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.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. After the vehicle was parked, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the electrical system failed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 48,700.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving various speeds, the temperature gauge moved sporadically without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (kings Kia 9600 kings auto mall rd, cincinnati, oh 45249 (513) 677-6700) where it was diagnosed with a sporadic temperature gauge that needed replacement. The temperature gauge was replaced, but the failure recurred a week later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they replaced the thermostat. The contact stated that the issue persisted, but the check engine indicator illuminated and the sporadic temperature gauge continued to fail. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was at the dealer for three weeks. The instrument panel was replaced, but the failure continued. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling), but failed to notify the dealer of the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,500.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (moritz Kia fort worth, 8501 West fwy, fort worth, tx 76116 (817) 560-6000) did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 08/22/17
Bought car brand new at 30K miles whiite smoke starting coming out the exhaust. Took it to Kia dealership and they told me I had to furnish all my oil change receipts bc there was sludge in my oil. They told me I needed a new motor, a brand new car?! I would accelerate and the smoke would come out and when I started the car the smoke would come out. Just today my engine light came on and my car started sputtering. I recently went to 2 different Kia dealerships and not one sales rep mentioned the recall, nor the other 2 that were related to this vehicle.
Took my vehicle in for a engine recall. It only took 10 minutes. No explanation on what was the process to check a recalled engine. No details on how and what was done to check the engine. This an indication that Kia is trying to save money. Also NHTSA should indicate on it's website before the remedy, indicate the process being used to check the engine. All they stated was pass.
- Deltona, FL, USA
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Engine recalls. There is a knocking noise coming from the engine and sounds like a diesel engine. Kia says this is normal but others do not sound like this. Wondering if there is more to this recall than what they are willing to admit.
My cars engine started making a knocking noise during idle and at highway speeds. This is very concerning because I do need my car everyday to get my 18 month old daughter to daycare and then to work. The default answer from the dealership is "we don't hear anything" which is total bs, you can clearly hear it knocking. I don't want my cars engine to have a catastrophic failure during rush hour traffic when I am with my daughter. That could cause us to be in a very serious accident which I dread. Kia needs to own up to the problem and get it fixed and stop worrying about the money they will lose due to fixing it. I am glad NHTSA exists, it keeps big powerful companies like Kia in check. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
At about 30,000 miles the engine developed a knock that could be heard at low RPM while driving or standing still. I took it to the Kia dealer and I'm waiting to hear back from them, they have had the car for two days and don't know how they are going to fix it. The service advisor did say it was covered by the recall, but I can't find anything about a recall for the Optima 2.4L gdi engine
While driving vehicle at approximately 45 mph, engine stalls in middle of busy highway. Was able to get vehicle to side of road in the rain. Vehicle would not start and was towed to dealer. Dealer calls to say engine is blown at 37K miles. Dealer was last to perform oil change. No issues were noted at that time. Awaiting to hear if engine is covered by extended engine warranty that was issued by Kia as they are well aware of this problem and has known for several years.
At a stop light when I went to accelerate car had a hesitation and smoke came out the exhaust pipe. No engine, or oil light came on. The car drove and ran as it always has. Got home call Kia of dayton for an appointment. Took car in, couple days later I was called and told I had sludge built up and needed a new engine and they will submit it to Kia for approval. Kia denied repairs. I looked up online and read several complaints with the same exact problem with same year and around same mileage. I even seen where a class action suit was filed over it. Kia is aware of the issue but wont recall nor fix it.
While driving down the road all the lights on the dash came on, the RPM's dropped and the car shut off and would not restart. Got it towed to the Kia dealership they called said it was my starter. My fiance stopped by there said it's no way it was the starter. The service tech put a breaker bar on the motor and it was locked up tight.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 60 mph, the engine oil indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the engine was burning oil extremely fast. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to low maintenance of having the oil changed. The contact was informed that she needed to provide all documents of previous oil change maintenance. Due to not having the oil changes performed at a Kia certified dealer, the contact was out of compliance with the warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 60 mph, the engine shut down and the check engine indicator illuminated. A local dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to sludge build up. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the engine failure was due to the owner's negligence. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
On 09/19/2016 I purchased a 2014 Kia Optima LX from Kia of cerritos. Unfortunately, the vehicle has not been satisfactory because on 09/19/2016 I got home, parked it in front of the garage (still on), and it shut off by itself. I turned the car back on and it blew out white smoke, I turned it off immediately, and called Kia this next day to have it inspected at the dealership on 9/20/16. They said they needed to replaced the engine. Prior to this, the car was working normally, no dash lights, or anything that would signal the car breaking down, Kia of cerritos is unwilling to fix it under warranty and they're saying the cost for repairs is $6,585 and Kia motors of America declined the repairs, I've been with this car only 2 1/2 years.
