This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving on interstate at 3:30 am, oil light flickered occasionally, vehicle started slowing down, and engine eventually stalled, and would not restart. Had aaa tow it to a trusted repair shop near my home, and they determined that the engine had siezed. Had vehicle towed back home, pending decision on what to do next. The vehicle had been previously inspected by a Kia dealer under the SC147 engine recall on 9/22/2017 (16+ months earlier) at odometer 89,547 miles and evidently passed the inspection procedure per Kia's tsb. I believe debris from the engine manufacturing process blocked oil lubrication passageways not only to the engine bearings, but also to the oil pressure sensor. I do not believe the inspection procedure developed by Kia to determine whether the engine is ok or needs to be replaced is 100% effective.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While the contact's grandson was driving 40-45 mph, the vehicle jerked and smoke emerged from the hood. The vehicle spontaneously caught fire and the check engine indicator illuminated. There were no injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed under case number: 19-036086. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow facility. The contact called West palm beach Kia (735 South military trail, West palm beach, fl 33415, (561) 433-1511) and was referred to the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.
I was driving on the street at 40mph when I saw light smoke coming from under the hood I pulled over to get my two kids and myself out of the car shortly after we got out of the car flames started coming from under the hood I then called 911 for the fire department to come put the flames out when they finally did the whole car was burnt to a crisp
While driving my car it started to act sluggish so I pulled over and minutes after getting out of the car it started on fire. The fire department was called the fire was extinguished, but not before the car was a total loss
Engine failure..bought in 2013 w 14,000 miles.currently has 68,000.check engine light came on last year.Kia would only pay for 1 spark plug.then, L paid to have a new fi system put in.L was never reimbursed.Dec 20, driving down a busy highway w my kids and engine shuts off with no warning.then, the check engine light came on along with weird smells of gas and burning.took it to the dealer and no issue.took it back again on Dec 21, but no techs available.Dec 23, L was driving my kid to work, engine shook, check engine light came on flashed and a big boom.car was going 5mph while it was clicking.L got it towed(after Kia motors had the audacity to try to make me pay for a tow@99.00, but L refused)thru my insurance co.as the car sat, a big cloud of smoke came from the engine, we though that it was catching on fire.called Kia motors....omg, the worst.L just got a rental today and approved for engine replacement after multiple phone calls.my brother bought his Optima brand new in 2003 and same thing happened in 2 months.Kia continues to not resolve his dangerous issue and L am afraid to drive it, let alone have my kids in it.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received an unknown recall notification regarding the engine. The vehicle was taken to sunset Kia of bradenton (4770 14th St w, bradenton, fl 34207, (941) 752-1000) where the engine was tested and passed. The contact stated that the engine had been sputtering prior to the test. The dealer stated that the failure was due to lack of oil, although the vehicle recently had an oil change. The dealer also stated that they did not find metal shavings while conducting the test and the check oil indicator was not illuminated. Approximately one week later, while driving, the engine seized in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer who stated that a new engine was needed due to the recall. The check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle was towed to another unknown dealer where additional recalls were discovered. The unknown dealer found a deteriorated clamp that caused the hose to become loose and the engine to jolt. The vehicle was repaired, but there was no mention of the deteriorated clamps on the invoice. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, the air bag indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the indicator was illuminated when they received the vehicle. The contact also noticed a fuel odor and noticed that the fuel pump was gushing fuel. The contact researched the failure and found that it was caused by the initial engine replacement and the brake booster hose was not properly secured. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 86,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the starter malfunctioned and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to another mechanic who replaced the starter, but the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic discovered that the motor was locked up. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
This car was involved in a non-collision/spontaneous fire. There where no prior indications of car defects. The car was moving on a city road when it caught on fire. Dekalb county ga fire department was called and took a report. This was a brand new replacement motor installed by Kia with a warranty. The new motor had approximately 5000 miles on it.
