10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,811 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

May 282022

Optima

  • miles
Hello, I have a 2015 Kia Optima with Snow White Pearl paint. The paint has started to bubble and chip off. I understand that this paint color is an issue for cars in South Florida which have had the same issue. I have included pictures of the areas and also the vin with paint code.

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #62

May 092022

Optima

  • miles
The motor in my vehicle failed. It put myself, passengers, and others traveling on the highway at risk because the car shut down immediately in the road. The problem was identified by an independent service center. The vehicle was inspected by police and state troopers. There weren-??t any warning lights prior to the failure.

- Uniontown, AL, USA

problem #61

Dec 122021

Optima

  • miles
I have a 2015 Kia Optima and the paint (Pearl White) is starting to peel of. It started on the front left of the windshield last December (2021) There is now the back right of the vehicle, the top of the trunk and the hood. After research on line, it looks like it is common on this paint type on the Kia models. I am seeking out some help to resolve this problem for everyone. I talked to my car dealer about the problem and told me that the warranty for the paint stops at 36000 miles. My car has 96021 and is not covered anymore, even if it is a defect. My car is starting to rust, no recourse from the dealer, need some support from the NHTSA department to resolve this problem that is not isolated to my vehicle only but many more. Sincerely,

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #60

Feb 182022

Optima

  • miles
2015 KIA Optima EX with snow white pearl paint delamination on the trunk and roof similar to several other reports on the KIA forum website.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #59

Mar 032022

Optima 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle lost power brake assist and power steering assist however, the vehicle was able to safely pull off the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a non-affiliated dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Williamsburg, NM, USA

problem #58

Jan 212022

Optima

  • miles
Window regulator failed. Broke while it was 4 degrees outside and middle of snow storm. Seen this is a common problem that should be recalled. As repairs will cost me $600 that i dont have. !!!

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #57

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 #56

Sep 012021

Optima

  • miles
Using more than normal oil amount

- Salem, MO, USA

problem #55

Dec 082021

Optima

  • miles
My car caught on fire under the hood about 15 minutes after I drove and parked it. It was not running at the time the fire started. We tried to put it out with 2 fire extinguishers but were not able to. By the time the fire department arrived my car was completely engulfed in flames. It burnt to the ground and was a total loss!

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #54

Nov 202021

Optima

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while parked the vehicle would make a clicking noise coming from the steering column. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

- Muskego, WI, USA

problem #53

Sep 172021

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Incident previously reported by telephone to NHTSA agent. On 11/19 while writing report online, [XXX] was accidentally disconnected from Internet at approximately 4:40PM CST. Lengthy comments with details. Can you retrieve? If not and again more briefly, an incident of dangerous unexpected engine shut down and engagement of limp mode occurred on 9/17/21 while [XXX], son, was traveling at 70-75mph in busy traffic on I-43 just north of Milwaukee. Engine eventually restarted but NO check engine light. Oil level okay. Fuel okay. Still precautionary check by [XXX] for possible engine error codes same day immediately after engine failure (limp mode) at Advance Auto in Manitowoc, WI and NO CODES FOUND. Subsequently NO CODES FOUND by dealer on 10/22/21 I have re-uploaded documents indicating Kia Tech Support states "Do not perform any repairs if the concern cannot be duplicated" and also "see if the customer can duplicate it for you." That is absurd and completely irresponsible nonsense! Customer or other driver should drive at high speeds hoping for engine shut-down" Personal injury? Property damage? Death" INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Consumer stated 2015 Kia Optima engine replacement per Kia lifetime warranty on 2/16/22. Vehicle has been diagnoised.

- West Allis, WI, USA

problem #52

Nov 162021

Optima

  • miles
I was on the freeway and out of no where I couldn-??t accelerate and immediately my car slowed down and I had to get over the car behind me had to slam on breaks and I was almost hit twice car then flashed to pull over and charge battery but it-??s a brand new battery everything still turned on just couldn-??t accelerate so it-??s now towed to Kia dealership to get diagnostics done scariest driving moment ever

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #51

Oct 312021

Optima

  • miles
It just started losing power. I looked it up online and there is a recall on the knock sensor harness/glow plug. Will not go over 60 mph.