First off, had our Kia at the dealer at 27,000 miles due to our car not coming out of park several times. We would have to turn off the car and turn it back on. Dealer said they checked it and no problems were found. A couple weeks ago as we were driving, our engine light came on and their was a horrible knocking sound coming from our engine. Our Kia only has approx. 30,500 miles on it. Took it to the dealer immediately and said we had a spun rod and would need a new engine. I could not locate all of our oil records so they refuse to cover it under warranty. How does an engine go that soon! we were charged $222 for diagnostics and had it towed home. I asked for an itemized receipt of what was checked or taken apart and have yet to receive it. Furthermore, when the tow truck driver got to our home it had an overwhelming gas smell coming from the engine and also inside the cabin. We were warned not to have open flame near the car. Our house sits close to where the car was parked so I was petrified. I contacted the dealer to find out what the problem was and 6 hours later, they finally responded back to me. Came to find out that the technician left the high pressure fuel line off and the valve cover bolts. He also took the pump fuse out. The tech also forgot to put the underbody engine cover in the trunk. It would have been nice for the tow driver and us to know about this! I paid to have it put back together and now I have to run back up there to get our underbody cover"?" I would like to know why no warning lights came on sooner and why we have engine failure at such low miles!
Car started smoking so to hart Kia. They said the entire engine needs to be replaced due to oil breaking down. Since I could not provide all maintenance records, Kia is not responsible for holding up warranty. The car only has 40,000 miles on it and has bad engine.
While driving with my family of 4 on the freeway in a desolate area of santa clarita on 9/24/16 at 3:15pm my vehicle shut off without any warning. We were going 65 mph, all lights on the dash flashed and the car shut off. We were in the 2nd lane and had to use the momentum of speed to make it to the shoulder, we were almost hit. Once we made it to the shoulder of this busy freeway, we were unable to start the car, put windows up or down, open the trunk etc. The car was completely dead. We sat waiting for aaa and hoping not to get hit. It was 85 degrees out and my 74 year old mother and disabled sister sat in the car for 30 mins until the tow truck arrived. If we weren't so lucky or if we were in the righter lanes of traffic 4 lives could have been lost that day. I am very anxious and nervous to drive the vehicle again however; I have no choice it is our families primary vehicle. The service rep at the dealership told be prematurely that it is the motor however; the diagnosis is not finalized. I fear for the safely of my family and friends in the car now, and really do not want to drive it again. It gives me major anxiety especially since I drive from ca to AZ 4 times a year and now fear this happening in the middle of the desert. I don't understand how a car 19 month old with 48K miles can have this type of issue. Actually I don't know how any car any age and miles can have the issue of just shutting off without warning, it is a major safety concern.
I was driving on the interstate this past weekend when I heard this knocking sound at about 70 pulled to the side of the road pressed the accelerator and the noise became louder. I then called road side assistant and attempted to make to the closet gas station when the car jerked heard a loud noise and the car shut completely off and would not start, I was able to coast to the shoulder. Long story short car has been serviced by Kia since I purchased it in November 2015 with 16,725 miles used, it currently has less than 41,000 miles (not knowing that the power train warranty is only 5 years 60000 miles if you aren't the original owner until the claim was filed). When the Kia service manager called me he said the engine had seized up and the engine needed to be replaced. However he has to wait on authorization. I was 166 miles away from home they could not provide a rental I had to pay out of pocket but will be reimbursed. It will take a week to replace which means paying for a rental and I have to go pick up my car once it is repaired so I will be taking off work. A defective motor although its covered by the warranty is costing me. I was ensured that the new motors have been changed so that I will not have the same problem 40,000 miles later. I wonder if the warranty is going to be extended with the new motor. A recall need to be issued. The connecting rod in the engine becomes too hot either it siezes or breaks. My Optima is a turbo I am not sure about the others.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Splendora, TX, USA