besides regular maintenance. The problem with my car started within 1 week. I find it highly offensive for Kia to ask for me to pay for repairs for a issue with my car that I didn't cause. I owe less than $2,000 on my car and I have never been late on my payments. The cost of a new motor is $5800 plus tax. I shouldn't be responsible for any repairs that are due to a recall on the car.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #284

Sep 162021

Optima

  • 98,123 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer who also stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 98,123.

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #283

Feb 072022

Optima

  • miles
My engine blew while driving home from work. I was driving 60 mph and the rod went through the bottom of my engine

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #282

Sep 012021

Optima

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 72 MPH, the engine seized and the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rod bearing needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer also informed him that the knock sensor repair was not previously completed on the vehicle; however, the contact never received a notification from the manufacturer regarding the knock sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

- Blacksburg, SC, USA

problem #281

Nov 242021

Optima

  • miles
Engine failed, check oil light or check engine light never came on. Had to put a new motor in the car and Kia would not fix. Product update came on the car prior to us buying it, so we had no idea. Car stopped on a 2 lane highway with no warning, luckily noone was injured. There was a class action lawsuit regarding this issue, however it was already closed so nothing we can do. Kia is aware of the issue they should be responisble for fixing it.

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #280

Feb 042022

Optima

  • miles
Without warning, my car died while I was driving it. The engine locked up. The engine is toast. No reason for this to have had happened. I'm now without a vehicle as a single mom. Thank God I wasn't turning in front of a semi when it just randomly died!

- Fremont , NE, USA

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