I was driving my car in motion around 25 mph. I went to accelerate to get onto the freeway and the car just stalled on me with no warning. I had to pull over, cut the car off and let it sit for a min. After 5 mins, it started to drive again but there was still lack of acceleration
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact opened the hood and flames appeared underneath the intake manifold. The local fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the wiring harness was burnt. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Vehicle will not start. Engine and ignition replaced due to bearing wear recall. Transmission replaced 2 weeks ago for rebuilt one, and now car won't start. It's been 2 days and Kia has not been able to tell me what is wrong with it. The reason I wanted to submit this complaint is because I believe there should be a recall on transmissions installed in these vehicles. Kia wanted me to wait from 10 Sep to mid Dec because these transmissions are on back order. Which means there's so much demand that Dec is the earliest they could receive it. Their shop is full, mostly of these cars (Optima). They expected me to wait 3 months without a car in order to give them time. It just boggles my mind that they could do this. The craziest thing is that expect everyone to wait this long. I talked to 3 different costumers who are all having the same exact problem with the same cars, and they were told the same thing. I purchased this vehicle in 2014 used, only one previous owner, never had any accidents, now has 111,000+ miles. Always did all maintenance checks, oil & filter changes, tune ups, fluids change and yearly inspections. Only used for going to work and coming home 5 days a week (approx. 54 miles per day). I decided to repair transmission at other place & ended up saving $1100. Kia wanted to charge $2,700 for rebuild transmission & found a guy that charged me $1,600 for rebuild one. Kia never gave me quote copy. Just told me over the phone. How convenient! guy told me the way these transmissions were built it's simply bad engineering. And showed me the part of the transmission that broke. Would upload the documents, but I left in my car! can still provide them though! the safety issue was that the transmission went out while driving at 65 mph on a busy highway in houston! the car simply died on the middle of the highway. So I can only assume you know what that feels like!
My 2011 Kia Optima is consuming large quantities of oil. I have received 10 oil changes since February 2018 (Oct as of today) after my car's oil light would blink every 1000 miles when driving. The dealer said their was no visible leak and performed a consumption test which showed my car was consuming oil at an alarming rate. This issue has been identified as a know problem with Kia motors and has yet to addressed.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and black smoke emerged from the engine compartment. In addition, the check engine and tire pressure warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over, exited the vehicle, and noticed flames under the hood. The contact used a towel and a bottle of water to extinguish the fire. The fire department was called, but arrived after the fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (courtesy Kia of brandon, 9205 E adamo, tampa, fl 33619) where it was diagnosed that the engine block failed and the engine needed replacement. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was at the dealer for an evaluation per NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer stated that it was ok to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and case number: 12673181 was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Was driving on a city street. Came to a stop at a stop light. Proceeded to go on green and on a main busy road my car shut down completely and all my lights came on in my vehicle. As I pulled over onto a side street my car began to smoke and smell like it was burning. My car would not start back up.. had to have it towed to 2 different shops. It is currently at the dealership waiting on a new engine and we have been for over 2 months now. Getting very aggravated as nobody can tell me when my car will be done. The dealership keeps telling me they cant find an engine for it. Which I find a little ridiculous. Somebody needs to tell me something or pay me blue book value for my car and keep it. This is not my fault as this a recall on my car that seems to be an issue all over with them.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact powered off the engine and the vehicle failed to restart. In addition, on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start when the ignition switch was started. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 106,018.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving 50 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (doral Kia, 10155 nw 12th St, doral, fl 33172, (305) 520-5592)and was awaiting diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 91,500.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise from the engine compartment. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the vehicle had no engine oil. The engine oil indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to Kia of South austin (5306 S ih 35 frontage rd, austin, tx) where it passed an initial engine inspection per NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the oil consumption failure was confirmed and oil was added to the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that further evaluations would have to be performed, which required them to continue to operate the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to follow the dealer's testing procedures. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The VIN was not provided.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Westerville, OH, USA