10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 42,897 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
On 1/12/2020, I was driving my car 2016 Kia Optima from alpharetta to Decatur to attend church. I pulled into the parking lot of the church and parked. A few seconds after I parked, I began seeing lots of smoke coming from the right passenger side of the car. The police men who were in the parking lot directing traffic asked me to get out of the car quickly and began attempting to quench the fire with a fire extinguisher. Shortly after, the dekalb fire dept arrived and fought to put out and contain the fire. It was then towed to the tow yard. I contacted my insurance company right away and after a few days of investigation, unfortunately, my car was deemed a total loss. Next day, I checked my VIN # to see if there are any recalls by Kia that I was not aware of, but the results came back saying 'no records' and '0 recalls found'. on 1/15/2020 at approximately 12.50pm, I contacted Kia corporate and filed a complaint and I was informed when I gave my statement over the phone that there was an ' open campaign pi 1802 ECU upgrade' and as advised by the Kia customer service rep that he will be forwarding my complaint to a the national dept and they will get back to me. A Kia rep ashley contacted me and advised Kia engineers will like to investigate what happened. After 3 weeks of waiting, the rep contacted me stating they will like to pay off remaining bal on my car, and personal items. They will not help me with getting another car and I declined because I lost everything and incurred a greater damage. Then the Kia rep wrote me stating that they ill no longer pursue investigating since I refused accepting $1001 my left over balance owed to the lender. I am very disappointed on how Kia has treated me leaving me hanging after such a great loss. I am seeking legal actions since Kia has refused to come to a suitable resolution.
- Alpharetta, GA, USA
There was a new vibration sound when we started driving our car yesterday. It sounded like a panel was a little loose or something. Within 15 minutes of driving it on the interstate we heard an explosion and it was the sunroof bursting into pieces. Freaked us out with the loud noise.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
The hood is stuck. The cable seems to be stretched. When I did get it opened the cable was attached and could see it working but it's not unlatching hood. Hood is still stuck.
- Winchester, TN, USA
We have owned the car about 2.5 years. 2 days ago I took it through a touch less car wash. Today I noticed the antenna cover/ shark fin is missing. I'm not sure if it came off during the wash or when I was driving. It appears the plastic screw holes have all broken off. The circuit board for the antenna is exposed. Looks to be a big flaw in manufacturing.
- Eagle Lake, MN, USA
Shark fin antenna cover easily comes loose or completely while hand washing the vehicle. The vehicle was stationary in driveway while washing.
- Converse, TX, USA
I was rear ended while stopped in breakdown lane of a secondary highway (40 mph) problem that I would like to address is the inadequate cushioning in the headrests of this car and probably many others. Suffered a concussion the effects of which are still ongoing. I think that there needs to be standards applied to headrests to have energy absorbing cushioning.
- Bristol, RI, USA
I got car accdinet and three airbag just pop out so that meant need replace?
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
On May 30, 2017 at approximately 1200hrs est, while driving under normal conditions with very light traffic the sunroof exploded. Complete inspection was negative for the any exterior debris as cause. Vehicle was in motion on highway. Photos are available upon request.
- Harrisburg, PA, USA
- Glendale, NY, USA