- Coldwater, MS, USA

problem #50

Sep 242021

Optima

  • miles
I was driving my car and was hearing a clicking/thumping sound, until I turned left into a street where the motor just started shaking and making a louder noise. I started to press on the brakes because the sound and feeling of the car was very unusual. I came to a complete stop and put my car in park and waited where finally the engine just cut off even though the lights stayed on. I turned my key back to turn of the car and tried to turn it back on but my motor would just shake and my car would not turn on. i stepped outside and noticed there was oil spilling from under my car. I got it towed to a mechanic where they informed me my rod bearing came lose and punctured a hole in my engine. I called the KIA assistance center and said this was due to the recall SC212, but when i called a KIA dealership they said they could not cover the damage. Turns out this issue was part of a product improvement campaign which KIA would update the ECU in my vehicle.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #49

Sep 022021

Optima

  • miles
My Kia Optima needs/needed to have a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to installed. The Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) protects the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. There was/is nothing to detect the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear and alert the driver at an early stage of bearing wear before the occurrence of severe engine damage, including engine failure. There is no indicative code to alert the driver and minimize the risk of a more severe engine failure. My car has experienced this inadequacy and is need of a full engine replacement because of it. There has been recalls on other years of the Kia Optima but, not the 2015. This is an increasing problem amongst Kia Optima 2015 owners and should not be treated separately from the other years that have experienced the same problem. My car jerked suddenly in traffic and came to a sudden stop almost causing me and my granddaughter to be in a collision with oncoming traffic, with no warning. Kia did a safety recall campaign for other models with this problem SC200* (Rev 1, 03/25/2021) but did not include the Kia Optima 2015.

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #48

Aug 292021

Optima

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, the vehicle in front of the driver slammed on their brakes for a complete stop which caused the contact to depressed on the brake pedal however the vehicle did not stop or slow down causing the driver to crash into the rear of the vehicle in front. The driver-side air bag did deploy. The front end and hood were bent. No one was injured. There was no medical treatment at the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 180,000.

- Cambridge, MD, USA

problem #47

Aug 022021

Optima

  • miles
On Monday, August 02, 2021, I was driving home from work and suddenly, when I stepped on the gas pedal, the car didn-??t move but the RPMs were reveving very high and all the lights, accessories continued to work. The car had to be pushed out of the street and into a parking lot, until it was towed the following morning to my local mechanic. Upon inspection, it was determined that the engine had seized. I was informed that this is a well-established problem of similar models, years of Kia and Hyundai vehicles that occurred as result of an issue during the manufacturing process and that Kia was aware of the problem but refused to issue a recall. Due to Kia-??s reluctance to reimburse owners for the repairs, there is a class-action lawsuit against Kia. My vehicle was towed on August 5, 2021 to Bob Rohrman-??s Kia dealership on Golf Rd, Schaumburg IL.As a result, I am without a vehicle that I am still making payments on until December 2021.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

problem #46

Jul 212021

Optima

  • miles
I started driving to work drove a mile went to accelerate to get on the highway, all my dash lights came on and and i pulled over, my break was stiff so i figured it died, it started to smoke, at first the door wouldn-??t open for me to get out, i had to manually unlock it which is weird because if my car is put into park the door automatically unlock normally, when i got out i saw the smoke getting thicker, so i backed up within minutes the car was in flames. I called 911 right away. There was really no warning at all!

- Hudson , WI, USA

problem #45

Jun 102021

Optima

  • miles
Front low beams continue to be very dim. Cannot see a few feet in front of the car at night. Have replaced bulbs but nothing seems to work. Is consistent with other complaints of the same, noted with NHTSA.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #44

Oct 182019

Optima

  • miles
My vehicle pearl white paint started peeling on both sides of my front window and now is peeling on my hood. I have filed 2 complaints with my dealership that took pictures and the first one was expired they said cause of covid. It's been several months now and still haven't heard about my 2nd request. It's peeling really bad and it's ridiculous that Kia isn't trying to fix this problem. My hood is starting to get rust spots where the paint has peeled. I'm very upset and frustrated with this problem. I really need to get my car repainted.

- Lancaster , OH, USA

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