8.0

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,900 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.

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problem #8

Jun 012024

Optima

  • miles
Subject: Complaint Regarding Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Hesitation in 2019 Kia Optima SX To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding my 2019 Kia Optima SX. Despite meticulous maintenance and care, I have been experiencing significant issues with the vehicle that are concerning, especially considering its relatively low mileage of only 107,000 miles. The primary issues are as follows: 1.Excessive Oil Consumption: My Kia Optima SX has been burning an excessive amount of oil, necessitating frequent top-offs well before the recommended oil change intervals. This is not only inconvenient but also raises serious concerns about the long-term health and reliability of the engine. 2.Engine Hesitation: The vehicle exhibits extreme hesitation during acceleration. This hesitation occurs sporadically, making it difficult to anticipate and presenting a potential safety hazard, especially when merging onto highways or attempting to overtake other vehicles. These issues are unacceptable for a vehicle with such low mileage and are not in line with the quality and reliability I expected when purchasing a Kia. Given the prevalence of similar complaints from other owners of the same model, it is evident that these are not isolated incidents but potentially indicative of broader manufacturing or design flaws. I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate these issues thoroughly. Owners of the 2019 Kia Optima SX should not have to endure such significant and potentially dangerous problems with their vehicles. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt action and response.

- Frostburg, MD, USA

problem #7

May 122024

Optima

  • miles
I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue with my 2019 Kia Optima SX 2.0 GDI Turbo, which has accumulated approximately 103,000 miles. This vehicle has recently developed several serious problems that I believe pose significant risks to both my safety and the safety of other road users. Firstly, my Kia Optima has been burning an excessive amount of oil. Specifically, it consumes over 5 quarts of oil within just 2,000 miles of driving. Despite thorough inspections, even from Kia Dealers there are no visible oil leaks, making this issue even more perplexing and concerning. Moreover, the vehicle has begun to shake violently while driving on the highway, which has led to a substantial loss of power in the middle of traffic. This unpredictable loss of power is extremely dangerous, especially at high speeds, as it compromises my ability to maintain control of the vehicle and poses a significant hazard to other motorists. Additionally, the car now emits a loud knocking noise, which appears to be related to the engine's internal components. This issue further exacerbates the vehicle's performance problems and raises serious questions about its reliability and safety. I urge the NHTSA to investigate these issues promptly. The problems I am experiencing are not isolated and may affect other Kia Optima owners, potentially leading to widespread safety risks. I believe it is crucial to determine if there is a manufacturing defect or other underlying cause that needs to be addressed to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all Kia Optima drivers. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that the NHTSA will take immediate action to investigate these serious safety concerns and provide a resolution to protect both myself and others.

- Frostburg, MD, USA

problem #6

Dec 122023

Optima

  • miles
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding numerous premature defects in my 2019 Kia Optima, which have led to serious safety hazards and compromised driving conditions. Firstly, the premature valve cover gasket leaking has resulted in dangerous fumes infiltrating the cabin, posing a significant risk to my health and safety as well as that of any passengers. This issue has not only caused discomfort but also raised concerns about potential long-term health effects. Additionally, the premature turbo gasket leaking is a further cause for alarm. Not only does this compromise the vehicle's performance and efficiency, but it also presents a potential fire hazard, particularly if the leaking oil comes into contact with hot engine components. Furthermore, the premature defect of the axle shafts and axle boots is a critical safety issue. This compromises the vehicle's stability and handling, increasing the risk of accidents and potential loss of control while driving. Moreover, the premature engine knocking and abnormal shaking and lag are indicative of underlying mechanical issues that significantly impact the vehicle's drivability and safety. Engine knocking can be a precursor to more severe internal damage, while abnormal shaking and lag compromise the vehicle's responsiveness, especially in critical situations such as merging onto highways or overtaking. These issues collectively present a clear pattern of premature defects that pose significant safety risks to both myself and other road users. As such, I urge you to investigate these matters thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of Kia Optima owners. I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and a swift resolution to address these critical safety concerns.

- Frostburg, MD, USA

problem #5

Oct 172023

Optima

  • miles
System failed to pick up speed.

- Miami Gardens, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 202022

Optima

  • miles
Double clutch failure replacement twice in 3 years Transmission being replaced My son has same model and year of car and has had double clutch replaced once. Beat friend also owns same year and model Kia with same double clutch issue Transmission fails to engage from stopped position to starting off from dead start. Car begins to shake and shutter and the transmission kicks in When parked downhill, car will not engage into reverse and lunges forward. Serious problems with this models double clutch transmission. Internet search revealed this is problematic with Kia double clutch transmission

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 262020

Optima

  • 30,000 miles
I have a 2019 Kia Optima. In December I was going up a hill and the vehicle started violently shaking. I was pressing on the gas and not going anywhere. I had to put it in reverse to back down 2 rods to get back to my driveway. Had it towed to dealer and they said they could not figure out what was wrong. It was not showing any "codes". then on 02/26/2020 the check engine light came on. Had it towed to Kia dealer and they said it was showing a bunch of codes. They said they cleaned the "knocker" and was communicating with the tech line and was told to clear data and relearn system. Once they did that the check engine light went away and no more codes displayed. On 03/07/2020 the check engine light came on at night. Dealer was closed by then and they are closed on Sunday. Made a call today to get it back in the shop. They said I can bring it tomorrow. I should not have this much trouble with a 2019. Please tell

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

problem #2

Dec 192019

Optima

  • 9,200 miles
If I slow down then speed up it takes off slow. If I go up a hill it putts and when I drive it just feels like its puttering the whole time. Took it to dealership of course they didn't find anything but this is a new car I know something is wrong. I just got the car in March drove fine no accidents or anything and it's kind of disappointing that my car is like this but know one knows what's wrong.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #1

Feb 112019

Optima

  • miles
I have had this vehicle for a little over two months. It currently has 1600 miles on it. The transmission was replaced once and I am still experiencing studdering and shaking. Have another appointment on 3/15. Even have Kia customer service involved.

- Manheim, PA, USA