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.
I went to start my car which was on August 24, 2020 and it was making a very very loud noise I couldn't move it so I had it towed over to a mechanic who discovered that the engine in fact has been blown are the block has been blown so the engine is no good and needs to be replaced I am way and there was no warning on my vehicle and with also no notification of oil was low or no oil in my car whatsoever there was a metal shavings in the oil pan the mechanic discovered and it there's no leaks in the car at all and so now I pay payments for a car and somebody else to take me around to work every day for months on months andpayments for a car that sits in my driveway broken down and the dealership here Kia will not they fix my car they refuse to because of a disagreement prior to this I am on anything about my car they will not do I am actually the one who discovered there was a recall in the vehicle since February and nobody has told me and everybody has failed to mention this or contact
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that a warning light indicating that the hydraulic assembly power unit needed to be serviced. The contact took the vehicle to Kia of cerritos (18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703; (562) 860-2424) and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 97,125.
We were traveling at around 55-60 miles an hour and were T-bones by a Chevy Avalanche on the passenger side of the vehicle. I was in the front passenger seat and my husband swerved so the truck luckily started at my door and completely ripped and smashed in the back passenger door and back/ trunk of our Optima. Back wheel is completely turned out. Hit so hard it completely turned us in 2 circles and busted my front license plate and it hit absolutely nothing. I busted my head open and received 3 staples and knee shoved in dash but not 1 air bag in this vehicle deployed!! I have always owned a Kia!! I will no longer purchase a Kia because I do not feel safe!!
When I'm driving at any speed and on any surface driving over the slightest bump the steering wheel makes a clanking sound also the car is pulling to the right my front tires are wearing out on the upperoutside of the tire the part of tire that touches the road. I have looked on web to see if anyone else has had a issue with this what I found was that it may be the steering coupler. It's getting worse I'm afraid it's not going to turn one of these days because of what's going on.
After having work done on the last recall, I noticed there is a rattling near the steering wheel on every bump in the road I hit. It doesn't matter how big or small. The steering wheel shakes and the rattling has since then gotten louder and worse. I fear there is something loose either within the steering wheel and components or the bars underneath. I cannot seem to find exactly what it is but its on the front driver side of the car. It is only happening while the vehicle is in motion.
When I am driving more than 65 mph, my steering wheel shakes for 3 seconds, stops, and then continues until I go under 65 mph. When I drive over a bump or object, it shakes as well. There is a loud clicking when turn the wheel left or right.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving at approximately 30 mph, a warning indicator illuminated, advising the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator also illuminated. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and on in order for the indicators to turn off. In addition, while attempting to come to a stop, the vehicle shook and hesitated to stop appropriately. The contact took the vehicle to archer Kia (located at 11614 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77031, 888-879-5194) where repairs were made to the hydraulics. The specific parts were not identified; however, the failure continued. The contact took the vehicle to joe meyers Kia (located at 16484 nw fwy, houston, tx 77040, 713-587-9940) where the upper and lower control arms and ball joints were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and opened case number: 13386178. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. When the contact shifted the gear into reverse, the vehicle failed to reverse. The gear shifter was then shifted into park, but failed to engage and the vehicle rolled backwards down an incline. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to glassman Kia (28000 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48034, (888) 452-1360) where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side axle drive shaft was corroded through and became detached. The drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty and offered no further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
On August 17th, 2017 after making a broken U turn, I drove my 2013 Kia Optima onto a road at a high rate of speed, to flow into traffic, and hit a curb that I believed I was clear of. I suffered whiplash and severe pain from my accelerator foot up to my shoulders as both hands were on the steering wheel. I have had to take off many days to rest since then. After a visit to the dealer where I reported the accident, the rep suggested that the car should have a front camera. After the accident I began to hear and feel noise and excessive play in the steering wheel, and took the car to my mechanic who discovered the faulty part, the flexible coupler and recommended I take it to the dealer to have the recalled part that caused accident replaced. I had had my suspicion's as to why the car had not been driven much by the previous owners, and that the inaccurate navigation may have caused them to have an accident, that was never reported. I believe I have case against the dealer and the manufacture, for my pain and suffering. As a tbi sufferer this last event is causing major complications; and now dizziness, depression, uncertainty and headaches have returned.
Steering, hard to keep in lanes, loud hard ride. While test driving my 2013 Kia Optima I told my sales person that I was having trouble keeping keeping it on the road. He said that's B/C its a new car. It'll ease up. I thought it was loud & took smal bumps like a big pot holes. And the gas pedal & acceleration was wierd. He said bring it back & the service department will drive it & fix it. Don't worry. Well after several trips to the service department they said they could not emulate the problem. I asked them to let me drive with service person. Could not do. Break it in & it'll go away. Well at 11,000 miles took it back & complained. Same answer. Now 19,703 miles not only do I have the same problems.they got worse. In addition my paint scratches & chips so easy that there had to be something wrong with my paint. Back to service & body work they told me that was normal. Bring it in for detailing & we will get it looking like new! don't have $175 to do that. I do not get close to quoted gas mileage. It has a mind of its own it accelerates & gears don't shift.it takes off or doesn't all by itself. Seems like transmission trouble. Its so loud I cannot use hands free phone & conversations are difficult. The steering is so off, I'm afraid I'll get pulled over & fined. Very hard to keep on road. And my car squeaks as you get in & out of my car. Very disappointed. I want an investigation. I'm afraid it will be in an accident & hurt myself & others.
