10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 38
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,684 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #408

Jun 032020

Optima

  • miles
pearl white paint chipping away. also both power mirrors went out. one replaced with after market and other one available for inspection

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #407

Apr 242023

Optima

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Scottsville, KY, USA

problem #406

Apr 032023

Optima

  • miles
Driving on highway at 65 mph and engine just died with no warning. Almost got hit trying to get off the expressway to the side of road. Had car towed home and checked engine. Engine is seized up completely.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #405

Nov 262022

Optima

  • miles
Car started making a horrible knocking.. Had a rod bearing failure. Engine was completely bad. And Kia refuses to fix and or reimburse me.

- Fort Mohave , AZ, USA

problem #404

Jul 102022

Optima

  • miles
The contact-??s son owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact then stated that her son was able to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact then stated that the battery was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact-??s son was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the contact-??s residence. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to an independent mechanic for assistance. The vehicle was then towed to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed back to the contact-??s residence where it remained. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #403

Apr 272023

Optima

  • miles
Driving down a highway and my engine completely turned off. I was lucky enough to make it to the edge safely, but my car would not start. Had it towed to a Kia dealership where they told me since the reset never took place, they would not honor the recall. I-??ve only had the car 3 months and was not alerted of any recalls at my last oil change.

- Harriman, TN, USA

problem #402

Jan 092023

Optima

  • miles
The vehicle caught fire

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #401

Feb 052023

Optima

  • miles
While driving down interstate highway 49/71, in the southbound lane of traffic, the engine failed. The vehicle began to shudder and shake and then stalled. There was barely enough time to pull off to the side of the road before it completely stalled. The dash did not display any warning symbols or anything to make me aware of any issue. There was a shuddering noise coming from under the hood that last about 45 seconds before the engine stalled. The vehicle has been taken to two mechanics and each one testified that the engine was blown and unworkable. A vehicle that is only eight years old should not have engine failure. Kia dealerships were notified only to state that there was no recall on this specific model and make it seem like engine failure is not relevant. The vehicle is just 50,000 miles out of warranty and still contains a lien. Engine failure such as this should be addressed please. Please note: No documents to upload - no repairs have been made and quotes for a new engine were all done verbally. Both mechanics stated that the engine cannot be re-built. They would have to replace the current engine with another, or new, Kia engine. The average cost for a new engine is around $4,200-$5,800.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #400

Apr 012023

Optima

  • miles
Was driving down the interstate and engine cut off suddenly. Had to coast across several lane to pull over out of traffic. This was very dangerous. Had car towed home. Engine is locked up. Called Kia dealerships near me. Closest one is not accepting any engine replacement appointments at this time and don-??t know when they can. Wouldn-??t even give me a future appointment. Kia lawsuit website says my vin number is covered for engine replacement but I can-??t get a dealer to even look at it.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #399

Jun 022022

Optima

  • miles
The KIA engine associated with the KIA Engine recall falls under the recall but KIA denied the claim to repair. The oil change documentation provided showed consistently with oil changes to prove no negligence. WE didn't have the complete oil change history as all of the paper receipts were no kept and the mechanic shop performing the oil change converted to a new system and therefore could not provide the documentation requested.

- Chester, PA, USA

problem #398

Apr 012023

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated and lost motive power; however, the vehicle remained running. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was then able to coast the vehicle off the road and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was then advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Greenwood, SC, USA

problem #397

Jan 232023

Optima

  • miles
Faulty engine causing vehicle to consume oil rapidly and causing burning smell, as of car may catch on fire. Vehicle has been taken to several different auto mechanics that all say engine should have been a part of the recall and lawsuit should be filed. When taken to Kia dealership they are aware of the problem but refuse to do anything unless the car is listed under the recall list. This has been an ongoing issue for over a year now and there have been several gallons of oil poured into the car now.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #396

Mar 282023

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 60 MPH. The vehicle began to shudder and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #395

Jan 172023

Optima

  • miles
1.Since 1/17/23 I've had 5 occurrences of the car yanking me to the left as I am turning right. The steering wheel gets stiffed, the dashboard lights come one, car slows down and I have to park the car and turn it off and back on. When I turn it back on, no dashboard lights are on and the everything is back to normal as if nothing ever happened. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership 3 times for a diagnostics and nothing comes up. The vehicles computer is not even tracing the times the dashboard lights have turned on as it shows zero history and that is not the case. I have taken pictures and video of the dashboard lights and have showed the guys at the dealership but since there's no record on the dashboard computer/history, they're not able to determine the problem. 2.My safety has been put at risk as I can get involved in a car accident and involve others safety at risk as well. The vehicle doesn't give any prior signs when it's going to act up when turning to the right, therefore it can happen at any given time. The first time I was leaving a parking lot and it happened on the freeway feeder. I towed my vehicle to the dealership the first time as I was in fear of driving it only to be told they can't find the issue. 3.The dealership has ran 3 different diagnostics on 3 different occasions and nothing comes up. It is still unresolved. 4. Kia service department has inspected in on 3 different occasions since the first incident. 5. No warning lamps or warnings of any sort before the first incident.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #394

Mar 182023

Optima

  • miles
Knock sensor replaced due to engine knocking did not fix the problem the cars engine does not work it julks and pulls really hard engine noise check engine flashing left me stalled on the main highway with my 2 children with no warning the car has engine oil to adequate levels maintenance was up to date

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #393

Mar 202023

Optima

  • miles
My engine light all of a sudden just started blinking, engine started smoking, and making Very loud clanking noise.

- Lancaster, TX, USA

problem #392

Mar 292022

Optima

  • 118,580 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle began to lose power and stalled. The contact stated that upon lifting the hood, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 118,580.

- Russellville, AR, USA

problem #391

Mar 082023

Optima

  • 102,561 miles
I own a 2015 Kia Optima Turbo SX. every time I park my vehicle in an enclosed garage. and only when the engine is cold does it makes a grinning noise for about 12 seconds or less. once I turn the engine off and turn it back on the noise it stops. also, there is a mild fuel odor coming from the engine compartment every time the motor is turned off. your response will be much appreciated thank you. Sincerely. Carl M. Velasquez

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

problem #390

Jan 012023

Optima

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: ?21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) on Facebook. The contact called the local dealer and made an appointment for March 25, 2023. The contact stated on March 23, 2023, while driving 50 mph, depressing the accelerator pedal but the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated the battery warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and when exiting the vehicle she saw smoke but no fire/flames exiting the hood. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Ridgeland, SC, USA

problem #389

Mar 172023

Optima

  • 117,674 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, she observed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and then the vehicle stalled. On the third attempt, the vehicle restarted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The vehicle was then towed it an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,674.

- Athens, AL, USA

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