10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 5
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 36,716 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
Burning oil and engine failure
- Young Harris, GA, USA
Mid September, 2020, I began to notice that my headlights would turn off as I was driving. They would cut off for no more than 15 seconds and turn back on. I didn't think anything of it, until I started having issues with other components of my 2016 Kia Optima. On 11/30/2020 I was driving at 30mph through a residential area. As I was approaching a stop sign, my engine light came on. When I tried to accelerate, the car began to jump and hesitate. No matter how far down I pushed the gas, the care was jumping/shaking and wold not accelerate over 20mph. I pulled into an autozone where they ran a diagnostic test on the vehicle. Error code P1326 (knock sensor) came up. The next morning, I called coastal Kia of wilmington in North Carolina and explained to them what had happened. They sent an employee to pick up my vehicle (12/01/2020). They inspected my vehicle and informed me that the protocol was to perform a bearing clearance test and ECU upgrade. I picked up my car on 12/02/2020. A week later, I called the dealership again and informed them that although my engine light had not come back on, the acceleration issue was still occurring. I asked if they would look at the car again, to which they said no, that they cannot take a further look at it until the engine light came back on. On 12/20/2020 I was driving 40mph when my car began to stutter uncontrollably. The following morning I called Kia again to inform them what had happened, and they agreed to take a look at it. On 12/22/2020 they called me and said that my car was burning oil and smoking excessively. They opened a tech case with Kia and informed me that they could not do anything to the car until they heard back from them. On 12/23/2020 they called me again to tell me that the issue was not covered under a recall, and that my next step would be to replace my engine.
- Hampstead, NC, USA
My oil pressure light continues to turn on and off even after replaced parts! burning at least 2 quarts of oil per week! brake lights stop working if headlights are on! had to start using super to eliminate a rattle while accelerating uphill! engine shakes!!
- Young Harris, GA, USA
My vehicle started stalling when accelerating two days ago. My RPM's jump when shifting gears and it stalls and jerks when taking off from a complete stop. I took it to advanced auto parts and the code "P1326" showed on their code reader. Knock scensor is under the code and I've read where multiple people with this make and model of car have had the same issue and had their whole motor replaced.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked at parking lot, when she noticed that the oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to jeffrey Kia located at 30800 gratiot ave, roseville, mi 48066, (586) 460-7061 and the contact was informed that the engine needed the oil to be topped off. The contact stated oil was added to the engine. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the vehicle stalled without warning however, soon after the vehicle stalled, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle remained at her mother's residence. The dealer was contacted and arrangements were made to have the vehicle towed which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
- Detroit, MI, USA
Pulled up to red light and engine light came on, then screen showed engine control failure, and lost power. Pulled in parking lot, called roadside assistance. Car was towed to dealership an hour away, they reset the computer said it needed an upgrade and I picked it up three days later. Had it home three days and samething again, car towed back to dealership and they again reset computer and said nothing else they could do till the car either blew up (which they know about these faulty motors)motor seized or caught fire. Now I have a $47,000 car sitting in my garage that I'm afraid to drive.
- Lacenter, KY, USA
It began when we would try to start the car it seemed to have battery issues and have trouble starting, and finally the battery did drain but isn't holding charge but took it in to get checked and battery is fine. The headlights will randomly shut off while driving at night like if the sensor were in the day time. Now the engine light has came on while driving it and when you hit the gas it jerks the car after 20 mph. This happens on and off where it will be fine then suddenly start doing it all over again everything also happens in different occasions.
- Queen Creek, AZ, USA
Sometimes when I start the car it only runs at about 500rpm and the digital speedometer starts going up in numbers when I'm in park and I have no power steering. I can put the car in drive and park or open the door and it starts acting normal. It also acts like it's going to shut off when I come to a stop. I am aware that the rpms drop when you stop almost like a gas saver but with in the last 20 thousand miles it has gotten really rough. It burns oil like crazy the dealership is aware of this but can't do anything with the engine tell it throws a code and they can't duplicate any of my other issues, the front end has made awful noises for the last 50 thousand miles or so and has had the front suspension replaced but that didn't fix the issue. Iv has the knock sensor replaced but I'm convinced it was just a gimmick so the car won't throw codes anymore because it should be with the issues I'm having. Like when the electronic steering goes out I get no dash light. I wish Kia would own up to their issues
- Covington, VA, USA
Out of no where, my cars check engine light came on and lost compression. Wouldn't go over 40mph and I was on a busy highway so I pulled over got it towed home, did a diagnostic test and got a P1326 code which came back as a knock sensor problem.
- Glen Burnie, MD, USA
My 2016 Kia Optima bursted into flames while stationary in front of my home.
- Chicago, IL, USA
Air conditioning going out with possible breakdown at seventy thousand miles air conditioner turns on but don't blow air
- San Bernardino, CA, USA
When I try to start my car it'll turn electrical components on but not my engine. I have absolutely no power steering when this occurs. Car will go into gear but I cannot accelerate. Happens more often than not.
- Stillwater, OK, USA
My engine went out on my car even though I have oil in my car and I have maintain everything on the car. The mechanic found metal shavings in my oil.
- Winter Haven, FL, USA
Codes P1326 P0011 P0012.
- Newnan, GA, USA
The car uses way too much oil to only have 40K miles on the motor with no leakage at all. It smokes white cloudy smoke, my check engine light came on, and it also makes a ticking noise constantly. Took it to the Kia dealership multiple times. And they can't find anything wrong.
- Conyers, GA, USA
So I just took my wifes car to our local mechanic who normally does our oil changes. The prior weekend I moved her car to mow the lawn and her oil light came on then went right off. I let it go because we where due for an oil change and didnt think anything of it( considering it's a 2016 and thought maybe the oil light would come on stating it needs an oil change). So the next week my wife tells me that her oil light came on twice in 1 day, I said ok I'll check the oil after work and engine has cooled down. I checked it and had no oil, great! so I brought it to our mechanic and he said that I need to call Kia because it had 1/2 quart of oil in the pan and something just isnt right. Called the dealership and nobody has heard of these engines being known for drinking oil. So I researched this and found all these stories leading to an engine replacement. But every now and then( getting off subject) her lights will just turn off while driving down the road. Thankfully I was driving when this happened and was able to not run off the road. Called Kia and all they said was bring it in, we will look at it and go from there. I was told nothing was wrong, got an oil change and went on my way. It happened 7 times after that. It's a great car! we love it but now knowing we will be looking at an engine swap isnt setting well will me at all! this is not right and regardless if we are the original owner or second owner, Kia should bite the bullet and replace all 2.4 engines and wiring harnesses.
- Boston, GA, USA
Oil is burning too hot causing the oil to burn out faster than it should. Over time this issue will lead to engine failure
- Willingboro, NJ, USA
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
Excessive oil usage. Using two quarts of oil in a week. No leaks at all, anywhere.
- Middletown, OH, USA
- Ashburn, VA, USA