Having purchased the car on 12/11/14 my daughter did not have much experience driving the car.... on December 27 she "lost control" of the car, and ran into the wall on a busy highway in Chicago. The accident occurred on a dry evening, and she emphatically states that she does not know how she lost control of the car, and that it was pulling to the left. The only rationale conclusion was that she might have had a tire blow out. That is, until a friend recommended I check the web, and check if others may have been or are experiencing the same thing. Although I had done my due diligence when researching the car e.g. recalls, known problems, etc. Prior to purchasing this car, I did not check specifics such as steering. Long of the short, two days after the accident and when I googled steering problems, this site www.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Optima/2013/steering/steering.shtml was one of the first to show up. I was amazed to find 35 complaints in reference to the same steering issue. After reading the complaints I am I convinced that this steering issue is the contributor to my daughter's accident. It is the only logical explanation other than a blow out. I think this may be a result of the steering problems associated with the 2013 Optimas. I wonder how many accidents or deaths it is going to take for Kia to admit something is not right and do the responsible thing? it sounds as though there needs to be a manufacturers' recall before a fatal accident occurs, if it hasn't already....
When I first bought the car in July 2013, it was less then two weeks and I told them at century Kia something was wrong with the steering. I later took it and had the alignment looked at I was told it was off just a little bit on the passenger side. About two months later it is swaying all over the road, I called century Kia and spoke with their repair department and explain the problem to him and he suggested it sound like maybe a suspension problem and I told him it was an alignment issue but he told me they would need to check it out to make sure, I was going to take it somewhere else to see if it's the same thing but will allow them to look at it again. Hopefully I will get some real help because I really like my car as well.
There is a real problem with the handling of this vehicle when it is windy. It is a struggle to keep it on the road at any speed above 30mph. I'm having to avoid certain roads and bridges (I.e. tampa bay's sunshine skyway) due to the faulty and inconsistent response of the steering when driving in even the slightest wind. God forbid that a sudden gust come along!! I, too, have spoken with the dealership. Their response is that this is a common complaint, but they don't have a solution. Thinking that this issue should be addressed at the corporate level!! and soon!!
I agree with the May 24, 2013 - scottsdale, AZ overview regarding wind. The car is easily affected and moves in the wind and is a challenge to stay straight in the lane. I feel like other drivers must think I am a drunk driver. The car does not really drift but the steering is sluggish with play and dead spots/harder to make first part of a turn, (almost like steering sticks). Also as someone else said, the steering is a challenge on the highway at higher speeds and is hard to maintain in the lane.... may also be a suspension problem. It is easy to lose control at high speeds if the roadway is not perfect. Constantly fighting the loose steering to the point where again, it looks like I am a drunk driver. Increasing the air in the tires was of no help toward the steering stability. I spoke to the local Kia dealer service manager (February 2012), and he noted that the conditions sounded typical of what he has heard with the newer model Optimas which have the electronic steering. He was going to check with Kia for their thoughts. No response yet. What ever happened to the good old tight, rack and pinion steering" enough of this mushy steering, this is supposed to be a sporty car... am I finding out that it is just good looks" I have owned and driven similar priced Chrysler and Ford products prior to this and never uncomfortable with the steering.
My Kia gets stuck in a few inches of snow or any ice. Slides easily in rain or icy or cold weather. I live in the midwest. I have been pushed by strangers, countless times, trying to get me out of subdivisions because this car will not move. I had to call a tow truck and he mentioned he had to tow 3 of these same fancy vehicles that were stuck in a small amount of snow. I am unable to park in my garage because the car is not dependable if any snow or ice is on the driveway. I drive for a living and I have been stuck in patient's driveways. They laugh and say the other nurses do not have any problems with their cars. This is humiliating. This car costs almost 40,000. It should be dependable instead it is unreliable and dangerous: Other cars may run into me when my car starts sliding backwards on the streets. I have literally been stuck in the middle of the road. I have had to call in sick several times because my car will not back out a few feet from my driveway if there is 3 inches or more of snow on the ground. Also the engine whines alot. It seems to lag in shifting and the RPM goes up to almost 4 before it will shift into 4th gear. I am afraid the engine will explode or blow up.
Recently I leased a Kia Optima sx, after 1 week noticed the steering would drift from side to side in lane while steering wheel kept straight at center position. When correcting "drift" steering over compensates for correction and sways vehicle other way. Have had car in for service 2 times in 2600 miles for this issue. First time they reset alignment, the 2nd service dept. Says everything is within Kia specs and there is nothing more they can do. Car still "drifts"while on road most noticeably above 50-60 mph while on expressway, while somewhat present car acts more normally on street speeds under 45 mph. I have driven many vehicles with electric steering and this is the only vehicle that I have had problems getting to track straight. Really disappointed in an otherwise very nice vehicle. I would really like to have my vehicle perform as it should and track properly while being operated. I feel this is a large safety concern especially while driving on snow as it causes the vehicle to want to travel into other lanes of traffic while driving.
Car sways back and forth. Hard to keep on the road. Took it to the dealer they adjusted the steering from sport to standard. Gave it a try and it still continued to handle terrible. Took it back to the dealer again and left it for a few days. They keep telling me that the car is acting normal and that there is nothing wrong with it. The service manager made a comment that 5 gallons of gas and a match would fix the problem, then said he was kidding. I didn't find it funny because it only a matter of time before this car kills me or someone else. I hate the car and fear driving it. I've only had it 7months and it has about 5,500 miles on it. Car still does it and I'm exhausted from trying to keep it on the road.
I bought this car brand new from gerald Kia in Aurora Illinois. Car pulls left then right. Assumed it was out of alignment. Made an appointment at obrien Kia in champaign, il to check it out on weds, 5-8. made ap[pointment on Tuesday, 4-30. Looked on google and found out this is a problem on 11,12 and 13 Optimas. There is even a video showing this problem on utube. I believe I bought a lemon. This is very dangerous, as if you look away for a second, you could hit someone head on. I want to give them there car back. Also I can't get the part to come up.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hoopa, CA, USA